UNIT 1
THE DEFINITION OF
GLOBALIZATION
Introduction
This unit discusses the search for a definition of globalization. This is necessary
starting point in studying this multi-faceted and complex concept.
Essential Question
How do students learn in a 21st century learning context?
Intended Learning Outcomes
Differentiate the competing conceptions of globalization.
Identify the underlying philosophies of the varying definitions of globalization.
Agree on a working definition of globalization for the course.
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LESSON #1
THE DEFINITION OF GLOBALIZATION
DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT
Activity 1: K-W-L Chart
This is a pre-assessment activity that aims to know your prior knowledge about the topic. The
K stands for now or your prior knowledge about the topic. W is for want or what do you want to know
more about the topic. The L stands for learned or what you have learned after the lesson. At this
point, you will only fill out the information for the first two columns.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF GLOBALIZATION?
K
W
L
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LESSON INPUTS
In search of Definition of Globalization
•
•
•
Globalization is one of the concepts in the lexicon of social sciences that is hard to define.
o
There is no consensus among the experts of the different disciplines of social sciences on what
really is globalization.
Most of the definitions of globalization tend to focus on one aspect of globalization. It does not
mean that these are wrong, rather, it is a proof of the complexity and being multi-faceted of the
globalization as a concept.
The following are some of the definitions of globalization offered by scholars of different
disciplines:
“the characteristics of globalization trend include
the internationalizing of production, the new
international division of labor, new migratory
movements from South to North, the new
competitive environment that accelerates these
processes, and the internationalizing of the
state…making states into agencies of the
globalizing world” (Cox, nd, as cited in RAWOO
Netherlands Development Assistance Research
Council, 2000, p. 14, as cited by Aldama, 2018).
“globalization refers to global economic
integration of many formerly national
“As cultural process, globalization names the
explosion of a plurality of mutually intersecting,
individually syncretic, local differences; the
emergence of new, hitherto suppressed
identities; and the expansion of world-wide
media and technology culture with the promise
of popular democratization.” (Jameson, 2001,
as cited by Aldama, 2018).
“refers broadly to the process whereby
power is located in global social
formations and expressed through global
networks rather than through territorially-
economies into one global economy, mainly by
free trade and free capital mobility, but also by
easy or uncontrolled migration. It is the
effective erasure of national boundaries for
economic purposes…. What was many
becomes one.” (Daly, 1999, as cited by
Aldama, 2018).
based states.” (Thomas,1999, as cited by
Aldama, 2018).
“[T]he inexorable integration of markets, nation-states and technologies to a degree never
witnessed before – in a way that is enabling individuals, corporations and nation-states to reach
around the world farther, faster, deeper and cheaper than ever before, and in a way that is also
producing a powerful backlash from those brutalized or left behind by this new
system…Globalization means the spread of free-market capitalism to virtually every country in the
world.” (Friedman, 1999, as cited by Aldama, 2018).
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• • You can see the similarities and differences on how scholars define globalization. These varied
descriptions, in fact, enrich our knowledge on what globalization is.
• If you take a look on the first three definitions, you can say that the scholars describe
globalization mainly on economic terms. This is situating globalization as an economic
phenomenon with free trade and migration, to name a few, as driving forces.
• The fourth definition speaks of globalization not as an economic process but as a cultural
process that spreads cultural traits across the globe.
• The last definition’s focus on power is in fact an emphasis on the political aspect of
globalization; its influence is going beyond nation-states.
• Filipino historians Patricio Abinales and Lisandro Claudio (2018) offered the description
provided by Manfred Steger as the “best scholarly description” of globalization. This “working
definition” of the concept is a good starting point to understand the nature and scope of
globalization.
o Steger defined globalization as “the expansion and intensification of social relations and
consciousness across world-time and world-space”
▪ The expansion and intensification refer to the creation and acceleration of social
networks or connections that cut across traditional political, economic, cultural, and
geographic boundaries.
▪ This working definition of globalization cuts across the previously mentioned
definitions. It does not confine globalization to a particular aspect rather it describes
globalization as a process that affects different aspects of our way of living.
Approaches to Studying Globalization
(Steger, 2014, as cited by Steger, Battersby & Siracusa,2014)
•
Like with its definition, there is no consensus on how to study globalization. Manfred Steger, a
▪ scholar on globalization classified three approaches of studying globalization based on
leading
the works of various scholars. Take note that these have similarities and differences among
each other.
o Rejectionists
▪ These are not the critics who pointed on the negative impact of globalization. Rather,
they are those who are questioning the very essence of the concept of globalization.
▪ They believe that the globalization as a concept has very weak theoretical foundations.
▪ Since there is no consensus on what constitutes globalization, they reject its usefulness
as a conceptual tool in studying our global society.
