Contemporary World

John Ercel Lozada

Professor

Globalization
7. The growing interconnectedness of
Globalization financial markets, such as the
increased use of foreign currency and
• Globalization refers to countries' international stock markets.
increasing interconnectedness and 8. The spread of a global consumer
interdependence through exchanging culture, with similar products and
goods, ideas, and cultures. This can be brands available in many countries.
driven by advances in technology and 9. The growing influence of international
communication, as well as trade and law and human rights on national
investment. policies.
• The spread of ideas, cultures, and 10. The increasing impact of climate
information, as well as increased change and environmental
economic interdependence and the degradation on a global scale.
growth of international trade and
investment.
• The erosion of traditional ways of life Different Philosophical Perspectives on
and increased competition, cultural Globalization
homogenization, widening wealth gap,
increased pressure on natural 1. Neoliberalism: This philosophy
resources, and negative impacts on the emphasizes the importance of free
environment and labor standards. trade, deregulation, and privatization
• The growing influence of international as a means to promote economic
organizations, such as the United growth and development.
Nations and the World Trade Neoliberalism views globalization as a
Organization, on global political and positive force that can bring economic
economic affairs. benefits to all countries through
increased trade and investment.
Examples of Globalization 2. Marxism: This philosophy views
1. The growth of international trade in globalization as a tool used by
goods and services. capitalist countries and multinational
2. The rise of multinational corporations corporations to exploit workers and
and the globalization of supply chains. natural resources in developing
3. The increased movement of people countries.
across borders for work, study, and 3. Cosmopolitanism: This philosophy
tourism. views globalization as an opportunity
4. The spread of popular culture, such as to create a more interconnected and
music, movies, and fast food. harmonious global community based
5. The growing importance of on shared values and mutual
international organizations, such as understanding.
the United Nations and the World 4. Nationalism: This philosophy views
Trade Organization. globalization as a threat to national
6. The increasing use of the internet and sovereignty and cultural identity and
social media for communication and calls for countries to prioritize their
information sharing. interests over those of the global
community.

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Lesson 1 – Introduction to Contemporary World and Globalization
Contemporary World
John Ercel Lozada
Professor

7. Military globalization: This refers to

5. Green Globalization: This philosophy the growing interconnectedness and
views globalization as an opportunity interdependence of countries in the
to promote sustainable development field of defense and security.
and protect the environment through 8. Educational globalization: This
carbon reduction and biodiversity refers to the increasing
conservation policies. internationalization of education,
6. Postcolonialism: This perspective on including the growth of international
globalization critiques how it has been students, the spread of international
used to perpetuate the historical power curricula, and the emergence of cross-
imbalances between the global North border education programs.
and South.
Characteristics of Globalization
Types of Globalization
1. Interconnectedness: Globalization is
1. Economic globalization: This refers characterized by the increasing
to the increasing integration of national interconnectedness and
economies through trade, investment, interdependence of countries,
and the movement of capital. economies, societies, and cultures on
2. Cultural globalization: This refers to a global scale.
the spread of ideas, values, and 2. Mobility: Globalization is
customs across borders, as well as the characterized by the increasing
growth of a global consumer culture. movement of goods, services, people,
3. Political globalization: This refers to information, and capital across
the growing influence of international borders.
organizations and global governance 3. Diversity: Globalization is
on national politics and policy-making. characterized by the variety of
4. Technological globalization: This perspectives, cultures, and
refers to the spread of technology and experiences it brings together.
innovation across borders, as well as 4. Complexity: Globalization is a
the increasing use of technology for complex process that involves multiple
communication and information actors, such as governments,
sharing. businesses, civil society organizations,
5. Environmental globalization: This and individuals, and is shaped by a
refers to the growing impact of variety of factors, such as technology,
environmental issues and concerns on culture, and politics.
a global scale, as well as the 5. Ambiguity: Globalization is
increased cooperation and characterized by its ambiguity and the
coordination needed to address them. fact that it can positively and
6. Social globalization: This refers to negatively affect different aspects of
the increasing movement of people life and different groups of people.
across borders for work, study, and 6. Change: Globalization is a dynamic
tourism, as well as the growth of process constantly changing, and its
transnational communities and effects are continually evolving.
networks.

