KOLEHIYO NG LUNGSOD NG LIPA

Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

A.Y. 2024-2025

Reading Materials – GE 103 – The Contemporary World

By: Ardee M. de la Rosa, Instructor - BSBA

Introduction to Globalization

1. Definition and Evolution of Globalization

Globalization refers to the process of increasing interconnectedness among countries, economies,

cultures, and people. This involves the expansion of cross-border economic, political, cultural, and
environmental activities. Globalization affects many aspects of human life, including communication,
trade, politics, and migration.

• Excerpt from Steger (2020):

“Globalization refers to the expanding scale, growing magnitude, speeding up, and deepening
impact of interregional flows and patterns of social interaction.”

Historically, globalization has evolved through different phases, with varying levels of intensity and scope:

2. Historical Background of Globalization

The history of globalization can be divided into three key phases: Pre-modern, Modern, and
Contemporary eras.

• Pre-Modern Era: Globalization in this period was primarily driven by trade routes (like the Silk
Road) and the spread of ideas (such as religions like Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam). Cultural
and economic exchanges connected distant societies long before modern technology.

o Excerpt from Held & McGrew (2003): “Pre-modern globalization involved long-distance
trade, migration, and the spread of ideas across civilizations.”

• Modern Era: Beginning with the Industrial Revolution (late 18th century), globalization
accelerated due to advances in transportation, communication, and the rise of colonial empires.
European nations expanded their influence across the world, integrating new regions into the
global economy.

o Excerpt from Steger (2020): “Modern globalization accelerated with the industrial
revolution and the spread of European colonialism.”

• Contemporary Era: Post-World War II, globalization took a new form with the establishment of
international institutions (United Nations, IMF, World Bank) and the rise of digital technologies
(internet, telecommunications) that drastically sped up the flow of information, goods, and
services.

o Excerpt from Held & McGrew (2003): “The contemporary era is marked by the rapid
integration of economies, technology, and communication networks.”

3. Key Concepts of Globalization

3.1 Time-Space Compression This concept refers to the way that globalization "compresses" the time it
takes to interact with distant locations and diminishes the importance of geographical space due to
advances in communication and transportation technologies. As a result, global events can have
immediate local effects.

• Excerpt from Steger (2020):

“Time-space compression involves the speeding up of social processes and the shrinking of
geographical barriers, making events in distant parts of the world feel immediate and relevant in
local contexts.”

Meaning: Time-space compression means that globalization makes the world feel "smaller" by reducing
the time it takes to connect across great distances. Examples include real-time communication through
the internet or rapid travel between continents.

3.2 Global-Local Nexus This term describes the interaction between global forces and local contexts.
Global phenomena (like international trade or popular culture) shape local realities, while local actors can
also influence global processes. This idea is central to understanding how globalization affects different
regions in distinct ways.

• Excerpt from Held & McGrew (2003):

“Global processes increasingly penetrate local environments, but local cultures can also resist,
adapt to, or transform global forces.”

Meaning: The global-local nexus explains the dynamic relationship between the global and the local. For
example, fast-food chains like McDonald’s adjust their menus to reflect local tastes, while global trends in
technology may be adapted to fit local markets.

3.3 Global Governance Global governance refers to the collection of institutions, rules, and norms that
manage international cooperation and address global issues like trade, security, and climate change.
International organizations such as the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), and
International Monetary Fund (IMF) play critical roles in this process.

• Excerpt from Steger (2020):

“Global governance involves the regulation and coordination of transnational issues through
international institutions and agreements, aimed at managing the complexities of an
interconnected world.”

Meaning: Global governance is the framework through which countries and organizations collaborate to
solve problems that cross borders. These problems range from managing trade agreements to addressing
global health issues, such as pandemics.

4. Evolution of Globalization: A Closer Look

4.1 Pre-Modern Globalization Globalization is not a recent phenomenon. Its pre-modern roots lie in
ancient trade routes like the Silk Road, which connected East and West, enabling the exchange of goods,
ideas, religions, and cultures.

• Key Features:

o Trade: Goods like silk, spices, and precious metals moved between distant regions.

o Ideas and Culture: Religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Islam) spread along trade routes.
 o Migration: People traveled across vast distances, forming connections between empires
and civilizations.

Visual Example: A map of the ancient Silk Road, highlighting key trading hubs.

4.2 Modern Globalization The modern phase of globalization emerged with the Industrial Revolution,
which radically transformed economies, politics, and social structures.

• Key Features:

o Industrialization: Mass production and the rise of factories revolutionized global trade.

o Colonization: European powers expanded their empires, integrating more regions into
global networks of trade and governance.

o Technological Advancements: The steam engine, telegraph, and railways connected

distant regions more quickly than ever before.

Visual Example: An image depicting industrial factories and a map showing European colonial territories.

4.3 Contemporary Globalization After World War II, globalization accelerated as new international
institutions were formed, and technology revolutionized communication and transportation.

• Key Features:

o Post-War Rebuilding: Institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World
Bank, and United Nations were created to manage global economic and political issues.

o Digital Revolution: The internet and satellite technology allowed for real-time global
communication.

o Global Governance: New institutions and agreements emerged to address global

challenges like climate change (Paris Agreement) and trade (World Trade Organization).

Visual Example: Logos of the UN, IMF, WTO, and a digital world map showing internet connectivity.

5. Contemporary Issues in Globalization

Globalization impacts many areas of contemporary life. Some key issues include:

• Economic Inequality: Globalization has led to economic growth, but it has also widened the gap
between wealthy and poor nations. Debates over how to make globalization more inclusive and
fair are ongoing.

• Cultural Homogenization vs. Diversity: As global brands and media spread worldwide, some
worry that local cultures are disappearing, while others argue that globalization fosters diversity
and hybridization.

• Environmental Challenges: Globalization has increased industrial production and consumption,

leading to significant environmental issues such as climate change. International cooperation is
needed to address these global challenges.

Key Terms and Definitions

 • Time-Space Compression: The shrinking of geographical distance due to faster communication
and transportation, making events in distant places feel closer and more immediate.

• Global-Local Nexus: The interplay between global processes and local contexts, where global
trends shape local realities and local actions influence global events.

• Global Governance: The collection of institutions, rules, and norms that manage international
cooperation and address global challenges like trade, security, and climate change.

• Pre-Modern Globalization: Early forms of globalization characterized by trade routes (such as the
Silk Road), the spread of religions, and long-distance cultural exchanges.

• Modern Globalization: The phase of globalization that emerged with the Industrial Revolution,
marked by technological advances, colonial expansion, and increased global trade.

• Contemporary Globalization: The current phase of globalization, marked by digital technologies,

international institutions, and the rapid integration of economies and cultures.

References

1. Steger, M. B. (2020). Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

2. Held, D., McGrew, A. (2003). The Global Transformations Reader: An Introduction to the
Globalization Debate. Polity Press.