290 likes | 301 Views
Further Defining Globalization. Envs 342 Based on: A Globalizing World? (Understanding Social Change) by David Held. Globalization.
E N D
Further Defining Globalization Defining Globalization Envs 342 Based on: A Globalizing World? (Understanding Social Change) by David Held
Globalization • Hundreds of books and thousands of definitions have been written about globalization. This information from one by David Held enables to compare and exapand the ideas in your reading by Manfred Steger. Defining Globalization
PART 1Three Schools of Globalization Defining Globalization
Three Definitions of Globalization Based on these Key Concepts three major schools of thought on Globalization • Globalists (‘fer sure) • Positive Globalists • Pessimistic Globalists • Inter-Nationalists (skeptics) • Transformationalists(just more of the same) Defining Globalization
1. Globalists Defining Globalization
1. Globalist • Globalization • real & • tangible & • inevitable • Sift in Geography of social relations • Social processes now predominately global phenomena • Impacts felt everywhere • National boundaries Less important Defining Globalization
1. Globalists • Results • National politics, cultures, and economies subsumed into global networks (decline of nation states) • Local differences, autonomy, and sovereignty decrease • More homogeneous global economy and culture emerging • New global structures emerging creating global rules Defining Globalization
1. Globalization • Parting shot • inevitable trajectory of development • Resistance is futile "Resistance is futile" is one of two catchphrases used by the Borg in the Star Trek franchise, spoken with the sort of ominous finality the Borg are well-known for. They leave no room for options, and they know that they have overwhelming force on their side. They are powerful, adaptable, and relentless, and they will win in the end, no matter how long it ultimately takes or how many temporary setbacks they encounter. They will never give up, they will adapt to defeat any weapon or tactic used against them, and they will eventually overwhelm and conquer. http://everything2.com/e2node/Resistance%2520is%2520futile Defining Globalization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZEJ4OJTgg8
More Borgs Defining Globalization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a61fPIgJfgs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ4KbXRrd00&feature=related
A. Positive Globalists • Focus on Welcomed Benefits • Stretched social relations can • Improve Quality of Life (QOL) • Raise living standards • Bring people together • Recognize dangers • Environmental stress/pollution could increase • Stress solutions • Joint responsibility to reduce unsustainable consumption • New Technologies will lessen detrimental impacts JagdishBhagwhati
Technology Solves Climate Change??? Defining Globalization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoMdb9JYMRQ
B. Pessimistic Globalists • World less diverse more homogeneous • Result dominance of a few cultures/economies • North over the south • Can impose their vision, resist others • “The American Lifestyle is not up for negotiation” • George Bush the elder at the Rio Conference • Creates definite winners and losers • Focus on plight of women, unskilled workers, aboriginal groups Defining Globalization Noam Chomsky
Anti-Globalization in the Era of Trump: Joseph Stiglitz on Shared Prosperity Without Protectionism Defining Globalization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWVf7dkys4g
2. Inter-Nationalists Defining Globalization
2. Inter-nationalists • Skeptical • Find little evidence of fundamental change in social relations • Globalization is a myth or exaggerated • Not a NEW PHENOMENON, • no systemic change • Emphasize continuity between past trends and present and Regional over Global • What goes around, comes around Defining Globalization
2. Inter-nationalists • Degree may have shifted but not the basic situation • True that flows have increased • Historical pattern of who is a winners or loser can sift • But Phenomenon of global uneven relationships has remained • Powerful nation states still can act in their own interests (nation state remains but different) Defining Globalization
2. Inter-nationalists • Emphasize local/regional • Most economic and social activity is regional not global • Significant role for nation-states remains Trade Flows for 28 OECD states, note few very strong relationships many weak ones
2. Inter-nationalists • Emphasize historical perspective • Trade is a prehistoric invention • Cultures are always changing from outside influences • 19th century saw “free trade” era ruled by elite countries, repeating it in late 20th century Defining Globalization
2. Inter-nationalists • Result • Dismiss as globalist rhetoric and ideological crusade by big business calling for dismantling welfare state • Limits on local wages, work rules, & taxes • Limits on local environmental regulations • Instead this school is concerned with • women • unskilled labor • environment Defining Globalization
2. Inter-nationalists • Parting shot • Continuation and progression of earlier regional trade links • More powerful still can act in their own interests regardless (nation states) • Most economic and social activity is regional not global – note that was the case in Southernization Defining Globalization
3. Transformationalists Defining Globalization
3. Transformationalists • Agree with Inter-nationalists that Globalists Exaggerate their case • Nation-States still powerful • Militarily, politically, economically • However, agree with Globalists globalization is a significant shift – but question inevitability of the impacts • Thus sort of middle position between other two Defining Globalization
3. Transformationalists • Consequences of globalization are: • complex, diverse, and unpredictable • Uneven in their impact • Hence take more cautious skeptical approach • Autonomy of nation-states is more constrained than in past • Major corporations (TNCs) have agendas other than national ones • There is a need to compete & not be left behind Defining Globalization
3. Transformationalists • Precise form of globalization unknown and unknowable • Not inevitable • May be reversible at least in part Defining Globalization
3. Transformationalists • Parting shot • New forms of Governance will emerge • Based on new progressive structures of democratic accountability • Emphasize interaction between global tendencies and local initiatives • World not on inevitable course • Structures are intensifying and changing • Local initiative can still impact on outcome Defining Globalization
Key areas for comparison • Between these three school know where each falls in following areas • Unique change • Inevitability or not • Resistance or human influence of outcome • Role of Nation-states • Role for other agencies or local regional groups • Myth or reality of Globalization • Regional vs Global activity • Positive versus negative outcomes Defining Globalization Click for table of comparisons
Class Exercise • In your opinion, which school of thought would best describe Shaffer’s Southernization versus the current global trading era? Defining Globalization