Subject: The Contemporary World
Bloc/Year
Class Schedule
Topics
Objectives
Discussion and
Assessment No.
: Week 2 & 3
: BPA 1B, BPA 1C, BPA 1D, & BPA 1E
: TTh (1:00-2:30 pm); MW (10:30-12:00 nn, 9:00-10:30 am, 2:30-4:00 pm)
: Introduction on the Study of Globalization
Definition, Dimensions, Metaphors, Reasons, and Importance
Underlying Philosophies of Globalization
: At the end of this weekly module, you must have:
crafted your own personal definition of globalization based on how you experienced it;
and
explained the six core claims of globalization through writing an argumentative essay.
INTRODUCTION
Have you eaten bacons, kimchi, samgyeopsal, hamburgers, pizza, corned beef and hotdogs? Have you listened
to songs in Spotify and watched movies in Netflix, Disney+ or even YouTube? Have you craved for foreign foods? Do you
own things from foreign brands? It cannot be denied that most of your answers would be ‘yes’ on some of the previously
mentioned questions. This is entirely true in our generation and most especially the Generation Z. Therefore, this would
only mean that you are living in the contemporary world.
I. ACTIVITIES
Hello, future public administrators! Before you explore deeper about globalization, answer or do the
following activities first.
A. Opening Guide Questions
1. What do you understand about the word ‘globalization’? How about the phrase ‘the contemporary world’?
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2. Why do we need to study the world?
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3. Is globalization a reality today? If yes, what are the different forces that drives globalization?
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4. How is globalization existing in your locality? How about in the international stage?
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5. As future public administrators, is studying The Contemporary World course important? Explain your answer.
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B. Globalization’s ACROSTICs
Congratulations for answering the first activity. Now, let us do the ACROSTICs of globalization to widen
your understanding about the concept. In this activity, you must define, explain, and express your understanding
about the term through acrostics. In doing so, you may think of any word that is connected to any globalization
concepts by which the acrostic word “GLOBALIZATION” shall be used in crafting your self-definitions.
G- _____________________________________________________________________________________
L- _____________________________________________________________________________________
O- _____________________________________________________________________________________
B- _____________________________________________________________________________________
A- _____________________________________________________________________________________
L- _____________________________________________________________________________________
I- _____________________________________________________________________________________
Z-_____________________________________________________________________________________
A-_____________________________________________________________________________________
T-_____________________________________________________________________________________
I-_____________________________________________________________________________________
O-_____________________________________________________________________________________
N-_____________________________________________________________________________________
II. ABSTRACTION
DEFINITION, DIMENSIONS, METAPHORS, AND IMPORTANCE OF GLOBALIZATION
A. What is globalization?
Many scholars have contributed to the definition of globalization; however, their viewpoints differ. Some
consider globalization as a positive phenomenon, while others see it as detrimental that is inseparable
from various economic, social, and cultural issues. So, what really is the definition of globalization? Below are the
various definitions of globalization as pointed by different scholars.
Thomas Larson
Globalization is “the process of world shrinkage, of distances getting shorter, things moving closer”.
George Ritzer
Globalization is “a transplanetary process or set of processes involving increasing liquidity and the
growing multidirectional flows of people, objects, places, and information, as well as the structures they
encounter and create that are barriers to or expedite those flows”.
Immanuel Wallerstein
Globalization “represents the triumph of a capitalist world economy tied together by a global division of
labor”.
Anthony Giddens
Globalization is the “intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way
that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa”.
Robert Cox
Globalization “includes the internationalizing of production, the new international division of labor, new
migratory movements from South to North (Global South – most countries are poor; Global North – most
countries are rich), the new competitive environment that accelerates processes, and the
internationalizing of the states… making the states into agencies of the globalizing world”.
Yeates (2001) in Yalcin (2018)
Globalization can be defined as an “extensive network of economic, cultural, social and political
interconnections and processes which goes beyond national boundaries”.
Arjun Appadurai
Globalization occurs on multiple and interesting dimensions of integration called “landscapes” “scapes”
(Steger, 2014).
