Module 1 Contemporary World
Module 1 Contemporary World
Module 1 Contemporary World
Objectives:
At the end of the discussions, the students are expected to:
1. share a personal definition of globalization;
2. describe the natures of globalization;
3. differentiate competing conception of globalizations; and
4. synthesize and agree on a working definition of globalization for the course
INTRODUCTION
This module examines the natures of globalization.
DEFINITION OF GLOBALIZATION
Globalization is a term used to describe the changes in societies and the world economy that
are the result of dramatically increased trade and cultural exchange. In specifically economic
contexts, it refers almost exclusively to the effects of trade, particularly trade liberalization or
"free trade".
It is a common belief that globalization plays a role just at international levels of trade and
commerce, but the fact is that it has played an important role in making our lives much more
comfortable too. The phones, apparels, gadgets or accessories that we use in our day-to-day
life are be available to us through globalization. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are all under
the impact of globalization, and more importantly it has helped in bringing international peace
and justice to mankind.
NATURES OF GLOBALIZATION
1. Liberalization: It stands for the freedom of the entrepreneurs to establish any industry or
trade or business venture, within their own countries or abroad.
2. Free trade: It stands for free flow of trade relations among all the nations. Each state grants
MFN (most favored nation) status to other states and keeps its business and trade away from
excessive and hard regulatory and protective regimes.
3. Globalization of Economic Activity: Economic activities are be governed both by the
domestic market and also the world market. It stands for the process of integrating the
domestic economy with world economies.
4. Liberalization of Import-Export System: It stands for liberating the import- export activity
and securing a free flow of goods and services across borders.
5. Privatization: Keeping the state away from ownership of means of production and
distribution and letting the free flow of industrial, trade and economic activity across borders.
6. Increased Collaborations: Encouraging the process of collaborations among the
entrepreneurs with a view to secure rapid modernization, development and technological
advancement.
7. Economic Reforms: Encouraging fiscal and financial reforms with a view to give strength
to free world trade, free enterprise, and market forces.
Globalization accepts and advocates the value of free world trade, freedom of access to world
markets and a free flow of investments across borders. It stands for integration and
democratization of the world’s culture, economy and infrastructure through global investments.
SIGNS OF GLOBALIZATION
1. Increase in international trade at a faster rate than the growth in the world economy.
2. Increase in international flow of capital including foreign direct investment.
3. Greater trans-border data flow, using such technologies such as the Internet,
communication satellites and telephones
4. Greater international cultural exchange, for example through the export of Hollywood
and Bollywood movies.
5. Some argue that even terrorism has undergone globalization. Terrorists now have
attacked places all over the world.
6. Spreading of multiculturalism and better individual access to cultural diversity, with on
the other hand, some reduction in diversity through assimilation, hybridization,
Westernization, Americanization or Sinosization of cultures.
7. Erosion of national sovereignty and national borders through international agreements
leading to organizations like the WTO and OPEC.
8. Greater international travel and tourism.
9. Greater immigration, including illegal immigration.
10. Development of global telecommunications infrastructure.
11. Development of a global financial systems.
12. Increase in the share of the world economy controlled by multinational corporations.
13. Increased role of international organizations such as WTO, WIPO, IMF that deal with
international transactions.
14. Increase in the number of standards applied globally; e.g. copyright laws.
Anti-Globalization
Many anti-globalism activists see globalization as the promotion of a Corporatist
agenda, which is intent on constricting the freedoms of individuals in the name of profit.
They also claim that increasing autonomy and strength of corporate entities increasingly
shape the political policy of nation-states.
Globalization imposes credit based economics, resulting in unsustainable growth of
debt and debt crises.
Pro-Globalization
Supporters of free trade point out that economic theories such as comparative
advantage suggests that free trade leads to a more efficient allocation of resources,
with all those involved in the trade benefitting. In general, they claim that this leads to
lower prices, more employment and better allocation of resources.
