GEC 3

The Contemporary
World

This is a property of
PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNIVERSITY
NOT FOR SALE
GEC 3 – The Contemporary World
First Edition, 2021

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Learning Module Development Team

Assigned Title Author/s

Chapter/Lesson
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
Introduction to the
Lesson 1 Erick Ebro
Study of Globalization
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
Lesson 2 The Global Eonomy Erick Ebro
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
The Global Interstate
Lesson 3 Erick Ebro
System
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Contemporary Global
Reynor Dial
Lesson 4 Governance: The
Jimbarry Ordillas
United Nations
Erick Ebro
 Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Global Divides: The
Jimbarry Ordillas
North and the South
Lesson 5 Erick Ebro
(focus on Latin
Lyn Luzano
America)
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
Lesson 6 Asian Regionalism Erick Ebro
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
Global Media and
Lesson 7 Erick Ebro
Cultures
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
The Globalization of
Lesson 8 Erick Ebro
Religion
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
Lesson 9 The Global City
Erick Ebro
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Ferdie O. Batara
Lesson 10 Global Demography Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
 Erick Ebro
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
Global Migration
Lesson 11 Erick Ebro
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Environmental Crisis
Jimbarry Ordillas
and Sustainable
Lesson 12 Erick Ebro
Development
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
Global Food Security
Lesson 13 Erick Ebro
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Ferdie O. Batara
Reynor Dial
Jimbarry Ordillas
Lesson 14 Global Citizenship Erick Ebro
Lyn Luzano
Harold Novicio
Mylene M.Yabut
Course Overview

Introduction

The Contemporary World is a 3 unit course that deals which is about

globalization and its impact on individuals, communities, and nations, challenges and
responses.

This course introduces students to the contemporary world by examining the

multifaceted phenomenon of globalization. Using the various disciplines of the social
sciences, it examines the economic, social, political, technological, and other
transformations that have created an increasing awareness of the interconnectedness
of peoples and places around the globe. To this end, the course provides an overview
of the various debates in global governance, development, and sustainability. Beyond
exposing the student to the world outside the Philippines, it seeks to inculcate a sense
of global citizenship and global ethical responsibility. (CMO no. 20, s. 2013)

This course study is also associated in promoting gender awareness and peace
education in the classroom through different learning factors such as learner’s existing
knowledge, performance tasks and integration of the role of different gender in the
contemporary world.

Course General Objective:

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. Describe the emergence of global, economic, political, social, and cultural
systems;
2. Analyze the various contemporary drives of globalization.
3. Analyze the contemporary news events in the context of globalization.
4. Analyze global issues in relation to Filipinos and the Philippines.
5. Articulate personal positions on various global issues.

Course Details:

 Course Code: GEC 3a

 Course Title: The Contemporary World (Peace
Education)
 No. of Units: 3 units
 Classification: Lecture-based
 Pre-requisite / Co-requisite: None
  Semester and Academic Year: First Semester, A.Y. 2021-2022
 Schedule:
 Name of Faculty: HAROLD C. NOVICIO
 Contact Details:
o Email: [email protected]
o Mobile Number: 0927 488 9005
o FB Account: Harold Novicio
 Consultation
o Day: Friday
o Time: 8:00 – 10:00 AM

Learning Management System

The University LMS will be used for asynchronous learning and assessment.
The link and class code for LMS will be provided at the start of class through the
class’ official Facebook Group/Group Chat.
 Edmodo
 Google Classroom
 University LMS

Assessment with Rubrics

Students will be assessed in a regular basis thru quizzes, individual/group outputs

using synchronous and/or asynchronous modalities or submission of SLM exercises.
Rubrics are also provided for evaluation of individual/group outputs.

Major examinations will be given as schedule. The scope and coverage of the
examination will be based on the lessons/topics as plotted in the course syllabus.
Module Overview

Introduction

This module aims to provide the students with information as to what our world has
become from 1900’s to present and develop the student’s awareness in the global
issues through multi modal tasks. It equips and readies the student in the world issues
that are present in the contemporary times by enhancing their critical thinking skills in
global and local context. The knowledge, ideas, and skills that the students would gain
from this course may be used in dealing with the political, cultural and economic
issues they encounter in everyday life. It will also help them articulate personal
positions on various local and global issues.

