Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR)

Vol. IV, No. I (Winter 2019) | Page: 16 – 22

| DOI: 10.31703/gssr.2019(IV-I).03 | URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2019(IV-I).03

Impact of Globalization on National Security
Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations,
Waseem Ishaque
National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Assistant Professor, Department of Leadership and Managment

Muhammad Zia ur
Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Rehman
Email: drziaemail@gmail.com

Assistant Professor, Department of Politics and International

Noor Fatima
Relations, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

National security now-a-days is a much broader and comprehensive concept which apart
Abstract from military security takes into account all dimensions affecting human security with
inclusive consideration to all Elements of National Power of a Nation
State. Similarly, globalization means interdependence, advancing
Key Words integration, and homogenization of the world. Globalization has
Globalization, National assumed profound power this century, which captures the opinion that
Security, Interdependence, happenings in one part of the globe will have significant influence on
Interconnectivity the regions and the world at large. This research article will explore
several dimensions of notion of globalization, its linkages and effects
on national security.

Introduction
Globalization can be traced to 1980s onwards when it gained global prominence, it has generally been
debated in terms of its effects on states. The most accepted understanding of the term globalization is
that it is manifestation of an interconnected and interdependent world in terms of economic, business,
culture and political interactions transcending national boundaries. More significantly, it has gained
relevance in terms of economic globalization for movement of goods and services and financial
transactions for wellbeing and prosperity of relevant countries and the regions. However, the critics of
globalization argue that it has benefited only few individual and corporations and has thus created a class
L-ISSN 2616-793X

difference and monopoly at massive scale. While the negative effects of globalization have been felt
across the developing countries as the income distribution have remained inequitable, therefore, the
envisaged benefits of development and prosperity is far from realization. On account of national security,
as globalization has transcended the national boundaries, it has been argued that national security and
state sovereignty has been compromised.

Significance
This research article explores various definitions and terms used to describe the notion of globalization
|

and national security. Thereafter, a comprehensive debate has been articulated to analyze their facets,
e-ISSN 2616-793X

dimensions and interrelationship to establish the context of globalization as it affects national security.
The article concludes with optimism giving the positive effects of globalization with due cognizance to
its negative side as well. This will help in capitalizing on the strengths for common development and
prosperity of citizens and also means for ensuring national security by establishing a wider connection to
the interdependent world.

Globalization and its Paradigms

Globalization is generally understood as the intimate integration of the people and the countries across
|

the continents resulting into facilitation of trade and investment, reduction in the cost of shipping and
p-ISSN 2520-0348

eventually breaking the artificial barriers for smooth and efficient flow of goods, knowledge, services
and capital including the people across traditional nation state borders. The introduction of term
globalization appeared on the international scene during 1980s, highlighting innovations, technological
advancements which paved the way for speedy financial flows and transactions. Globalization manifests
in extension beyond national borders of nation states. According to Robertson, the globalization means
“compression of the world and magnification of awareness of the world as a whole...both concrete world-
Impact of Globalization on National Security

wide interdependence and cognizance of the global whole in the twentieth century” (Robertson, 1992).Joseph Stiglitz the
Nobel laureate describes phenomena of globalization as “the process of economic integration of countries, through the
increasing flow of goods, services, capital and labour” (Stiglitz & Joseph, 2003). Anthony Giddens, outlines globalization
as “the growing interdependence between different peoples, regions and countries in the world” (Giddens Anthony, 1990).
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) perspective on globalization suggests that as the countries from different regions
and of different size open up their markets to global economic forces, their countries eventually benefit. It also opines that
as the countries globalize, their inhabitants benefit through unhindered access to variety of things, lower prices, more job
market, improvement in health facilities and overall rise in the living standards. Additionally, it defines the phenomena of
economic globalization “as a historical process, which is the outcome of human innovations and technological
advancements”. More specifically, it mentions to the intensified incorporation of economies throughout the globe by way
of movement of goods and services and capital beyond traditional borders on nation states. As globalization is manifested
in various forms, therefore, “in broader sense, it has political, cultural and environmental dimensions as well” (IMF Report,
2008). Another renowned scholar Attali opines about globalization that the world in which we all live and grow is
paradoxical in its progress. More significantly, “it is concurrently dwindling and growing closer and farther apart, therefore,
the borders of countries are becoming increasingly irrelevant. And yet globalism is by no means glorious” (Attali, 1991).
Presently, there appears to be inconsistency felt between two dimensions often appearing contradictory to the assumption
that globalization is in full swipe and the way that predominant techniques for universal administration needs adequate
power and expertise to control and leads this process towards sustainable direction. Therefore, as a consequence, the
process of globalization is generally unsettling and discriminatory in its manifestation and resultant outcome. It has also
postured novel difficulties for prevailing establishments, while concurrently waning their support and independence. A
renowned analyst Holm describes that the “globalization is the phenomenal shift towards a global economic system that
is no longer based on sovereign national economies but on amalgamated international souk for manufacture, delivery, and
ingestion” (Holm and Sorensen, 1995). Another connotation describes “distinctive state economies are incorporated and
reshaped into the structure by fundamentally international procedures and transactions” (Hirst & Thompson, 1992). The
principal mechanism for this progress has been the cumulative trans-nationalization of manufactured goods, produce and
the consequential growth in inspiration of international initiatives, more significantly, the outburst in the size and latitude
of transactions on global fiscal markets.

