[Reading Assignment 1] What is Globalization?

Summary

Globalization includes a wide variety of topics, including global governance, global citizenship, human rights and so on. So the concept of systematic analysis of globalization is debatable. In fact, globalization did not enter not only political and intellectual discourse but also academically until the early 1990s. However, with the collapse of communism, the term globalization began to be widely used. The resulting expansion of capitalism has split globalization into economic and non-economic positions. The ideology of neo-liberalism of those who take economic positions has led to open relations between countries. Opponents have argued that this economic logic ignores important sociological factors, but those who value something else than the economic aspect are also criticized for being ideological.

The McDonaldization that Ritzer claims can explain this economic aspect of globalization. McDonald's is a form of cultural globalization, but McDonald's also needs to adapt its brand to the local situation. For example, in India, where beef is banned, burgers have been manufactured in different ways and settled in the Indian market stably. After all, cultural factors must be considered in order to gain economic benefits in the global market, which means that many aspects of globalization are intertwined.

The two main directional tendencies that constitute globalization are global connectivity and global consciousness. The higher the two directional tendencies, the more advanced globalization is. Global connectivity is also called interconnectedness, and increasing it leads to the unification of the world and further globalization. This can promote global consciousness.. Globalization also has four specific forms: national, political, individual and human. These forms may be prominent over time and may be combined with two or more elements.

However, there is also a view that criticizes globalization. Like cultural imperialism, widespread injustice and exploitation in the world require constant attention. The aforementioned McDonald'sism is also a form of cultural imperialism. Wallerstein also said globalization could be used as an ideological propaganda, such as the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, German fascism, and Japanese imperialism. Therefore, continuous discussions and research on globalization are needed and unconditionally positive views should be avoided. Through this, we should create a global community that understands and cares for each other and solve common human problems that face the world, such as environmental issues.

 

Interesting point

The most interesting point about this article is the MacDonaldization by Ritzer. It was refreshing for me to describe McDonald's, a franchise company, in connection with globalization. The combination of various factors inherent in globalization was easily seen through a familiar company called McDonald's. t was also possible to think about the ideology and cultural imperialism hidden in the process of globalizing these global companies.

 

Discussion

Has globalization been stalled or promoted by the COVID-19? In the digital age, the increase in digital content caused by COVID-19 may have led to an increase in global content, increasing globalization, or holding back ongoing globalization due to lower openness in each country. I’d like to know this.