 Ethnoscape. Global flow of people. Movements of people.
 Mediascape. Global flow of culture. Flows of information. The production and dissemination of
information through electronic means. The access of people to modern popular culture. (For
example, access to international entertainment like Hollywood films, K-drama, and anime;
media such as newspapers, magazines, the social network.)
Technoscape. Global flow of technology. Development and boom of technology that facilitates
cross-border connections and transactions - e.g. the internet, information technology, and
engineering)
 Financescape. Global circulation of money. The flow of global capital. International banking and
cash systems allow this to happen. (For example, credit card systems)
 Ideoscape. Global movement of ideas. Flows of ideas. Ideologies of state, and social
movements. (For example, posting of your views on a certain event or human reality on
Facebook; religious missionaries spreading their doctrines to other regions or countries;
environmentalism.)
Manfred Steger
One of the best scholarly definition of globalization is coined by Manfred Steger. He defined globalization
as the “expansion and the intensification of social relations and consciousness across world-time and
across world-space” (Claudio and Abinales, 2018).
 Expansion refers to both the creation of new social networks and the multiplication of existing
connections that cut across traditional political, economic, cultural and geographic boundaries (e.g.,
social media – establishing global connections between people, and NGOs).
 Intensification refers to the expansion, stretching, and acceleration of these networks.
o Expansion of global connections – with this connection, transactions happen at a higher
speed – integration of economies, markets nation-states, cultures, institutions.
 Across world-space and world-time. This is the last attribute of the above-mentioned definition which
denotes that people begin to feel that the world has become a smaller place and distance has
collapsed from thousands of miles to just a mouse-click away.
Note: Globalization is different from globalism. Globalization (process) represents the many processes that allow
for the expansion and intensification of global connection, while globalism (ideology) pertains to the widespread
belief among powerful people that the global integration of economic market is beneficial for everyone, since it
spreads freedom and democracy across the world. Refer to the table below to widen your understanding about
the difference between these two terms.
GLOBALISM (ideology)
GLOBALIZATION (process)
An ideology based on the belief that people, information, The spread of technology, products, information, and jobs
and goods should be able to cross national borders across nations.
unrestricted.
The ideological component of globalization.
Involves increasing interconnection between people
and regions throughout the world.

B. Dimensions of Globalization
Economic globalization. Refers to the widespread international movements of goods, services,
technology, and information. It is the increasing economic integration and interdependence of national,
regional, and local economies across the world through the intensification of cross-border movements of
goods, services, technologies and capital. Economic globalization primarily comprises the globalization
of production, finance, markets, technology, organizational regimes, institutions, corporations, and labor.
Political globalization. Refers to the worldwide growth of political system both in size and complexity. That
system includes national governments, their governmental and intergovernmental organizations, as well
as government-independent elements of global civil society such as international non-governmental
organizations and social movement organizations. One of the key aspects of political globalization is the
declining importance of the nation-state and the rise of other political actors in a global scene. The
creation and existence of the United Nations (UN) has been called one of the classic examples of political
globalization.
Cultural globalization. Refers to the transmission of meanings, ideas, values around the world in such a
way as to extend and intensify social relations. This process is marked by the common consumption of
cultures that have been diffused by the Internet, popular culture media, and international travel. This has
added to processes of commodity exchange and colonization which have a longer history of carrying
cultural meaning around the globe. The circulation of cultures enables individuals to partake in extended
social relations across national and regional borders. Cultural globalization involves the formation of
shared norms and knowledge with which people associate their individual and collective cultural
identities. It brings increasing interconnectedness among different populations and cultures.
Other authors also mention other possible dimensions of globalization such as social, environmental,
military, and technological globalization.
C. Metaphors of Globalization
A metaphor involves the use of one term to better help us understand another term. Thus, in this section,
we will use the metaphor of a “solid” to describe epochs before the era of globalization. Similarly, the global world
will be described as being “liquid.” The use of such metaphors is designed to give you a better and a more vivid
sense of the global age and how it differs from prior e\pochs.
