LESSON 1 WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION? The dispute between globalists and sceptics is not about the reality of change; it is about the nature and significance of the changes under way as well as the driving forces behind them. --Linda Weiss In today’s constantly changing world, societies are becoming increasingly interdependent and have more social, economic, political and cultural relationships. Similarly, the problems and issues that characterize the contemporary world are interconnected and multidimensional. As a result, the various actors—states, organizations, and citizens— are called upon to work together to find global solutions. Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, you must be able to: 1. introduce self to classmates and teacher(s); 2. choose a plausible working definition of globalization for the course; 3. discuss the essential philosophies/theories of globalization 4. compare and contrast the opposing concepts of globalization; 5. Narrate a personal experience of globalization; and 6. Create a sound personal definition of globalization FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the relevance of using our own experiences in understanding globalization and its diverse kinds and aspects? Why it is crucial to emphasize that globalization is uneven? Let us begin Getting to Know You Let us start the semester by knowing each other. Here’s what you need to do: On the box below, write three things about you (as long as you are comfortable to share these information with your classmates), one of which is false If possible, ask the classmates near you to or you may contact at least five (5) of them in social media, then let them figure out which one is false Lastly, ask their reasons why did they choose such item Three things about me: 1. 2. 3. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Summarize the responses of your classmates Name of classmates Which did they think is false among the things you have written about yourself? Why did they choose such item? JUMPSTART POINT Go to your room and do an inventory of everything you have in your possession. You will find out that the most essential among the “things” in your room are footwear, clothes, computers (if any), cell phones, television (if possible), and maybe a radio. If you are a student, you may also notice books, newspapers, news magazines, not to mention school supplies and equipment. Organize your inventory into two types: Bedroom: Philippine Brands Foreign Brands (Indicate here the country of origin of each foreign brand) Do the same thing for kitchen and living room. These should include appliances. Kitchen: Philippine Brands Living Room: Philippine Brands Foreign Brands Foreign Brands (Indicate here the country of origin of each foreign brand) (Indicate here the country of origin of each foreign brand) By contacting two (2) of your classmates in your social media site, compare your lists. Which countries make the most household, as well as personal needs you, and your families have? What are the Philippine-made stuff? Think it through… Why do you think certain products are made in the Philippines while others are produced abroad? Your Journey continues… Global Experiences HEAD ON Be ready for… Task #1: Go to www.youtube.com and watch the video in the provided link. Make sure to get the gist of the story by using the guide questions below: https://youtu.becom/0AS65clOJA watch the video clip of A Story: Gio, Latif and the Laksa Let Us Check Guide Questions: How did Gio and Latif come to know each other? What is a Laksa? What makes it a significant cultural symbol? How do you think your experiences differ from those people in other countries/places? Gio and Latif’s story is fictional but very reasonable since, in fact, based on the real-life experience of one this module’s main text authors. It was through such friendships that one was able to appreciate the meaning and impact of globalization. We begin our definition of globalization with this story to demonstrate how concrete the occurrence is. The narrative presents how globalization works at numerous, overlapping levels. Things to ponder… What other hints of globalization did you find in the story? Our discussion should begin with an instinctive sense that something is transpiring, and it is not affecting everyone in the same manner. Gio’s story is an advantaged way of experiencing global flows, but for others, the shrinking of the world may not be as thrilling and enriching similar to our present battle against the Covid-19 crisis since our borders are open to foreign interaction through investments and travels. Since diverse people encounter globalization in a variety of ways, it is deemed handy to ask simple questions like: “Is globalization good or bad, what do you think?”, “Is it beneficial or damaging?” The discussion begins with two grounds: 1. Globalization is a complex phenomenon that occurs at multiple levels; and 2. It is an uneven process that affects people differently But then again, what is Globalization? Come on… Task #2: Go to youtube.com and watch the videos in the provided links. Make sure to get the gist of every video clip by using the guide questions below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6u9m5FK0IQ (Globalization in 3 minutes, theory in three minutes) and watch the video clip. https://youtu.be//JJ0nFD19eT8 (Globalization explained by Explainity channel) Let us Check Guide Questions: What do the video clips say about globalization? Do you agree on what they say about globalization? Why or why not? Are there common elements about globalization in these videos? What are these? Most accounts view globalization as primarily Globalization: an economic process that but may affect anyone in A Working varying but intersecting level. Accordingly, Definition globalization is more than just a term. Your understanding of it has much to with your political views and theoretical stance. Globalization is a terrain of conflicting discourses. So, in order for you to understand it better, carefully examine each scenario and its corresponding viewpoint. Scenario When nationalists are resisting globalization When activists refer to the “anti-globalization” movement of the 1990s When Globalization Scholars are asked of their stance on globalization When you ask academicians about globalization Viewpoints It means they resist the integration