ADVANTAGES OF GLOBALIZATION
Peaceful Relations - Most of the countries have resorted to trade relations with each other in
order to boost their economy, leaving behind any bitter past experiences if any.
Employment - Considered as one of the most crucial advantages, globalization has led to the
generation of numerous employment opportunities. Companies are moving towards the
developing countries to acquire labor force.
Education - A very critical advantage that has aided the population is the spread of education.
With numerous educational institutions around the globe, one can move out from the home
country for better opportunities elsewhere.
Product Quality - The product quality has been enhanced so as to retain the customers.
Today the customers may compromise with the price range but not with the quality of the
product. Low or poor quality can adversely affect consumer satisfaction.
Cheaper Prices - Globalization has brought in fierce competition in the markets.
Communication - Every single information is easily accessible from almost every corner of
the world Circulation of information is no longer a tedious task, and can happen in seconds.
The Internet has significantly affected the global economy, thereby providing direct access to
information and products.
Transportation - Considered as the wheel of every business organization, connectivity to
various parts of the world is no more a serious problem. Today with various modes of
transportation available, one can conveniently deliver the products to a customer located at
any part of the world.
GDP Increase - Gross Domestic Product, commonly known as GDP, is the money value of
the final goods and services produced within the domestic territory of the country during an
accounting year.
Free Trade - Free trade is a policy in which a country does not levy taxes, duties, subsidies or
quota on the import/export of goods or services from other countries. There are countries
which have resolved to free trade in specific regions. This allows consumers to buy goods and
services, comparatively at a lower cost.
Travel and Tourism - Globalization has promoted tourism to great heights. International trade
among different countries also helps in increasing the number of tourists that visit different
places around the world.
External Borrowing - With the help of globalization, there is opportunity for corporate,
national, and sub-national borrowers to have better access to external finance, with facilities
such as external commercial borrowing and syndicated loans.
DISADVANTAGES OF GLOBALIZATION
Health Issues. Globalization has given rise to more health risks and presents new threats and
challenges for epidemics. The dawn of HIV/AIDS. Having its 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.
Uneven Wealth Distribution. It is said that the rich are getting richer while the poor are
getting poorer. In the real sense, globalization has not been able to reduce poverty.
Environment Degradation. The industrial revolution has changed the outlook of the
economy. Industries are using natural resources by means of mining, drilling, etc. which puts a
burden on the environment.
Disparity. Though globalization has opened new avenues like wider markets and
employment, there still exists a disparity in the development of the economies. Structural
unemployment owes to the disparity created. Developed countries are moving their factories to
foreign countries where labor is cheaply available.
Conflicts. It has given rise to terrorism and other forms of violence. Such acts not only cause
loss of human life but also huge economic losses.
Cut-throat Competition. Opening the doors of international trade has given birth to intense
competition. This has affected the local markets dramatically. The local players thereby suffer
huge losses as they lack the potential to advertise or export their products on a large scale.
Therefore, the domestic markets shrink.
Globalization can be:
1. Cultural
2. Economic
3. Political
4. Social
5. Industrial
6. Technological
7. Ecological
8. Geographical
Cultural globalization - is 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.
Economic globalization refers to the increasing interdependence of world economies as a
result of growing scale of cross-border trade of commodities and services, flow of international
capital and wide and rapid spread of technologies (Shangquan, 2000).
Industrial Globalization
Every country in the world is moving towards specialization. Specialization may be referred to
as the phenomenon of producing only that product in which the country has competitive
advantage in terms of cost. For example, Singapore specializes in pharmaceutical while the
US specializes in military equipment.
Therefore, the countries exchange their industrial products, which is known as trade, and fulfill
the requirements of their people. Every country of the world today is involved in trade and is
depended on some other country one way or the other. The US is the biggest economy in the
world and even that is depended on other countries for many of its needs. Hence the
industries
of the world today are considered to be working not for their native countries but for the world
as a whole.
Financial Globalization
It may be defined as the emergence of worldwide financial markets and better access to
external financing for corporate, national and sub-national borrowers. Some projects in the
Philippines were sponsored by foreign investors. They may be in the form of international
organizations or independent investors.