Globalization and Challenges of Identity

The significant effect felt around the globe is waning identity of nation states and increasing role of multinational
corporations, which are destined to take a lead role in driving the global events underpinning their business interests.
Additionally, the enigmatic value of accelerating globalization is that it professes to create harmony in the society and the
nation states, consequentially, it is resulting in enhanced awareness that is causing societal heterogeneity due to uneven
distribution of its benefits across the countries, regions and the globe at large.
Various segments of networks whose peculiarity and shared trait depends on language, ethnicity, race and religion
have step by step turned out to be vocal in voicing their discontent and disappointment enlisted by utilizing worldwide
media. This current "ethnic revitalisation" to some extent was "unbridled" by the outcome of end of the Cold War. The
past war was categorized as struggle among the states and adversary squares of East and West to safeguard the
transcendence of national personality in any case, in the 1990's the state's customary sway to a great extent influenced by
the globalization is far less viable in either convincing passive consent or absorbing national society. Hence, the minorities
are currently ready to adequately reaffirm their peculiarity in light of authoritative social forces. These minority parts
typically observe the state as "no longer the supporter and watchman of national interests, however rather a fellow with
outside powers" (Scholte, 1997). Accordingly, after the end of cold war amid 1990's, it tends to be discussed that the
main accentuation of contention may never again be built up "between and among states, yet between the state and
subnational gatherings" (Gurr, 1994). The general results of these progressions have been the upsurge in the proliferation
of social arrangement matters, both inside and over the fringes for all the fundamental on-screen characters in worldwide
political field.
Nationally if one observes, the human beings need a feeling of security and of distinctiveness. As all individuals have
a basic ambition to learn, therefore, each requires unswerving answer from the situation without which knowledge is
difficult to achieve. From their social framework, the people need both appreciation and esteemed associations
or connection. And in-fact most importantly, “the people want a degree of flexibility to regulate their surroundings in order
to ensure that their desires are satisfied” (Burton, 1990).

Globalization and Inequality

While the paradoxical nature of globalization has been much appreciated and debated in the wider academic circles and
business community, one thing aptly comes out as a result of analyses of evolving trends that the income distribution and
poverty level has been uneven and unparalleled. As certain countries have embraced and adopted the tenants of
globalization, they have eventually enjoyed the benefits in the form of substantial income intensifications and welfare of
inhabitants in the form of high living standards and more job opportunities resulting in sharp increase in per capita income,

Vol. IV, No. I (Winter 2019) 17

 Waseem Ishaque, Muhammad Zia ur Rehman and Noor Fatima

while those countries who have demonstrated tepid response or have excluded themselves from globalization have been
left behind by the rapid pace of progression. A similar phenomenon is at work within the nation states where some people
and corporations have been bigger beneficiaries while some have been excluded from wider economic benefits.
Therefore, it is significant to make sure that the advantages and benefits from globalization are largely shared through
wider spectrum of inhabitants. It is essentially, the responsibility of academia, think tanks and the respective national
governments to educate people through policy transformations to support training and education that would assist and
provide the workers with suitable abilities for positive contributions in developing the world-wide economy. Policies that
expand and guarantee the provision of capitals to the poor would help in poverty alleviation and eventual lifting of their
living standards at par with rising economic development. Correspondingly significant factor to consider is that the
globalization should never be forbidden due to the fact that its impression has resulted into unemployment of some
segments. The displacement may probably be an outcome of those factors which have diminutive concerns with
globalization and more to do with unavoidable advancement in technology. It can, therefore, be assumed that the “number
of people who lose under globalization is likely to be overshadowed by the number of people who eventually win".

Key Drivers of Globalization

Chief drivers of globalization as per the key note paper presented by Doctor Ishrat Hussain, ex-Governor State bank of
Pakistan are the “speed of technology dissemination and assimilation, explosion in information access, demographic
transition, projected shift in balance of economic power, social and environmental concerns and financial integration”
(Hussain, 2011).

