Globalization

Living in One World?

Todays world
At your local super market, look at the goods available. They are from different corners of the world. On TV, look at the wide variety of programming that represents so many different countries and cultures. On the internet, information from all corners of the world is instantly available to you, and you can communicate with others in distant places.

Globalization
All these things can be attributed to: globalization. Growing interdependence between different peoples, regions and countries in the world as social and economic relationships come to stretch worldwide. - Giddens, (2002) Due to the advances in communications, transportation technology and information technology the way the world looks is changing, as well as the way we look at the world.

 Most people think of globalization as an economic phenomenon: - operations of TNCs stretch across world. - worldwide capital flows - integration of global financial markets - great scope of world trade. But, glob. is created by the coming together of political, social, cultural and economic factors.

Dimensions of globalization

Factors contributing to globalization

The explosion in global communication. Traditional telephonic analogue communication has been replaced by integrated cable technology that can send vast amounts of compressed information digitally. In 1950, a transatlantic cable could carry 100 voice paths, now, a transoceanic cable can carry over 600,000 voice paths. 200 communications satellites form a network to transfer information all of the globe.

What does this mean?

The compression of time and space. Two people located on opposite sides of the world can not only converse in real time, but can also send documents and images to one another. More and more people are now connected to the world through the use of mobile technology. E.g. Jamalpur to Dubai.

What does this mean?

Integration of the world economy. Global economy is no longer dominated by agriculture or industry. Increasingly dominated by weightless activity, e.g. the production of information, media, entertainment, software, etc. Known as the knowledge economy, information age and post-industrial society.

Why is globalization increasing?

Political Changes: Collapse of communism in Eastern European countries (e.g. Romania, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, etc), starting in 1989 and Soviet Union in 1991. These countries moving towards Western style political and economic systems. No longer distinction between First and Second World. Has hastened globalization, as these countries are no longer isolated from global community.

Why is globalization increasing?

Political Changes: Growth of international and regional mechanisms of government such as the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN). Forums for common political action and transnational governance. The increasing influence of inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) and international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs).

Why is globalization increasing?

Information Flows: The global media has brought the events of the world into our homes. People have shifted to a global outlook, and are more aware that social justice and compassion does not have national borders. E.g. world donations and concern regarding tsunami, global opposition to the Iraq war, etc. People are looking beyond their country for sources of identity, e.g. Europeans. Both result of and accelerates globalization.

Why is globalization increasing?

Transnational Companies (TNCs) : These are companies that produce goods and services in more than one country. E.g. CocoCola, Kodak, Mitsubishi, General Motors, etc. Focus of world economy: Account for 2/3 of world trade, diffuse technology around the globe and have major influence on world financial markets. Over 400 TNCs had annual sales of over 10 billion dollars in 1996. Only 70 countries had GNP of that amount. Huge influence on trade and economic policy.

Why is globalization increasing?

Electronic Economy: Ability to shift funds internationally with the click of a mouse. Banks, individual investors, companies can destabilize economies and trigger international financial crises by transferring vast sums of money, e.g. Asian crisis of 1997.

We cant ignore it
Political, social, technological and economic factors have joined together to create a phenomenon that is incomparable in intensity and scope. we will explore the debate about and consequences of globalization. Text: Giddens

Impact of Globalization
Globalization is not just out there, but rather, it affects our daily lives in many diverse ways. We are being forced to redefine intimate and personal aspects of our lives such as family, gender roles, sexuality, personal identity, our interactions with others and our relationships to work. It is changing the way we think of ourselves and our connections to others.

The rise of individualism

Before, social class, gender, ethnicity, etc would play a large part in determining your life path, and a person was defined in terms of the community in which they were born. Under glob we have a new sense of individualism, where people are free to construct their own identity. Tradition and established values are breaking down and we are constantly responding to the chnaging society around us. Social codes that guided behaviour have loosened, e.g. the son of a tailor can be a pilot.

Work patterns
Work is crucial and shapes many aspects of our personal life - friends and leisure activities. New patterns of international trade and growth of knowledge economy have significant impact on work patterns. Industrial production has shifted from industrialised to developing countries due to cheaper prices and transport improvements. Communications technology has changed the way and the place where people work: e.g. call centres. Women now have greater career options and flexibility, so deciding to put off family.

Popular culture
Images, ideas, goods and styles are transmitted around world in an instant. Free movement of culture across national borders. We now live in a massive global network where information is shared freely and in great volume. Is this true of everyone?

Popular culture: Titanic

World hit: 1997, US $1.8 billion, 55 countries. Story: 1912, young couple falls in love on an ocean liner which sinks, killing 1600 people. Romance against tragic backdrop. Why so popular all over world with all age groups? Possibility of romantic love prevailing over class difference and family traditions. Generally accepted in West, but now taking hold in the East. Are Hollywood films and TV helping to promote these attitudes?

Global culture vs. Differentiation

Global culture: Western media promotes Western worldview. They can do this because they are politically and economically powerful. The values, styles and outlooks of West are being spread so aggressively that we are losing our own cultural traditions.

Global culture vs. Differentiation

Differentiation: Rather than being blended into one culture, global society is characterized by enormous diversity of cultures existing side by side. Local traditions are being joined by new ones from abroad, giving people more lifestyle options. People are constructing hybrid identities composed of contrasting elements from different cultures.