O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

BACHELOR OF ARTS
SEMESTER 1

O07CA104
FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 1

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

Unit 12
Globalisation and Political Science
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SL Fig No / Table SAQ /
Topic Page No
No / Graph Activity
1 Introduction - -
3
1.1 Objectives - -
2 Globalisation: Meaning, Definition and Nature 1 1
2.1 Other Dimensions of Globalization - -
4 - 13
2.2 Evolution of Globalization - -
2.3 Globalisation and World Economy - 2
3 Globalisation and State Sovereignty - 3, 4 14 - 19

4 Globalisation and Internationalism and The Word - 5 20 - 22

State
5 Summary - - 23 - 25
6 Glossary - - 26
7 Terminal Questions - - 27
8 Answers - -
8.1 Self-Assessment Questions - - 28 - 31
8.2 Terminal Questions - -
9 References - - 32

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 2

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

1. INTRODUCTION
The definition of Globalisation must be rewritten. In popular culture and academic literature, the
term is described in various ways, for example, a process, a condition, a system, a force and an
age. However, with the development of globalisation studies in the last two decades, many
scholars agree that this term should be primarily understood as a process because it comprehends
the dynamic changes in various spheres of society. The final result of this process results in a
global world or a globalised world.

Recently, there has also been a progressive reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers worldwide.
The WTO-led free market regime is transforming the world into a borderless market. As a result,
trade volumes have climbed phenomenally. The future of Globalisation is uncertain, but the
interconnectedness and interdependence of different parts of the world will likely continue to shape
politics, economics and society in the years to come. This unit will study Globalisation's meaning,
definition, nature, and evolution. We will also learn about Globalisation, the world economy, state
sovereignty, internationalism and the word state.

1.1 Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
Explain the meaning, definition and nature of Globalisation
Discuss the evolution of Globalisation
Understand the relationship between Globalisation and the world economy
Understand the concept of globalisation and state sovereignty
Learn about Globalisation and internationalism and the word state

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 3

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

2. GLOBALISATION: MEANING, DEFINITION AND

NATURE
Globalisation Is A Complex Process That Affects Our Daily Lives In A Variety Of Ways. It Involves
The Increased Interdependence Of Countries And Freer Movement Of Goods, People, Ideas And
Culture Across The Globe. Globalisation Is An Umbrella Term Used To Describe Inter-Territorial
Linkages Of Various Aspects Of Human Life. Table 12.1 Delineates These Very Aspects. The
Fast Advancements In Information, Communication And Transportation Technology Have
Propelled Globalisation. Today, A Substantial Amount Of Literature In The Social Sciences
Focuses On The Different Aspects Of Globalisation.

Table 12.1 Types of Globalization

Aspect Examples
Political Democracy, International and Regional Organizations,
International Law and Regimes, Rule of Law, Civil Society
Cultural Ideological, Educational, Civilization, Hollywood, Pop Culture
Economic Commodity trade, Communications, Services
Technological IT, Biomedical, Robotics
Population Expansion, Aging, Youth Bulge, Women, Sex-ratio, Labour,
Migration
Financial Investments, Banking, Exchange Rates, Black Markets, Money
Laundering
Military/Security Nuclear Proliferation, Alliances, Rising Powers

At the same time, defining Globalisation remains one of the most challenging tasks for a modern
scholar. The challenge primarily arises due to the widest spectrum of disciplines and discourses
that the phenomenon of Globalisation tends to cover. Most definitions are limited to one or another
disciplinary area, covering some aspects of the process and leaving out others. Any study of
Globalisation must consider that Globalisation pervades into almost every field of human activity
and touches every aspect of human experience. Therefore, an all-encompassing definition of
Globalisation becomes difficult.

Given below are some of the definitions of Globalisation as enumerated by various scholars:

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 4

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

1. Anthony Giddens: Globalization can thus be defined as the intensification of worldwide

social relations which link distant localities so that local happenings are shaped by events
occurring miles away and vice versa.

2. David Held: Globalization may be thought of as a process(or a set of processes) which

embodies a transformation in the spatial organisation of social relations and transformations-
assessed in terms of their extensity, intensity, velocity and impact – generating
transcontinental and interregional flows and networks of activity interaction, and the exercise
of power.

3. Noam Chomsky: "Globalisation" is a specific form of international integration designed and

instituted for particular purposes. There are many possible alternatives (for international
integration). This particular form happens to be geared to the interests of private power,
manufacturing corporations, and financial institutions closely linked to powerful states. One
central aspect of "globalisation" is the transfer of power to make decisions to the hands of
private concentrations of power and away from "governments," which means away from the
public, to the extent that these governments are democratic. That's a regular consequence
of financial liberalisation. It's also a consequence of allowing corporate power to distribute
production.

4. Robert O. Keohane: Globalization describes a trend of increasing transnational flow and

increasingly thick networks of interdepended.

5. George Modelski: Globalization is a process along four dimensions: economic

Globalisation, formation of world opinion, democratisation and political Globalisation. This
was rounded off with the assertion that changes along one of the dimensions (such as
economic Globalisation) elicited changes among the other dimensions.

6. Thomas Friedman: The inexorable integration of markets, nation-states and technologies

to a degree never witnessed before –in a way that is enabling individual corporations nation-
states to reach around the world farther, faster, deeper and cheaper than ever before, and
in a way that is also producing a powerful backlash from those brutalised or left behind by
this new system. Globalisation means the spread of free market capitalism to virtually every
country.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 5

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

For our purposes, from these definitions, we can find out the important elements of
Globalisation:

(a) Globalisation is not a single set of phenomena or processes but a complex web of
phenomena or processes

(b) Globalisation may have different forms. In the present form, it is geared towards the
interests of private power, manufacturing corporations and financial institutions

(c) Nation states are no longer the only actors in International relations.

