Introduction to

Globalization
What is Globalization?

Origin, History and causes

of
Globalization

Dimensions of Globalization
Globalization: A Highly Contested Concept
1. Scholars are not in agreement as to who exactly coined
the term and when it first appeared. (Theodore Levitt,
economist, Harvard Business School, in an article
“Globalization of Markets”)
2. Scholars are not in agreement as to how the term can be
defined.
3. Scholars are not in agreement as to the cause of
globalization.
4. Scholars are not in agreement as to the history and
chronology of globalization.
5. Scholars are not in agreement as to the impact of
globalization (globophilia and the globophobia, homogeneity
or heterogeneity).
6. Scholars and not in agreement as to the trajectory of
globalization (done, moving forward, etc.)
7. The scholars are not in agreement as to the concept itself
(one dimension or multiple dimensions, process, condition,
age, a system, or a force).
Manfred Steger
Definitions of Globalization
Dickens (geographer): Globalization is the umbrella term for the complex set
of transformative process and outcomes that dialectically and rationally
interact with places and people (Gopinath 2008).

Freidman (columnist): Globalization is the inexorable integration of markets,

nation-states and technologies to a degree never witnessed before. It is an
international system (2008).

Giddens (sociologist): Globalization is the intensification of worldwide social

relations that link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are
shaped by events occurring miles away and vice versa (2008).

MCNamee(capitalist): It is an environment in which we live. We got one world.

Get used to it. Make the most of It. Debating globalization? It is like asking a
fish to debate the merits of living in the sea( 2008).

Robertson (sociologist): Globalization is a process by which we come to

experience, or become aware of the world as a single place (2008).

Stiglitz (economist): Globalization is the removal of barriers to free trade and

the closer integration of National economies (2008).
Globalization refers to expansion and intensification
of social relations and consciousness across world
time and space (Steger, Battersby, Siracusa).
Themes of globalization:

Intensification netwroks and the expansion of social relations

1. International NGO’s (e.g. Redrecross/Red Crescent, Doctors w/o Borders,

World Vision, Tzu Chi foundation).
2. Multinational National Corporations (MNC) e.g. Call Centers (JP Morgan
Chase, Accenture, etc).
3. Intergovernmental organizations and international organizations (ASEAN,
APEC, EU, UN, WTO, IMF, NATO, African Union (AU), etc.).

Acceleration of social exchange

4. Internet (Social media e.g. Facebook, instagram, twitter, skype, viber,

whatsapp, gmail, etc).
5. Live television and cable TV (CNN, BBC, Fox News, Aljazeera, ABS CBN,
GMA etc.).
6. Mobile phones and satellite phones.
7. Cheap travel (Budget airlines: Starmark, NokAir, Tiger Airways, Cebu
Pacific, etc).
George Ritzer (2011) uses metaphors to explain Globalization:

1. From “Solids”-people, things, information, and places

“harden” over time with limited mobility to “liquids”-
Increase of ease of the movement of people, things,
information, and places in the global age.

2. “Flows”- movement of people , things and information , and

places due , in part, to the increasing porosity of global barrier
(melting of barriers)- sushi globalization, Chinatowns,
Disneyland, china products around the world, internet, blogs,
online shopping, G cash, e-commerce, wire to wireless, spread
of democracy and the end of communism.

3. "Heavy and Light"- e.g. encyclopedia to kindle, PC- laptop,

-tablet, mobile phones, watches, steel, alloy, titanium, carbon
fiber. Work becomes light due to machines and computers,
vinyl records to cassettes to Walkman, DVD. From DVD to
downloads.
Mansbach (2013)

1. Skeptics- see globalization as mere economic

interdependence and it is neither unprecedented nor
revolutionary. In fact it is reversible.

2. Hyperglobalizers- also perceive globalization as basically

economic interdependence but it is revolutionary. There are
new actors like non- state actors.

3. Transformationalist- sees globalization as unprecedented

and multidimensional it causes profound change in politics and
economics, culture, security, migration, human rights, and
environment.
The History of Globalization: Is globalization a new
phenomenon?
Globalization is a new phenomenon, but the contact of
diverse individuals are not new (Steger 2013).

1. It began when prehistoric tribes settled and were able to

outmuscle wandering tribes (trade due to food surplus-
McGregor)
2. The ancient or premodern period saw technological
advances that allowed trade and communication to flourish
(Silk Road, Phoenicians, growing shipbuilding and navigation,
Rise of the Roman empire)
3. Age of exploration and colonization
4. The modern period saw the Industrial Revolution provide
massive advances (electricity, combustion engine, telegraph)
5. Advancement of technology (internet, satellite, mobile
phones etc.).
Ritzer (2011) explains the origin and history of globalization using
metaphors.

1. Hardwired- it is in the instincts of men to develop and flourish

that is why they have to move.
Missionary work, commerce and trade, adventure and conquest).