This course study is also associated in promoting gender awareness and peace
education in the classroom through different learning factors such as learner’s existing
knowledge, performance tasks and integration of the role of different gender in the
contemporary world.
 0323

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study of Globalization

1.1.Competing conceptions of Globalization
1.2. Underlying Philosophies of the varying Definitions of
Globalization
1.3. Dimensions of Globalization
1.4. Reason for Globalization
1.5. Pros and Cons of Globalization

Chapter 2: The Global Economy

2.1. Economic Globalization
2.2. International Trade
2.3. Modern World System
2.4. Market Integration
2.5. International Financial Institutions
2.6. Global/ Transnational Corporations

Chapter 3: The Global Interstate System

3.1. Effects of globalization on government
3.2. Institution that govern internal relations
3.3. Internationalism vs Globalism

Chapter 4: Contemporary Global Governance: The United Nations

4.1. Global governments and governance
4.2. Role and Functions of the United Nations
4.3. Challenges in Global Governance
4.4 The United Nations
4.5. Organs of United Nations
4.6. Development of UN and its challenges and relationship in
the Philippine

Chapter 5: Global Divides

5.1.The Global South
5.2.Causes of Global Divides
5.3.Crisis and Development of Latin America

Chapter 6: Asian Regionalism

6.1. Advantage of Regionalism in Asia
6.2. Organizations Emerged in the Asian Region
6.3 The Difference between Regionalism and Globalization
6.4. Factors leading to a greater integration of the Asian Region

Chapter 7: Global Media and Cultures

7.1. Role of Media in Globalization
7.2. Cultural Assimilation and Cultural Convergence
7.3. Global and Local Culture
7.4. Different ways of Accepting Culture
Chapter 8: The Globalization of Religion
8.1. Religion vs Globalism
8.2. Religion for and against Globalization
8.3. Does Religion Unite or Divide

Chapter 9: The Global City

9.1. Definition of Global City
9.2. Characteristics of Global City
9.3. The Global Cities Negative to its Cosmopolitan Population
9.4. Criticism of Global Cities
9.5. Categorization of Global Cities
9.6. Indicator for Globality
9.7. The Global City and the Poor
9.8. How Cities serve as engines of Globalization

Chapter 10: Global Demography

10.1. The Demographic Transition
10.2. Demography as the Study of Population
10.3. The Perils’ of Overpopulation
10.4 The Theory of Demographic Transition
10.5. Women and Reproductive Rights
10.6. The Feminist Perspective

Chapter 11: Global Migration

11.1. Migration
11.2. Push-Pull Theory of Migration
11.3. Trends in Migration

Chapter 12: Environmental Crises and Sustainable Development

12.1. The World’s Leading Environmental Problem
12.2. Man-made Pollution
12.3. Climate Change
12.4 Combating Global Warming
12.5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDs)

Chapter 13: Global Food Security

13.1. Global Food and Security: Concepts, Facts and Issues

Chapter 14: Global Citizenship

14.1. What is Global Citizen?
 The Contemporary World

Chapter 1

Introduction to the Study of

Globalization
Chapter 1
Introduction to the Study Of Globalization
Introduction

When the world was surprised by the birth of information technology, societies
became more eager to adopt the trends of the market. People across the globe showed
interest to be part of a community where connections and linkages are available.
When the World Trade Organizations (WTO) was formed, economies responded
quickly showing interest in this global network of countries. The same thing Nokia
when it successfully penetrated the worldwide market through offering the most
innovative cellular phones, millions of people were caught by this technological
breakthrough. When the Asian financial crisis hit some countries in the region,
economists, and governments became warier and keen in managing the domestic and
international flows of money. The series of attacks in the United States on September
11, 2011 was seen as a result of western imperialism and a response of violent groups
in the Middle East. what do these events and situations have in common? Are these
signs of a borderless world where anything and everything could be global? Is local
becoming global?

The world is in a state of complexities and uncertainties. Small and big institutions
and communities are affected at a higher scale by these complex phenomena. No one
can accurately predict what the world would be like in the next 10 or 20 years. What
happened in the late 90s and early 2000s are remarkable events have defined the
future of man and its environment. Migration, economic organizations, political
alliances, and the digital world are common landmarks of the global society.
Networks and the formation of strong linkages will prevail over the conservative and
isolationist behavior.

The interconnected of the world economy is the forefront market of globalization. The
meeting point of developed and developing economies as well as the emergence of
economic institutions and organizations make everything easier and faster to hold
transactions globally. Global productions are scattered everywhere, operating in
countries where labor cost is cheap and materials are available. For example, Toyota
manufactures its auto parts in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia where there
is high availability of cheap manpower. It offers finished and assembled products in
countries like Singapore and Malaysia where there is a higher demand of cars. This
kind of economic behaviors of countries shows how the cycle of economic operation
for a global commodity works. This is also evident in countries in the western region
where there are problems and challenges on the availability of needs and demands.
The strengths of materials of a country could be experienced as weakness on the
unavailability of the other economy or nation.

