KOÇ UNIVERSITY

SOSC118 ENCOUNTERS WITH GLOBALIZATION

Social Globalization
Week 8
3-5 December 2024
 Social globalization
• Social globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness and
interdependence of societies worldwide. It involves the ow of ideas, information,
and cultural elements across borders.

• One of the prominent aspects of social globalization is the exchange of cultural

practices, traditions, and values. This exchange is facilitated by advancements in
communication, transportation, and technolo y.

• Social globalization has contributed to increased cultural diversity and pluralism as

people from di erent backgrounds come into contact with each other. This diversity
can be observed in urban areas, where individuals from various cultural, ethnic, and
linguistic backgrounds coexist.

• As a result of social globalization, people have become more aware of global issues and
events. Information about social, political, economic, and environmental
developments in di erent parts of the world is more accessible, leading to a greater
sense of global citizenship.

• Social globalization is closely linked to the movement of people across borders.

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 Global flows of people

MIGRATION

HUMAN YOUTH
TRAFFICKING MOVEMENT

TOURISM
 Migration
• Migration can occur within a single country (also known as “relocation”), or
across national borders (i.e. international migration). At its simplest, migration
can be understood as the movement of people from one place to another.

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) de nes migration as ‘The

movement of a person or a group of persons, either across an international
border, or within a state. It is a population movement, encompassing any kind
of movement of people, whatever its length, composition and causes; it
includes migration of refugees, displaced persons, economic migrants, and
persons moving for other purposes, including family reuni cation.’

• IOM de nes a migrant as any person who is moving or has moved across an
international border or within a State away from his/her habitual place of
residence, regardless of (1) the person’s legal status; (2) whether the movement
is voluntary or involuntary; (3) what the causes for the movement are; or (4)
what the length of the stay is.
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 Migration
• Human migration has taken place throughout history and has at times
been considered as a threat, but more often as an opportunity.

• Signi icantly, some argue that while migration took place from Europe
to other parts of the world, it was viewed as opportunity, and when the
trend reversed to one of immigration into Europe, it became associated
with the notion of a security challenge or threat.

• Estimates of the volume of migration into Europe and other developed

countries in the 21st century corresponds roughly to the volume of
migration outflow in the 19th century. What has changed between the
19th and 21st centuries is that the process of state consolidation resulted
in ixed frontiers policed by state authorities, and that European
countries have become an island of peace, stability and wealth.
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 Migration

International migrants, 1970-2020

 Migration
Top 20 destinations (left) and origins (right) of international migrants in 2020 (millions)
 Migration
• Migration is a phenomenon that must be understood in the context of the complex
and interlinked flows of goods, inance and people. While global flows of goods and
inance are supported and encouraged as part of a liberalist notion of development,
commerce and also security, the flow of people is increasingly being tackled with a
variety of restrictive migration management policies which aim at curtailing it.

• Although it is not a new phenomenon, international migration has acquired a truly

global importance today. There are various reasons that explain why large cross-
border population movements are one of the most distinctive structural
characteristics of globalization.
• International migrations are no longer limited to or localized in certain areas, but
rather they have extended all over the planet.
• The direction of international migration flows is rapidly changing, sometimes
radically.
• The reasons for migrating (economic, labor related, educational, family
reuni ication, political, recreational, etc.) have become increasingly diverse on the
global level.
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 Migration
• A combination of push and pull factors is usually used to explain migration.

• Among the push factors are the motivations of the migrants, contextual issues in
the home country (e.g. unemployment, low pay) making it dif icult or impossible
for them to achieve their goals, and major disruptions such as war, famine,
political persecution, environmental catastrophe, or an economic depression.
• There are such pull factors as a favorable immigration policy in the host country,
higher pay and lower unemployment, family reuni ication, formal and informal
networks in such countries that cater to migrants, labor shortages, and a
similarity in language and culture between home and host country.

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 Types of migration
1. Temporary labor migrants, which include guest workers and
overseas contract workers. These migrants move to a country to work
for a limited amount of time with the intention of sending much of their
income back to family in their home country.

2. Irregular migrants (i.e. undocumented migrants) are people who

move across borders without proper documentation, or overstay their
approved permits, and often do so for economic reasons.