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1.
o Sceptics
▪ Unlike the rejectionists, they believe that globalization is a real phenomenon. However,
they believe that its effect to the global affairs is somewhat exaggerated by scholars.
▪ Hirst and Thompson (2009) said that the term ‘globalization’ is actually a misnomer in
describing the current state of global affairs because the world Sceptics
▪ Unlike the rejectionists, they believe that globalization is a real phenomenon. However,
they believe that its effect to the global affairs is somewhat exaggerated by scholars.
▪ Hirst and Thompson (2009) said that the term ‘globalization’ is actually a misnomer in
describing the current state of global affairs because the world economy is centered on
Europe, eastern Asia, and North America. In other words, the global economy is not as
integrated as the proponents of globalization want us to believe.
▪ Without this global integration of markets, the effect of globalization will remain a
“myth”.
o Modifiers
▪ They do not buy the idea that globalization is just a recent phenomenon that occurred
in the last decade of 20th century.
▪ Robert Gilpin claimed that the global economy of pre-World War I era is more
integrated than the economy of the late 1990s. He cited two factors that support his
claim. One is that the globalization of labour during the pre-World War era is much
greater than the late 1990s. The other one is international migration declined after the
war.
▪ Neo-Marxist scholars can also be classified into modifiers. They claimed that the
globalization as a process dates back to the ancient empires of China, Persia, and
Rome. These empires have wide reach of influence and power in geographic terms.
▪ On the other hand, neo-Marxist scholars believe that globalization was indeed
accelerated during the last few decades of the twentieth century.
“The next part of the module is activities that will
check your understanding of the lesson inputs.”
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ACTIVITIES
Activity 2: Explain It
Read the following definitions of globalization by various scholars. Explain its meaning
on the second column of the matrix below.
DEFINITION
EXPLANATION
“Globalization can be defined as a historical stage of
accelerated expansion of market capitalism, like the one
experienced in the 19th century with the industrial
revolution. It is a fundamental transformation in societies
because of the recent technological revolution which has
led to a recombining of the economic and social forces on
a new territorial dimension.”
Pascal Lamy
Humanising Globalization
https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/sppl_e/sppl16_e.htm
“Globalization means closer integration of national
economies through trade and financial flows as well as
cross-border migration of people. As national economies
“open up” and lower their external barriers, they become
more exposed – and more vulnerable – to global forces
and influences.”
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/
webgdsdsi2012d2_en.pdf
“Globalization is the word used to describe the growing
interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and
populations, brought about by cross-border trade in goods
and services, technology, and flows of investment, people,
and information. Countries have built economic
partnerships to facilitate these movements over many
centuries.”
Peterson Institute for International Economics
https://www.piie.com/microsites/globalization/what-isglobalization
“Generally defined as the network of connections of
organisations and peoples are across national,
geographic and cultural borders and boundaries. These
global networks are creating a shrinking world where local
differences and national boundaries are being subsumed
into global identities. Within the field of tourism,
globalization
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is also viewed in terms of the revolutions in
telecommunications, finance and transport that are key
factors currently influencing the nature and pace of growth
of tourism in developing nations.”
Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism as Motors for
Development
Philip Sloan, Claudia Simon-Kaufman and Willy Legrand
(eds)
“Globalisation is a geo-spatial process of growing
interdependence and convergence, in which worldwide or
pan-regional (e.g. European) spheres of action are
enhanced. In contrast, “internationalisation” is best
understood simply as relations across borders between
nations, or institutions situated within national systems: i.e.
inter-national relations. Note the potentially transformative
impacts of globalisation as compared to
internationalisation. Globalisation is a dynamic process
that draws the local, national and global dimensions more
closely together (Marginson and Rhoades, 2002) and in
often unexpected ways.”
Simon Marginson
https://www.oecd.org/site/imhe2006bis/37474417.pdfGl
obalization means closer integration of national
Activity 3: Globalization in the House
Look inside your house. Try to search for concrete manifestations of globalization. Draw or
take a picture of it and explain why you think it is manifestation of globalization.
DRAWING/PICTURE
EXPLANATION
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Activity 4: Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER)
Read the article Who’s afraid of globalization? By Filipino sociologist Randy David. After
reading the article accomplish the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning Chart. In claim, write the over-all
argument of the article. In evidence, copy the sentence/s in the article that support the claim that
you have written. You will explain why do you think your evidence supports your claim in the
reasoning part.
The link of the article is here:
http://www.randydavid.com/1996/11/whos-afraid-of-globalization/
CLAIM:
EVIDENCE 1
EVIDENCE 2
EVIDENCE 3
REASONING 1
REASONING 2
REASONING 3
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Activity 5: Compare and Contrast
Compare and contrast the three approaches of studying globalization. Use the questions or
criteria at the first column in doing this.