This topic discusses the relevance of economic system in globalization. It deals on

issues concerning the function of international trade, its benefits and damages. This
also explains the importance of domestic and foreign policies in international trade
and promotion of global economy. The topic will conclude by explaining the roles of
international economic organizations in globalization.
Specific Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Differentiate the competing conceptions of globalization
2. Identify the underlying philosophies of the varying definitions of
globalization.
3. Agree on a working definition of globalization for the course.

Duration: 3 hours
Chapter 1: Competing Conceptions of Globalization
Underlying Philosophies of the Varying Definitions of Globalization
Dimensions of Globalization
Reasons for Globalization
Pros and Cons of Globalization

Lesson Proper

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF GLOBALIZATION

1.1 COMPETING CONCEPTIONS OF GLOBALIZATION

Globalization, as a theory lies in in the works of many

19th and 20th century scholars and intellectuals like Karl
Marx, MacKinder, and Robertson who then began to
introduce the term “globality”. However, it was in the
1960s and 1970s when this term gained worldwide
attention (Held and McGrew,2002).

In the area of academe, no single currency or definition has acquired acceptance. On

the contrary, various competing interpretations emerged vying for dominance and
universal recognition. To define globalization is to simply put it as a social process of
reshaping and remaking the world order. Operations of social institutions transcend
across territories and boundaries with the goal of expanding its reach-economic,
political, and technological fibers. From the lens of Ritzer (2008), he described this
phenomenon as the spread of worldwide practices, relations, consciousness, and
organization of social life. The interconnectedness and social segments from macro-
institutions to the smallest sectors of the world have coincided the fabrics of
globalization.

In defining globalization, Justine Rosenberg argues that “globalization as a

phenomenon gave rise to the interconnectedness of human society that replaced the
sovereign state system with a multilateral system of global governance”. His
definition centers on the process, condition, time, and age of this condition.

On the other hand, Held and McGrew (2003) offer the following definition of
globalization: “Globalization refers to a multidimensional set of social processes that
create, multiply, stretch, and intensify worldwide social interdependencies and
exchange while at the same fostering in people a growing awareness of deepening
connections between the local and the distant”.
The best scholarly description of globalization is provided by Manfred Steger who
described the process as “the expansion and intensification of social relations and
consciousness across world-time and across world-space.” Expansion refers to “both
the creation of new social networks and the multiplication of existing connections that
cut across traditional political, economic, cultural, and geographic boundaries.”
Intensification refers to the expansion, stretching, and acceleration these networks.
Not only are global connections multiplying, but they are also becoming more
closely-knit and expanding their reach.

1.2 UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHIES OF THE VARYING DEFINITIONS OF

GLOBALIZATION

A. Realism

The realists’ perspective in explaining globalization focuses on the shifting

distribution of power among states (Walt, 1998 and Snyder, 2004). They explained
that the core idea of dominating the world is through the employment of power. This
force comes from different angles, depending, on the power availability of a nation.
However, realists warn that countries may suffer and struggle to maintain its power if
it will be overarched and used wrongly. In globalization, countries that have the
power to dominate and control the world are those whose economies have the
“powers” to affect and influence the operation worldwide.

Realists argue that the reason why countries open their economies to the world is
because of two contending reasons. First, financial returns of expanding markets offer
new economic opportunities to the capitalist. Second, the political explanation behind
globalization is best described with the application of its founders like Hans
Morgenthau and Kenneth Waltz, realist-thinker John Mearsheimer and realist-doer
Henry Kissinger. The continued centrality of political power and military strength are
obvious forces of interdependence and realistic behavior of the more and most
powerful countries.

B. Liberalism

Liberalism is a perspective in international relations where actors and institutions

emphasize relationship and negotiations. Liberalists observe the importance of
interaction and communication and focus on solving problems and conflicts affecting
them. This idea is very evident in countries where democratic governance and
institutions play major roles in maintaining national cohesiveness in managing
domestic and international affairs.

