Defining

Globalization
Introduction to Concepts, Definitions, and Perspectives

• Much has changed • The Global Age

since time • Globalization makes
immemorial us part of the ‘global
• Human societies age’ (Albrow, 1996)
have undergone • Internet connects
major changes
people instantly
• Social relationships
and structures • Mass media links
evolved communities and
• Globalization as the countries worldwide
most important
change (Bauman,
2003)
What is
Globalization?
Dimensions of Globalization

Economic – trade, business, production

Political – governance, institutions, policies

Cultural – values, practices, and beliefs

Connotations of Globalization
• Progress → Globalization helps societies advance through new technologies,
knowledge-sharing, and innovation.
• Example: Online learning platforms make education accessible worldwide.

• Development → Countries benefit from foreign investments, more jobs, and

better access to goods and services.
• Example: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in the Philippines creates thousands of jobs.

• Integration → Nations are more connected than ever—economically, politically,

and culturally.
• Example: ASEAN promotes cooperation among Southeast Asian countries.
According to Larsson (2001), globalization can be seen positively as a kind of “world
shrinkage,” where distances feel shorter, global interaction becomes easier, and countries or
people gain mutual benefits.

Connotations of Globalization
According to Khor (1990s), globalization can be seen negatively as a form of modern
colonization, often linked with regression, colonialism, and destabilization, which may lead to
the exploitation of weaker nations.
 The Task of Defining Globalization
Webster's Dictionary (1961): Formal Entry
The term "globalization" first appeared in Webster's Dictionary in 1961, marking its emergence into formal
academic and public discourse.

Broad & Inclusive: Ohmae's 'Borderless World' (1992)

A broad and inclusive definition tries to capture globalization in very general terms. For example,
Kenichi Ohmae in 1992 said globalization means ‘the onset of a borderless world.’ While this is
inspiring, it is also vague. It doesn’t explain what globalization really does to politics, culture, or the
economy.

Narrow & Exclusive: Cox's Specific Flows (2000)

Robert Cox described globalization in terms of production, labor division, migration,
competitiveness, and how states are transformed by global processes. This type is useful because it
is concrete, but the downside is that it may ignore other important dimensions.”.
Modern Definitions
George Ritzer (2015): The Dynamics of Globalization
“More recent scholars like George Ritzer see globalization as a transplanetary process.
He emphasizes flows—of people, goods, ideas, and information. But these flows are not
always smooth. There are structures that make them easier, but also barriers that can
slow them down or even block them.”

Perspective Matter
One important lesson:
The way you define globalization depends on your perspective. Appadurai (1996)
described it as a ‘world of things’ moving at different speeds. Al-Rhodan (2006) said
definitions actually reveal the writer’s standpoint. If you see globalization as good, you’ll
define it as integration. If you see it as harmful, you’ll define it as inequality and
exploitation.
Globalization as Debate
Cesare Poppi (1997) said something very powerful: ‘Globalization is the debate, and the
debate is globalization.’ This means that the discussion itself is part of globalization. Its
meaning is shifting, wide, and vague. And as literature on globalization grows, the
debate becomes endless.

Globalization as Reality
Beyond definitions, globalization is a lived reality. It happened in the past through
exploration and colonization, it’s happening now with technology and trade, and it will
continue in the future. The challenge is that globalization is fluid and complex, so we can
never predict it fully.
Metaphors of
Globalization
Using Metaphors to Understand Globalization

Past: people, ideas, and From Solids to Liquids

things were ‘hardened’ and
less mobile Solids can ‘melt’ →
Solidity = barriers to globalization becomes
movement more liquid
Natural: mountains, oceans Liquidity = increasing
Man-made: Great Wall of ease of movement
China, Berlin Wall
Symbolizes today’s
Modern: China’s nine-dash
line in South China Sea world: fast, dynamic, less
fixed
Using Metaphors to Understand Globalization
Characteristics of Liquidity
Liquidity vs. Solidity
(Bauman)

Fast-changing – shifts in
seconds (e.g., stock markets)
Solidity and liquidity interact
Unstoppable – viral content constantly
spreads instantly
But today → liquidity
Boundary-crossing – dominates
political borders less effective
Globalization best described
Liquidity melts whatever as liquidity
stands in its way (Ritzer,
2015)
Flows

The Concept of Flows Other Examples of Flows

Flows = movement of Migration – poor illegal

people, things, ideas, migrants flooding many
information nations (Moses, 2006)
Made possible by porous Virtual flows – legal (blogs)
global boundaries (Ritzer, and illegal (child
2015) pornography) information
Examples:
Food culture (sushi, ramen,
Ethnic enclaves – Filipino
burgers, fries in the Philippines) communities abroad, Chinese
Global financial crises spreading enclaves in PH
worldwide
Origins and History
of Globalization
• Hardwired View – Globalization is part of human nature.
• Nayan Chanda (2007) said people naturally want a better life, so they travel, trade, and
connect with others.
• Example: Early humans left Africa 50,000 years ago and spread across the world.
• Just like today, people migrate to other countries to work, study, or find opportunities.

• Cycles View – Globalization comes and goes like waves.

• Scholte (2005) explained that globalization has happened before, disappeared, then came back
in new forms.
• Example: The Silk Road connected Asia and Europe for trade, but it declined. Centuries later, shipping, airplanes, and
even online shopping revived global connections. Like fashion trends, globalization reappears in different ways.

• Epochs View – Globalization happens in stages of history.

• Therborn (2000) identified six “epochs” (waves):
• Spread of religion (Christianity and Islam, 4th–7th centuries)
• European colonialism (Spain colonized the Philippines in the 1500s)
• European wars (18th–19th centuries)
• European imperialism (1800s–1918)
• Post–World War II (U.S. became a superpower, Hollywood films spread)
• Post–Cold War (after 1991, more countries joined the global economy)
• Each stage shows how globalization looked different in each period.
• Events View – Globalization was pushed by big events.
• Some scholars point to specific events as the “starting point.”
• Examples:
• Roman Empire’s expansion connected many regions.
• Genghis Khan’s invasions linked Asia and Europe in the 1200s.
• Columbus “discovered” America (1492) and Magellan circumnavigated the globe (1522),
proving world connections.
• Modern examples: the invention of the Internet (1988), first TV broadcasts across the
Atlantic (1962), and the 9/11 attacks (2001), which changed global travel and security.

• Recent Changes View – Globalization became strongest after World War II.
• Many scholars believe today’s globalization started in the late 1900s.
• Key changes:
• Rise of the U.S. as a superpower – spreading influence through movies, music, media, and diplomacy.
• Example: Hollywood films became popular worldwide.
• Growth of multinational corporations (MNCs) – companies expanded beyond their home country.
• Example: Ford, General Motors, Coca-Cola, and McDonald’s now operate in many nations.
• Fall of the Soviet Union (1991) – opened Eastern Europe and Russia to world trade, travel, and communication.
• Example: More countries joined global trade and even China became a key player in global business.