[ Reading Assignment 1] What Is Globalization?

1. Summary

Writers interpret the world loosely. According to the text, globalization is not a thing, so it is not important to reify globalization. We have to recognize its conceptual status, not an ontological matter. A number of scholars think the process of globalization is plural because there are very different ideas about globalization. The study of globalization is conducted with transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach.

Velho (1997) think globalization is an object, a perspective and horizon. This viewpoint involves regarding globalization a single process.

After the 1990s, globalization became an academic and political concept. In the 1990s, the cleavage between the group who take a mainly economic position on globalization and those who have adopted a broader view is a powerful characteristic of the concept of globalization. During the late 1990s antiglobalization movement built up. As this movement continued through often demonstrations, the great powers imposed policies about markets, free trade, etc. In this process, a number of important scientific factors were not considered.

The authors describe the following characteristics of globalization to understand it.

To begin with, globalization is pivoted upon two major tendencies, increasing global connectivity and increasing global consciousness. Consciousness here is not a consensus, but a shared sense of the world as a whole. Both connectivity and consciousness are important, but some disciplines have give more attention to one side. Political scientists, international relations specialists and economists consider connectivity, on the other hand, anthropologists, sociologists and cultural historians consider global consciousness.

Also, there are four major dimensions of globalization: the economic, the political, the cultural, and the social. These dimensions are intertwined. The cultural dimension, in particular, is magnified because of the economic globalization. Because the economy is closely related to culture. According to Ritzer, America has been spreading certain social and economic practices to much of the rest of the world and this phenomenon is McDonaldization. We can regard McDonaldization as cultural imperialism or cultural globalization.

Meanwhile, because the idea about globalization has been undertaken by sociologists, we shouldn’t ignore the social dimension. With regard to sociology, the spread of way of social interaction and communication around the world has been essential in the process of globalization.

Plus, The process of globalization has the following general pattern. First, there is international-systemic aspect; world politics. Second, humankind. The humankind is included human rights, environmental problem, so on. Third, individuals. Individuals are influenced by society in many ways, and their own identity consists of homogeneity and heterogeneity in society. Finally, nation-states. Globalization is a process which has been challenged by nation-states.

Glocalization is an important concept related to globalization. The Introduction of the concept of glocalization was affected by the relationship between the global and the local. These two seemingly contradictory concepts are not directly-opposed. In real business for a market and goods, the producer need to cope the project globally with the local environment. According to the sociological or anthropological, concept of diffusion linked with glocalization. We can’t predict what happens after globalization. Some people use ‘a globalized world’, but it is impossible for the world to be globalized in a form that can be defined.

Conclusively, globalization cannot be clearly defined in one word. Also, writers emphasized the need for a sophisticated framework to analyze globalization, saying that it is not undesirable to make globalization as the cause of all problems.

2. What was interesting/ what did you learn

I often used the term ‘globalization’ and, I had a longing for the Western culture and lifestyle, unknowingly. This article gave me a chance to think deeply about globalization directly connected to my life.

Also, the things I found the interesting is Samuel Huntington’s argument. He said that national disputes arise not from ideological differences but from civilizational issues. However, I think this viewpoint overlooks the nature of conflict. Because antipathy toward the West of Islamic society involves historical, political and economic context. During the 20th century, western imperialism has invaded and controlled the Middle East to take oil and other resources.

3. Discussion Point

I want to discuss two questions with you!

1) Globalization can be seen on a personal level. How do you feel about the influence of globalization on you in a personal aspect? Positive or Negative?

2) Through McDonaldization, consumers around the world are now able to receive the same services anytime, anywhere. Also, global Companies make big profit with these systems. However, what if errors or problems occur in a uniformed system? Can we find an alternative?