(d) Non-state actors such as Non-Governmental organisations, supra-national

organisations, sub-national actors, transnational corporations, migrant and diasporic
communities, etc., influence international relations in many ways.

Thus, as you can see, Globalisation means different things for different people. The term is
described in various ways in popular culture and academic literature—for example, a
process, a condition, a system, a force and an age. However, with the development of
globalisation studies in the last two decades, many scholars agree that this term should be
primarily understood as a process because it comprehends the dynamic changes in various
spheres of society. The final result of this process results in a global world or a globalised
world.

Patterns of Contemporary Globalization

The idea of the global village is a popular image used to describe the growth of awareness that
all people share a common fate, stemming from a micro perspective that views the world as an
integrated and interdependent whole. This image of the world emphasises that the world is not
only linked via economic interests but also shares common issues and common concerns. This
idea can only become possible through unrestrained communication between people at every
level and sphere.

Let us now focus on some of the major components of the contemporary process of Globalisation:

Social and Cultural Globalisation

The following factors symbolise and also drive the phenomenon of Globalisation in the social and
cultural domain:

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 6

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

• The revolution in information and communication technology, i.e., Internet, online social
networking, global media
• International migration
• Issues of global concerns like global warming, nuclear weapons, terrorism and religious
extremism, epidemics
• Natural and man-made calamities
• Global governmental and non-governmental organisations

The growing speed and flow of communication has made distances between people irrelevant,
leading to greater and deeper interaction between people, societies and nations. Cellular phones
have revolutionised the way in which people connect. Today, people can speak to each other
instantly, irrespective of the distance between the speakers. Moreover, the spread of personal
computers has simplified and accelerated the pace of human activities. However, the advent of
the Internet has become the symbol of Globalisation. It has brought the entire world in front of our
desktops/laptops. Now, we can connect with the world anytime and anywhere through
cyberspace. Cyberspace makes online communities, love, business, and almost every human
experience possible. Hence, the Internet has linked people around the globe and thus created a
global community. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc., have even allowed
people in the most repressive societies to communicate with each other online and thereby helped
overthrow their respective governments, as was recently seen in Tunisia and Egypt.

At the same time, traditional electronic media has also become global through satellites. Satellite
television reaches every corner of the earth, intruding into previously inaccessible areas and
spreading news and views on a worldwide scale. However, many scholars have pointed out that
the global media's reach mainly helps promote Western consumerism and helps shape opinion in
favour of the West since the global media is mainly concentrated in and is controlled by the West.

A migrant is a person who leaves their region or country and settles in another region or country
for a variety of purposes. There are around 300 million international migrants in the world today.
A recent study estimated that by the year 2050, there will be 405 million migrants worldwide. This
phenomenal increase in migration has been made possible by easy and cheap communication
and is driven by the search for a better life, both economically and politically. According to the
political theorists Charles Kegley and Eugene Wittkopf, global migration raises a host of "moral

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 7

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

issues such as ethnic balance inside host countries, the meaning of citizenship, and sovereignty,
the distribution of income, labour supply, xenophobia, the impact of multiculturalism, protection of
basic human rights and prevention of exploitation, and the potential for large flows of migrants and
refugees to undermine democratic governance and state stability". Incidentally, the movement of
people also leads to the spread of infection and diseases. Thus, Globalisation is making health
issues a common concern for humanity. For example, the recent outbreaks of bird flu and swine
flu affected several parts of the world simultaneously and, therefore, demanded cooperation at a
global level.

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS - 1

1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

(a) _____________________television reaches every corner of the earth.
(i) Satellite (ii) micro
(b) Globalization means the spread of free market ____________________to virtually
every country in the world.
(i) state (ii) Capitalism
2. State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) Globalisation cannot be seen as a concern for health issues for humanity.
(b) A migrant is a person who leaves their region or country and settles in another
region or country for various purposes.

2.1 Other Dimensions of Globalization

Environmental problems are no longer limited to states and regions; they have become global
problems. Haven't we all seen or heard environmentalists trying to make us aware of the problems
related to global warming? Global warming refers to a continual increase in the average
temperature of the earth's atmosphere and oceans. Scientists worldwide attribute this temperature
rise to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and
nitrous oxide. Human activities such as industrialisation and deforestation are the primary causes
of global warming. The effects of global warming and the ozone layer depletion affect everyone
living in every part of the world. The concentration of gases traps the heat and light from the sun

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 8

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

in the earth's atmosphere. This increase in temperature endangers the survival of plants and
animals. A recent study estimates that if action is not taken to tackle global warming, more than
100 million people will die by 2030. Moreover, according to scientists, the world is close to reaching
tipping points that will make it irreversibly hotter, making the current decade critical to contain
global warming. Such a crisis demands that nations come together to give a global solution to the
problem, not only for our sake but for future generations.

At the same time, the expansion of transnational and international law from trade to human rights
and the creation of new legal institutions such as the International Criminal Court indicate an
emerging global legal order. Similarly, challenges posed by terrorism and religious extremism are
another important dimension of Globalisation. About two decades ago, the political scientist
Samuel Huntington called it a "Clash of Civilizations" between the West and the East. However,
other scholars have repudiated Huntington and stated that the problem of religious extremism is
not a conflict between civilisations but a worldwide problem that needs a global solution.