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Lesson 1 – Introduction to Contemporary World and Globalization
Contemporary World
John Ercel Lozada
Professor

7. Multidimensional: Globalization is a
In short, industrialization is a process of
multidimensional process seen in
economic development that occurs within a
different aspects of life, such as
country and leads to an increase in
economic, cultural, social, and political.
manufacturing and production. At the same
8. Transnational: Globalization is
time, globalization is a process of increasing
characterized by the emergence of
interconnectedness and interdependence
transnational networks and
between nations on a global scale, leading to
communities and the growing
increased trade and cultural exchange.
importance of global actors.
9. Contingent: Globalization is a
contingent process shaped by different
actors' political and economic choices Anti-globalization
and the social and cultural context in Anti-globalization refers to a movement or
which it unfolds. ideology that is critical of the adverse effects
10. Multiscalar: Globalization can be of globalization and calls for a more localized
seen as operating on different scales, and sustainable approach to economic and
from the local to the global, and the social development. The movement emerged
effects can vary at different levels. in the late 1990s and early 2000s in opposition
to the policies of free trade and financial
liberalization promoted by international
Industrialization and Globalization organizations such as the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and the International
Industrialization and globalization are two
Monetary Fund (IMF).
different but related processes.
Anti-globalization activists argue that
Industrialization refers to the development of
globalization can lead to several negative
advanced manufacturing and production
effects, including:
techniques, as well as the growth of industrial
societies characterized by large-scale 1. Widening income inequality and
production and the use of machinery. It poverty, particularly in developing
typically leads to urbanization and an increase countries
in the standard of living for a country. 2. Environmental degradation and loss of
biodiversity
On the other hand, globalization refers to
3. The exploitation of workers and erosion
countries' increasing interconnectedness and
of labor standards
interdependence through exchanging goods,
4. Loss of cultural identity and traditional
ideas, and cultures. Technological advances,
ways of life
transportation, communication, economic
5. Greater dependence on the global
policies, and trade agreements drive it. It can
economy and vulnerability to global
lead to the spread of ideas, cultures, and
economic downturns.
information, as well as increased economic
interdependence and the growth of
international trade and investment.

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Contemporary World
John Ercel Lozada
Professor

The alter-globalization movement also

Anti-globalization activists advocate for emphasizes the importance of alternative
alternative economic and social development forms of globalization, such as fair trade,
approaches that prioritize localization, community-based development, and the
sustainability, and social and localization of economic and social
environmental justice. This includes fair development. This approach aims to create a
trade, community-based development, and more inclusive and equitable form of
alternative forms of globalization such as globalization that benefits all people and
deglobalization and relocalization. respects workers' rights, communities, and the
environment.
Some have criticized the anti-globalization
movement as being protectionist and Alter-globalization is often seen as a more
hindering the economic growth of pragmatic and realistic approach than the
developing countries. Additionally, the move anti-globalization movement, as it recognizes
has been criticized for not providing a clear the potential benefits of globalization while
alternative to the existing financial system and addressing its adverse effects and providing
for not recognizing the potential benefits of apparent alternatives that can be
globalization. implemented.