Solidity describes a world in which barriers exist and are created to prevent the free movement of all sorts
of things.
 Prior to the current epoch of globalization, it could be argued that one of the things that characterized
people, things, information, places, and much else was their greater solidity. That is, all of them
tended to be hard or to harden (metaphorically, figuratively, not literally) over time and therefore,
among other things, to remain largely in place.
 Effects:
o People did not go anywhere;
o People they did not venture very far from where they were born and raised;
o Their social relationships were restricted to those who were nearby. Much the same could
be said of most objects (tools, food, and so on) which tended to be used where they were
produced.
(For example: The solidity of most material manifestations of information – stone tablets,
newspapers, magazines, books, and so on – also made them at least somewhat difficult to move
very far.)
 Since people didn’t move very far, neither did information.
 Places were not only quite solid and immoveable, but they tended to confront solid natural
(mountains, rivers, oceans) and humanly constructed (walls, gates) barriers that made it difficult for
people and things to exit or to enter
Liquidity/Fluidity is characterized by the flow and movement of people, things, places, and objects across
geographic boundaries and territories.
 According to Zygmunt Bauman, liquid phenomena:
o have NO shape
o are SPATIAL and TEMPORAL.
o tend to MELT whatever stands in its path
 Solid material realities (people, cargo, newspapers) continue to exist, but because of a wide range
of technological developments (in transportation, communication, the Internet, and so on) they can
move across the globe far more readily.
 Everywhere we turn, more things, including ourselves, are becoming increasingly liquefied.
Furthermore, as the process continues, those liquids, as is the case in the natural world (e.g. ice to
water to water vapor).
D. Reasons of Globalization: Why do we need to globalize?
Rapid shrinking of time and distance across the globe. One can easily cross the bridge going to the other
side of the market place due to advance tools of technology than before.
Domestic markets are no longer rich as a consequence of many interlocking factors.
Companies and institutions go global to find political and economic stability which is relatively good in
other countries than the country of origin
To get technological and managerial information from other countries due to their advancement in
science, technology, education, health and other fields of discipline.
Reduction of high transportation cost if one goes globally using the advance tools of communication and
information
The creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) had made it possible in stimulating increased cross
border trade. There are other world bodies like the UN and several arbitration bodies where countries
agree.
E. Importance of Studying Globalization
In today’s contemporary world, it is important for you to understand and appreciate the study of
globalization for the following reasons:
There is greater demand in business and industry, health, engineering and technology to have people
who can work with people of other nations and cultures.
There is a greater demand of promoting the local business and industry to other countries and if need
be, owners travel independently and internationally for a better promotion.
The contemporary world face global challenges that will take interdisciplinary groups to solve these
challenges: These challenges are: how to provide access to clean water, clean environment, clean
renewable energy that is affordable to everyone and how to deal with the unpredictable climate change
just to name a few. These global challenges need to be solved as soon as possible through the gathering
and sharing of information across disciplines, institutions, and other entities in a global scale.
Creating meaningful, harmonious and workable relationship that link globally is an important aspect of
the merits of globalization, especially if one wish to be President of the future generation.
Knowledge of the merits, demerits and reasons for globalization will enable the students to work as model
of collaborative international team in the near future along the areas of business, education, health,
science, arts, engineering, hotel industries, among others and discuss best products in these areas.
.
SIX CORE CLAIMS OF GLOBALIZATION
(Steger, 2014)
A. Globalization is all about the Liberalization and Global Integration of Markets
Have you ever read Adam Smith's "Invisible Hand"? This claim asserts that globalization results from market
integration as part of 'free trade.' A Business Week article published in the late 1990s states, "Globalization
is about the triumph of markets over governments." Both proponents and opponents of globalization agree
that the driving force today is markets, inducing the role of government. A similar assertion is repeatedly
stated in Thomas Friedman's best-selling book on globalization, The Lexus and the Olive Tree, which
provides the 'official narrative of globalization' in the United States today. As stated in the narrative he wrote
following the 'truth' about globalization, "the driving idea behind globalization is free-market capitalism — the
more you let market forces rule and the more you open your economy to free trade and competition, the more
efficient your economy will be." In this claim, it can be said that globalization entails the spread of free-market
capitalism to nearly every country on the world.
