Globalization
Globalization Defined
 Globalization
is the process by
which ideas, beliefs and
practices cross national
boundaries and tie individuals
to world wide processes.
Globalization forces

Three forces Drive Globalization:
1.
UNIVERSALISM
IMPERIALISM
CAPITALISM
2.
3.
Universalism
 Interest
in global expansion is
based upon a material products
that can be made and
distributed on a global basis.
 Universal business practices
1. Universalism
See McDonaldization-the
homogenization of culture.

Corporations –level the landscape.

Products produced in chain store
fashion
McDonaldization
George Ritzer in his book The
McDonaldization of Society (1993). He
explains McDonaldization occurs
when cultural possesses assume the
characteristics of a fast-food restaurant.
 Scientific management =Weber’s
rationalization thesis.

Universalism
is not universality
Universality is a left wing movement…
 A philosophy concerning the provision of the
benefits of the welfare state which declares
that all citizens have access regardless of
their need.
 For example, all citizens receive the same
access to health care in Canada, regardless
of their income.
Globalization runs counter to
Universality
1.
2.
3.
4.
Neo-liberal policies of globalization entail
that less powerful citizens can be more
easily deprived of benefits.
Benefits can be more easily reduced.
Benefits are not received by most people
in the population.
The principle of universality has been
seriously eroded by globalization.
FOR EXAMPLE:.
Local crops are replaced by specialized
industries
2. Standard of living may go up for some, for
many there is increasing exploitation.
3. Instead of goods exchanged through
barter, individuals must work for a company
and pay for goods in cash.
4. This has been linked to patriarchy and
1.
alienated labour.
2. Imperialism
1.
2.
3.
4.
Imperialism –is the notion that developed
nations can help and exploit lesser
developed nations.
Inclusiveness leaves nothing untouched.
This notion has an embedded militarism.
The Koran and the Semitar, the Bible and
the Sword, Communist manifesto and
tanks.
Imperialism is colonialism with added
militarism
3. Capitalism
1.
2.
3.
4.
Capitalism-Profit or surplus value.
The search for suplus value-the market
drive for profit
Cheaper and more efficient ways of
producing goods for sale and consumption.
Capitalism is characterized by systematic
consumption, systematic exchange, wealth
accumulation.
Globalism
-a new nationalism

Globalism -a transnational political
mobilization that focuses individual
energies on global issues rather than on
the nation-state.
Globalism includes
 Global
consciousness where
opinions are formed and issues
are resolved by hammering out
global interests.
 UN, World Bank, INTERPOL…
History Of Globalization \
5 Key Events
 1-Expansion
of the West
 2. Uneven development
 3.WW1 and WW2
 4. American self consciousness
 5. Neo-liberal movement
(1980s)
Key features
Globalization
It is a process that both connects
and stimulates awareness of
global connection.
 Globalization dissolves the
autonomy of Nations in
contemporary world order.
 Globalization enhances global
inequality

See David Korten’s Book

…

When Corporations Rule the
World by. David C. Korten, Kumarian
Press and Berrett-Koehler Publishers,
1995 ...
Globalization
Involves the following six processes:
 1. International economic institutions
 2. Global corporations
 3. International markets
 4. Global production/consumption
 5. More competitive nations
 6. World wide division of labour

Liberalism over collectivism

Liberal Interpretation
Adam Smith developed first
developed the notion of
individualism and the division
of labour
To A. Smith,
Wealth of Nations
Capitalism is a mutually beneficial
system consistent with human
nature. (See Hobbesian view of
man)
Socialist debate this (See
Rousseau’s view man)
Globalization debate

The is significant debate
around globalization from
different sociological
perspectives..
Paradigms on Globalization
SF-modernization and
adaptation
2. Conflict theory-dialectical
change towards end of
capitalism-its last crisis
3. Symbolic Interactionismrationalization
1.
Functionalist Believe..
The economy will take care of
itself
2. Economics is structurally
differentiated from politics
3. Economic downturns =market
correction…not collapse
1.
Symbolic Interactionists (Weber)
1.
2.
3.

Globalization=Iron cage of capitalism
Increase in formal rationality of
bureaucracy I.e. monopoly capitalism
Decrease in substantive rationality,
loss of human control
See G. Ritzer on Mcdonaldization of
culture
Logo culture
The symbols signs and language are
characterized by Corporate Logos
 Logos affect consciousness.


See Naomi Klein’s book, NO
LOGO…(1999)
Conflict Theory
THE GLOBAL VILLAGE is THE
GLOBAL EXPLOITATIVE MARKET
 FREE ENTERPRISE IS AN ILLUSION’
 FREE FOR WHO?

Karl Marx’s Writings

Include 6 key points regarding the
political economy and global
economics:

The 6 points are as follows:
TO MARX…Conflict Theory
THE GLOBAL VILLAGE is THE
GLOBAL EXPLOITATIVE MARKET
 FREE ENTERPRISE IS AN ILLUSION’
 FREE FOR WHO?

Marx on Capitalism








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1. Marx believed that capitalism is ultimately a system of exploitation
2.Marx believed workers receive a pittance wage compared to the owners of
the means of production
3.
Marx believed that Socialism would replace capitalism
4. Liberal critics argue that Socialism is unrealistic, others believe it may
still happen
. 5. Contractions of capitalism =(surplus value)
6. Surplus value requires worker exploitation.
7. Maximization of profit requires bourgeoisie to go further abroad for profit.
8. Economic downturns inevitable
9. Attempts to correct system will ultimately fail.
10. Capitalism sows the seeds of its own destruction.
THE RESULT: will be improved
economic order-interests of all men
better served.
SOCIALISM OR
 SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION or True
communism

POST MODERNISM
IS HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE ENTIRE
CONCEPT OF MODERNIZATION.
 Is society `modernizing’ or is it merely
going round and round…fragmented,
multiple realities, multiple discourses?.

Mel Hutig, The Betrayal of
Canada
Mulroney Betrayed Canada...speech in
1983 stated:

"Free trade with the United States is
like sleeping with an elephant. It's
terrific until the elephant twitches, and if
you role over you are a dead man"

(Thunder Bay, 1983)
Mulroney-Gave away the store...






1. Bill C22 weakened generic drug laws.
in the name of profit
2. FIRA and National Energy Program
`guaranteed access'
3. Secret deals over Softwood Lumber.
4. Secret deals over the value of the
Canadian dollar.
Free Trade Implications
(M. Hurtig)
.1. Unemployment-4% points higheralthough recession will end-"but high
unemployment, underutilized capacity,
and a lower standard of living overall"
 Underemployment-part-time,
temporary, contractual jobs.

2. Deindustrialization
2. Deindustrialization-a warehouse
economy-worse than branch plant....GDP
now 16% from 19% before FTA



3. Jobs Heading South -"blind doctrinaire
adherence to age old Adam Smith
economics"
Foriegn ownership4. Foriegn ownership-1.fewer jobs

2.poorer jobs

3.less diverse
exports

4. fewer
professionals

Key features
Globalization
It is a process that both connects
and stimulates awareness of
connection.
 Globalization dissolves the
autonomy of actors and practices
in contemporary world order.

Summary

GLOBALIZATION is key issue in
sociology today.

Sociological theorists-structural
functional, conflict and symbolic
interactionist debate its significance in
terms of modernization
Some Definitions
The analytical definition highlights universal
factors (e.g., Giddens).
The historical definition focuses on specific
developments (e.g., Freidman).
The merger of both perspectives (e.g.,
Robertson):

Robertson defines globalization as the
compression and intensification of
awareness
of the world, both of which have developed