THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

INTRODUCTION TO
GLOBALIZATION
MARIA LEONOR EUNA L. REGASPI
Instructor I
 Differentiate the competing definitions of
globalization

Learning Identify the underlying philosophies of the

varying definitions of globalization
Outcomes
Agree on a working definition of
globalization for the course
 WHY DO YOU NEED TO STUDY THE WORLD?
At first glance, the world, as a concept, is abstract. However, you
only need to step back a little bit to see that the world "out there"
is already here. You are already a citizen of the world whether you
are aware of it or not. Just by living your life, you automatically
think about the contemporary world. This course will be your guide.

Studying the outside world is a cure to parochialism or an outlook

that is limited to one's immediate community.
It is important to study the world because it can teach you more
about yourself.
Lastly, you need to study the world because you will be interacting
with it.

The goal is not simply to tell you about what is "out there," but also to
expose you to the ideas that allow you to make sense of that "out there."
ACTIVITY: WORD ASSOCIATION
DEFINING
GLOBALIZATION
According to Manfred Steger, globalization
is "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."
 Steger posits that his definition of
Steger notes that "globalization processes do globalization must be differentiated with an
not occur merely at an objective, material ideology he calls globalism. If globalization
level but they also involve the subjective plane represents the many processes that allow
of human consciousness." for the expansion and intensification of global
connections, globalism is a widespread belief
In other words, people begin to feel that the among powerful people that the global
world has become a smaller place and integration of economic markets is beneficial
distance has collapsed from thousands of for everyone, since it spreads freedom and
miles to just a mouse-click away. democracy across the world.

In the most basic sense, globalization refers to the process of increasing

interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, cultures, and
economies. It involves the movement of goods, services, people, ideas, and capital
across borders, leading to a more integrated world.
It has both positive and negative impacts, including economic growth and cultural
exchange, but also challenges like inequality, cultural homogenization, and
environmental degradation.
Multiple Globalizations
Some scholars have found it simpler to avoid talking about globalization as
a whole. They want to discuss "multiple globalizations," instead of just one
process.

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. 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.
 Relevant Concepts:
Economic Globalization:
Global trade, the movement of goods, services, and capital across borders
Free market capitalism and international financial systems (e.g., IMF, World
Bank)
Impact of multinational corporations (e.g., Apple, McDonald's)

Cultural Globalization:
Spread of cultural products, ideas, and practices globally, e.g. Hollywood
movies, K-pop, and international food chains
The phenomenon of "cultural hybridization" or blending of cultures.

Political Globalization:
Influence of international organizations (e.g., United Nations, World Trade
Organization)
Political ideas and norms spreading globally (e.g., democracy, human rights)
 Relevant Concepts:
Social Globalization:
Global migration, travel, and social networks
The rise of global social movements (e.g., climate change activism)

Technological Globalization:
The role of the internet and digital communication in connecting people and
information
The rise of digital economies (e.g., e-commerce, online education)
Historical Context
of Globalization
Globalization, as we understand it today, is a process that has
evolved over centuries, shaped by key historical events,
technological advancements, and economic transformations.
Early Globalization: Trade routes (Silk Road, Age of
Exploration) and the spread of ideas
Post-War Era: The rise of international institutions (e.g.,
United Nations, IMF) and the Bretton Woods system (1944)
Late 20th Century: The impact of the digital revolution, the
fall of the Berlin Wall, and the liberalization of economies
(1990s)
21st Century: The growth of China and India in the global
market, digital economies, and challenges like climate
change
 Pre-Modern Globalization: Early
Trade and Exploration

Ancient Civilizations and Trade Routes:

Early forms of globalization can be traced back to ancient trade routes, such as the Silk Road,
which connected the East (China, India) with the West (Europe and the Middle East) around
200 BCE. These routes facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures, setting the
stage for future global interconnectedness.
The Indian Ocean Trade Network (500 CE–1500 CE) also connected civilizations across
Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, further expanding economic and cultural
exchanges.