2. Cycles- there were global ages in the past and what appears now
is a new globalization. This is related to rise and fall of civilizations.

3. Waves or epochs (fourth to the seventh century- the spread of

Christianity and Islam), late fifteenth century European colonial
conquest, the late eighteenth and the early nineteenth century- the
European
Wars, European imperialism of the mid nineteenth century, Post
world war two, post cold war.

4. Events- rise of the roman empire, spread of Christianity and Islam,

travels of the Vikings, trade in thr middle ages, Ghenghis khan into
eastern Europe, Marco polo to china, the discovery of America,
European colonialism, and the two world wars.
McGregor (2011) says that the causes and origin of
globalization are:

1. Profit
2. Competition
3. Economies of scale
4. Developments in technology
5. Geography
6. Media and cultural changes
Economic dimension of Globalization (Steger 2013)

1. The global economic order emerged after World War II, when
the Bretton Woods Conference laid the foundations for the IMF,
World Bank, GATT and WTO (free trade).
2. In the 1980s neoliberalism liberalized financial transactions.
3. Transnational corporations rival nation-states in economic
power, and have had a profound effect on the structure and
function of the global economy (LEDS and MEDS).
4. The Washington Consensus was drafted to reform indebted
developing countries, but it has thus far rarely helped countries
develop(global loans).
5. Liberalization and global market integration.
6. Irreversible and inevitable.
7. Nobody is in-charge.
8. It benefits everyone in the long run.
Political Dimension of Globalization (Steger 2013)
1. ‘The political dimension of globalization’ looks at political
arrangements beyond the nation-state.
2. The modern nation-state came into being after the
Protestant Reformation (treaty of Westphalia),
characterized by centralized government and self-
determination.
3. The rise of organizations such as the United Nations has
threatened the nation-state, according to globalization
skeptics. However, national governments still hold significant
powers.
4. There has been a rise in the number of supra-territorial
institutions, operating from the local level all the way to the
global level
5. Globalization further spreads democracy.
The Cultural Dimension of Globalization (Steger
2013)
1. Explores the intensification and expansion of cultural flows
across the globe.
2. Critics of cultural globalization claim that the world is
being homogenized or ‘Americanized’.
3. Advocates say that globalization reinvigorates niche
cultures instead of eliminating them.
4. The existence of the global imaginary is linked to the rise
of global media networks. These networks are owned by a
small group of transnational corporations, which can affect
journalistic integrity.
5. Several different hypotheses exist about the effects of
language globalization. Some say that it leads to protection
of native tongues. On the other hand, some foresee the rise
of a ‘Globish’ language.
Ecological Dimension of Globalization (Steger 2013)
1. Deals with the effects of global alliances on ecological
issues.
2. There is an inexorable link between all humanity and
the planet Earth.
3. The Industrial Revolution has caused many ecological
problems, including, resource and food shortages,
overpopulation, reduced biodiversity, pollution, and
climate change. All these problems are global — the
result of aggregated human action — and require a
coordinated response.
4. However, there are still debates about the seriousness
of ecological issues, and, whilst progress has been made,
few multilateral measures have been implemented.
This phase of globalization has been severely damaging to
the environment, and action is needed now.
Ideological dimension of Globalization (Steger
2013)

1. Market globalism- belief in free trade, neoliberal ideas

and the promise of consumerism.
2. Justice globalism- envisages a global civil society with
fairer relationships and environmental safeguards.
3. Religious globalism- strive for a global religious
community with superiority over secular structures.
References

Gopinath, C. (2008). Globalization A Multidimensional System. London: Sage.

Mansbach, Richard and Edward Rhodes (2013). Introducing Globalization.

London: Sage

McGregor, Harriet (2011). Globalization (Global Issues). New York: Rosen

Publishing Group Inc.

Ritzer, George (2011). Globalization The Essentials. United Kingdom: Wiley-

Blackwell.

Steger, Manfred, Paul Battersby and Joseph Siracusa. The Sage Handbook of
Globalization.
Vol. 1.

Steger, Manfred (2013). Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Third Edition.

Oxford University
Press.
 Activity

Metaphors of Globalization

(metaphor n. a figure of speech in which a

word or phrase is applied to an object or action
to which it is not literally applicable.)
 Instruction
• Form a group of 5 (five) members.

• Illustrate or construct a collage of metaphors (or

representations) of globalization.

• Come up with a definition of globalization as a

group.

• Use a white cartolina (1/2 CW, landscape only) for

your output.

• Bring it to class next meeting.

• Prepare for a gallery walk.

 Instructions for Gallery
Walk
• All group outputs must be mounted on the walls
of the classroom. Only three posters on one
side/wall to avoid crowding.

• Each group shall be assigned a group number by

the instructor.

• Each group must choose only one (1) speaker to

explain the group's output in their respective
stations.

• The class must follow the set-up for the gallery

walk to maintain order.
 Set-up For Gallery
Walk
• Follow the
order to
avoid
crowding in
one group.