3. Highly skilled migrants are people who move with special work
quali ications. For example, managers, executives, professionals,
technicians, and similarly trained workers respond to favorable labor
markets or the needs of MNCs and international organizations. When
coming from less developed countries in the global South, the exit of
highly skilled migrants can contribute to a signi icant brain drain.
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 Types of migration
4. Forced migrants include refugees and asylum seekers and are
compelled to leave their home countries. While refugees are forced to
flee for their safety and often move in mass numbers (e.g. because of
war, or environmental catastrophe sometimes brought about by climate
change), asylum seekers want to remain in their countries but are
unable (e.g. for political reasons).

5. Family reuni ication migrants are individuals who have family ties
across borders. This type of migrant often seeks to reunite with migrants
that have moved for economic reasons, and it into one of the categories
above. They both draw upon existing networks and recon igure those
networks through migration.

6. Return migrants are those who, after spending time in their

destination country, go back to their home country.
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 Migration and economy: Remittances

• Remittances are inancial or in-kind transfers made by migrants directly to

families or communities in their countries of origin.

International remittance ows to low- and middle-income countries

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 Migration and economy: Remittances
Top 20 recipient countries/territories of international remittances by total in USD billion
(left) and share of GDP (right)
 Migration and economy: Remittances

Top 20 sending countries/territories of international remittances by total in USD billion

(left) and share of GDP (right)
 Migration and challenges
• Migration can give rise to challenges and tensions, both within host societies and
among migrants themselves. Debates about cultural assimilation, identity preservation,
and social integration are common themes in discussions about the linkage between
migration and social globalization.

• Threat perceptions related to migration have heightened in recent years, because:

• The security agenda has been linked to many aspects of policy (broadening and
widening of the concept of security).
• There has been a rapid rise in the numbers of migrants crossing borders and
especially of irregular migrants.
• The notion of ‘the war on terrorism’ and other so-called transnational threats have
been linked to migration, especially irregular migration.
• It is used to justify detention, deportation, pushback and other restrictive policies.
• International migrants can be perceived as an excessive social or economic burden
for the receiving society.
• International migrations have also been judged as a threat to the cultural cohesion
and national identity of host societies.
Youth movement
 Tourism and globalization
• Tourism facilitates cultural exchange as people from different parts of the world
visit new destinations. They often bring their cultural perspectives to the places
they visit, influencing local communities and fostering interconnected identities.
This interaction can lead to the blending of global and local elements,
contributing to the process of social globalization.

• Tourism can lead to both cultural homogenization and localization. While

popular tourist destinations may adopt globalized cultural elements to cater to a
diverse audience, there is also a trend toward preserving and showcasing local
cultures to maintain authenticity and attract visitors seeking unique experiences.

• Tourism is a signi icant economic driver with a global impact.

• Trends in tourism, such as ecotourism, adventure tourism, and cultural tourism,

contribute to the diversi ication of travel experiences. These trends often emerge
and spread globally, influencing the preferences and choices of tourists
worldwide.
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 Global social activism
• Global social movements exemplify cross-border solidarity as individuals, organizations, and
communities unite across national boundaries to address shared concerns and advocate for
common goals. This interconnectedness reflects the principles of social globalization.
• Global social movements often rally around common principles of social justice, human
rights, and equality. These shared values contribute to the development of a global
consciousness, emphasizing the interconnectedness of social issues worldwide.
• Global social movements embrace cultural diversity and promote the exchange of ideas,
values, and practices.
• Participation in global social movements encourages a sense of global citizenship. Activists
recognize their role in a broader global community, emphasizing the idea that social issues are
not con ined by national borders but are shared concerns that require collective action.
• Through global social movements, issues that may initially be con ined to a speci ic locality
gain global attention.
• Successful global social movements can influence international policies and norms. The
recognition of certain rights, the implementation of environmental agreements, and changes
in global governance structures often result from the advocacy of transnational social
movements.
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 KOÇ UNIVERSITY
SOSC118 ENCOUNTERS WITH GLOBALIZATION

Social Globalization
Week 8
3-5 December 2024