Alter-globalization History of Globalization

Alter-globalization is a term often used to The history of globalization can be traced back
describe a more progressive and critical to ancient times, with the growth of trade and
perspective on globalization, unlike the anti- cultural exchange between different
globalization movement. Alter-globalization civilizations. However, globalization, as we
emphasizes the need to address the adverse know it today, began to accelerate in the 19th
effects of globalization while also century with the advent of new technologies,
acknowledging the potential benefits of such as the steam engine and telegraph,
increased interconnectedness and significantly improving transportation and
interdependence on a global scale. communication.
Alter-globalization activists argue that ➢ The first wave of globalization (1870-
globalization can be a positive force for 1914): During this period, there was a
economic and social development, but only if significant increase in international
principles of equity, sustainability, and trade and investment, driven by
social and environmental justice guide it. advances in transportation and
They advocate for the reform of existing communication, as well as the
international institutions and policies, such as expansion of European colonialism.
the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the ➢ The growth of international trade was
International Monetary Fund (IMF), to make facilitated by reducing tariffs and other
them more democratic and responsive to the trade barriers, as well as the gold
needs of developing countries and standard, which helped stabilize
marginalized communities. currencies and promote international
trade.

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John Ercel Lozada
Professor

lead to increased access to markets,

➢ The interwar period (1914-1945): The resources, and technologies, as well
outbreak of World War I and the as increased productivity and
subsequent Great Depression led to a efficiency.
decline in international trade and • Poverty Reduction: Globalization can
investment, as well as the rise of reduce poverty by creating jobs and
protectionist trade policies and increasing economic opportunities for
economic nationalism. people in developing countries.
➢ The post-World War II period (1945- Through trade, countries can access
1970): After World War II, globalization new markets and resources, which can
began to pick up again, driven by the help promote economic development.
reconstruction of Europe and the • Cultural Exchange: Globalization can
economic boom of the 1950s and promote cultural exchange and
1960s. The Bretton Woods conference understanding by bringing people from
established a fixed exchange rate different countries and cultures into
system, which helped promote contact with one another. This can
international trade and investment. lead to the spread of ideas, customs,
➢ The neoliberal era (1970-2008): The and values and help to break down
early 1970s marked a turning point in cultural barriers.
the history of globalization, as the • Political Cooperation: Globalization
Bretton Woods system broke down and facilitates political cooperation and the
was replaced by a system of floating resolution of global issues by
exchange rates. This was accompanied encouraging countries' participation in
by a shift towards more neoliberal international organizations and
economic policies, characterized by agreements.
deregulation, privatization, and trade • Technological
and investment liberalization. Advancements: Globalization
➢ Post-2008 period: The global financial accelerates technological
crisis of 2008 marked a significant advancements and innovation by
setback for globalization, as trade and creating opportunities for countries to
investment flow declined, and many share ideas, technologies, and
countries adopted protectionist trade resources.
policies. However, globalization has • Consumer Choice: Globalization
continued to progress, driven by gives consumers more choice and
technological advances and the access to goods and services from
increasing interconnectedness. around the world, which can lead to
increased competition and lower
prices.
Positive Side of Globalization • Improved standard
• Economic Growth: Globalization can
promote economic growth and
development by increasing trade and
investment among countries. This can

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Lesson 1 – Introduction to Contemporary World and Globalization
Contemporary World
John Ercel Lozada
Professor

• Political and economic power

Negative Side of Globalization
imbalance: Globalization can reinforce
• Widening income inequality and the power imbalance between
poverty: Globalization can lead to developed and developing countries,
increased income inequality, as developed countries have more
particularly in developing countries, as resources and greater access to global
the benefits of economic growth may markets.
not be distributed evenly.

• Environmental
degradation: Globalization can lead to
increased pollution and resource
consumption due to increased trade
and transportation.

• The exploitation of
workers: Globalization can lead to the
erosion of labor standards and the
exploitation of workers in developing
countries as companies seek to
reduce labor costs.

• Loss of cultural
identity: Globalization can lead to the
erosion of traditional cultures and loss
of cultural identity due to increased
Western influence.

• Dependence on the global

economy: Globalization can make
countries more dependent on the
worldwide economy and vulnerable to
global economic downturns.

• Loss of jobs: Globalization can lead to

job losses in developed countries as
companies outsource jobs to
developing countries where labor is
cheaper.

• Political instability: Globalization can

lead to political unrest as countries
become more interdependent and
vulnerable to the economic policies of
other countries.

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Lesson 1 – Introduction to Contemporary World and Globalization