Lesson 1 Globalization

“Globalization?
What is Globalization?
Different people encounter globalization in a variety of ways, it is deemed useful

to ask simple questions like: “Is globalization good or bad? Is it beneficial or
detrimental?” First, globalization is a complex phenomenon that occurs at multiple
levels. Second, it is an uneven process that affects people differently.
Globalization: A Working Definition
Globalization refers to both the time-space compression of the world and the
intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole (Robertson, 1992). The concept
of ‘time-space compression’ refers to the processes that change the qualities of space
and time that we experience and our conceptions of it. Compression is meant, the
speed-up in the pace of life and the overcoming of spatial barriers. This compression of
the world has been understood in terms of the institutions of modernity that is the
globalization of modern economic and cultural practices.
Globalization means the speedup of movements and exchanges (of human

beings, goods, and services, capital, technologies or cultural practices) all over the
planet. One of the effects of globalization is that it promotes and increases interactions
between different regions and populations around the globe.
According to WHO, globalization can be defined as “the increased

interconnectedness and interdependence of peoples and countries. It is generally
understood to include two inter-related elements: the opening of international borders to
increasingly fast flows of goods, services, finance, people and ideas; and the changes
in institutions and policies at national and international levels that facilitate or promote
such flows.”
According to the Committee for Development Policy (a subsidiary body of the

United Nations), from an economic point of view, globalization can be defined as:
“(…) the increasing interdependence of world economies as a result of the

growing scale of cross-border trade of commodities and services, the flow of
international capital and the wide and rapid spread of technologies. It reflects the
continuing expansion and mutual integration of market frontiers (…) and the rapid
growing significance of information in all types of productive activities and marketization
are the two major driving forces for economic globalization.”
Because of trade developments and financial exchanges, we often think of

globalization as an economic and financial phenomenon. Nonetheless, it includes a
much wider field than just flowing of goods, services or capital. Often referred to as the
globalization concept map, some examples of globalization are:
Economic globalization: is the development of trade systems within transnational
actors such as corporations or NGOs;
Financial globalization: can be linked with the rise of a global financial system
with international financial exchanges and monetary exchanges. Stock markets, for
instance, are a great example of the financially connected global world since when one
stock market has a decline, it affects other markets negatively as well as the economy
as a whole.
Cultural globalization: refers to the interpenetration of cultures which, as a

consequence, means nations adopt principles, beliefs, and costumes of other nations,
losing their unique culture to a unique, globalized supra-culture;
Political globalization: the development and growing influence of international

organizations such as the UN or WHO means governmental action takes place at an
international level. There are other bodies operating a global level such as NGOs like
Doctors without borders or Oxfam;
Sociological globalization: information moves almost in real-time, together with

the interconnection and interdependence of events and their consequences. People
move all the time too, mixing and integrating different societies;
Technological globalization: the phenomenon by which millions of people are

interconnected thanks to the power of the digital world via platforms such as Facebook,
Instagram, Skype or Youtube.
Geographic globalization: is the new organization and hierarchy of different

regions of the world that is constantly changing. Moreover, with transportation and flying
made so easy and affordable, apart from a few countries with demanding visas, it is
possible to travel the world without barely any restrictions;
Ecological globalization: accounts for the idea of considering planet Earth as a

single global entity – a common good all societies should protect since the weather
affects everyone and we are all protected by the same atmosphere. To this regard, it is
often said that the poorest countries that have been polluting the least will suffer the
most from climate change.
In geography, globalization is defined as the set of processes (economic, social,

cultural, technological, and institutional) that contribute to the relationship between
societies and individuals around the world. It is a progressive process by which
exchanges and flows between different parts of the world are intensified.
For some people, this global phenomenon is inherent to human nature. Because
of this, some say globalization begun about 60,000 years ago, at the beginning of
human history. Throughout time, human societies’ exchanging trade has been growing.
Since the old times, different civilizations have developed commercial trade routes and
experienced cultural exchanges. And as well, the migratory phenomenon has also been
contributing to these population exchanges. Especially nowadays, since traveling
became quicker, more comfortable, and more affordable.
This phenomenon has continued throughout history, notably through military

conquests and exploration expeditions. But it wasn’t until technological advances in
transportation and communication that globalization speeded up. It was particularly after
the second half of the 20th century that world trades accelerated in such a dimension
and speed that the term “globalization” started to be commonly used.
The best scholarly definition 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 of these networks.
Not only are global connections multiplying, but they are also becoming more
closely-knit and expanding their reach.
Steger notes that “globalization processes do not occur merely at an objective,

material level but they also involve the subjective plane of human consciousness.” In
other words, people begin to feel that the world has become a smaller place and
distance collapsed from thousands of miles to just a mouse-click away.
Steger posits that that his definition of globalization must be differentiated with an
ideology he calls globalism. If globalization represents the many processes that allow
for the expansion and intensification of global connections, globalism is a widespread
belief among powerful people that the global integration of economic markets is
beneficial for everyone, since it spreads freedom and democracy across the world.
For anthropologist Arjun Appadurai, different kinds of globalization occur on

multiple and intersecting dimensions of integration that he calls “scapes.” An
“ethnoscape”, for example, refers to the global movement of people, while a
“mediascape” is about the flow of culture. A “technoscape” refers to the circulation of
mechanical goods and software; a “financescape” denotes the global circulation of
money; and an “ideoscape” is the realm where political ideas move around. Although
they intersect, these various scapes have differing logics. They are thus distinct
windows into the broader phenomenon of globalization. His argument is simple: there
are multiple globalizations.
References:
▪ Claudio and Abinales (2018) The Contemporary World

▪ https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-globalization-definition-benefits-ef
fects-examples/
▪ https://www.globalization101.org/what-is-globalization/
▪ https://www.piie.com/microsites/globalization/what-is-globalization

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“Globalization?

Different people encounter globalization in a variety of ways, it is deemed useful

Globalization: A Working Definition

Globalization means the speedup of movements and exchanges (of human

According to WHO, globalization can be defined as “the increased

According to the Committee for Development Policy (a subsidiary body of the

“(…) the increasing interdependence of world economies as a result of the

Because of trade developments and financial exchanges, we often think of

Cultural globalization: refers to the interpenetration of cultures which, as a

Political globalization: the development and growing influence of international

Sociological globalization: information moves almost in real-time, together with

Technological globalization: the phenomenon by which millions of people are

Geographic globalization: is the new organization and hierarchy of different

Ecological globalization: accounts for the idea of considering planet Earth as a

In geography, globalization is defined as the set of processes (economic, social,

This phenomenon has continued throughout history, notably through military

The best scholarly definition of globalization is provided by Manfred Steger who

Steger notes that “globalization processes do not occur merely at an objective,

For anthropologist Arjun Appadurai, different kinds of globalization occur on

▪ Claudio and Abinales (2018) The Contemporary World

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