In other words, globalist Friedman strives hard to provide the idea that globalization is essentially an economic
phenomenon. Adjacent to the concepts of liberalization and integration, the liberation of markets from state
control is a good thing. As Joan Spiro (US Undersecretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural
Affairs during the Clinton Administration) put it, "One role [of government] is to get out of the way — to remove
barriers to the free flow of goods, services, and capital" (Steger, 2009).
B. Globalization is Inevitable and Irreversible
Former Philippines House of Representatives Speaker Manuel Villar said, "We cannot simply wish away the
process of globalization. It is a reality of the modern world. The process is irreversible." In addition, former
President Clinton stated in his speech on US Foreign Policy, "Today we must embrace the inexorable logic
of globalization--which everything from the strength of our economy to the safety of our cities, to the health
of our people, depends on events not only within our borders but half a world away." Lastly, Frederick W.
Smith, Chairman and CEO of FedEx Corporation stated, "Globalization is inexorable and it is accelerating...
Globalization is happening, it's going to happen. It does not matter whether you like it or not, it’s happening,
C.
D.
E.
F.
it’s going to happen (Steger, 2009)." All these lines uttered by these people explains the claim that
globalization is both inevitable and irreversible.
Nobody is in Charge of Globalization
The third claim is based on the traditional liberal concept of the self-regulating market.' The relationship
between the 'globalization-market' and the associated idea of 'leaderlessness' is undeniable. As Steger
(2009) writes it, "If the undisturbed workings of the market indeed preordain a certain course of history, then
globalization does not reflect the arbitrary agenda of a particular social class or group." In other words,
globalists are not 'in charge' in the sense of imposing their political agenda on people. Rather, they simply
carry out the unalterable imperatives of a transcendental force far greater than political interests. Additionally,
Goldman Sachs and Vice Chairman Robert Hormats stated, "The great beauty of globalization is that no one
is in control. The great beauty of globalization is that it is not controlled by any individual, government,
or institution."
Globalization Benefits Everyone
The characteristics of globalization are found to have led to expansion of wealth and prosperity in the world.
Opportunities for growth and prosperity have arisen for those who embraced globalization. With free trade
and free markets, societies may be lifted out of poverty while individual nations work hand in hand with their
respective regions and the entire global trading community to build a world that trades in freedom and
therefore grows in success (Steger, 2009).
Globalization Furthers the Spread of Democracy in the World
The concepts of freedom, free markets, free trade, and democracy have similarities that exist between them.
According to Francis Fukuyama, there is a correlation between a country's economic progress and successful
democracy (which is a product of globalization). This democracy leads to the establishment of civil societies
with a powerful middle class, which facilitates democracy (Steger, 2009).
Globalization Requires War on Terror
This sixth claim combines the concept of economic globalization with openly militaristic and nationalistic ideas
associated with the American-led global War on Terror. Prior to the September 11 attacks, Western Europe,
the United States, and Japan dominated economic globalization. These core states were challenged by Al
Qaeda’s Bin Laden during the 9-11 attack. Globalists believe that a powerful, militaristic US foreign policy
will safeguard the gains of globalization (Steger, 2009).
Again, globalization is difficult to define. The flourishing literature on globalization has resulted in a number of
approaches or theories that offer various interpretations of the aforementioned social phenomenon. While there
are many contradictory ideas about it, it is necessary to explore the major theories in order to gain a
comprehensive understanding of globalization.
III. APPLICATION
A. GlobalHINTization
Directions: In the story below, there are various hints of globalization that you can find. Choose only three and
identify what dimension of globalization is applicable to a certain hint. Write your answer in the space provide
after the story.