Perception of Sceptics and Critics of Globalization

Many sceptics of Globalisation have raised the issue that it is not new. They argue that human
beings have never been isolated; rather, they have been interacting with other people and
societies and have been interdependent for their daily needs for ages. For instance, Daniel A.
Strasser traces the roots of Globalisation in early human migration from Ethiopia, which is
commonly accepted as the place where the evolution of modern humans took place, to other parts
of the world. Strasser identifies seven phases of globalisation:

• Phase I- Early Man: Globalisation is inherent in the human condition; man originated in
Ethiopia 200,000 + years ago and occupied the entire world 20,000 years ago.

• Phase II- Ancient Empires: China, Rome, Italian explorers, Arab traders

• Phase III- Mercantilism: Colonial empires of Spain, Portugal, England, France, Holland etc.

• Phase IV- British Empire: Naval Supremacy 18th /mid-19th Century to World War I

• Phase V- Cold War: Post World War II - US vs. USSR, the UN, Decolonization,
Independence movements, accelerated technological development, space exploration,
micro processing, the Internet

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 9

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

• Phase VI- American Hegemony: Post-Cold War, Rise of Islamic Radicalism,

Transnationalism, NGOs, Uni-polarity

• Phase VII- Post-Modern: 9/11, 2008/9 Recession, Multi-polarity

Other sceptics of Globalisation argue that today the world is more regionalised and less globalised

than in the 19th century (Hirst, Thompson and Gilpin). This sceptical view of Globalisation is well
summarised by the political scientist Anthony McGrew, who stated, "By comparison with the period
1870 to 1914, the world is much less globalised economically, politically and culturally. Rather
than Globalisation, the contemporary world is marked by intensifying regionalisation and
internationalisation. The vast bulk of international economic and political activity is concentrated
within the group of OECD states. By comparison with the heyday of European global empires,
most of the world population and countries in the south are now much less integrated into the
global system”.

Thus, according to many researchers of Globalisation, economic integration is less intensive today
than it was preceding the First World War. However, these researchers focus only on one aspect
of Globalisation, i.e. economic integration. While it may be true that economic integration might
have been greater in the past, many other elements of the contemporary process of Globalisation
still need to be included. Today, Globalisation pervades every domain of human experience, and
it touches the daily lives of the common populace. However, at the same time, it must also be
acknowledged that the contemporary process of Globalisation is neither a break from the past nor
a sudden burst of activities. Many aspects of Globalisation today are based on modern
technologies. These technologies are a result of years of scientific discovery; any new
technological breakthrough can only stand on the shoulders of scientific theories of the past.

The unhindered flow of financial capital has also faced serious criticisms from scholars of
globalisation studies. According to them, the unhindered flow of capital results in power being
transferred from sovereign governments into the hands of a few financial elites. These elites act
like an invisible parliament influencing policy in their favour at the expense of the majority of
people. For other scholars, the unhindered transfer of financial capital has also resulted in frequent
economic crises, for example, the Southeast Asian financial crisis, the Argentinean crisis, the
Mexican crisis, and more recently, the Global Financial Crisis that began in 2008. A major reason
for these frequent economic crises is because of the free flow of capital, central banks have almost

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 10

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

no effective control over the management of capital flows. In times of financial woes, when capital
starts flying away from a state, there is no mechanism to stop it, leading to a deeper crisis. This
unregulated market based on neo-liberal principles produces an unequal world internationally and
an unequal society domestically. One major reason India was not as badly impacted by the Global
financial crisis is that FDI inflows into banks and insurance are still restricted in India. However,
press reports suggest that there have been recent moves by the current government to open up
these sectors. Other critics also argue that with Globalisation, there is a gradual erosion of national
identity and indigenous culture, which is replaced by Western values like consumerism.

In short, the critics of Globalisation raise four concerns. According to them, Globalisation results
in:
(a) The transfer of power into the hands of elites
(b) The compromise of national economic interests
(c) The curtailment of nation-state sovereignty
(d) The erosion of national identity

2.2. Evolution of Globalization

Globalisation has been a defining feature of the modern world and has significantly impacted
politics, economics, and society. In political science, Globalisation is understood as the process
of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence between different parts of the world,
including trade, investment, migration, and cultural exchange. The evolution of Globalisation can
be traced back to several historical periods.

First, colonialism and imperialism in the 19th and early 20th centuries led to the integration of
colonial territories into global economic and political systems. European powers established
colonies throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas, using these territories to extract resources
and labour for their economic gain. This period of colonialism and imperialism has laid the
foundation for today's global economic and political systems.

Second, the post-World War II period saw the creation of international institutions to promote
cooperation and economic development between nations. The politics of identitysystem,
established in 1944, created the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, providing
financial assistance and promoting economic development in postwar Europe and developing
countries. The United Nations was also established in 1945 to promote international peace and

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 11

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

cooperation.

Third, the period of neoliberal Globalisation, which began in the 1980s, saw the expansion of trade
and investment across borders, the growth of multinational corporations and the deregulation of
financial markets. This period was characterised by the spread of free-market policies and the
reduction of government intervention in the economy. Neoliberal Globalisation led to increased
economic growth and improved living standards in many countries, but it also resulted in
inequality, job losses, and environmental degradation.

Fourth, the rise of digital technologies in the 1990s and 2000s led to the expansion of global
communication and the growth of e-commerce. The Internet and social media have made
connecting across borders easier, leading to increased cultural exchange and the spread of ideas.
Digital technologies have also transformed the nature of work and have created new opportunities
for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Today, Globalisation is facing new challenges and uncertainties. The COVID-19 pandemic has
disrupted global trade and travel, leading to economic contraction and social upheaval. The rise
of populism and nationalism in many countries has also led to calls for greater protectionism and
the reversal of Globalisation.

