This document discusses different perspectives on globalization. It begins by defining globalization as the increasing interconnectedness of countries through technological, economic, political and cultural exchanges. It then outlines Marxist, constructionist, and conservative views on globalization. It also discusses the economic, political and cultural aspects of globalization. Critics argue that globalization can negatively impact countries' native industries, jobs, and sovereignty. The document also examines how globalization has increased international trade, investment and migration through reducing barriers and transportation costs.

1. SOCIOLOGY
An occasional lesson for Module 3 of
Unit Two
Development, underdevelopment and
Globalization. May 2005
© 2006 CASAH.

2. Concept - Globalization
• Globalization (or globalisation) refers to the
worldwide phenomenon of technological, economic,
political and cultural exchanges, brought about by
modern communication, transportation and legal
infrastructure as well as the political choice to
consciously open cross-border links in
international trade and finance. It is a term used to
describe how places and human beings are
becoming more intertwined with each other around
the world economically, politically, and culturally.
Although these globalization links are not new, they
are more pervasive than ever before.

3. Concepts – Globalization
Marxist View.
• The dominant idea of contemporary
bourgeois thinking is that increasing
international integration of economic
activity, or “globalisation” will lead to
prosperity and peace for all. But
globalisation is not a concept that helps us
understand the world around us. It is an
ideological construct used to trumpet
capitalist victory – to conceal the crisis-
ridden nature of the system and its
perpetual failure to meet the needs of the
world’s working class. (Mick Brooks, 1991)

4. Globalization –
Constructionist/
conservative
• The International Monetary Fund defines globalization as “the growing
economic interdependence of countries worldwide through increasing
volume and variety of cross-border transactions in goods and services,
free international capital flows, and more rapid and widespread diffusion
of technology”.
• Meanwhile, The International Forum on Globalization defines it as “the
present worldwide drive toward a globalized economic system dominated
by supranational corporate trade and banking institutions that are not
accountable to democratic processes or national governments.”
• While notable critical theorists, such as Immanuel Wallerstein,
emphasize that globalization cannot be understood separately from the
historical development of the capitalist world-system the different
definitions highlight the ensuing debate of the roles and relationships of
government, corporations, and the individual in maximizing social welfare
within the globalization paradigms.
• Nonetheless, it is clear that globalization has economic, political,
cultural, and technological aspects that may be closely intertwined.
Given that these aspects are key to an individual's quality of life, the
social benefits and costs brought upon them by globalization generate
strong debate.

5. Globalization
• The economic aspects stressed in globalization are trade
, investment and migration. The globalization of trade
entails that human beings have greater access to a
plethora of goods and services never seen before in
human history.
• From German cars, to Colombian coffee, from Chinese
clothing, to Egyptian cotton, from American music to
Indian software, human beings may be able to purchase a
wide range of goods and services.
• The globalization of investment takes place through
Foreign Direct Investment, where multinational
companies directly invest assets in a foreign country, or
by indirect investment where individuals and institutions
purchase and sell financial assets of other countries.
Free migration allows individuals to find employment in
jurisdictions where there are labor shortages.

6. Critique of Globalisation
• Critics of free trade also contend that it may lead to the
destruction of a country's native industry, environment
and/or a loss of jobs.
• Critics of international investment contend that by
accepting these financial schemes a country loses its
economic sovereignty and may be forced to set policies
that are contrary to its citizen's interests or desires.
• Moreover, multinational companies that invest in a
country may also acquire too much political and
economic power in relation to its citizens. Finally,
migration may lead to the exploitation of workers from a
migrant country and the displacement of workers from a
host country.
• Critics of globalization also contend that different
economic systems that either augment or supplant
globalization may maximize social welfare more
efficiently and equitably.

7. Political Viewpoint.
• The political aspects of globalization are evidenced
when governments create international rules and
institutions to deal with issues such as trade,
human rights, and the environment. Among the new
institutions and rules that have come to fruition as
a result of globalization are the
World Trade Organization, the Euro currency, the
North American Free Trade Agreement, CSME, to
name a few. Whether a government is to
consciously open itself to cross-border links, is the
central question of this aspect.
• In our case CARICOM, CSME, CCJ, CXC, WICB, UWI

8. Global Activism
• Social activist and non-profit organizations are also
becoming more global in scope. These include
Amnesty International and Greenpeace to mention
a couple.
• Some of these organizations take issue with the
economic and political aspects of globalization as
they fear that economic interests either subvert the
nation state in its ability to protect its citizens from
economic exploitation, or support governments that
violate the human rights of their citizens.
• Greenpeace protests the use of the Caribbean as a
trans shipment point for nuclear fuel.