Age of Exploration (15th–17th Century):

The late 15th century saw European powers, like Spain and Portugal, embarking on voyages to
the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and others opened
new maritime trade routes, leading to the exchange of goods such as silver, gold, and spices,
as well as the forced movement of people (slaves) in the transatlantic trade.
The Columbian Exchange (post-1492) led to the widespread transfer of plants, animals,
foods, diseases, and technologies between the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa) and the
New World (Americas), reshaping global diets, economies, and populations.
 The Industrial Revolution (18th–19th
Century)

Technological Advances:
The Industrial Revolution (starting in the late 18th century in Britain) marked a critical turning
point in globalization. New technologies like the steam engine, telegraph, and later the
railroad dramatically reduced transportation and communication costs.
These innovations allowed for the faster movement of goods and people across borders and
helped lay the foundation for global trade and economic interdependence.

Capitalism and Imperialism:

The rise of industrial capitalism, coupled with European imperialism, led to the expansion of
global markets. European powers colonized vast regions of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific,
extracting resources and establishing global supply chains.
The British Empire and other colonial empires created an international economic system
based on trade and the exploitation of resources and labor, further integrating the world
economy.
 Early 20th Century: The Rise of
Global Institutions

Post-WWI and Economic Interdependence:

Following World War I, the international system experienced significant shifts. The League of
Nations, formed in 1920, attempted to promote peace and cooperation, though it had limited
success due to its inability to prevent WWII.
The Great Depression (1929) led to global economic challenges, and many countries adopted
protectionist policies, undermining international trade and causing a retreat from
globalization.

World War II and Bretton Woods Institutions:

After WWII, the United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 to promote peace, security, and
cooperation among nations.
The Bretton Woods Conference (1944) created key global institutions like the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, aimed at rebuilding war-torn economies and
preventing future conflicts through economic stability.
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was also established in 1947, promoting
international trade by reducing tariffs and trade barriers.
 Late 20th Century: The Liberalization
of Trade and the Digital Revolution

Globalization Accelerates Post-Cold War:

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 ended the Cold War,
leading to a more integrated world, especially in terms of markets. The end of ideological divisions
allowed for the spread of market-oriented reforms and capitalism across Eastern Europe, Asia, and
other regions.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was created in 1995 to replace GATT and further facilitate
international trade. During this period, many countries liberalized their economies, embraced free
trade, and began to reduce tariffs.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), signed in 1994, was a significant trade deal
between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, further promoting trade in the Americas.

Technological Revolution and the Internet:

The late 20th century witnessed an explosion in information technology, especially the rise of the
internet. The dot-com boom of the 1990s connected people and businesses worldwide like never
before.
E-commerce and online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba began to reshape the global
marketplace. The internet facilitated the exchange of information, education, culture, and
entertainment across borders, contributing to the social and cultural aspects of globalization.
 21st Century: Globalization and its
Challenges

Economic Growth and Global Networks:

Emerging economies, particularly China and India, have become key players in the global economy,
contributing to the rise of a multi-polar world. China’s entry into the World Trade Organization
(WTO) in 2001 was a defining moment in global trade, as China became the "world's factory,"
producing goods for global markets.
The global supply chain has become more complex, with companies sourcing materials, labor, and
products from different parts of the world, fostering economic interdependence.
In a world increasingly dominated by two global powers, the US and China, the new frontier of
globalization is the cyber world. The digital economy, in its infancy during the third wave of
globalization, is now becoming a force to reckon with through e-commerce, digital services, 3D
printing. It is further enabled by artificial intelligence, but threatened by cross-border hacking and
cyberattacks.

Globalization's Challenges:
While globalization has fostered economic growth, it has also led to inequality, environmental
degradation, and cultural homogenization. Critics argue that globalization benefits the wealthiest
nations and corporations while exploiting workers and resources in developing countries.
 Globalization is a multifaceted and ongoing
process that has shaped and continues to
shape the modern world in profound ways. It
has brought about unprecedented economic
growth, technological advancements, and
cultural exchanges that have connected people
across borders like never before.

Final However, globalization has also deepened

inequalities, allowed developing countries to
Thoughts face exploitation in global supply chains, and
caused increased environmental costs due to
rapid industrialization and consumption.
Moreover, there is a fear of cultural
homogenization.

As we look to the future, the trajectory of

globalization will likely be shaped by how these
challenges are addressed.
 Claudio, L. E., & Abinales, P. N. (2018). The
Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc.

World Economic Forum. (n.d.) A brief history of

References globalization.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/01/how-
globalization-4-0-fits-into-the-history-of-
globalization/