Globalization?

Defining Globalization

1. Globalization means the onset of the

borderless world. (Ohmae, 1992)

2. In 2006, the Geneva Center for

Security Policy (GCSP) had a
comprehensive study of 114
definitions, 67 of them refer to
economic dimension.
 Globalization?
Defining Globalization

3. Globalization could bring either or both

integration and/or fragmentation. (Ritzer,
2015)

4. Globalization is a reality. It is
changing as human society develops. It
has happened before and is still
happening today. We should expect it to
continue to happen in the future. The
future of globalization is more difficult to
predict.
 Globalization?
5. Globalization occurs on multiple and
intersecting dimensions of integration that is
called “scapes.”
-Ethnoscape refers to the global movement of
people.
-Mediascape is about the flow of culture.
-Technoscape refers to the circulation of
mechanical goods and software.
-Financescape denotes the global circulation of
money.
-Ideoscape is the realm where political ideas move
around.
*They are distinct windows into the broader
phenomenon of globalization. These will lead to
the creation of cultural hybrids.
 Globalization?
Defining Globalization

Overall, globalization is a
concept that is not easy to
define because in reality,
globalization has a shifting
nature. It is complex,
multifaceted, and can be
influenced by the people who
define it.
 Metaphors of Globalization
Solid and Liquid
-Solidity refers to barriers that
prevent or make difficult the
movement of things.

-Liquidity refers to the increasing

ease of movement of people,
things, information, and places in
the contemporary world.
 Metaphors of Globalization
Liquidity and solidity are in
contrast interaction. However,
liquidity is the one increasing and
proliferating today. Therefore, the
metaphor that could best describe
globalization is liquidity.

Liquids do flow and this idea of

flow will be the next focus.
 Metaphors of Globalization

- Flows are the movement of

people, things, places, and
information brought by the
growing “porosity” of global
limitations. (Ritzer, 2015)
 Globalization Theories

Homogeneity and Heterogeneity

-Homogeneity refers to the increasing
sameness in the world as cultural inputs,
economic factors, and political
orientations of societies expand to create
common practices, same economies, and
similar forms of government.
-Homogeneity in culture is often linked to
cultural imperialism. This means, a given
culture influences other cultures.
 Globalization Theories
Homogeneity and Heterogeneity
-Homogeneity
Ex. –Americanization
-McDonaldization
Ritzer (2008) claimed that, in general, the
contemporary world is undergoing the
process of McDonaldization. It is the
process by which Western societies are
dominated by the principles of fast food
restuarants.
 Globalization Theories
Homogeneity and Heterogeneity
-Heterogeneity pertains to the creation of
various cultural practices, new economies,
and political groups because of the
interaction of elements from different
societies in the world.
-Heterogeneity in culture is associated
with cultural hybridization. A more specific
concept is “glocalization” coined by
Roland Robertson in 1992.
Dynamics of Local and Global Culture
3 Perspectives on Global Cultural
Flows:
1. Cultural Differentialism
2. Cultural Hybridization
3. Cultural Convergence
Cultural Differentialism emphasizes the fact that
cultures are essentially different and are only
superficially affected by global flows.
-The interaction of cultures is deemed to contain
the potential for “catastrophic collision.”
Ex. Increasing interaction among different
civilizations (Sinic, Islamic, Orthodox, and Western)
would lead to intense clashes, especially the economic
conflict between the Sinic and Western civilizations and
bloody political conflict between the Western and Islamic
civilization. (Huntington, 2004)
 Cultural Hybridization

Cultural Hybridization approach emphasizes the

integration of local and global cultures.

-Globalization is considered to be a creative

process which gives rise to hybrid entities that are
not reducible to either the global or the local.

-A key concept is “glocalization”

-Other key concept is “scapes” (ethno, media,
techno, finance, and ideoscapes)
Cultural Hybridization
Cultural Convergence

Cultural Convergence approach stresses

homogeneity introduced by globalization.
-Cultures are deemed to be radically altered by
strong flows, while cultural imperialism happens
when one culture imposes itself on and tends to
destroy at least parts of another culture.

- The idea of “deterritorialization” of culture. This means

that it is much more difficult to tie culture to a specific
geographic point of origin.
Cultural Convergence