CONTEMPORARY WORLD into agencies of globalizing world”( as cited in

RAWOO Netherlands Development Assistance

DEFINING GLOBALIZATION
Research Council,2000,)
• So what is globalization ? This question is
Why are we going to spend time studying this
probably an easy one to answer. However ,
concept?
many scholars gave tried to formulate its
definitions. This resulted in different, How can we appreciate these definitions?
sometimes CONTRADICTING VIEWS
How can these help us understand globalization?
about the concept. It cannot be contained
within a specific time frame, all people , and FIRST ,the person who defines globalization shapes
all situations( Al-Rhodan ,2006 ) its definition. The overview of definitions implies
that globalization is many things to many different
• Globalization encompasses a multitude of
people.
processes that involves the ECONOMY,
POLITICAL SYSTEMS, and CULTURE, Second , to paraphrase the sociologist Cesare Poppi
SOCIAL STRUCTURES , therefore , are : Globalization is debate and debate is globalization.
directly affected by globalization. One become part and parcel of the other. It is a debate
which it concept , is a self evident , in another , it is
• Positive views such as gained and pertaining
vague and obscure as its reaches are wide and
to progress ,development , and integration.
constantly shifting. Perhaps, more than any other
• like Swedish journalist Thomas Larsson ( concept, globalization is debate about it” ( as cited
2001) saw Globalization as the “ process of in Kumar ,2003,p.95).
world shrinkage, of distances getting shorter
Third , globalization is reality
, things moving closer.
Overall , globalization is a concept that is not easy to
• Negative views in the mid -1990’s , Martin
define because in reality , globalization has a shifting
Khor , the former president of the Third
nature. It is complex, multifaceted , and can be
World Network ( TWN ) in Malaysia , once
influenced by the people who define it.
regarded globalization as COLONIZATION
“ The globalization is of Nothing “ by Ritzer (2003)
THE TASK DEFINING GLOBALIZATION
said “ attitudes toward globalization depend , among
The literature on the definitions of other things on globalization should stimulate more
globalization revealed that definitions could discussion about it.
be classified as
Metaphors of Globalization
(1) broad and inclusive
1. Solidity
(2) narrow and exclusive refers to barriers that prevent or make
difficult movement of things.
1.Broad and Inclusive
Example.
• Ohmae 1992 stated that, globalization means
onset of the borderless world…” This is an • Natural or manmade
example of a broad and inclusive type • natural solids are landforms and bodies of
definition. water
• Manmade include the Great wall of China
• If one uses such it can be include a variety
and Berlin Wall.
of issues that deal with overcoming
• An imaginary line such as the nine-dash line
traditional boundaries. However, it does not
used by the People’s Republic of China in
shed light on the implications of globalization
their claim to the South China sea an example
due to its vagueness.
of modern man-made solid
2. Narrow and Exclusive
2. Liquid
• These are BETTER JUSTIFIED but can be
refers to the increasing ease movements of
limiting , in the sense that their application
people things , information , and places in the
adhere to only particular definitions.
contemporary world. Zyrmunt Bauma’s
• Robert Cox’s definition best in this type : “ ideas were the ones that have much to say
the characteristics of globalization trend about the characteristic of liquidity.
include the inter nationalizing of production , • Change quickly
the new international division of labor, new
• Ex. Continuous fluctuation in terms
migratory movements from South to North,
of global finance
the new competitive state …making states
Movement is difficult to stop Ex. Videos uploaded to Media Imperialism
YouTube or Facebook are unstoppable once they
• flow of media is often characterized . TV,
become viral.
music, books, and movies are PERCEIVED
Finally the forces, ( the liquid ones ) made by AS IMPOSED on developing countries by
political boundaries more permeable to flow of the West (.Cowen, 2002).
people and things ( Cartier , 2001 ). This bring us to
• Undermines the existence of
what Ritzer (2015,p.6) regarded as the most
ALTERNATIVE global media originating
important characteristic of liquid: it tends to melt
from developing countries , such as the Al
what ever stands in its path ( especially solids).’
Jazeera ( Bielsa,2008) and Bollywood(
3. Flow Larkin,2003), as well as the influence of the
local and regional media.
are the movement of people , things,
places and information brought by the ALTERNATIVE MEDIA
growing “ porosity” of global limitations.
Internet
Ex. Foreign cuisine
can be seen as an arena for ALTERNATIVE
global financial system ex. Financial MEDIA
crisis .
Cultural Imperialism
Modern flows- poor illegal immigrants
denies the agency of viewers, but people around
Virtual flow of illegal information such as the world often interpret the same medium ( e.g., a
blogs and child pornography , movie ) in significantly different way.

