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 2. IMPERIALISM 3. CAPITALISM

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. Neo-liberal policies of globalization entail that less powerful citizens can be more easily deprived of benefits.

2. Benefits can be more easily reduced. 3. Benefits are not received by most people

in the population. 4. The principle of universality has been

seriously eroded by globalization.

FOR EXAMPLE:.

1. 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 alienated labour.

2. Imperialism

1. Imperialism –is the notion that developed nations can help and exploit lesser developed nations.

2. Inclusiveness leaves nothing untouched. This notion has an embedded militarism.

3. The Koran and the Semitar, the Bible and the Sword, Communist manifesto and tanks.

4. Imperialism is colonialism with added militarism

3. Capitalism

1. Capitalism-Profit or surplus value. 2. The search for suplus value-the market

drive for profit 3. Cheaper and more efficient ways of

producing goods for sale and consumption. 4. 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

1. SF-modernization and adaptation

2. Conflict theory-dialectical change towards end of capitalism-its last crisis

3. Symbolic Interactionism-rationalization

Functionalist Believe..

1. The economy will take care of itself

2. Economics is structurally differentiated from politics

3. Economic downturns =market correction…not collapse

Symbolic Interactionists (Weber)

1. Globalization=Iron cage of capitalism 2. Increase in formal rationality of

bureaucracy I.e. monopoly capitalism 3. 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

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 higher-

although 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 ownership-

4. 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