The Contemporary World

Instructor: Hannah Gay C. Amontos, MAED

Lesson 1

What is the Contemporary World?

To fully understand this course, let’s first understand the word contemporary. By definition,
contemporary means “living or occurring at the same time” or “belonging to or occurring in
the present.” The contemporary world simply means the present world we live in. Hence, in
this course, we will learn to understand the world we live in.

In today’s constantly changing world, societies are becoming increasingly interdependent

and have more social, economic, political and cultural relationships. Similarly, the problems
and issues that characterize the contemporary world are interconnected and
multidimensional. As a result, the various actors—states, organizations, and citizens—are
called upon to work together to find global solutions.

To study these problems and issues, we must see them from both geographic and historical
perspectives, and consider the economic and political dimensions.

Defining Globalization

One big concept that dominates the present world is Globalization. What comes to your
mind when you hear this term?

Over the years, globalization has gained many connotations pertaining to progress,
development, and integration. Many scholars tried to formulate and give its definition. Some
view globalization as a positive phenomenon.

Thomas Larson (2001), a Swedish journalist, saw globalization as the process of “world
shrinkage”, of distances getting shorter, and of things moving closer. It pertains to the
increasing ease with which somebody on one side of the world can interact, to mutual
benefit with somebody on the other side of the world.

Think About It!

Idea Expression No. 1.

Briefly explain how you have personally experienced Thomas Larson’s view on
globalization.
(Write your answer in 100- 150 words in your Key Terms and Idea sheet).
 On the other hand, some see globalization as occurring through and with regression,
colonialism and destabilization. Martin Khor (1995), the former president of Third World
Network in Malaysia once regarded globalization as colonization.

The literature on the definitions of globalization revealed that definitions of globalization can
be classified as “broad and inclusive” or “narrow and exclusive”.

An example of a broad and inclusive definition of globalization was given by Ohmae in 1992.
He stated that globalization means the onset of a borderless world. If we examine this
definition to globalization, it can include a variety of issues that deal with overcoming
traditional boundaries. This view on a borderless world is also vague, and does not shed light
on the implications of globalization.

The narrow and exclusive definition of globalization are better justified, but can be limiting in
a sense that their application adhere to only particular definitions. Robert Cox’s definition to
globalization suits best in this type. He said that “the characteristics of the globalization trend
include the internationalizing of production, the new international division of labor, new
migratory movements, the new competitive environment that accelerates these processes,
and the internationalizing of the states, making states agencies of the globalizing world.”

The official definition of globalization was given by the World Health Oganization (WHO).
According to WHO, globalization can be defined as ”the increased interconnectedness and
interdependence of peoples and countries. It is generally understood to include two inter-
related elements: the opening of international borders to increasingly fast flows of goods,
services, finance, people and ideas; and the changes in institutions and policies at national
and international levels that facilitate or promote such flows.”

One of the effects of globalization is that it promotes and increases interactions between
different regions and populations around the globe.

Think About It!

Idea Expression No. 2.

One element of globalization as defined by the WHO is the opening of the international
borders to increasingly fast flows of goods and services. How is this reflected in our
current society?

(Write your answer in 100- 150 words in your Key Terms and Idea sheet).

What Is Globalization in the Economy?

According to the Committee for Development Policy (a subsidiary body of the United
Nations), from an economic point of view, globalization can be defined as “the increasing
interdependence of world economies as a result of the growing scale of cross-border trade
of commodities and services, the flow of international capital and the wide and rapid
spread of technologies. It reflects the continuing expansion and mutual integration of market
frontiers and the rapid growing significance of information in all types of productive activities
and marketization are the two major driving forces for economic globalization.”

What Is Globalization in Geography?

In geography, globalization is defined as the set of processes (economic, social, cultural,

technological, institutional) that contribute to the relationship between societies and
individuals around the world. It is a progressive process by which exchanges and flows
between different parts of the world are intensified.

Globalization and the G20: What is the G20?

The G20 is a global bloc composed by the governments and central bank governors from 19
countries and the European Union (EU). Established in 1999, the G20 gathers the most
important industrialized and developing economies to discuss international economic and
financial stability. Together, the nations of the G20 account for around 80% of global
economic output, nearly 75 percent of all global trade, and about two-thirds of the world’s
population.

G20 leaders get together in an annual summit to discuss and coordinate pressing global
issues of mutual interest. Though economics and trade are usually the centerpieces of each
summit’s agenda, issues like climate change, migration policies, terrorism, the future of work,
or global wealth are recurring focuses too. Since the G20 leaders represent the “political
backbone of the global financial architecture that secures open markets, orderly capital
flows, and a safety net for countries in difficulty”, it is often thanks to bilateral meetings during
summits that major international agreements are achieved and that globalization is able to
move forward.

The joint action of G20 leaders has unquestionably been useful to save the global financial
system in the 2008/2009 crisis, thanks to trade barriers removal and the implementation of
huge financial reforms. Nonetheless, the G20 was been struggling to be successful at
coordinating monetary and fiscal policies and unable to root out tax evasion and
corruption, among other downsides of globalization. As a result of this and other failures from
the G20 in coordinating globalization, popular, nationalist movements across the world have
been defending countries should pursue their interests alone or form fruitful coalitions.

References:
Aldama, Prince Kennes Reguyal. (2018). The Contemporary World. Rex Bookstore, Inc. Sampaloc, Manila.
Globalization: Definition, Benefits, Effects, Examples- What is Globalization. (2020. October 6). YouMatter.
https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-globalization-definition-benefits-effects-examples/