Institute of Foreign Languages IS403: Globalization and Social Change

Department of International Studies 2020 - 2021

Mid-Term Test
Time Allowed: 70 minutes

Student’s Name: Sor Bunsopheap Date: 31/12/2020

Class: E4.1 Total Score:…………..…/40

I. Comprehension Questions
Answer all of the following questions. Your answers must be in full sentences and must not
exceed the space provided.
1. Identify TWO definitions of globalization in Jan Aart Scholte’s article, and briefly explain
why those definitions are weak. (10 marks)
2. Identify and briefly explain TWO factors which impede/slow down globalization, with
specific examples. (10 marks)
3. Identify TWO views about the origins and history of globalization and briefly explain these
two views. (10 marks)
4. Based on the concept-based approach, globalization is measured based on how globalization
is defined or understood. Identify two definitions of globalization and briefly explain how
globalization is measured based on those two definitions. Briefly explain TWO weaknesses
of this approach. (10 marks)

Q1 Identify TWO definitions of globalization in Jan Aart Scholte’s article, and briefly explain
why those definitions are weak.

A definition of globalization is define as a recapitalisation of social life opens up new

knowledge and engages key policy challenges of current history in a constructively critical
manner.

Another one is that Globalization can be defined by the Criteria of a good definition as described
the following. It serves to advance new knowledge: add something new, describe new
phenomenon as the term is also new term. It is as neutral as possible: can be accepted by many
groups, not bias toward particular groups. It is relative to a context: reflects the current situation.
It is not fixed: more open, more connections.

Those definitions are weak because:

i. Globalization is internationalization.
+ No new knowledge (just based on old phenomenon that had happened for very long time ago)

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Institute of Foreign Languages IS403: Globalization and Social Change
Department of International Studies 2020 - 2021
+ Bias toward state (no other actors could involve)
+ Fixed: connections between state only (others are not accepted)
ii. Globalization is liberalization.
+ No new knowledge
+ Bias toward neoliberalist policy
+ Fixed: only economic connections
iii. Globalization is universalization.
+ No new knowledge
+ Bias toward the dominant ones (destroy the weak ones)
+ Not cogent (not supported by empirical evidence and the globalization as homogenization can
also lead to unhappy political consequences)
+ Not relative to context (the world is not homogenized, but even heterogenized)
iv. Globalization is westernization.
+ No new knowledge
+ Bias toward western culture
          + Not relative to a context (non-western can also include as globalization. Ex: Buddhist,
Islamic globalization)

Q2 Identify and briefly explain TWO factors which impede/slow down globalization, with
specific examples.
Economic Congestion: When the economic faces down, it will affect globalization globally.
Political Crisis: Globalization is taking slow as political issue is occure.

Q3 Identify TWO views about the origins and history of globalization and briefly explain these
two views.
First, prior to 19th century, there were connections such as world religions, global trade
routes, global currencies transnational cooperation, global trade, global travel, global
consciousness, transnational commercial banks, international law and global health. However,
those connections were still limited with quality in term of safety scope and speed, and quantity
in term of number of connections.

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Institute of Foreign Languages IS403: Globalization and Social Change
Department of International Studies 2020 - 2021
Second, during the period between the 19th century and mid-20th century, communication
has expanded to various approach like telegraph, radio, phone and so on. The steam engine and
planes has allowed people to travel further distance. For market, there were existence of global
brand names, global commodities market, for instance, Coca Cola. These allowed people to
access the same products across the globe. Organization has also expanded to global organization
including IGOs, NGOs, MNCs. The military connection has also enhanced to two majors
including the global weapons like nuclear where it can target anyone elsewhere, and the global
military campaign, the US military is world-widely settled, for instance. The global
consciousness has also increased in term of global thinking or global view that make people
believe that we shared the planet the effect on the planet is also affected on us. For instance, the
Olympic, UNESCO, or Esperanto are not belonging to anyone, but to the common human being.
Although the expansion of global connection was seen to be huge, it was also limited in term of
quantity and quality where people cannot fully access due to its expensiveness.

Q4 Based on the concept-based approach, globalization is measured based on how globalization

is defined or understood. Identify two definitions of globalization and briefly explain how
globalization is measured based on those two definitions. Briefly explain TWO weaknesses of
this approach.
I. Liberalist.
Global connections are stemmed from human’s desired for Welfare and liberty. However, the
bridge toward connecting welfare and liberty to global connections is through two conditions.
They are Technology and Institutional Arrangements. For example: Steve job created apple that
connects virtually everyone in the world, is because of his desire for welfare, to make profit.For
example: People wants to move around because they want liberty and not be restricted and
restrained. These cross border movements are what made global connections flourish.
 
II. Realists.
Global connections are stemmed from state’s desired for power. Global arena, for them is a
platform for competition for various objectives especially for power. They view that global
connection are the products of either Hegemon or a group of powerful states.
According to Hegemonic Stability theories, there are two explanations

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Institute of Foreign Languages IS403: Globalization and Social Change
Department of International Studies 2020 - 2021
- Focus on one powerful hegemon. This hegemon create global connections
through sponsoring, policing, providing, and initiating for all others so as to
ultimately benefit its own self. For example: the US created IMF, or drafted
majorly for the UN Charter just to benefit itself economically and politically.
- Focus on a group of great powers where small powers are neglected. It
explains that global connections are made by a group of great powers
spreading each of their influence to the world, and these influence and effects
of all those great powers contribute the global connection of what we have
today.

This is the end of the test paper.