Reading 1) What is Globalization?

 [Summary]

There are many different views on globalization in a civilized context. The term globalization began to be used in 1989 when the Berlin Wall collapsed and communism began to collapse.

 

However, concerns about globalization began centuries ago. In the late 1990s, a movement called the anti-globalization movement began. Violent protests against the WTO and the IMF have occurred, and they have also developed further as Internet use has increased. They recognized that globalization caused economic inequality. In addition, as protests against the capitalist globalization movement grew, the perception that their movement was also part of the globalization process grew. A prime example of the anti-capitalist movement is the increase in the TNC.

 

The theory of globalization began with the observation that the world was becoming 'unified'. Globalization has greatly influenced social sciences such as sociology, politics, and anthropology. Globalization has questioned the sociological tendencies that consider society as the largest unit, and political science has questioned existing central topics such as territory.

One of the most important characteristics of globalization is to increase connectivity. This is especially emphasized by political scientists, economists, etc. On the contrary, Anthropologists, sociologists, etc. have emphasized conciousness.

 

Sociologists define that there are three major dimensions of economics, politics, and culture in the globalization process. Among them, culture is drawing attention due to concerns about economic globalization. A case in point is 'McDonaldization.' This happens when companies with American culture enter the world. These companies try to provide the same services when entering the global market, but they need to adapt to local situations in accordance with the social context of a particular country. Like McDonald's changing the way it makes burgers when it enters a country that doesn't eat beef.

 

Wallerstein is the scholar who best describes the form of globalization. According to him, what we now call globalization has been produced as capitalism has spread over the past five to six hundred years. He argued that this expansion was being challenged by the anti-globalization movement.

 

The most common processes of globalization are: First, there is something that can be called an international systematic aspect. Second, there is an aspect that deals with human concepts. Third, there is another element that we call the whole of individual selves. Finally, there is a nation-state.

 

There is a controversy over whether ethnic states should be included in the globalization process, but this article argues that ethnic states should be considered as an aspect of globalization. Because, the discussion of connectivity mentioned above as a characteristic of globalization focuses on the relationship between ethnic nations. The debate over the identity of immigrants is also an example of the importance of ethnic states in the process of globalization.

 

The inclusion of individuals in the frame of globalization stems from the belief that it is impossible to exclude individuals from the globalization process. The global community is increasingly dependent on individual opinions and actions.

 

After the end of the Cold War in 1989, the polarization ended. Since then, we have lived in a unipolar world dominated by the United States. However, it can now be seen as a confrontation between the West and the Radical Islamists. Terrorism by Radical Islamists makes U.S. domination less secure. Also, the current international system is a chaotic trend as the struggle with China continues. Environmental issues are also at stake in the international system.

 

[Interesting Point]

What was interesting to me when I read this article was that the author released many negative analyses of globalization. I have generally observed only the good aspects of globalization. Also, it was interesting to analyze globalization in various aspects. Checking the various views of various scholars has been a good opportunity to broaden my horizons.

 

[Discussion]

After reading this article, I want to talk about the future direction of globalization. As mentioned in this article, the current international system is represented by the confrontation between the West and the Radical Islamists, and the confrontation between the United States and China. It would be good to talk about how long this trend will continue and how it will proceed.