In political science, there are different perspectives on the impact of Globalisation. Some argue
that Globalisation has led to greater economic growth, improved living standards, and increased
cultural exchange. Others say that Globalisation has led to inequality, job losses, and
environmental degradation and has benefited only a small global elite.

Overall, the evolution of Globalisation in political science has been shaped by historical and
economic forces, as well as by political decisions and social norms. The future of Globalisation is
uncertain, but the interconnectedness and interdependence of different parts of the world will likely
continue to shape politics, economics, and society in the years to come.

2.3. Globalisation and World Economy

Any discussion about Globalisation recognises that economic integration is its driving force. The
Globalisation of trade, finance and production are the symbols of this economic integration.
Gradually, most countries of the world have adopted neoliberal economic policies and are opening
their borders for the free movement of goods and services. Since the economic aspects of

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 12

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

Globalisation largely involve the free movement of money, it should not surprise anyone that there
has been a dramatic increase in cross-border capital flows in recent decades. Today, financial
flows exceed merchandise trade by more than forty times. Even the daily turnover of the foreign
exchange market is rising at an astonishing pace. This free flow of capital is leading to an
integrated world financial market. According to many scholars, this free movement of capital will
eventually reduce a national central bank's control over the management of capital flows and thus
affect a government's control over its economic policies.

Recently, there has also been a progressive reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers worldwide.
The WTO-led free market regime is transforming the world into a borderless market. As a result,
trade volumes have climbed phenomenally. According to the British economist, "Over the past
millennium, world population rose 22 folds, per capita income increased 13 fold, World Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) nearly 300-fold. This contrasts sharply with the preceding millennium,
when world population grew by only a sixth, and there was no advance in per capita income". In
2007, the total world GDP in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) was $65 trillion, with total world
exports being $ 13.87 trillion and imports being $ 13.81 trillion. Apart from the traditional big
economies of the West, several third-world economies such as India, China, Brazil and South
Africa have also emerged as major economic players in the world economy and their emergence
is a critical factor in the growth of World GDP and trade.

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS - 2

3. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

(a) Daniel A. Strasser traces the roots of Globalisation in early human migration
from____________________.
(i) Ethiopia (ii) Uganda
(b) The Bretton Woods system was established in the year _________________.
(i) 1947 (ii) 1944
4. State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) Environmental problems are no longer limited to states and regions.
(b) The constrained flow of financial capital has faced serious criticisms from scholars
of globalisation studies.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 13

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

3. GLOBALISATION AND STATE SOVEREIGNTY

The 21st century has been witnessing phenomenal changes in nation-states. With increasing
linkages through modern transportation and communication, barriers among nations are shrinking,
and the world is truly becoming a 'global village'. International migration has increased manifold
in the last few decades, and the United Nations estimates that about 3 per cent of the world's
population is from migrant communities. Regional economic integration is another important
phenomenon of our time. The European Union (EU) and the Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) are the two most successful examples of regional economic integration. Inspired
by the success of these organisations, every region of the world has come up with some kind of
regional agreement. Moreover, the appearance and growth of certain worldwide common
concerns, such as environmental problems, global terrorism and so on, also challenge nation-
states.

Today, world politics has become less state-centric because of these challenges. States are losing
their autonomy to decide on many matters within their territory. The emergence of supranational
actors and international non-governmental organisations has 'eroded' the sovereignty of nation-
states. The newly emerging international regimes and supranational institutions are making rules
and regulations which bind nation-states. An added problem relates to democracy and
accountability since these international regimes and institutions dictate terms to governments
within the territory of the nation-state. Democracy means that people directly or indirectly decide
about their governance matters. However, today, many matters are decided by international
institutions, which are not directly accountable to people. This eventually leads to a more
significant threat to democratic values and processes. Thus, many have argued that the ideology
of neo-liberalism, which many of these international institutions adhere to, tends to ensnare
democracy.

Moreover, critics also argue that Globalisation leads to the erosion of national identity. 'Two ways
globalisation is claimed to generate pressures on national identity are the increased mobility of
populations worldwide and advances in global communication networks’. Thus, some scholars
believe that nation-states are ceding ground very quickly. For instance, David Beetham argues
that the forces that strengthened nationalism in the previous era will cause its eventual downfall
in the coming one.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 14

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

Most scholars of Globalisation agree that the process tends to undermine the core elements of
nation-states in various ways, such as sovereignty and autonomy. Sovereignty has been
considered an essential part of the nation-state since modern nation-states' evolution. The Treaty
of Westphalia in 1648 established that states should be sovereign over a territory marked by
borders. Among many other things, sovereignty involves four characteristics. Sovereignty is:

• Supreme in the sense that the state does not answer to any higher authority

• Comprehensive in the sense that the state exercises power over every aspect of life without
exception

• Unqualified in the sense that one state cannot interfere with the affairs of other states

• Exclusive in the sense that the state does not share its authority with any other party

In other words, sovereignty empowers states to manage domestic affairs without the involvement
of any external power and also to play a role in international affairs according to its wisdom. Over
the years, the state's power has expanded in many different domains of life. However, in the age
of Globalisation, this exclusive domain of the state has been challenged by various factors. Let us
discuss some important features of Globalisation that limit the power of nation-states to act
according to their wish and thus signals the end of sovereignty:

• Global politics: As Globalisation has intensified over the last three decades, it has become
increasingly difficult to continue the popular fiction of the 'great divide' of treating political life
as having two separate spheres of action—the domestic and the international—both of which
operate according to a different logic with different rules, actors, and agendas. This concept
can be understood with the help of an example- The policies of the WTO and IMF should be
a part of international relations without much involvement of domestic actors. Still, we often
see the involvement of civil society organisations raising voices against policies of these
organisations on the domestic front. Thus, the division of domestic and international politics
is disappearing.