Liberal accounts describe the transformation of political-economic structures and the

development of global interconnectedness in terms of the following factors:
a. Spread of democracy and institutions
b. Global economic ties
c. International organizations
C. Idealism

The advent of globalization, formation of institutions, and the interplay of nations

should be guided by ethical and legal standards. Idealists and constructivists hold the
notion that values and norms play pivotal roles in sustaining and reforming the
process and works of individuals, groups, or nations. This theory emphasizes on the
functions of ideologies, frameworks, systems, and identities in understanding
globalization and international order. Its core beliefs centers on the centrality of ideas,
beliefs, and collective values that shape the political and economic landscapes of the
world.

1.3 DIMENSIONS OF GLOBALIZATION

a. Economic globalization
 It refers to the mobility of people, capital, technology, goods and services
internationally. It is also about how integrated countries are in the global
economy. It refers to how interdependent different countries and regions have
become across the world.

b. Cultural globalization
 It refers to the transmission of ideas, meanings, and values around the world in
such a way as to extend and intensify social relations. This process is marked
by the common consumption of cultures that have been diffused by the
internet, popular culture media, and international travel.

c. Political globalization
 It refers to the growth of the worldwide political system, both in size and
complexity. The creation and existence of the United Nations has been called
one of the classic examples of political globalization.

1.4 REASONS FOR GLOBALIZATION

 Why do we have to globalize especially at this contemporary world? Here are

the reasons:

1. Rapid shrinking of time and distance across the globe. One can easily cross the
bridge going to the other side of the market place due to advance tools of
technology than before.
2. Domestic markets are no longer rich as a consequence of many interlocking
factors.
3. Companies and institutions go global to find political and economic stability
which is relatively good in other countries than the country of origin.
4. To get technological and managerial know-how of other countries due to their
advancement in science and technology, education, health and other fields of
discipline.
5. To reduce high transportation costs if one goes globally using the advance
tools of communication and information.
6. To be close to raw materials and to markets of their finished products which
are not available in the country of origin.
1.5 PROS AND CONS OF GLOBALIZATION

Pros of Globalization
1. It encourages free trade. Without borders in place, consumers can purchase
items from anywhere in the world at a reduced cost.

2. More trade means the potential for more jobs. When there are fewer barriers
in place to purchase items, then consumers will generally purchase more
things. This creates the foundation that businesses need to create more jobs.

3. Open borders mean more opportunities to develop poor areas of the world.
There are many nations in the world today that are in a state of entry-level
industrialization. Poverty is a feature in many of these developing countries.
Through the process of globalization, the removal of borders allows the people
in these areas to experience greater prosperity because each area gains the
ability to access what they need.

4. It allows for open lines of communication. When borders are removed, people
have the ability to communicate with one another more freely. There is a
greater intermingling of cultures, which allows people to have a greater
perspective about the world.

Cons of Globalization
1. It generally makes the rich become rich and the poor to become mired in
poverty. This means the rich can access what they want or need to become
richer, but the poor get trapped in poverty because they don’t have the means
to access success.

2. Jobs get transferred to lower-cost areas. Jobs can be created through

globalism, but they tend to be created in the areas where labor costs are the
cheapest.

3. It creates a political system where the biggest and the richest have influence.
The biggest businesses and wealthiest people could hoard global resources for
themselves through whatever government was put into place, enhancing the
social inequalities that are already being seen on smaller scales.

4. Diseases travel faster in a world that is globalized. When people stay within
their own regions, there are fewer problems with communicable diseases. If
there were no borders and people could travel freely to wherever they wished
to go, this issue would cause even the most remote parts of the world to be
exposed to potentially deadly health concerns.

5. It could have a negative impact on the environment. Let’s say that production
levels increase because everyone sees a boost in their economic
circumstances. This would potentially increase pollution levels that could
acidify the air, the ocean, and cause more issues with global warming.
References

Deocampo, Felix Jr. R., Ramos, Bernardo F., and Llonora, R. L. (2019).
Globalization in Contemporary World. Plaridel, Bulacan: St. Andrew Publishing
House
Lisandro E. Claudio and Patricio N. Abinales. (2018). The Contemporary World.
Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.
Manfred Steger, Paul Battersby, and Joseph M. Siracusa, eds. (2014). The SAGE
Handbook of Globalization. Two vols. Thousand Oaks: SAGE

https://www.britannica.com/science/cultural-globalization

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-globalization-definition-effects-
examples.html

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-dimensions-globalisation-post-cold-war-era-
ernesto-gouveia-gove-jr-/

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/how-globalization-4-0-fits-into-the-
history-of-globalization/

https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-globalization-definition-benefits-
effects-examples/

https://www.alert-software.com/blog/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-
globalization-for-the-workplace
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