Globalization and Theories of World Politics

Classical Realism
This theory is predicated on the nature of people who are said to be “greedy, insecure and aggressive; hence, the states
they govern will have the same characteristics” (John, Steve & Patricia, 2011). Realists view globalization as “not having
changed the territorial division of the world into nation states”. Hence, states still retain their sovereignty and struggle for
achieving power more than their adversaries.

Neo Realism
For neo-realists, the process of globalization is a “reflection of great power’s struggle for supremacy” (Gilpin, 2000;
Mearsheimer, 2003). It helps to exploit “great power’s advantages and is being promoted by those which benefit more
than others. As a result, globalization is just another context for everlasting struggle for hegemony” (Kapitonenko &
Mykola, 2001).

Liberalism
The liberalists see multinational corporations, transnational actors and international organizations as central actors in some
areas of world politics. “Order emerges not from balance of power but due to interactions between various governing
arrangements”. Liberalists see globalization “as the result of a long cycle of transformation of world politics which prove
that states are no longer such central actors as they were previously” (Gilpin, 2000; Mearsheimer, 2003).

Neo Liberalism
Neo-liberals lay strong emphasis on the role of international organizations like the United Nations (UNO), World Trade
Organization (WTO) and other like bodies in shaping the foreign policy leaning and general behaviour of states. They
believe that the “globalization is a positive force and that eventually all states will benefit from economic growth promoted
by the forces of globalization”

Constructivism
Constructivists argue that globalization is an external force acting on the states which leaders often argue is a reality that
they cannot be challenged. They assume that globalization can be moulded in variety of ways as it offers real chances to
generate cross national social movements supported by the technological advancements.

Academic Construct of National Security

Meanings of National Security
Barry Buzan has defined national security as “the ability of a nation to pursue successfully its national interest, as it sees
them, anywhere in the world” (Buzan, 2000). However, the United States Defence Dictionary has defined national security
as a “collective term encompassing both national defence and foreign relation specifically the conditions provided by a
military or defence the advantages over any foreign nation or group of nations or a favourable foreign relations or a

18 Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR)

Impact of Globalization on National Security

favourable defence posture which is capable of successfully resisting hostile or destructive actions from within or without
both overt and covert” (Defence Dictionary. Com, 2005). It is significant to highlight that the military’s hard power
dimension is not the only component which illustrate the level of national security. The other elements include internal
security, border security, economic security, demographic security, resource security, disaster security, energy security,
informational security, geostrategic security, health security, food security, ethnic security, environmental security, cyber
security to name some significant ones.

Categorization of Concepts of National Security

The conceptual understanding of both globalisation and national security built in previous part leads us to three
fundamental questions i.e. “Security from What? Security by Whom? Security achieved through which means?”, we arrive
at this comparative table of “Security Concepts” explained by Peter Liotta, which is impacted differently by globalization
and interdependence (Liotta & Peter, 2002)

Table 1. Security Concepts

Perspectives Types Areas under Attention

Emphasis Risks Threats

Territorial
States and NSAs (Non-State
Realist National Security Sovereign State integrity,
Actors)
Sovereignty
National
Interest groups,
integration,
Realist-and nations, political Culture,
‘Social’ Security wealth
liberalist action committees, Migrants, states,
circulation, life
social groups,
pattern
HDI (Human
Liberalist non- Individuals, (Most Adverse impact on nation
Human Security Development
traditional, important actors) States
Index)
Non-traditional,
Environmental Universal Individual and states due to
potentially Ecology
Security sustainability resource depletion
extreme

If above categorization is assumed, “the impact of globalization at different levels of interaction on the facets of national
security, can be tabulated as under” (Liotta & Peter, 2002)

The Level of Impact on Aspects of National Security

Following table, amplify the effects on the facets of national security.

Table 2. Level of Impact

National Security Dimensions
Impacts Military Political Economic Environmental Societal
Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions
Individuals PP PP PPP PPP PPP
Society PP PP PPP PPP PPP
National PPP PPP PPP PP P
Regional PP PPP PPP PPP PP
Global P PP PP PPP P

Analysis on the Impact of Globalization on Facets of National Security

The State Sovereignty
Globalization does impact sovereignty which becomes relative to the perspective. While interdependence complicates
external sovereignty in order to conscious and ratified accommodation between two states, globalization is a spatial
reorganization of production, finance, industry, and other expanses which results in the local decisions to have global
consequences and routine life to be moved by global happenings. Thus, sovereignty, the fundamental pillar of traditional
approach to national security and taken as the “monopoly of legitimate authority over citizen and subjects within a given