A Story: Gio, Latif, and the Laksa
When Gio was a second-year international affairs student in a university in Cebu City, he obtained funding to join the school
team participating in an international Model UN competition in Sydney, Australia. At the height of the competition, Gio made a plenty
of new friends and became particularly close to Latif from the Malaysian team. The two first started talking when Latif asked Gio
where he was from. Upon discovering that Gio was from the Philippines, Latif lit up and declared that he was a big fan of Filipino
actors Jericho Rosales and Christine Hermosa. Gio was pleasantly surprised to learn that Latif had seen every episode of the ABSCBN telenovela Pangako Sa’yo (The Promise). The show had aired on Malaysian TV a few years back, and its two stars had
developed a modest following.
Ashamed that he did not know as much about Malaysia as Latif knew about the Philippines, Gio asked Latif what his country
was like. Latif, he discovered, was from a Muslim university in Kuala Lumpur. Gio asked him what he liked best about living in “KL”,
and Latif immediately mentioned the food. Latif explained that in Kuala Lumpur, one can find Chinese, Indian and Malay cuisines. He
told Gio that this assortment of foodways was the result of how the British reorganized Malaysian society during the colonial times.
The British did little to change the way of life of the Malays who were the original residents but brought in Chinese laborers in work
in rubber plantations and tin mines, and Indians to help manage the bureaucracy and serve as the initial professional core of potential
middle class. One of the ways that these ethnic groups were identified was through their foodways.
According to Latif, Malaysia eventually became famous for these cuisines which can be found in the various “hawker
centers” across the nation’s cities and towns. These food stands are in outdoor food parks where locals and tourists taste the best of
Malaysia, from nasi lemak to laksa.
Gio interrupted Latif and asked, “What is laksa?”. He felt more ashamed at his lack of knowledge. “Ah … let me show you
what it is and how it is prepared!” relied Latif.
The next day, Latif took Gio to a Malaysian restaurant, a few blocks away from the university. Gio was surprised to discover
that Malaysian food was already available in Sydney. Having noticed this, Latif explained to his Filipino friend that, over the years, as
more and more Malaysian students moved to Sydney to study, Malaysian restaurants followed suit. Soon after, they were catering
not only to these students, but to Australia-born “Sydneysiders” as well, whose culinary tastes were becoming more and more diverse.
Gio has finally his first taste of laksa – a rice noodle soup in a spicy coconut curry sauce. He found the flavors intense, since
like most Filipinos, he was not used of spicy food. However, deference with her friend, he persisted and eventually found himself
enjoying the hot dish.
After the meal, Gio and Latif went to a nearby café and ordered “flat white” – an espresso drink similar to latte, which is usually serve
in cafes in Australia and New Zealand. Both knew what flat whites were since there were Australian-inspired cafes in both Kula
Lumpur and Cebu.
The new friends promised to stay in touch after the competition and added each other on Facebook and Instagram. Over the next
two years, they exchanged emails and posts, congratulated each other for their achievements, and commented on and liked each
other’s photos. Latif sent his mother’s recipe to Gio and the latter began cooking Malaysian food in his home.
A few years after graduation, Gio moved to Singapore, joining many other overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the citystate. The culture was new to him, hut one thing was familiar: the food served in Singapore was no different from Malaysian food he
had discovered through Latif. He would later learn from Singaporean colleagues that the island country was once part of the British
colony of Malay and the postwar independent Federation of Malaysia. Singapore, however, separated from the federation in August
1965 and became a nation-state. Today, they may be two distinct countries in this part of the world, but Singapore and Malaysia still
share the same cuisine.
After he settled down from his apartment, Gio sought out and found a favorite laksa stall in Newton Hawker Center. He would spend
his weekends there with friends eating laksa and other dishes.
One Saturday, while Gio was checking his Facebook feed along the very busy Orchard road – Singapore’s main commercial
road – he noticed that Latif had just posted something five (5) minutes earlier. It was a picture from Orchard Road. Surprised but also
excited, Gio sent Latif a private message. Latif replied immediately saying that he too had moved to Singapore and was, at that
moment, standing in front a department store just a few blocks away from where Gio was. The two friends met up, and after a long
hug and quick questions as to what each was up to, they ducked onto a café and renewed their international friendship… by ordering
a pair of flat whites.