• Global commons: Daniel Bell, in his book 'The Coming of Post-Industrial Society: A Venture
in Social Forecasting’ (1973), observed that the 'nation-state' was both too big to handle
regional problems and too small to adequately deal with the truly global conundrums of the
latter half of the twentieth century. This idea has found extensive acceptance in the decades

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 15

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

since, particularly with the emergence of global problems. Undoubtedly, no single state can
protect its citizens from global warming, the depletion of the ozone layer, or any other
environmental danger. It can only be solved through cooperation at the global level.

• Global governance: Global governance describes a complex web of states, international

institutions, transnational networks and agencies (both public and private) that function, with
variable effect, to promote, regulate, or intervene in the common affairs of humanity. This
evolving global governance complex comprises the multitude of formal and informal
structures of political coordination among governments, intergovernmental and transnational
agencies to realise common purposes or collectively agreed goals by making or
implementing global or transnational rules and the regulation of trans-border problems. In
the second half of the twentieth century, they witnessed the growth in international
arrangements occupying almost every aspect of human life- human rights, sanitation, drug
control, intellectual property rights, etc. Today, nation-states need to abide by the rules and
regulations formulated by international and regional organisations, which has become a
significant determinant of the erosion of their sovereignty.

• Global economy and trade: As a result of Globalisation, the emerging economic order is
truly global because it is non-territorial. As a result of the de-regularisation of the economies
of various nations, investors can choose where and when to invest or withdraw capital from
any part of the world. Regarding financial investment and trade, the world is now a single
place. This is the case because states agreed to take apart their economic regulations (such
as tariffs or investment limits), and regional blocs like EU, NAFTA and ASEAN have
practically eliminated their borders when it comes to trade. This deregulation of trade and
financial transactions further undermines the sovereignty of states that can no longer control
flows of goods or finances and gives more power to new forms of economic organisations
like transnational corporations and banks. In addition, institutions like the International
Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization have also been pushing
economic reforms in countries toward greater deregulation. Therefore, there is now a
growing influence of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) and Transnational Banks (TNBs) in
the policy formulation processes of nation-states. For example, the great scholar of political
economy, Susan Strange, believed that Globalisation was predominantly an economic
transformation where 'the impersonal forces of world markets,' i.e., technology, finance

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 16

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

capital and transnational actors, were responsible for 'the declining authority of states' since
the end of II World War.

• Global culture: Globalization has also brought in a global culture that severely affects the
sovereignty of nation-states. Scholars have explained this phenomenon in a number of ways.
We can categorise them according to the homogeneity and 'heterogeneity' arguments. The
homogeneity argument holds that the world shares a more or less singular global culture.
This is reflected in George Ritzer's famous argument for the 'McDonaldization of society' and
is understood as the expansion of predominantly American values across the globe. On the
other hand, the heterogeneity argument involves the idea that the 'global culture' involves an
increasing ethnic and cultural plurality and that the diversity of modern societies undermines
the power of the nation-state from within, weakening its integrative functions and leading to
a crisis of legitimacy. This new trend towards diversity is also related to the notion of
multicultural citizenship, which leads states to lose their monopoly over the idea of nation.
Thus, expanding a global culture undermines the state's ability to protect its 'national' culture,
further weakened by the arrival of the consumer culture.

• Global Civil Society: Global civil society refers to the vast collection of groups operating
across borders and beyond the reach of governments. In recent decades, a plethora of
NGOs, transnational organisations, advocacy networks and citizens' groups have come
together to play a significant role in mobilising, organising, and exercising political power
across national boundaries. This has been facilitated by the speed and ease of modern
global communications and a growing awareness of common interests between groups in
different countries and regions. Recently, civil society has been playing a prominent role in
policy formulations of the governments of other parts of the world. For example, the
campaigns of different civil society groups in India have pressured the state to bring in the
Right to Information Act, Right to Education Act, and National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act. Thus, civil society also curtails the sovereignty of a nation-state.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 17

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS - 3

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

(a) States are losing their __________________to decide on many matters within
their own territory.
(i) Autonomy (ii) hegemony
(b) Sovereignty empowers states to manage __________________affairs without the
involvement of any external power.
(i) Foreign (ii) Domestic
6. State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) Today, many matters are decided by international institutions, which are not
directly accountable to people.
(b) the world is now a single place regarding financial investment and trade.

Globalisation and Nation-States: A Critical Assessment

While there can be no denying the existence of Globalisation or its impact on the nation-state in
contemporary society, its degree is a matter of debate. The process of Globalisation is not only
multi-dimensional but also multi-directional, involving different facets that are often in conflict with
each other. This multi-directionality holds regarding Globalisation's effect on the autonomy and
sovereignty of the nation-state as well: while some aspects of the nation-state have been
weakened, others have not.

Let us discuss some aspects that prove the continued dominance of nation-states:

• Nation-states are still considered the only unit for any multilateral arrangement. Nation-states
enter into any international agreement by their own choice and technically have the right to
withdraw from them

• Various global threats that have been put forward as an indication of Globalisation are created
and are expected to be solved by nation-states and other modern institutions

• Social movements, seen as an element of contemporary Globalisation, consist of a mixture of

local and transnational movements and NGOs and attempt to affect inter-governmental

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 18

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

agencies based on national and international networks. Moreover, those social movements
centred on identity politics usually operate within national politics and act upon governments,
strengthening the nation-state system.

• The mixing of values, ideas and images is usually perceived as a threat to national cultures
with its transformative effects on, among other things, political culture. However, at the same
time, this hybridisation of cultural elements often sets off a desire for the renewal and
consolidation of national cultures, a defence usually undertaken by state institutions.