9. Cultural Standpoint.
• Cultural global ties also grow through globalization as
news ideas and fashions through trade, travel and media
move around the globe at lightning speed.
• Global brands such as Coca-Cola, Puma & Sony serve as
common reference to consumers all over the World.
• An individual in China enjoys the same soft drink as an
individual in Puerto Rico--at opposite ends of the globe.
• Wear a pair of K –Swiss in Kingston or NYC.
• However, these ties may also cause strains: for example
Western Ideas of freedom of expression may clash with
Islamic views on Religious tolerance.
• And if not strains, critics contend this is really an
imposition of cultural imperialism in order to preserve
economic interests.

10. Other views of it.
• The other aspect of globalization is the revolutionary
change in technology, particularly in transport and
communication, which ostensibly creates a global village
.
• In 1850 it took nearly a year to sail around the World.
Now you can fly around the world in a day, send an email
anywhere almost instantly, or be part of the 1.5 billion
viewers watching the final match of the World Cup.
• Transportation costs have come down as result of
technological advances that make foreign markets more
accessible to trade.
• Have Breakfast in Kingston and lunch in New York.
• Tuna caught in the North Atlantic may be served the next
day at a Sushi restaurant in Japan.
• Finally, billions of dollars in assets and currencies are
exchanged daily around the globe by electronic means at
virtually no cost.

11. Characteristics
• Globalization/internationalisa
tion has become identified
with a number of trends,
most of which may have
developed since World War II
. These include greater
international movement of
commodities, money,
information, and people; and
the development of
technology, organizations,
legal systems, and
infrastructures to allow this
movement. The actual
existence of some of these
trends is debated.
Economically
• Increase in international trade at
a much faster rate than the
growth in the world economy
• Increase in international flow of
capital including
foreign direct investment
• Creation of international
agreements leading to
organizations like the WTO and
OPEC
• Development of
global financial systems
• Increased role of international
organizations such as WTO,
WIPO, IMF that deal with
international transactions
• Increase of economic practices
like outsourcing, by multinational
corporations

12. Cultural Characteristics.
• Greater international cultural exchange,
• Spreading of multiculturalism, and better individual
access to cultural diversity, for example through
the export of Hollywood and Bollywood movies.
However, the imported culture can easily supplant
the local culture, causing reduction in diversity
through hybridization or even assimilation. The
most prominent form of this is Westernization, but
Sinicization of cultures also takes place.
• Greater international travel and tourism
• Greater immigration, including illegal immigration
• Spread of local foods such as pizza and Indian food
to other countries (often adapted to local taste)

13. Economic and Political
• Development of a global telecommunications infrastructure and
greater transborder data flow, using such technologies as the
Internet, communication satellites and telephones
• Increase in the number of standards applied globally; e.g.
copyright laws and patents
• Formation or development of a set of universal values
• The push by many advocates for an international criminal court
and international justice movements (see the
International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice
respectively).
• It is often argued that even terrorism has undergone
globalization, with attacks in foreign countries that have no
direct relation with the own country.
• Barriers to international trade have been considerably lowered
since World War II through international agreements such as the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Particular
initiatives carried out as a result of GATT and the WTO, for
which GATT is the foundation, have included:

14. Promotion of free trade
• Of goods:
• Reduction or elimination of tariffs; construction of
free trade zones with small or no tariffs
• Reduced transportation costs, especially from development
of containerization for ocean shipping.
• Of capital: reduction or elimination of capital controls
• Reduction, elimination, or harmonization of subsidies for
local businesses
• Intellectual property restrictions
• Harmonization of intellectual property laws across
nations (generally speaking, with more restrictions)
• Supranational recognition of intellectual property
restrictions (e.g. patents granted by China would be
recognized in the US)
Source – Wikipedia