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General Education Division

Module 5
Theories of Globalization

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you should know;

1. Identify and understand the different theorists and their concept of globalization;
2. Describe the ideas of the theorists as it is applied to Contemporary World; and
3. Compare and contrast these theories and determine what ideas best fits the
socio-economic circumstance of the Philippines.

Introduction

This module is written intended for the students in the Contemporary World. It will
discusses the different theorists and their theories towards Globalization in reshaping
how we have traditionally gone about studying the social world and human culture and a
field of globalization studies is now emerging across the disciplines (Appelbaum and
Robinson, 2005). In the previous module it was said that globalization arose around the
1970s and since then a lot of experts have given their interpretations to this global
phenomenon. This includes the rising emergence of an international economy involving
new globalized systems of production, fiscal management and consumption and the
worldwide economic integration. Another is the new so called “transnational” or socio-
cultural global patterns, systems and procedures, flows, and the idea of globalizing
cultures. Add the global political processes, which is interpreted to mean the rise of new
transnational institutions, and the proliferation of new governance and authority
framework of different sorts. Still another is the unprecedented migration and
immigration of peoples around the world involving new patterns of transnational
movements in multidirectional directions and multifaceted communities and identity. But
while all these seem apparently positive, still the last includes new social structuring,
new forms of uneven treatment, inequalities, and relations of dominate and dominated
persist around the world in the global system.

Academic studies on these phenomena has truly come out into the open and
spread far and wide and these includes specific literatures on the many effects of
globalization to states and nations and even groups or regions such as sexualities,
gender issues and racial ethnicity. Popular topics on music, movies and the like have
sprung to discuss matter to which globalization maybe touched. Latest research
focused on several interesting topics as well such as transnational sexualities, to global
tourism, changes in the state, the restructuring of work, transnational care-giving,
globalization and crime, the global media. This explosion of research points to the
ubiquity of the effects of globalization have indeed contributed to the continuing
knowledge and information about globalization and to end this madness of information
will at the moment be an end to world affairs and relations.

Truthfully, almost every particular subject matter in the academic institution today
touches on globalization. From human rights of the LGBTQIR to any topic in the
humanities, arts social sciences, law, public and business administration to even the
natural sciences. And still there are a lot of unexplored matters to be studied and
discussed. The apparent universality, so to speak, of globalization has placed the world
in yet another milestone of debates and argumentations. The proliferating array of
literature on the topic of globalization on proves the fact of the enormous responsibility
to understand this concept clearly and deeply. From the formulation of many theoretical
understanding to unearthing the core of globalization vis-à-vis with the human society.

Lesson (Theories of Globalization)

Before venturing into an understanding of the detailed theories of globalization,

let us first talk about the three general perspectives that analyze the reasons for the
establishment of globalization. These theories where formulated to explain why
globalization exist around the world. Go through the links and analyze them clearly.

A. World System Perspective

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79gCqjl6ihQ
 B. Modernization Perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgtw0bmS9CU

C. Dependency Perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79gCqjl6ihQ

What are the theories of globalization?

1.Theory of Liberalism

The idea of this theory sprung from the idea that society cannot be left in its old,
undated economic activities but rather has to follow the tides of a market-led economy
in order to modernize.

2.Theory of Political Realism

This theory believes that power is the key element of globalization in the quest to
provide for the interest of the many. According to the reference mentioned at the end of
this module, “advocates of this theory are interested in questions of state power, the
pursuit of national interest, and conflict between states for inevitable competition of
power”.

3. Marxism

The proponent of this theory, Karl Marx, is widely known for

his political yet economic discourses of power and leadership.
Marx is more focused on the arena of production, and
consumption and in the process the socio-political exploitation of
the people.

4. Constructivism

This theory focuses on the manner by which so called social actors construe the
world around them introspectively and through their dealings with others. Society is said
to use symbolic interactions to exchange ideas and in conversing with others. Society is
guided by rules and regulations (which we call LAWS) in their interaction with others, in
acting and thinking for oneself and to being part of the world around. As indicated in the
reference utilized in this module, “social geography is a mental experience as well as a
physical fact”. In otherwords, nations interact not because of whatever inherent fact
there is among men, but because it is what the law provides.

5. Postmodernism

Postmodernism, like Marxism, helps to go beyond the relatively superficial

accounts of liberalist and political realist theories and expose social conditions that have
favoured globalisation. Obviously, postmodernism suffers from its own methodological
idealism. All material forces, though come under impact of ideas, cannot be reduced to
modes of consciousness. For a valid explanation, interconnection between ideational
and material forces is not enough. (explanation is taken from the references indicated
below)

6. Feminism

It puts emphasis on social construction of masculinity and femininity. All other

theories have identified the dynamics behind the rise of trans-planetary and supra-
territorial connectivity in technology, state, capital, identity and the like. (explanation is
taken from the references indicated below)

7.Trans-formationalism

This theory has been expounded by

David Hume Held and his colleagues.
Accordingly, the term ‘globalization’ reflects
increased interconnectedness in political,
economic and cultural matters across the
world creating a “shared social space”. Given
this interconnectedness, globalization may be
defined as “a process (or set of processes) which embodies a transformation in the
spatial organization o f social relations and transactions, expressed in transcontinental
or interregional flows and networks of activity, interaction and power”. (explanation is
taken from the references indicated below)
8. Eclecticism

They put emphasis on technology and institution building, national interest and
inter-state competition, capital accumulation and class struggle, identity and knowledge
construction, rationalism and cultural imperialism, and masculinize and subordination of
women. Accordingly, capitalists attempt to amass ever-greater resources in excess of
their survival needs. (explanation is taken from the references indicated below). Go
through the link below. This will provide you additional information on the subject matter
of this module.

https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/society-and-culture/demographics/v/globalization-
theories

Activities

Movies to watch: .youtube. https://www.intechopen.globalization

Link to read: https://intechopen.com

Assessment

Fill in the blank with an accurate answer:

___________1. According to them states are inherently acquisitive and self-serving,

and heading Some of the scholars stand for a balance of power.

__________ 2. They put emphasis on technology and institution building, national

interest and inter-state competition, capital accumulation and class struggle, identity and
knowledge construction, rationalism and cultural imperialism, and masculinize and
subordination of women.

___________3. It puts emphasis on social construction of masculinity and femininity.

___________4. It is the result of particular forms and dynamics of consciousness.

___________5. It is the outcome of historically specific impulses of capitalist

development.

Reflection
 Write a short reflection as to what “theory or theories” of globalization best
explains the birth, development, existence, sustainability and applicability of
globalization. Provide reasonable justifications in your reflective paper.

Assignment

Identify at least 10 theorists and their ideas and contributions to globalization and
submit to your faculty’s email account (learners are given 2 days to submit the same
without extension and that late submission will not be acknowledge)

References

Patricia Fox and Stephen Hundley (August 2011). The Importance of Globalization in
Higher Education, New Knowledge in a New Era of Globalization
https://www.intechopen.com/books/new-knowledge-in-a-new-era-of-globalization/the-
importance-of-globalization-in-higher-education
https://www.intechopen.com/books/new-knowledge-in-a-new-era-of-globalization/the-
importance-of-globalization-in-higher-education
https://www.intechopen.com/books/new-knowledge-in-a-new-era-of-globalization/the-
importance-of-globalization-in-higher-education