Vol. IV, No. I (Winter 2019) 19

 Waseem Ishaque, Muhammad Zia ur Rehman and Noor Fatima

territory” is affected both internally and externally. Another impact is the increasing inclination towards collectivism for
cooperation. Different states have sought different security and economic umbrellas thus trading in their absolute
sovereignty for a relatively greater security and economic space, therefore, the nation states are increasingly becoming
members of a number of overlapping organisations. It is anticipated that, while globalisation should have resulted in a
more homogenous world but despite the end of ‘Cold War’ there are growing difference on the approaches of counter
terrorism, which is affecting the entire globe today. Therefore, it can be inferred that the impact of globalisation on
sovereignty is hybrid.

The Military Security

In the prevailing environment, there is visible transformation in the prosecution of wars from “Clausewitzian interstate
wars to wars of a third kind civil ethnic wars and wars between small states” (Echevarria & Joseph, 2003). Comprehensive
national security now is all encompassing, covering wider subjects affecting human security like ecology, health, education
and trade to name a few, as threats are manifested in economic, environmental, and disease-related domains. “The
dimensions and the size of the military instruments are diminishing, Defence spending is also comparatively decreasing
and state’s military doctrines are ending offense in the favour of defence” (Ripsman, Norrin, & Paul, 2005). The impact
of globalisation on military security in traditional security paradigm can be gauged on four factors as tabulated at Table
3 ( Ripsman, Norrin, & Paul, 2005). From here, it can be inferred that the global phenomena affect the states differently
conditional to their comparative power and status within the global system.

Table 3. Transition in Military Security

Restructured national
Scale of
Military security establishments Greater participation in
State Type Armed
Expenditure to confront new defence activities from NGOs
Forces
challanges
Major Powers Marginal Marginal To some degree Yes
States in stable
regions European
Lessened Lessened To greater degree Yes
Japan Korean, ME
artificial stable
States in regions of
enduring rivalries
Increased Increased To lesser degree To lesser degree
(Pak India, DPRK,
Somalia
Weak/ Failing
Increased Increased Failing of structures To lesser degree
states,

Economic Security
It is the capability of states to adopt policies for economic growth in the progressive manner. “In today's multifaceted
structure of international trade, categorized by multi-national agreements, inter-dependence and accessibility of resources
etc., the economic security guarantees the most important element of national security” (Buzan, 2000). Globalization
though has led to perceptible weakening of conventional frontiers with economics supposed to be the new currency of
national security. A struggling economy leads to poverty and desolation for the inhabitants. “In today’s world, countries
do not aim to conquer lands but to dominate and control markets” (Flanagan, Stephen J., Ellen L. Frost, Richard L &
Kugler, 2001). We infer that globalization has mixed effects on the countries depending upon their national power, location
and international standing.

Societal Security
In 1993 a group of researchers, called Copenhagen School, articulated the notion of societal security as “the ability of a
society to persist in its essential character under changing conditions and possible or actual threats.” Societal security may
become a prominent issue as it relates to the “threats and vulnerabilities that affect patterns of communal identity and
culture”. Migration is an important reason to changing demographic patterns, therefore, beyond a certain number,
migration creates societal tensions (Adamson, & Fiona, 2006).

Environmental Security
Environmental security is the viability for life sustenance with three significant elements i.e.; “preventing or repairing
military damage to the environment, preventing or responding to environmentally caused conflicts and protecting the
environment due to its inherent moral value” (Dreher, Axel, Gaston, Martens & Martens, 2008).

20 Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR)

Impact of Globalization on National Security

The expression of natural security started from numerous establishments, however the conspicuous among these
were associations like World Resources Institute and the World Watch Institute in Washington DC. The USSR, in its 'new
logic on security' in the late 1980s, likewise proposed that the criticalness of ecological security as vital national security
challenge. The mishap at Chernobyl atomic reactor in 1986 is a valid example. Deforestation in Brazil and the sweltering
summer of 1988 in the USA when the Mississippi stream was decreased to the point that the business route was upset,
assembled their consideration also as supporting argument in this case.
Similarly, the hazy sky in China and excessive flooding in most parts of South Asia and severe drought in African
continent are some of the issues whose impact has been created by the environment.

