SOCY1050 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Arab Spring, International Telecommunication Union, Environmental Degradation
Lecture 4A
What is globalisation?
It is about the ubiquity of modern cultural icons
Globalisation refers to a set of processes which involve the increasing multidirectional flows of
things, people, and information across the planet (Ritzer, 2009).
The intensification of worldwide social relations which link distinct localities in such a way that local
happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away (Giddens)
The widening, deepening and speeding up of worldwide interconnectedness in all aspects of
contemporary life… (David Held et al, 1999: 14-16)
The compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole
(Roland Robertson, 1992: 8)
All those processes by which the peoples of the world are incorporated into a single society, global
society (Albrow, 1990: 9)
Textbook definition
“The process by which formerly separate economies, states, and cultures are becoming increasingly
aware of their growing interdependence” (Giddens)
Is it a new phenomenon?
Globalisation is not a new phenomenon
There has always been interdependence across time and space
This has been happening for much longer than modernity
Modernity and Globalisation
Industrialisation radically transformed the economies and livelihoods of much of the world
This process was closely linked with colonialism
Colonialism dictated the world order for most of the modern era
Modernity and postmodernity
Modernity
1750 -1960s Production oriented Production of material goods Fordist/Taylorist work principles
Strong trade-unionism/welfare state Belief in science and ‘progress’ Nation state a key organising
unit Local citizens = national identity Bureaucracy is rational, inevitable
Postmodernity
Post-1960s Consumption oriented Production of images, cultural products Flexibility in
workplace/work relations Reduced unionism/welfare state Questioning of science and ‘progress’
Globalisation reshaping nation state Global citizens = fractured identities Bureaucracy is breaking
down under IT
The sources of globalisation
find more resources at oneclass.com
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‘Time-space compression’
oAbility to move things and information quickly and cheaply
oTechnological change
Economic interconnection
oCapitalist competition has been a key feature of economic globalisation
oIncr. influence/power of transnational corporations
Politics
oIncreased political interconnections and international governance
oShapes the freedom to engage with another country culturally, economically and
politically
oRise of neoliberalism
Global cultural flows
oDiversity or homogenisation?; global village
Shared problems and risks
oGlobal nature of problems; inequalities
Economic interconnection
Weightless economy- products based in information, knowledge society, weightless and intangible;
growth of ‘financial markets’ or ‘electronic economy’.
Cross-border economic transactions
Rise of transnational corporations (TNCs)
New forms of regulation
Global production-consumption networks
Political globalisation
Political globalization “refers to an increasing trend toward multilateralism (in which the United
Nations plays a key role), toward an emerging ‘transnational state apparatus,’ and toward the
emergence of national and international nongovernmental organizations that act as watchdogs over
governments and have increased their activities and influence Moghadam, V.M. (2005: p. 35)
Neoliberalism
Liberalism – a belief that individual decision-making and action provides the most
appropriate/beneficial basis for the socio-political and economic organisation of society
Neoliberalism – agrees with the above, but given that the state has ‘intervened’ in social and
economic relations (the development project), the best outcomes for society will be realised
when the state ‘retreats’ from involvement in economic and social matters.
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Stiglitz, neoliberalism and global trade
Critiques
True: Current economic arrangement disadvantage the poor
False: Trade liberalization leads to economic growth, benefitting all
Evidence
Unequal protectionism for markets
Barriers to trade = barriers to growth
Vested interests and power
Alternatives?
Governance reform
Transparency and accountability
Case study: ethical trade in Kenya
French beans grown by women smallholders on small plots of family owned land in rural
Kenya
Global value chain: Kenyan export company providing directly to UK supermakets
Regulation – Ethical trade, fair trade, company codes of conduct (CSR)
Pressure from UK consumers – cultural + economic interconnections
Farmers’/women’s values of social justice, environmental sustainability, local livelihoods
contrast with market values of efficiency, quality, CSR (i.e. cultural globalisation)
Democratic globalisation
Research shows that democracy reduces inequality and stimulates economic growth
But how democratic is the world?
Four reforms for democratic globalisation
1. Stronger support for democracy
2. More foreign aid
3. Forgiving debt
4. Removing tariffs – make some imports more affordable?
Cultural globalisation
“The tension between cultural homogenisation and cultural heterogenisation” (Appadurai, 1990)
“Global Village” (McLuhan 1962: 102)
Exposure to many cultures through media and transport changes
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
It is about the ubiquity of modern cultural icons. Globalisation refers to a set of processes which involve the increasing multidirectional flows of things, people, and information across the planet (ritzer, 2009). The intensification of worldwide social relations which link distinct localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away (giddens) The widening, deepening and speeding up of worldwide interconnectedness in all aspects of contemporary life (david held et al, 1999: 14-16) The compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole (roland robertson, 1992: 8) All those processes by which the peoples of the world are incorporated into a single society, global society (albrow, 1990: 9) The process by which formerly separate economies, states, and cultures are becoming increasingly aware of their growing interdependence (giddens) There has always been interdependence across time and space. This has been happening for much longer than modernity.