• Thus, one cannot assume that the phenomenon of Globalisation will result in the death of
nation-states. One tends to agree with the four conclusions drawn by the sociologist Michael
Mann in relation to the impact of Globalisation on nation-states. According to Michael Mann,

• Globalisation has differential impacts on different states in different regions

• Some global trends weaken, others strengthen nation-states

• Some national regulations alter international and transnational regulations

• Some trends concurrently strengthen both the nation-state and trans-nationalism

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS - 4

7. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

(a) Social movements are seen as an element of ____________________
Globalisation.
(i) Contemporary (ii) hereditary
(b) Social movements which are centred on the politics of identity usually operate
within __________________ politics.
(i) international (ii) National
8. State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) The mixing of values, ideas and images is not perceived as any threat to national
cultures.
(b) The process of Globalisation is not only multi-dimensional but also multi-
directional.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 19

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

4. GLOBALISATION AND INTERNATIONALISM AND

THE WORD STATE
The impact of Globalisation on nation-states has been a topic of hot discussion among scholars
of social sciences. In his profoundly important book, The End of the Nation-State: The Rise of
Regional Economies, Kenichi Ohmae (1995) declared that nation-states are dinosaurs waiting to
die. He argued that nation-states have lost their ability to control exchange rates and protect their
currencies and have yet to generate actual economic activity. As a result, he maintains that they
have already forfeited their role as critical participants in the global economy. Ohmae contends
that four great forces- capital, corporations, consumers, and communication -have combined to
usurp the economic power once held by the nation-state. This work has generated great debate
in political science, and there have been a number of arguments and counterarguments over the
impact that Globalisation has had on nation-states. These arguments can be best understood by
clubbing them into four major political science theories. Realism, Liberalism, Marxism and
Constructivism.

Realism: The realist argument on the impact of Globalisation on nation-states is based on the
core belief of realism that nation-states are the dominant actors in the political system. For them,
Globalisation does not alter the most significant feature of world politics, namely the territorial
division of the world into nation-states. Although increased interconnectedness between
economics and societies makes them more dependent on one another, it does not alter the nature
of the state system. Here, states retain sovereignty, and Globalisation renders the struggle for
power between states obsolete. Nor does it undermine the importance of the threat of the use of
force or the importance of the balance of power. Globalisation, then, may affect our social,
economic, and cultural lives, but it does not rise above the political system of states.

Liberalism: Liberal scholars portray a completely different picture than realists. Globalisation
fundamentally undercuts the realist account of the political landscape for them since it shows that
states are no longer central actors in a system. Liberals tend to see Globalisation as the end
product of a long-running dominance of states. They are particularly interested in how
Globalisation has revolutionised technology and communication. This increased
interconnectedness between societies, primarily due to economic and technological factors,
results in a very different pattern of world political relations from what was before.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 20

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

Marxism: Marxist analysis represents the class-struggle-centric approach and considers

Globalisation a sham. For them, it is nothing particularly new and is only the latest stage in the
development of international capitalism. Marxist scholars argue that Globalisation does not mark
a qualitative shift like states, nor does it render all existing theories and concepts redundant. Above
all, it is a Western-led phenomenon that furthers international capitalism's development. Rather
than uniting the world, it further deepens the existing divide between the core, the semi-periphery,
and the periphery. For instance, David Harvey argues that Globalisation is part of the 'flexible
accumulation', a new form of capitalism characterised by post-Fordist production and social
relations. According to Harvey, 'The state is now in a problematic position whereby it is forced to
regulate the activities of corporate capital in the national interest on the one hand and attract them
by creating a "good business climate" on the other. This results in the empowerment of finance
capital at the expense of the nation-state and organised labour.' Harvey also emphasises the
spatial reorganisation of urban settings worldwide in the 1980s by the forces of advanced
capitalism as a primary (material) 'condition of post-modernity.' Thus, Globalisation is another tool
of exploitation invented by powerful nation-states to take advantage of weaker nation-states.

Constructivism: For constructivist theorists, Globalisation tends to be present as an external

force that acts on states, which leaders often argue is a reality that they cannot challenge. This,
constructivists argue, is a very political act since it underestimates the ability of leaders to
challenge and shape Globalisation, and instead allows them to duck responsibility by blaming 'the
way the world is’. Instead, constructivists think that Globalisation can be moulded in various ways,
notably because it offers very real chances to create cross-national social movements aided by
modern technological advancements in information technology and modern means of
communication. Thus, constructivist theories seem to believe that globalisation has a far-reaching
impact and offers challenges and opportunities for nation-states.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 21

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS - 5

9. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

(a) The realist argument on the impact of Globalisation on nation-states is based on
the core belief of realism that nation-states are the ____________ actors in the
political system.
(i) Dominant (ii) subdominant
(b) ________________ tend to see Globalisation as the end product of a long-
running dominance of states.
(i) Marxist (ii) Liberals
10. State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) For constructivists, Globalisation is nothing particularly new and is only the latest
stage in the development of international capitalism.
(b) Constructivist theories seem to believe that Globalisation does not have a far-
reaching impact and does not offer challenges or opportunities for nation-states.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 22

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

5. SUMMARY
• Globalisation is a complex process that affects our daily lives in various ways. It involves the
increased interdependence of countries and freer movement of goods, people, ideas and
culture across the globe.

• Globalisation can thus be defined as the intensification of worldwide social relations which
link distant localities so that local happenings are shaped by events occurring miles away
and vice versa.

• The idea of the global village is a popular image used to describe the growth of awareness
that all people share a common fate, stemming from a micro perspective that views the world
as an integrated and interdependent whole.

