Globalization

Globalization can be defined as “the pursuit of classical liberal (or “free market”) policies in the world economy (“economic liberalization”), the growing dominance of western (or even American) forms of political, economic, and cultural life (“westernization” or “Americanization”), the proliferation of new information technologies (the “Internet Revolution”), as well as the notion that humanity stands at the threshold of realizing one single unified community in which major sources of social conflict have vanished (“global integration”).” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). This shows all aspects of what globalization is. Globalization has many different factors which play a part in how the cultures, societies, and economies interact amongst each other. Another definition that was discussed by Chomsky is “Globalization is the poor complain they always do but that is just idle chatter, our system brings rewards to all, at least the all that matter. Globalization is described at one specific modality of international integration” (Chomsky). He continued to explain how globalization is also a form of international integration and that the poor people are calling out for this to occur because they will become the “Rational Peasants” (Chomsky). These are what he explains to be peasants who are exporting their goods to make a large profit and by doing that, it is called international integration. That integration has many different measures in which all are declining, which shows the negative part of globalization.

According to Curran and Park it is suggested that “the rise of new communications technology, compressing time and space and transcending national frontiers, is bringing into a “global village” (Curran and Park 7). This excerpt helps to understand what globalization is really about, being that with everything that is evolving in this world today the people are becoming a “village” or one group together. As Curran and Park also stated “This is reducing national division, and enhancing international understanding and empathy, because people are better connected to each other through international channels of communication” (Curran and Park 7). This helps to support the globalization process and how it relates to communication. The one thing that this does not relate to is the political aspect of globalization.

Curran and Park touch on the political economy aspect of globalization. It is stated that “global deregulation also led to the spectacular growth of international financial markets, giving rise to capital movements between countries on an unprecedented scale. These movements were highly sensitive to the effect of national government decisions on short-term profitability, and curtained what governments were able to do”(Curran and Park 9). This states that globalization has a great effect on the economy and the political aspect of it. Though with the economical and political aspects of globalization there tends to be more risks than there are positives and it seems to be the opposite with the cultural aspects of globalization. “Globalization has brought unprecedented prosperity but it has also brought crisis and risks we are only beginning to understand. To understand where we are and where we are going it needs to be understood what has happened with globalization in the past events”(PBS Documentary Chap.3). This excerpt stands very true in almost everything, in order to know what direction it is going, especially with globalization, it needs to be understood where it was.

It is said in the PBS documentary that “Globalization means Americanization” (PBS Documentary 10). As stated earlier in the blog that the media tends to focus more on the globalization in America rather than the entire globe. The possible reason for focusing more on America and the UK could be that the other parts of the world like Singapore for example has more negative effects from globalization than positive. It was stated that “There are risks to globalization, but in the end, there is no alternative to globalization” (PBS, Ch. 15). That statement came from the prime minister of Singapore who realizes that there are many negatives in globalization because he has experienced them. He also realizes that the world is constantly changing around us and that is based off of the changes/ globalization, since he realized this, like most others, he is accepting globalization and moving with it to the best of his ability. The real source of change in today’s world with the world getting smaller and smaller and the growth of the global economy as we say will be the providers of capital funds.

In this last part the negatives and positives will be discussed. First, the political aspect brings a significant issue within globalization. Curran and Park touch a great deal on the negative political aspect of globalization. It is stated that “The weakening of the government is a particular problem for social democracy because it is a statist political philosophy” (Curran and Park 10). They also touch on the fact that there is a great deal of vulnerability within the different political models. Another statement that is made in the Curran and Park reading is that “The power to resist, and the power to support values and social arrangements that reflect the will of the people through the democratic system, have been diminished everywhere” (Curran and Park 10). Those excerpts show the negative aspect of globalization and how it is declining. As it was touched on earlier in the blog global communication is something that is a positive when dealing with globalization. Now-a-days global communications have become more of a phenomenon because of the constant need to be communicating.

In the Curran and Park it is stated that “The drive towards globalization or communications has been resumed” (Curran and Park 11).There are different mediums that are used within the globe and the most common one is television (Curran and Park 11). That is a common medium between cultures and the other common medium is the media. With the new forms of communicating amongst each other the globe has the common medium of media and networking. With the websites available like Twitter and Facebook it makes it possible to stay in contact with other people. These sites also help to communicate with people on the other side of the world. For example say you met someone from Poland and you wanted to stay in contact, now you wouldn’t have to send a letter and wait weeks or months for a response, you could send an e-mail or a Facebook message and be in contact in a few hours. The global communications have increased dramatically over the years, and that is one of the greatest positives that has come from globalization. As of right now there are many positives and negatives that come from globalization, and if the globe works together to create more positive than negatives globalization won’t be considered such a negative thing.

1. Scheuerman, William, "Globalization", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2010 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.) http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2010/entries/globalization/. 06 Jan.2011.

2. Chomsky, Noam. "What Is Globalization?" YouTube. 26 Mar. 2007. Web. 05 Jan. 2011

3. Curran, James, and Myung-Jin Park. "Beyond Globalization Theory." De-Westernizing Media Studies. London: Routledge, 2000. Print.

4. "Commanding Heights: Storyline | on PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 05 Jan. 2011.

5. Chomsky, Noam. "Discussion on Globalization." YouTube. 30 Oct. 2006. Web. 06 Jan. 2011.