GLOBALIZATION

AN INTRODUCTION
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. agree on a working definition of globalization for the course;
2. differentiate the different concepts of globalization; and
3. narrate and share a personal experience of globalization
Over the last century, efforts have been made to bring various
countries together. All these efforts have been applied in
enabling human beings on the earth’s surface to come together
in all aspects of life. These aspects of human life include
social, political and economical aspects. Integration effort has
been seen to bear fruits. In the current years, the world has
been visualized as being a global village, where the
interactions of the people in the world, has been of equivalent
to the interaction in one village or locality. Almost all parts of
the world are interconnected to the rest of the world in
different ways. Barriers, which initially isolated countries, have
been removed. In the recent times, higher levels of integration
have been achieved. Initially, countries only integrated
economically. This is now outdated. Other areas of human life
have also been put in the circle of integration. This is
commonly referred to as globalization (Ghauri 22).
Globalization is the process by which countries,
economies, and regions have been integrated in a global
network. Countries’ economies, cultures, and societies
have been placed in the global networks of
communication, trade, transportation, and immigration.
Globalization is a societal phenomenon wherein social
barriers no longer exist and the only thing that separates
people from each other is time and not geographical
restrictions. Human interactions will no longer be
confined by territorial means because people will
coexist as inhabitants of a single community with the
aid of technology and other innovations in
communication, transportation, etc.
 Globalization is increasing interdependence of national
Other Definitions of economies in trade, finance, and macroeconomic policy.
GLOBALIZATION Globalization is diffusion of practices, values and
technology that have an influence on people`s lives
worldwide.
A reconfiguration of social geography marked by the
growth of trans planetary and supra territorial connections
between people
Globalization is a process fueled by and resulting in,
increasing cross- border flows of goods, services, money,
people, information, and culture.
Globalization as a development in the structure of
geography is closely interrelated with concurrent
developments in structures of production, governance,
identity and knowledge.
Principles of Globalization
These definitions are in some ways related and to some extent overlapping, but their
emphases are substantially different. The most common opinion of globalization is
internationalization. "Global" is described as cross-border relations between
countries, and "globalization" incomes a growth of international exchange and
interdependence. "Globalization" is found in enlarged movements between
countries of people, money, investments, diseases, pollutants, messages, ideas etc.
(Scholte 2005: 16). Internationalization is the process of planning and
implementing products and services so that they can easily be adapted to specific
local languages and cultures, a process called localization.

The other main view of globalization is liberalization. As liberation "globalization"

means a process of removing state-imposed restrictions on movements between
countries in order to create an "open", "borderless" world economy. In recent
decades has been widespread reduction or even abolition of regulatory trade
barriers, foreign-exchange restrictions, capital controls, and visas. (Scholte 2005:
16).
Thirdly globalization is used as universalization. In this means, "global"
describes "worldwide", and "globalization" is the process of spreading
various objects and experiences to people all around of the world. We
could see the evidence of "globalization" of the Gregorian calendar,
tobacco, rock music, automobiles, Chinese restaurants, cattle farming,
business suits, Barbie dolls, school curricula and much more.
Globalization-as- universalization is viewed as standardization and
homogenization with worldwide cultural, economic, legal and political
convergence. (Scholte 2005:16).

Globalization is also widely used as westernization or modernization, it

is called also Americanization. Here the social structures of modernity
like capitalism, rationalism, industrialism, bureaucratism, individualism,
and so on, are spread the world over, normally destroying earlier-existent
cultures and local self-determination in the process. "Globalization" in
this sense is sometimes described as imperialism of MacDonald`s,
Hollywood and CNN. Globalization understood in this way is often
interpreted as colonization, Americanizationand "westtoxication".
Why Study Globalization?
1. It is important to study globalization and
development because it will help each one to become
more knowledgeable about the different phenomena
that are happening around the world right now thus,
overcoming parochialism. Parochialism is an outlook
that is limited to one’s immediate community. A
person who is concerned only with his/her immediate
family, village or even a country is parochial. The
parochial person is close minded. By studying
globalization, it will help you to widen and overcome
the limits of your imagination and outlook. (Claudio
and Abinales, The Contemporary World).
Why Study Globalization?
2. The study of globalization will allow to have
a deeper understanding on the societal issues,
so that one can engage or participate actively in
the development and improvement in the
different fields such as politics, technology,
science, culture, economy, education, and the
like. By being actively involved, one would be
able to contribute, work hand-in-hand and
think of ways in making our world a better
place to live in.
Why Study Globalization?
3. The study of globalization is inevitable because it is
where we are headed. This phenomenon of
globalization simply cannot be ignored. It is inevitable
and there is enough evidence to support this claim.
Statistical and graphical data found in the Global
Policy Forum site show that there is a growing rate of
global interconnectedness. For example, the number of
internet users grew from only 16 million in 1995 to
about 1.565 billion in 2008. Other relevant data
included there are the exponential growth of
international tourist arrivals and rate of migration.
Why Study Globalization?
4. The study of Globalization helps everyone
become connected with the whole world. By
learning about the various disciplines and
approaches related to it, a lot of opportunities
will be open to contribute something to the
society. Hence, it will serve as the passport not
only to reach and understand more other
countries but most of all to achieve one’s goals
and dreams.
Given these facts, we can conclude that globalization is indeed
an inescapable process and that there is a need for us to be
aware on the said topic so that we would know where we
stand. We cannot allow ourselves to get left behind on
international issues especially when it comes to matters as
economic survival, global politics, environmental concerns,
etc. because who knows, other countries might already be
exploiting us because of our ignorance. The only way that we
can prepare ourselves with the age of globalization is to equip
ourselves with necessary knowledge and skills and continuous
study of the world around us.
Thank You