CRITERIA/QUESTIONS
Is globalization real?
REJECTIONIST
SCEPTICS
MODIFIERS
What is their view of
globalization?
Activity 6: K-W-L Chart
Accomplish the L column of K-W-L Chart by answering the question: What is the definition
of globalization?
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF GLOBALIZATION?
K
W
L
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FOR
MORE
INFO …
1. You can watch the video Globalization 1 –The Upside: Crash
Course World History #41 in the YouTube page Crash Course in
World History for a concise explanation of globalization.
2. You can watch the video from this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SnR-e0S6Ic&t=29s
References
Aldama, P. K. (2018). The Contemporary World. Rex Publishing
Claudio, L. E., & Abinales, P. N. (2018). The Contemporary World. C & E
Publishing
San Juan, D. M. (2018). Journeys Through Our Contemporary World. Vibal
Publishing
Steger, M. (2014). Approaches to the Study of Globalization. In M. Steger, P.
Battersby, & J. Siracusa, The SAGE Handbook of Globalization (pp. 7-22).
SAGE Publications Ltd.
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SUMMATIVE
TEST
Summative Test 1: Modified True or False. Write True if the statement is correct; otherwise, change the
underlined word to make the statement correct.
1. There is no consensus on the definition of globalization.
2. Globalization is a phenomenon that encompasses economic, cultural, and political aspects.
3. According to Marginson, globalization is simply the establishment of relations between nations or
institutions.
4. Globalization can be defined as the expansion and intensification of social relations and
consciousness across world-time and world-space.
5. There are scholars who doubt whether globalization is really happening.
6. All scholars agreed that globalization occurred just in the last decades of the 20th century.
7. Free trade and integration of markets are two important concepts in economic globalization.
8. The expansion or spreading of culture is one of the manifestations of globalization.
9. Rejectionists believe that globalization is a questionable concept.
10. Sceptics believe that globalization’s effect is somewhat overrated.
11. According to modifiers, what happening today is not having a real world economy rather an
economy that is centered on Europe, eastern Asia, and north America.
12. Sceptics believe that globalization is not a recent phenomenon.
13. According to modifiers, globalization can even date back to the ancient empires of China, Persia
and Rome.
14. Neo-Marxist scholars can be classified as sceptics.
15. Modifiers believe that globalization as a concept has a weak theoretical foundation.
Summative Test #2
Write a reflection paper that shows how globalization affects your daily life.
Use the following rubric as a guide in writing your reflection paper. This is modified from
https://www.utc.edu/nursing/pdfs/classes/rubric-reflections.pdf
Criteria
Excellent
Good
Introduction, Body
and Conclusion
Easy to read, topic
introduced,
organization clearly
evident with proper
introduction, body,
conclusion
Paper has intro,
body, and
conclusion but may
take a re-reading
to understand
Needs
Improvement
Disorganized,
leaves reader
wondering what is
being said; abrupt
ending
Unacceptable
Fails to meet this
criteria by obvious
disregard for the
expectations stated
in the criteria;
Disorganized and
the reader can not
follow the paper at
any length
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Relation to Topic
The student’s
reflection about the
topic is explained in
clear language;
immediately
interesting and
supported with
detail
Organization
Each paragraph
has a central idea;
ideas are
connected and
paragraphs are
developed with
details; paper is
easy to read and
“flows” naturally in
an organized
pattern
The paper provides
evidence of how
globalization
affects students’
lives
Evidence of Deep
Thinking
Mechanics
No error in
grammar,
punctuation, or
basic writing
mechanics
The entire paper’s
content relates to
the prompt or
topic; the student
explains his/her
reflections about
the topic but may
take a re-reading
to understand
Each paragraph
has a central idea
that is supported
with details; ideas
are connected and
important points
make sense
The paper shows
that the student has
thought about the
topic although the
written presentation
may appear weak
or lack clarity.
Between 1-4 errors
in grammar,
punctuation, or
basic writing
mechanics
Student does not
clearly identify
his/her reflections
about the topic;
may veer from
topic
The topic of the
paper is not
addressed at all;
Fails to stick to the
topic therefore fails
to meet this criteria
Paragraphs are
disorganized; ideas
are included which
do not relate to the
main idea; ideas
are not connected
and have little or
no supporting
details; one
sentence
paragraphs
Paper is shallow
and does not
present detailed
evaluation of
reflection about the
topic.
Fails to meet this
criteria by obvious
disregard for the
expectations stated
in the criteria
Has 5-7 errors in
grammar,
punctuation, or
basic writing
mechanics
More than 8 errors
in grammar,
punctuation, or
basic writing
mechanics
Fails to meet this
criteria by obvious
disregard for the
expectations stated
in the criteria
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