Immigrants recreating ethnic enclaves in host Global media

countries
dominated by a small number of large
Ex. Filipino communities abroad and the corporations.
Chinese communities in the Philippines
As McChesny(1999) put it, this is being “ extended
GLOBALIZATION THEORIES from old media to new media’’(p.11)

Theories see Globalization as a PROCESS - Microsoft

1. Homogeneity - Facebook
Sameness cultural inputs, economic factors
- Twitter
and political
- Google and Apple’s iTunes
Linked to cultural imperialism
Globalization101.org has defined the phenomenon
EXAMPLE OF HOMOGEINITY
of globalization as the “acceleration and
• CHRISTIANITY which brought to us by the intensification of economic interaction among the
Spaniards people, companies, and governments of different
nations.
• AMERICANIZATION ( Kuisel 1993 )
import by non- Americans of products, • Most studies of globalization tend to focus on
images technologies ,practices and behavior changes occurring in the economic and
political spheres.
• In economy, there is recognition of SPREAD
of NEOLIBERALISM, CAPITALISM AND The homogenizing influences of globalization that
MARKET ECONOMY in the world ( are most often condemned by the new nationalists
Antonio,2007 ) and by cultural romanticists are actually
positive;globalization promotes integration and the
EFFECTS OF HOMOGEINITY
removal not only of cultural barriers but of many of
• Global Economic Crises - ex. Stiglitz(2002) the negative dimensions of culture. Globalization is
, for instance blamed the International a vital step toward both a more stable world and
Monetary Fund ( IMF) FOR ITS “ ONE- better lives for the people in it.”
SIZE FITS ALL “ APPROACH.
- David Rothkopf, “In Praise of
• Political orientation Barber (1995 ) said Cultural Imperialism,” Foreign Policy June
that “MCWORLD’’ is existing. It means 22, 1997
ONLY ONE political orientation is growing
“Many societies, particularly indigenous peoples,
in today’s societies.
view culture as their richest heritage, without which
they have no roots, history or soul. Its value is other • Based on the power point presentation, what
than monetary. To comodify it is to destroy it." would be a Mcdonaldization means? And
how can you relate it in the Philippine
- Maude Barlow, "The Global
setting?
Monoculture,” Earth Island Journal. Autumn
2001 • Can you cite some example of
Mcdonaldization ?
CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION • What are your insights about it?
refers to the transmission of meaning, ideas, and • How does it affect our culture?
values around the world in such a way as to extend
Theories see Globalization as a PROCESS
and intensify social relation.
HETEROGEINITY
Consumerism – People want more than they need
pertains to the CREATION of various cultural
Cultural lines have become blurred as world
practices, new economies , and political groups
becomes more connected - (cultural imperialism)
DIFFERENCES
“Americanization” or “McDonaldization” threatens
local cultures CULTURAL HYBRIDIZATION
Hollywood movies A more specific concept :
Disneyland • GLOCALIZATION coined by Roland
Robertson in 1992. To him , as global forces
Starbucks
interact with local factors or a specific
Dominance of the English language geographic area , the “ GLOCAL” is being
produced.
CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION
Barber (1995 ) provided the alternate of
George Ritzer
“ McWorld”—the Jihad”.
• In his book The McDonaldization of Society,
As Ritzer(2008) mentioned, it refers to the
Ritzer states that “the principles of the fast-
political groups that are engaged in
food restaurant are coming to dominate more
“instification of nationalism and that leads to
and more sectors of American society as well
greater political heterogeneity
as of the rest of the world.”
What is globalization?
McDonaldization
Globalization
• Ritzer argues, is a result of globalization and,
ultimately, leads to global uniformity, a term used to describe the changes in
influencing local habits and traditions. societies and the world economy that are the result of
dramatically increased trade and cultural exchange.
• EX. Starbucks coffee disrupting the
In specifically economic contexts, it refers almost
traditional coffee culture in Italy.
exclusively to the effects of trade, particularly trade
• - Starbucks coffeehouse in the Forbidden liberalization or "free trade".
City in central Beijing
It is a common belief that globalization plays a role
• The McDonaldization of Society, Ritzer just at international levels of trade and commerce, but
states that “the principles of the fast-food the fact is that it has played an important role in
restaurant are coming to dominate more and making our lives much comfortable too. The phones,
more sectors of American society as well as apparels, gadgets or accessories that we use in our
of the rest of the world.” Statistics show that day-to-day life are be available to us through
within the last fifty years, McDonalds has globalization. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are all
expanded to over 31,000 restaurants under the impact of globalization, and more
worldwide. importantly it has helped in bringing international
peace and justice to mankind.
• McDonaldization, Ritzer argues, is a result of
globalization and, ultimately, leads to global Globalization" can mean:
uniformity, influencing local habits and
The formation of a global village
traditions.
closer contact between different parts of the
REFLECTION
world, with increasing possibilities of personal
exchange, mutual understanding and friendship Advantages
between "world citizens".
• Peaceful Relations
Economic globalization Most of the countries have resorted to
trade relations with each other in order to
"free trade" and increasing relations among
boost their economy, leaving behind any
members of an industry in different parts of the world
bitter past experiences if any.
(globalization of an industry), with a corresponding
