EDITORIAL
The Journal of Globalization Studies is a new international journal distinguished by its
focus on the systemic aspects of globalization processes in particular political, economic, geographic, social, cultural and historical contexts. However, why do we need
a new journal on globalization?
Indeed, there are a number of journals dealing with globalization problems. However, the growing complexity, increasing interrelatedness between all countries and recurrent economic and political crises that have global repercussions demand new approaches. This requires a wider range of views than is usually found in other globalization
journals. In particular, we believe that seeking perspectives that cross organizational,
geographic and cultural boundaries may aid in reducing misunderstandings and diminish
the negative aspects of globalization. The present financial crisis has only emphasized
the need both to develop local solutions in a global environment and at the same time to
search for global solutions to common problems. New approaches are required that
demonstrate an appreciation of the ‘local’ in particular political, economic, social, cultural and geographic contexts, while simultaneously promoting effective change in response to pressing global issues.
The Journal of Globalization Studies provides a multi-faceted analysis of globalization that is based on the understandings of authors working in both Western and nonWestern traditions. We believe that current events such as the global financial crisis illustrate that discussion should not be limited to particular geographic regions or narrowly-defined methods of analysis. We intend to co-operate with scholars from many different countries; we intend to provide visions of global processes from both the developed
and developing countries, including those in Africa, Asia, Latin America, East and Central Europe, Russia and the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Journal of Globalization Studies builds on previous research and a sharing of
perspectives by the four editors – two from Russia and one each from New Zealand and
the USA. The idea for the journal came from the Russian editors – but why? Russia is
a place where Western and non-Western ideas and cultural processes have been meeting
for centuries. In this respect Russia is a suitable country for the establishment of a journal with the aims outlined above.
In summary, the special character of the Journal of Globalization Studies is that it
provides for a broad international and multicultural forum on issues associated with
globalization, including the impact of globalization on particular cultural-geographic
regions. The journal invites all students of globalization to enrich the discussion by presenting their perspectives.
Globalization is a very broad concept not only with respect to the diversity of regions, cultures, and actors, but also with respect to the diversity of analytical approaches
that can be employed to study it. We are striving to cover various aspects and dimensions of globalization, to see both its local and its global manifestations.
Journal of Globalization Studies, Vol. 1 No. 1, May 2010 3–5
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Journal of Globalization Studies
2010 • May
We attempt to initiate this discussion with the first issue of our journal in which we
consider the main dimensions of globalization (its political, economic, humanitarian and
historical dimensions), though, of course, these dimensions are not the only ones impacted by, or through which, globalization may be studied. We have also started a ‘Philosophies of Globalization’ section where the very plural form of philosophies suggests
that there is no single globalization philosophy; rather, there are diverse opinions on
globalization from both its advocates and opponents that should be given a hearing.
From our perspective, globalization studies imply research that is not just limited to
the most popular spheres of economic and political globalization, but also includes the
study of global problems such as climatic change, cultural globalization, and so on.
These aspects are also discussed in the present issue to a certain degree.
In general, the themes of our journal include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Theory of globalization;
 Global problems of modernity;
 Formal models of globalization processes;
 Futurological aspects of global studies; global dynamic forecasts etc.;
 Economic, scientific-technical, social, political, ecological, cultural, ethnic, religious and other aspects of globalization;
 Local solutions in a global environment;
 Analysis of problems of non-Western and Western states in the context of global
processes;
 Global economic crises;
 Impact of electronic media on globalization;
 Impact of globalization on the development of information systems;
 Philosophical aspects of globalization;
 Global history and the processes of globalization in the past;
 Human problems in the light of problems of globalization;
 Civilizations and globalization;
 Impact of globalization on social relationships and human psychology within particular geographic and cultural contexts.
We hope that the new journal will make a tangible contribution to the development
of globalization studies, to the improvement of mutual understanding between various
cultures and societies of our unique global planet.
Introduction to the First Issue
The first section provides an historical and retrospective account of globalization. William R. Thompson points out that how we make sense of world politics and episodes of
accelerated globalization depend on our historical scripts. A series of eight counterfactuals encompassing the past 1000 years are harnessed to buttress the utility of framing the
development of the modern world economy around a chain of dominant economies and
system leaders extending back to Sung China and forward to the United States.
The second section explores the political dimension of globalization. In the first article Randall Collins investigates world law from the viewpoint of geopolitical principles.
He demonstrates how the rule of international law depends on a dominant coalition upheld by favorable geopolitical conditions; and on the extension of bureaucracy via state
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penetration, on a world-wide scale. In the second article Christopher Chase-Dunn presents a model of the structures and processes of the modern capitalist world-system –
globalization from above. He describes how global women's movement, the labor
movement, environmentalists and indigenous movements support a democratic global
commonwealth – globalization from below. In the third article Tom Rockmore explores
the global social contradiction between capitalism and an influential form of Islam. He
argues that this contradiction, ‘which is largely due to the unfettered expansion of increasingly globalized economic capitalism, lies at the root of 9/11’.
The third section focuses on the economic dimension of globalization. Leonid Grinin and Andrey Korotayev explore global causes of the global economic crisis and the
possibility that it will lead to the transformation of the global financial system. The evidence for both the negative role of the world financial flows and their important positive
functions is summarized and analyzed, compared and contrasted. Rafael Reuveny explores the link between climate change and world trade. He discusses the state of
knowledge on the effects of trade on the environment and evaluates whether the biosphere can accommodate perpetual economic growth. A research program is proposed
that focuses on the WTO and the environment in the context of climate change. Arno
Tausch analyses economic growth and social development in 173 countries. With global
economic gravitation shifting to the Indian Ocean/Pacific region, the article analyses
especially the role of foreign capital penetration (as the key variable of past quantitative
dependency studies) for contemporary economic growth and social performance.
The fourth section deals with the human dimension of globalization. Danielle Poe examines the principle of subsidiarity (social and legal matters ought to be handled at the
most local and appropriate level). She shows how this principle has been applied in papal
teachings, Catholic Social Tradition, by environmentalists, and in criminal justice work.
The fifth section introduces several philosophies of globalization studies.
William C. Gay begins his essay by defining globalization, antiglobalization, and alterglobalization. Next, a case is made for the relevance of the new international, interdisciplinary field of Global Studies for understanding and assessing globalism. Finally, a
normative framework is developed for addressing global issues, specifically the one that
regards ending war as the most pressing global problem. Xu Yanling analyzes antiglobalization and alterglobalization thought from philosophical, political, economic, technical,
social and international perspectives. The conclusion is that globalization is delivering
positive outcomes, but that evolutionary change is required to ameliorate its negative
impacts. Axel Dreher, Noel Gaston, Pim Martens, and Lotte Van Boxem critically review
the indices developed to measure globalization. Measurement issues associated with
different methodologies, choice of variables and weights are analyzed and the value of
co-operative interdisciplinary frameworks assessed.
The final section presents a review by Janet McIntyre-Mills of a book from the
globalization studies literature and notes about new publications connected with the
globalization problems.
Leonid Grinin (Russia)
Andrey Korotayev (Russia)
Victor de Munck (USA)
James Sheffield (New Zealand)