The document argues that globalization is a natural progression rather than a facade of western imperialism. It explores the intricate connections between globalization, democratization, and the modernization of economies, illustrating how non-western countries have also adopted these principles for growth. Ultimately, the author posits that globalization is an inevitable phenomenon of history that promotes interconnectedness and offers potential for peace.

1. Is Globalization Merely A Facade Of Western
Imperialism?
Globalization is an irreversible movement. It has completely changed the
trajectory of modern life and marked its presence in contemporary history.
A controversial debate has risen since the rise of globalization,
contemplating whether it expresses western superiority or natural
progression of modernity. This report sits on the latter end of the debate,
arguing that globalization is a consequent phenomenon of more states
transiting into market based economy and democratic governing structure
in order to adapt to the post-modern and cosmopolitan world.
This report scrutinizes the above argument in three stages: First, by
identifying the globalized aspects of modern life in capitalistic and
neoliberal terms, this will show the extensive interactions between free
markets. Second, demonstrating globalization as the result of endogenous
democratization and modernization and not the exogenous western
influence. Third, explaining why globalization appears to be a Western
imperialist act followed by a close view of certain ideals being
misconceived as ‘western values’.
Political scientists and international relations scholars are impressed by the
hegemony of economy and culture over the nation state in the era of
globalization. Sociologists inspect whether the global civil society has
become more or less homogenous as they question the existence of
westernization. Anthropologists debate the emergence of global culture
centred around McLuhan’s ‘global village’ (that is post-nationalist and
postcolonial). Across the spectrum, this author stands closer to the view
relating to the inevitability of globalization, provided that history continues
to naturally unfold itself towards global liberalization while proceeding in
the modern age.
The globalized aspect of modern life entails the hyper-connectedness
between geographically distant countries. One possible explanation for the
multilateral interdependence revolves around the free market and its
prominence in the neoliberal world. The economy is better off trading with
other economies that have a variety of comparative advantages due to the
market integrations allowing more efficient utilization of resources. If a
nation denies globalization, it will “reverse the gains that have been
achieved” and an autarky will pay its price for adopting protectionist tariffs
or other anti-liberal policies. This gradually establishes the market led
‘boundless economy’ as the orthodoxy; something inseparable with

2. globalization to achieve a greater payoff. In essence, the ‘perfect mobility
of goods, labour and capital’ does not originate from one country emitting
outwards, but rather multiple economies interacting with one another.
Secondly, globalization is closely linked to democratization. This is
because of political freedoms being conducive to economically open
policies. When the public desires the economic opportunities beyond
traditional borders, democracy renders the leaders to adopt pro-
globalization policies, such as reducing tariffs and participating in free-
trade agreements. The flexible global trade correspondingly encourages
political accountability and transparency, which then creates a positive
feedback between democracy and globalization. The relationship is
evident through Central and Eastern Europe’s participation in the global
marketplace after the end of the Soviet authoritarianism and Latin
America’s opening to the world economy following the wave of
democratization in 1978.
Then why are certain concepts, such as capitalism, liberalization and
modernization, often misconceived as ‘western values’, and consequently
portray globalization as Western imperialism? Max Weber argues that
modernization and capitalism are an expression of western values because
they are “the spirit of Christian asceticism” and the rationalization of
religion by protestant sects that eventually produced bureaucracy and
capitalism.
However, this author argues that capitalism, liberalism and
modernism are considered ‘western’. This is because western societies have
precedent experience in modernization, democratization and capitalistic
reforms, most extensively in the 19th and 20th centuries, prior to the non-
western world. The extensive globalization of the past two decades reflects
non-westerners being subject to similar economic, social and political
pressures that westerners once encountered in order to arrive where they
currently stand. For instance, South Africa’s international trade, as the share
of GDP, increased dramatically from 38% in 1992 to 64% in 2014, since it
abandoned Apartheid and adopted one of the most progressive constitutions
since the 1990s. Other developing countries such as Brazil and India, with
the combination of democracy, liberalism and economic globalization, have
unleashed impressive growth that has lifted millions out of poverty.
The globalizing phenomenon is the natural progression of history reaching
its economic, political and social optimum, rather than prosecution of
Western superiority

3. Given the multidimensional attributes of globalization, the claims of
political scientists, sociologists and anthropologists are all equally valid.
However, this author has argued that beyond ‘global civil society’, ‘global
culture’ or ‘global village’, there is an underlying premise that
globalization is an inevitable phenomenon. It is a natural progression of
modern history as we continuously strive towards optimum efficiency in
capitalistic markets, democratic and liberal governments, and satisfy our
fundamental desire to stay connected with one another. Globalization can
be an excellent tool to foster peace within the global village but it only
is what we make of it.