This chapter introduces the concept of globalization and global politics. It defines globalization as the increasing interconnectedness of the world through greater extensity, intensity, velocity, and impact of social, economic, and political processes. Globalization represents a shift to a larger scale of human social organization that links distant communities and expands the reach of power across borders. While globalization continued after 9/11, it remains an uneven and asymmetrical process best described as "thick" globalization. The chapter also discusses how globalization has transformed the Westphalian system of sovereign states and shifted thinking from geopolitics to global politics focused on worldwide social relations, which exhibit significant power imbalances.

1. Baylis, Smith & Owens:
The Globalization of World Politics 5e
Chapter 1
Globalization and global politics

2. Introducing Globalization
• Worldwide interconnectedness is
growing in:
– Extensity
– Intensity
– Velocity
– Impact

3. Introducing Globalization
• Globalization denotes
– A shift in the scale of social organization
– The emergence of the world as shared
social space
– Relative de-territorialization of social,
economic and political activity
– Relative de-nationalization of power

4. Introducing Globalization
A fundamental shift or transformation in
the spatial scale of human social
organization that links distant
communities and expands the reach of
power relations across regions and
continents
• Not the same as internationalization
• Not the same as regionalization

5. Contemporary Globalization
• Robust even after September 11th
• A multi-dimensional,uneven,and
asymmetrical process
• Best described as a “thick” form of
globalization, or globalism

6. A World Transformed
• Transforming the Westphalian ideal of
sovereign statehood
• Shifting our thinking from geopolitical to
global politics --> focus on the politics of
worldwide social relations
• Distorted global politics: characterized
by significant power asymmetries

7. Global Politics:
from distorted to cosmopolitan?
• Double democratic deficit
– Limits democracy within states
– Creates new global governance mechanisms
which lack democratic credentials
• New global political theory draws upon
cosmopolitan thinking
– Distorted politics as contest between statism and
cosmopolitanism in conduct of world affairs
– Offers account of desirability and feasibility of
democratization of global politics

8. Case Study 1
Global production and the iPod

9. Case Study 2
Security and violence in global politics

10. Case Study 2
Security and violence in global politics