• The growing speed and flow of communication has made distances between people
irrelevant, leading to greater and deeper interaction between people, societies and nations.
Cellular phones have revolutionised how people connect.

• A migrant is a person who leaves their region or country and settles in another region or
country for a variety of purposes. There are around 300 million international migrants in the
world today. A recent study estimated that by the year 2050, there will be 405 million migrants
worldwide.

• Human activities such as industrialisation and deforestation are the primary causes of global
warming. The effects of global warming and ozone layer depletion affect everyone living in
every part of the world. The concentration of gases traps the heat and light from the sun in
the earth's atmosphere.

• At the same time, the expansion of transnational and international law from trade to human
rights and the creation of new legal institutions such as the International Criminal Court
indicate an emerging global legal order.

• Many sceptics of Globalisation have raised the issue that it is not a new phenomenon. They
argue that human beings have never been isolated entities; instead, they have been
interacting with other people and societies and have been interdependent for their daily
needs for ages.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 23

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

• Daniel A. Strasser traces the roots of Globalisation in early human migration from Ethiopia,
which is commonly accepted as the place where the evolution of modern humans took place,
to other parts of the world.

• Globalisation has been a defining feature of the modern world and has significantly impacted
politics, economics, and society. First, colonialism and imperialism in the 19th and early 20th
centuries led to the integration of colonial territories into global economic and political
systems.

• Second, the post-World War II period saw the creation of international institutions to promote
cooperation and economic development between nations. Third, the period of neoliberal
Globalisation, which began in the 1980s, saw the expansion of trade and investment across
borders, the growth of multinational corporations and the deregulation of financial markets.

• Fourth, the rise of digital technologies in the 1990s and 2000s led to the expansion of global
communication and the growth of e-commerce. Today, Globalisation is facing new
challenges and uncertainties. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted worldwide trade and
travel, leading to economic contraction and social upheaval.

• The Globalisation of trade, finance and production are the symbols of this economic
integration. Gradually, most countries have adopted neoliberal economic policies and are
opening their borders for the free movement of goods and services.

• Recently, there has also been a progressive reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers
worldwide. The WTO-led free market regime is transforming the world into a borderless
market.

• Most scholars of Globalisation agree that the process tends to undermine the core elements
of nation-states in various ways, such as sovereignty and autonomy. Sovereignty has been
considered an essential part of the nation-state since modern nation-states' evolution.

• Sovereignty empowers states to manage domestic affairs without the involvement of any
external power and also to play a role in international affairs according to their wisdom.

• Global governance is used to describe a complex web of states, international institutions,

transnational networks and agencies (both public and private) that function, with variable
effect, to promote, regulate, or intervene in the common affairs of humanity.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 24

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

• Globalisation has also brought in a global culture that severely affects the sovereignty of
nation-states. Scholars have explained this phenomenon in a number of ways. We can
categorise them according to the homogeneity and 'heterogeneity' arguments.

• Global civil society refers to the vast collection of groups operating across borders and
beyond the reach of governments. In recent decades, a plethora of NGOs, transnational
organisations, advocacy networks and citizens' groups have come together to play a
significant role in mobilising, organising, and exercising political power across national
boundaries.

• Nation-states are still considered the only unit for any kind of multilateral arrangement.
Nation-states enter any international agreement by their own choice and technically have the
right to withdraw.

• One cannot assume that Globalisation will result in the death of nation-states. One tends to
agree with the four conclusions drawn by the sociologist Michael Mann in relation to the
impact of Globalisation on nation-states.

• The realist argument on the impact of Globalisation on nation-states is based on the core
belief of realism that nation-states are the dominant actors in the political system. For them,
Globalisation does not alter the most significant feature of world politics, namely the territorial
division of the world into nation-states.

• Liberal scholars portray a completely different picture than realists. Globalisation

fundamentally undercuts the realist account of the political landscape for them since it shows
that states are no longer central actors in a system.

• Marxist analysis represents the class-struggle centric approach and considers Globalisation
as a sham. For them, it is nothing particularly new and is only the latest stage in the
development of international capitalism.

• For constructivist theorists, Globalisation tends to be present as an external force that acts
on states, which leaders often argue is a reality that they cannot challenge

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 25

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

6. GLOSSARY
It refers to an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress,
Calamities -
a disaster.

It implies being or relating to any group dispersed outside its traditional

Diasporic -
homeland, involuntarily or by migration.

Heterogeneity - is the quality or state of being diverse in character or content.

Homogeneity - is the quality or state of being all the same or all of the same kind.

Indigenous - means originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.

is a market structure characterised by a single seller selling a unique

A monopoly -
product.

Tariff - A tax or duty paid on a particular class of imports or exports.

Transcontinental - It means crossing a continent.

Xenophobia - It means dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 26

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

7. TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Short-Answer Type Questions

1. Define Globalisation.

2. Mention the important elements of Globalisation.

3. What is social and cultural Globalisation?

4. Write a short note on Globalisation and the world economy.

5. What is meant by a global civil society?

Long-Answer Type Questions

1. Discuss the perception of sceptics and critics of Globalisation.

2. Discuss the evolution of Globalisation.

3. Elaborate the important features of Globalisation that limit the power of nation-states.

4. Critically assess Globalisation and nation-states.

5. Explain the major theories of political science with reference to Globalisation.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 27

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

8. ANSWERS
5. Analyse the relationship of sociology with History and political science.

8.1 Self-Assessment Questions

1. (a) Satellite (b) Capitalism
2. (a) False (b) True
3. (a) Ethiopia (b) 1944
4. (a) True (b) False
5. (a) Autonomy (b) Domestic
6. (a) True (b) True
7. (a) Contemporary (b) National
8. (a) False (b) True
9. (a) Dominant (b) Liberals
10. (a) False (b) False

8.2 Terminal Questions

Short-Answer Type Questions

Answer 1: Globalisation is a complex process that affects our daily lives in various ways. It
involves the increased interdependence of countries and freer movement of goods, people, ideas
and culture across the globe. Globalisation is an umbrella term used to describe inter-territorial
linkages of various aspects of human life. Refer to Section 2.