Hint 1:
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Dimension: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Hint 2:
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Dimension: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Hint 3:
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Dimension: _____________________________________________________________________________________
CRITERIA
Content
and
Correctness
RUBRICS ON GLOBALIZATION CONCEPTUALIZATION
PROFICIENT
EMERGING
5 points
3 points
The definition is correct, clear,
comprehensible, and relevant to
the story.
An extensive amount of effort and
critical thinking is displayed
throughout.
The definition is somehow
correct, clear, comprehensible,
and somewhat relevant to the
story.
A marginal amount of effort and
critical thinking is displayed
throughout.
BEGINNING
2 points
The definition is incorrect,
unclear, incomprehensible, and
irrelevant to the story.
No amount of effort and critical
thinking is displayed throughout.
Originality
The definition shows a large
amount of original thought.
The definition shows little
evidence of original thinking.
Mechanics
There are few to no errors in
spelling,
punctuation,
and
grammar.
More frequent errors in spelling,
punctuation, and grammar.
The definition does not show any
amount of original thought and is
copied from other people's ideas.
The definition shows multiple
errors in spelling, punctuation,
and grammar.
B. GOODbalization or GloBADlization?
Directions: Enumerate and explain three positive and three negative aspects of globalization according to the
status quo and by your personal observations of the reality. Express your answer through visual comparison map,
diagram, table or chart. (Note: You will be graded using the rubrics below)
CRITERIA
Content
and
Correctness
RUBRICS ON GLOBALIZATION CONCEPTUALIZATION
PROFICIENT
EMERGING
5 points
3 points
The definition is correct, clear,
comprehensible, and relevant to
the story.
An extensive amount of effort and
critical thinking is displayed
throughout.
Completeness
Originality
Mechanics
The definition is somehow
correct, clear, comprehensible,
and somewhat relevant to the
story.
A marginal amount of effort and
critical thinking is displayed
throughout.
The definition shows a large
amount of original thought.
The definition shows little
evidence of original thinking.
There are few to no errors in
spelling,
punctuation,
and
grammar.
More frequent errors in spelling,
punctuation, and grammar.
BEGINNING
2 points
The definition is incorrect,
unclear, incomprehensible, and
irrelevant to the story.
No amount of effort and critical
thinking is displayed throughout.
The definition does not show any
amount of original thought and is
copied from other people's ideas.
The definition shows multiple
errors in spelling, punctuation,
and grammar.
IV. ASSESSMENT
A. CRAFTING A PERSONAL DEFINITION
Directions: Craft your own definition of globalization based on how you experienced it in the aspects of:
1. Economy
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2. Politics
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Technology
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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4. Culture
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
B. ESSAY
Directions: The following are the six core claims of globalization as stated by Manfred Steger. Choose two and
explain them through writing a one-paragraph argumentative essay.
A. Globalization is all about the liberalization and global integration of markets
B. Globalization is inevitable and irreversible
C. Nobody is in charge of globalization
D. Globalization benefits everyone
E. Globalization furthers the spread of democracy in the world
F. Globalization requires war on error
Well done! Your successful accomplishment of the first module is a testament to
your efforts and hard work. Just keep going. I am very proud of you. 
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
-1Corinthians 15:58, KJV
REFERENCES:
Claudio, L., & Abinales, P. (2018). The contemporary world (Vol. 2). C & E Publishing, Inc.
Rifai, I. (2013). Various Dimensions of Globalization And Their Implications For The Leadership And Management Of
Education. Journal Lingua Cultura, 7(2), 87–91.
Steger, M. (2014). Approaches to the Study of Globalization. In Sage Handbook of Globalization, Volume 1 (pp. 7-22).
Sage Publications.
Steger, M. B. (2005). Ideologies of globalization. Journal of Political Ideologies, 10(1), 11-30.
Yalcin, B. (2018). What is globalisation? ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.16793.93288
Prepared by:
MARICRIS E. LACOSTALES
Instructor