of the national markets to a wider global market signified by the increased free trade. It means resisting the trade deals among countries facilitated and promoted by global organization like the World Trade Organization. They do not necessarily disagree with people who criticize unfair international trade deals or global economic organizations. In fact, many are sympathetic to the critique of economic globalization. They differ from journalists and political activists, however, because they see globalization in much broader terms. They view the process through various lenses that consider multiple theories and perspective. Academics call this an interdisciplinary approach. Since there is no single specific definition of globalization, other scholars also came up with their definitions: Scholar Definition Marginson & Globalization refers to the growing impact of world systems of Considine (2000) finance and economic life, transport, communications and media, language and symbols. It is as much about life crossglobal movement of people and ideas as about markets and money, and more about networks than about patterns off commodity trade or off-shore production. Held et al. (1999) In its simplest sense, globalization refers to the widening, deepening and speeding up of global interconnectedness. Robertson (1992) Giddens (1990) Globalization as a concept refers both to the compression of the world and the intensification of the consciousness of the world as a whole. Globalization…is the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring miles away and vice versa. Despite of no single prescribed definition, Manfred Steger has offered the best scholarly description of what globalization is. Pay attention to what he have to say. “the expansion and intensification of social relations and consciousness across world-time and across worldspace.” Manfred Steger Expansion – refers to “both the creation of new social networks & the multiplication of existing connections that cut across traditional political, economic, cultural & geographical boundaries. These various connections occur at different levels. For example, Facebook established new global connections between people while international groups or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are networks that connect a more specific group— social workers and activists—from different corners of the globe. Intensification – refers to the expansion, stretching and acceleration of these networks. Global connections multiply and becoming closely-knit and expanding reach. There has always been a strong financial market connecting London and New York. With the coming of electronic trading, however, the volume of trade increases exponentially since traders can now trade more at higher speeds. Also, the world becomes more financially integrated, after China committed itself to the global economy in the 1980s, Shanghai steadily returned to its old role as a major trading post. The concluding trait of this definition recounts the manner of how people remark time and space. Let’s seal the deal Steger notes, “globalization processes do not occur merely at an objective, material level but they also involve the subjective plane of human consciousness.” In plain language, people start to recognize that the world becomes borderless with just few clicks away. You may now have greater sense of what is happening in other places. Through social media sites, you get to know the latest trends, milestones of your friends or even information that should be kept in private. Globalization is a concept that has been defined variously over the years, with some connotations referring to progress, development and stability, integration and cooperation, and others referring to regression, colonialism, and destabilization. There are myriad of discourses on globalization and some may be confusing. Undeniably, it may be difficult to assess globalization or comment on it because it is so diffuse and almost fleeting. It is essential to study the various theories on globalization so you can understand its dynamics. Now, you have to do… Task #3: Go to youtube.com and watch the video in the provided links. Make sure to get the gist of the video clip by using the guide questions below: https://youtu.be/IQVIYCZ4ec (Globalization theories │Society and Culture │ MCAT │ Khan Academy) https://youtu.be/tLF5J8Y5zyg (Castells and the Network Theory) https://youtu.be/ZirXnc5P20E (Cultural Globalization) https://youtu.be/JN6LIMY2ApQ (Dependency Theory) https://youtu.be/Hk61GIOZ1Ic (C3 Modernisation Theory) https://youtu.be/iwFiSwr_T70 (Global Village Theory) Let us Check Guide Questions: Who are the proponents of each globalization theory? What are the significant claims of theory? The World Systems Theory Modernization Theory Dependency Theory Hyperglobalist Theory Skeptical Theory The Network Theory The Global Village Cultural Globalization Theory and its 4 main points: ➢ Homogenization ➢ Heterogenization ➢ Hybridization ➢ Polarization CONCLUDING THOUGHTS There are myriad of discourse on globalization and some may be confusing. Undeniably, it may be difficult to assess globalization or comment on it because it is so diffuse and almost fleeting. Some scholars found it simpler to avoid talking about globalization as a whole, instead of just one process, they want to discuss “multiple globalizations” For anthropologist, Arjun Appudarai, various kinds of globalization happen on multiple and intersecting dimensions of integration that he calls “scapes” Some scholars found it simpler to avoid talking about globalization as a whole, instead of just one process, they want to discuss “multiple globalizations” For anthropologist, Arjun Appudarai, various kinds of globalization happen on multiple and intersecting dimensions of integration that he calls “scapes” ethnoscape the global movement of people mediascape the flow of culture technoscape Circulation of mechanical goods and software financescape Global circulation of money ideoscape Realm where political ideas move around Although these “scapes” intersect, these have differing logics—they are just distinct windows into the broader phenomenon of globalization Appadurai’s argument is simple: there are multiple globalizations and it is hard to deny his central thrust of viewing globalization through various lenses. Depending of what is being globalized, a different dynamic(s) may emerge