The IMF and the World Bank today give funds to various countries for developmental projects.
We may say, that today the financial markets of the world have untied in such a way that
finances are easily available throughout the world.
Informational Globalization
This aspect of Globalization has perhaps had the greatest impact on the world today. Sitting at
one end of the world, you can have access to the information available in any other part of the
world with just the push of a button. Internet, television, telephone, fax, etc. are some of the
inventions that may be considered as a part of the informational Globalization process where
the information flow has dramatically increased between geographically remote areas of the
world.
Social globalization refers to the sharing of ideas and information between and through
different countries.
In today’s world, the Internet and social media is at the heart of this. Good examples of social
globalization could include internationally popular films, books and TV series. The Harry
Potter/ Twilight films and books have been successful all over the world, making the
characters featured globally recognizable. However, this cultural flow tends to flow from the
center (i.e. from developed countries such as the USA to less developed countries). Social
globalization is often criticized for eroding cultural differences.
Ecological globalization.
The effects of globalization in the ecology are still not completely identified, though some
studies suggest that the process of globalization has many consequences in our ecology.
Globalization and the Politics.
Through globalization, political issues such as the rights of women and children are now
currently discussed, many laws are now already implemented regarding the issues on the
rights of women and children.
Globalization with technology. Technology really plays a huge part in the life of every
individual. Also through the advancement of technology we can now already communicate
with others despite the distance that separate us. And through our technology today, the
process of globalization is now taking place much faster.
Geographical.
Globalization is moving towards the trend of a borderless world. We can now explore different
countries without having any dangers.
Qualities and Characteristics of Globalization
Creation and Multiplication - involves creation of new and multiplication of existing social
networks and cultural activities thus, breaking the traditional norms and practices in the
political, economic, and cultural realms of most communities.
Expansion and Stretching - globalization is very evident in the expansion and stretching of
social operations and connections, on how the financial markets and trading operate around
the globe like the (WTO) World Trade Organization, ASEAN Economic Community, World
Economic Forum and European Union brought to the expansion of local economies through
opening their economies to the other parts of the world.
Consciousness and Awareness - globalization involves the human consciousness and
awareness. People, as the primary actors of globalization are the frontliners as reflected in
their experiences. The human consciousness is critical on how they impact the growing
outcomes and markers of globalization. Their daily actions such as global interdependence
provide large- scale implications to the norms and practices of the borderless world.
GLOBALIZATION OR WESTERNIZATION?
For westerners’ conception on the term globalization, scholars attributed it as part of the
growing imperialist mechanism of American and Western powers, which they considered as
the building blocks of technological and economic innovations.
Such phases of developments were interpreted as “westernization” in which they strongly
linked the global events to the American imperialism.
The idea of Westernization is deeply rooted in the Western World where often associated with
the Western culture and values.
The World Wide Web (www) for example, is the hallmark for the integration of western
and eastern culture.
CONCLUSION
References
Dacles, Darwin Don M. & Maslang, Kenneth L.(2018), The Contemporary World. Bayombong,
Nueva Vizcaya: SMU Publishing House
Haywood, A. Politics. London: Palgrave Mcmillan. 2012.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/59a4/146f5d62237e74e0ca1082ae24e3d1e5028a.pdf
http://www.revistadestatistica.ro/suplimente/2012/4/srrs4_2012a22.pdf
https://www.zeepedia.com/read.php?globalization_aspects_of_globalization_industrial_globali
zation
International Sociology (London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi) June 2000 Vol 15(2):
180– 196SAGE
References:
Dacles, Darwin Don M. & Maslang, Kenneth L.(2018), The Contemporary World. Bayombong,
Nueva Vizcaya: SMU Publishing House
https://ched.gov.ph/sample-suggested-syllabi-new-general-education-gec-core-courses/
http://www.revistadestatistica.ro/suplimente/2012/4/srrs4_2012a22.pdf
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