Contemporary World

Globalization
- Broad and inclusive
- Narrow and exclusive
- Brings fragmentation, although flow in a
global world, hindrances and cultural blocks
are also present.
 Why Do We Study Globalization
1. The perspective of the person who defines
globalization shapes its definition (depends
upon the interpretation and situation)
2. One become part and parcel of the other
3. It’s a reality because it is changing as human
society develops
Overall, can be influenced by the people who
define it.
 Globalization Theories
1. Homogeneity
- Refers to the increasing sameness in the world
as cultural inputs, economic factors and
political orientation of societies expand to
create common practices, same economics
and similar forms of government.
Examples:
- Trends in fashion
- Cultural identity
- Power & Influence
- Religious images
- mcDonaldization
- Global Media (Facebook, Twitter, Google)
2. Heterogeneity
- The creation of cultural practices, new
economies, and political groups because of
the interaction of elements from different
societies in the world
- The differences because of the combination of
cultures that can be produced through
different processes.
Examples:
- Political practices ( dictatorship to democratic)
- Economic status ( 1st. to 3rd. World countries)
 Metaphors of Globalization
1. Solid and Liquid
a. Solidity – refers to the barriers that
prevent/make difficult to the movement of
things
Example:
- landforms (Great Walls of China, Berlin Wall)
- Bodies of water (separates islands and islets)
b. Liquidity - refers to the increasing ease of
movement of people, things, information, and
places in the contemporary world
Example:
- Superstitions
- Beliefs
- Myths
These can’t be stopped easily
2. Flows
- Refers to movement of people, things, places,
and information brought by growing porosity
of global limitations
Example:
- Introduction of foreign dishes (french fries,
sushi, ramen, hamburger)
- Illegal migrants (due to ethnic slavery in some
countries)
- Virtual flows of illegal information (blogs,
scam, child pornography)
 Perspectives to Dynamics of Local and
Global Culture
1. Cultural Differentialism – refers to cultural
differences
Example:
- Civilization upgrades (due to influences made by
colonization) Philippines influenced by China,
European, USA
- Religiosity (adaptation/dominance of Roman
Catholics) as introduced by the Spain in the
Philippines : God, Gold & Glory
2. Cultural Hybridization – the integration of
local and cultural cultures
- Glocalization – the interpretation of the global
and local resulting in unique outcomes in
different geographic areas.
Example:
- Technology
- Political images (Japan: Emperor)
- Power of media
3. Cultural Convergence
- cultures are deemed to be radically altered by
strong flows, while cultural imperialism
happens when one culture imposes itself on
and tends to destroy at least parts of another
culture.
4. Deterritorialization – it is much more difficult
to tie culture to a specific geographic point of
origin
 Globalization and Religion
(depends on Religious Affiliation)
Favorable effects Unfavorable Effects

Beliefs Disagreements/Conflicts

Mentality Prone to Violence

Idealism

Devotion

Behavioral patterns

Clothing identity

Perspectives

Principles in life
 Globalization and Regionalization
- Intro: World War I & II (Allied vs Axis Powers)
- Effects: total destruction
- Lesson: Peace and Unity
- Laws: No to Nuclear and War
- Aim: Maintain respect and Peace and Order
World relationship
- Solution: UN, ASEAN
Example:
Philippines vs. China to Territorial dispute and Fishing
agreement
 Origins of Globalization
1. Hardwired
- Basic human needs to make our lives better
that made globalization possible
- Thru history, trade, missionary works,
adventures, conquest
- Commerce, religion, politics, warfare are the
“urges” of people toward better life
2. Cylces
- For some, globalization is a long-term cyclical
process and thus, finding its origin will be a
daunting task. Subscribing to this view will
suggest adherence to the idea that other
global ages have appeared.
- The is also the notion to suspect that this
point of globalization will soon disappear and
reappear.
3. Events
- Specific events are also considered as part of the 4th
view in explaining the origin of globalization. Historical
events tells us when and where globalizational events
really started as it happened.
Example:
a. The 1st. Translantic television broadcast cable (1956)
b. The founding of the modern internet (1998)
c. The terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York
(2001)
4. Global Demography
- Demographic transition is a singular historical period
during which mortality and fertility rates from high to
low levels in a particular country or region
Example:
a. Mortality rate/ life span (decline due to food intakes,
sickness, activities of men)
b. Fertility and mortality rates of women by giving birth
(knowledge/education to proper pregnancy,
pregnancy miscarriage, early motherhood)
c. Child mortality rates (due to abortion and early
pregnancy)
d. Population growth
5. Global Migration
- The nuances of the movements of people around the
world can be seen through the categories of migrants and
tourists.
Forms:
a. Vagabonds – are on the move because they have to be
b. Tourists – are on the move because they want to be and
because they can afford it
c. Refugees – move in order to survive for safety concerns
d. Asylum – move because it is involved in labor migration
e. Diaspora – move to describe migrant communities as
transnational process.
 The Global Economy
- The United Nations (UN) tried to address the different
problems in the world:
1. Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieving universal primary education
3. Promoting gender equality and women empowerment
4. Reducing child mortality
5. Improving maternal health
6. Combating diseases like HIV/AIDS
7. Ensuring environmental sustainability
8. Having a global partnership for development
Poverty in the Philippines:
- Deprivation of basic human needs such as:
1. Food
2. Safe drinking water
3. Sanitation facilities
4. Health
5. Shelter
6. Education
7. Information
8. Injustice
 Economic Globalization and Global Trade
Economic Globalization – refers to the increasing
interdependence of world economies as a result of the
growing scale of cross-border trade of commodities and
services, flow of international capital, and wide and
rapid spread of technologies:
1. Protectionism – means a policy of systematic
government intervention in foreign trade with the
objective of encouraging domestic production
Example:
Tariffs – are required fees on imports and exports
2. Trade liberalization/free Trade – agreements of
technological advances in transportation and
communication means for goods and services move
around the world more easily than ever.