Emerging Forms of New Threats

Globalization raises new threats and vulnerabilities to traditional and human security approaches.
Varied examples of worldwide exchange, assembling and fund change into new connections which if not legitimately
managed is probably going to additionally devastate the world's poor with horrible social costs, which is clear in the zone
of network wellbeing. There is rising affirmation that the weakening dimensions of wellbeing and endemic sicknesses, for
example, AIDS are pulverizing a few creating nations, modestly implanted in the components of the worldwide economy
and remotely sanctioned authoritative troubling territorial sub-frameworks established by the sub-Saharan Africa. "Threats
related to Cyber misuse, trafficking, relocation, fear mongering and multiplication of savagery are being distinguished as
significant dangers" (Echevarria & Joseph, 2003). While there is mounting signs that transnational systematized violations
(particularly in opiates, human dealing, and falsifying) worldwide fear mongering and cross-country movements have
upsetting ramifications for the nations.

Conclusion
The term national security comprehensively covers all facets of external and internal threats as well as all dimensions of
human security. Globalization though has generally benefitted the world; however, its impact is not uniform. The degree
and direction of impact is directly related to a nation state’s capacity to cope with various security threats, risks and
vulnerabilities. Therefore, a hybrid approach considering both traditional and liberal approaches to security will be best
suitable option taking into account comprehensive national power of a country. In the contemporary times, the
globalization is perceived as an unrelenting occurrence. However, its impetus can be impacted by multiple factors like
determination, political will and accessibility of infrastructure to name a few. Indeed, the world is considered to be on
constant road to peace and affluence albeit on a roller coaster ride due to changing often conflicting geo- strategic and
geo- political national interests of major powers. That brittleness of almost a century ago still occurs as the world is
transiting through the aftershocks of 9/11. The current mayhem in financial markets postures distinct strain on the global
economy because of aftershocks and economic slowdown of global economy. Credit market stresses have deepened across
affluent classes and banks, triggering a fiscal tremor which has been branded as the gravest since the days of great
depression of 1930s. These occurrences are recaps that are aimed at the interruption in the process of globalization would
eventually manifest in slowing down of flow of capital, services, goods and the people which are certainly not encouraging
for international economy and may result in adversarial consequences.

Vol. IV, No. I (Winter 2019) 21

 Waseem Ishaque, Muhammad Zia ur Rehman and Noor Fatima

References
Adamson, F.B. (2006). Crossing Borders: International Migration and National Security. International security 31, no. 1 :
p. 165–199.
Attali, J. (1991). Millennium: Winners and Losers in the Coming World Order. New York: Times Books.
Bavlis, J., Steve, S., & Patricia, O. (2011).One realism or many?. Globalization of world politics, New York: state university
press, p. 89.
Barry, B.(2000).What Is National Security in the Age of Globalisation.
Burton, J. (1990). Conflict: Resolution and Prevention. New York: St. Martin's Press.
Husain, I. (2011).Drivers of Globalization. Paper presented at the
International Conference on Globalizing Management on 6th Feb. 2011 at Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
Dreher, A., Gaston, N., Martens, W.J.M. & Martens, P. (2008). Measuring Globalisation: Gauging Its Consequences.
Springer, P. 12.
Dictionary. com. (2005). Defining national security. United States Department of Defence.
Echevarria & Joseph, A. (2003). Globalization and the nature of war. Carlisle, Pa. Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army
War College.
Flanagan, S.J., Ellen, L., Frost, R.L., & Kugler. (2001). The challenges of global century. Project report on the globalization
and national security.
Giddens, A. (1990). The Consequences of Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Gurr, T.R. (1994). Peoples against States: Ethno political Conflict and the Changing World System. International Studies
Quarterly, Vol. 38.
Holm, H., & Sorensen, G. (1995). Introduction: What has Changed." In Holm and Sørensen. Whose World Order: Uneven
Globalization and the End of the Cold War. Boulder: Westview.
Hirst, P., & Grahame, T. (1992). The Problem of 'Globalization.
International Economic Relations, National Economic Management and the Formation of Trading Blocs. Polity and Society,
Vol. 21, No. 4.
IMF Report. (2008).Globalization; A brief overview.
Kapitonenko & Mykola. 2001).Globalization, Nation-State, and Global Security Arrangements
Liotta, P.H. (2002). Boomerang Effect: The Convergence of National and Human Security. Security Dialogue 33, no. 4 : P
475.
Ripsman, N.M. & Paul, T.V. (2005).Globalization and the National Security State: A Framework for Analysis. International
Studies Review 7, no. 2 p: 199–227.
Robertson, R. (1992). Globalization: Social Theory and Global Culture. London: Sage
Stiglitz, J. (2003). Globalization and Its Discontents .New York: W.W. Norton & Company, p. 4.
Scholte, J.A. (1997). Constructions of Collective Identity in a Time of Globalization. Papers No 76.

22 Global Social Sciences Review (GSSR)