Answer 2: The important elements of Globalisation:

(a) Globalisation is not a single set of phenomena or processes but a complex web of
phenomena or processes
(b) Globalisation may have different forms. In the present form, it is geared towards the interests
of private power, manufacturing corporations and financial institutions
(c) Nation-states are no longer the only actors in international relations.
(d) Non-state actors such as Non-Governmental organisations, supra-national organisations,
sub-national actors, transnational corporations, migrant and diasporic communities, etc.,
influence international relations in many ways. Refer to Section 2.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 28

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

Answer 3: The following factors symbolise and also drive the phenomenon of Globalisation in the
social and cultural domain:
• The revolution in information and communication technology, i.e., Internet, online social
networking, global media
• International migration
• Issues of global concerns like global warming, nuclear weapons, terrorism and religious
extremism, epidemics
• Natural and man-made calamities
• Global governmental and non-governmental organisations. Refer to Section 2.
Answer 4: The Globalisation of trade, finance and production are the symbols of this economic
integration. Gradually, most countries have adopted neoliberal economic policies and are opening
their borders for the free movement of goods and services. Since the economic aspects of
Globalisation largely involve the free movement of money, it should not surprise anyone that there
has been a dramatic increase in cross-border capital flows in recent decades. Today, financial
flows exceed merchandise trade by more than forty times. Even the daily turnover of the foreign
exchange market is rising astonishingly. This free flow of capital is leading to an integrated world
financial market. According to many scholars, this free movement of capital will eventually reduce
a national central bank's control over the management of capital flows and thus affect a
government's control over its economic policies. Refer to Section 2.3.

Answer 5: Global civil society refers to the vast collection of groups operating across borders and
beyond the reach of governments. In recent decades, a plethora of NGOs, transnational
organisations, advocacy networks and citizens' groups have come together to play a significant
role in mobilising, organising, and exercising political power across national boundaries. This has
been facilitated by the speed and ease of modern global communications and a growing
awareness of common interests between groups in different countries and regions. Recently, civil
society has been playing a prominent role in policy formulations of the governments of other parts
of the world. For example, the campaigns of different civil society groups in India have pressured
the state to bring in the Right to Information Act, Right to Education Act, and National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act. Thus, civil society also curtails the sovereignty of a nation-state.
Refer to Section 3.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 29

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

Long-Answer Type Questions

Answer 1: Many sceptics of Globalisation have raised the issue that it is not a new phenomenon.
They argue that human beings have never been isolated entities; instead, they have been
interacting with other people and societies and have been interdependent for their daily needs for
ages. For instance, Daniel A. Strasser traces the roots of Globalisation in early human migration
from Ethiopia, which is commonly accepted as the place where the evolution of modern humans
took place, to other parts of the world. Strasser identifies seven phases of globalisation. Refer to
Section 2.1.

Answer 2: Globalisation has been a defining feature of the modern world and has significantly
impacted politics, economics, and society. In political science, Globalisation is understood as the
process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence between different parts of the
world, including trade, investment, migration, and cultural exchange. The evolution of
Globalisation can be traced back to several historical periods. Refer to Section 2.2.

Answer 3: Some important features of Globalisation that limit the power of nation-states to act
according to their wish and thus signals the end of sovereignty:

• Global politics: As Globalisation has intensified over the last three decades, it has become
increasingly difficult to continue the popular fiction of the 'great divide' of treating political life
as having two separate spheres of action—the domestic and the international—both of which
operate according to a different logic with different rules, actors, and agendas. Refer to
Section 12.3.

Answer 4: While there can be no denying the existence of Globalisation or its impact on the
nation-state in contemporary society, its degree is a matter of debate. The process of Globalisation
is not only multi-dimensional but also multi-directional, involving different facets that are often in
conflict with each other. This multi-directionality holds in terms of Globalisation's effect on the
autonomy and sovereignty of the nation-state as well: while some aspects of the nation-state have
been weakened, others have not. Refer to Section 3.

Answer 5: Realism: The realist argument on the impact of Globalisation on nation-states is based
on the core belief of realism that nation-states are the dominant actors in the political system.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 30

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

Liberalism: Liberal scholars portray a completely different picture than realists. Globalisation
fundamentally undercuts the realist account of the political landscape for them since it shows that
states are no longer central actors in a system.

Marxism: Marxist analysis represents the class-struggle-centric approach and considers

Globalisation a sham.

Constructivism: For constructivist theorists, Globalisation tends to be present as an external force

that acts on states, which leaders often argue is a reality that they cannot challenge. Refer to
Section 4.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 31

O07CA104: Foundations of Political Science

9. REFERENCES
• Kaur, G & Kaur, Dr. Harpreet. 2017. Politics of Globalization (CBCS syllabus). New Delhi:
Galgotia Publishing Company.

• Pramanick, Swapan. 2010. Globalisation in India: New Frontiers and Emerging Challenges by
Pramanick Swapan. New Delhi: PHI.

• Tayal, B.B. 2014. Globalization & International Relations. New Delhi: Sultan Chand and Sons.

Unit: 12 – Globalisation and Political Science 32