erosion of National Sovereignty in the economic • Employment
sphere. Considered as one of the most crucial
advantages, globalization has led to
Signs of globalization
the generation of numerous
• Increase in international trade at a faster rate employment opportunities.
than the growth in the world economy Companies are moving towards the
• Increase in international flow of capital developing countries to acquire labor
including foreign direct investment Greater force.
transborder data flow, using such
• Education
technologies such as the Internet,
A very critical advantage that has
communication satellites and telephones
aided the population is the spread of
• Greater international cultural exchange, for
education. With numerous
example through the export of Hollywood
educational institutions around the
and Bollywood movies.
globe, one can move out from the
• Some argue that even terrorism has
home country for better opportunities
undergone globalization. Terrorists now have
elsewhere.
attacked places all over the world.
• Spreading of multiculturalism and better • Product Quality
individual access to cultural diversity, with The product quality has been
on the other hand, some reduction in diversity enhanced so as to retain the
through assimilation, hybridization, customers. Today the customers may
Westernization, Americanization or compromise with the price range but
Sinosization of cultures. not with the quality of the product.
• Erosion of national sovereignty and national Low or poor quality can adversely
borders through international agreements affect consumer satisfaction.
leading to organizations like the WTO and
• Cheaper Prices
OPEC
Globalization has brought in fierce
• Greater international travel and tourism
competition in the markets.
• Greater immigration, including illegal
immigration Development of global • Communication
telecommunications infrastructure Every single information is easily
• Development of a global financial systems accessible from almost every corner
• Increase in the share of the world economy of the world. Circulation of
controlled by multinational corporations information is no longer a tedious
• Increased role of international organizations task, and can happen in seconds. The
suchas WTO, WIPO, IMF that deal with Internet has significantly affected the
international transactions global economy, thereby providing
• Increase in the number of standards applied direct access to information and
globally; e.g. copyright laws products.
• • Transportation
Globalization in the Philippines Considered as the wheel of every
The country is taking part in the process of business organization, connectivity to
globalization ever since the country signed various parts of the world is no more
agreements with World Trade Organization in 1995. a serious problem. Today with
various modes of transportation
Now, globalization is very effective in the available, one can conveniently
Philippines, it has allowed major changes in the deliver the products to a customer
nation like more labor, and more Filipino and foreign located at any part of the world.
companies has emerged in the nation in order to help
the country's developing economy.
• GDP Increase • Uneven Wealth Distribution
Gross Domestic Product, commonly It is said that the rich are getting richer
known as GDP, is the money value of while the poor are getting poorer. In
the final goods and services produced the real sense, globalization has not
within the domestic territory of the been able to reduce poverty.
country during an accounting year.
• Environment Degradation
• Free Trade The industrial revolution has changed
Free trade is a policy in which a the outlook of the economy.
country does not levy taxes, duties, Industries are using natural resources
subsidies or quota on the by means of mining, drilling, etc.
import/export of goods or services which puts a burden on the
from other countries. There are environment.
countries which have resolved to free
• Disparity
trade in specific regions. This allows
Though globalization has opened new
consumers to buy goods and services,
avenues like wider markets and
comparatively at a lower cost.
employment, there still exists a
• Travel and Tourism disparity in the development of the
Globalization has promoted tourism economies. Structural unemployment
to great heights. International trade owes to the disparity created.
among different countries also helps Developed countries are moving their
in increasing the number of tourists factories to foreign countries where
that visit different places around the labor is cheaply available.
world.
• Conflicts
• External Borrowing It has given rise to terrorism and other
With the help of globalization, there forms of violence. Such acts not only
is opportunity for corporate, national, cause loss ofhuman life but also huge
and sub-national borrowers to have economic losses.
better access to external finance, with
• Cut-throat Competition
facilities such as external commercial
Opening the doors of international
borrowing and syndicated loans.
trade has given birth to intense
Disadvantages competition. This has affected the
local markets dramatically. The local
• Health Issues
players thereby suffer huge losses as
Globalization has given rise to more
they lack the potential to advertise or
health risks and presents new threats
export their products on a large scale.
and challenges for epidemics.
Therefore the domestic markets
the dawn of HIV/AIDS. Having its shrink.
origin in the wilderness of Africa, the
virus has spread like wildfire
throughout the globe in no time.
Food items are also transported to
various countries, and this is a matter
of concern, especially in case of
perishable items.

• Loss of Culture
With large number of people moving
into and out of a country, the culture
takes a backseat. People may adapt to
the culture of the resident country.
They tend to follow the foreign
culture more, forgetting their own
roots. This can give rise to cultural
conflicts.