Define GLOBALISATION
Several connected changes which have made the lives of people around the world more interconnected
What are the three types of globalisation?
- Economic globalisation
- Political globalisation
- Cultural globalisation
What evidence is there for economic globalisation?
- NIDL (Frobel et al) - structure is now between countries rather than domestic
- Growth of TNCs (McDonaldisation)
- Improved transport & better communications make global trade possible
- Spread of capitalist free market/global financial markets
What is McDonalisation? (Ritzer)
A global process where institutions/businesses adopt a particular method for success
- Efficiency
- Calculability
- Predictability
- Control
What evidence is there for political globalisation?
- global decision making: IGOs
- NGOs & social movements (Youth Strike for Climate) now operate globally
- spread of neoliberalism/liberal democracy (free elections & fewer dictators than democracies)
What evidence is there for cultural globalisation?
- Worldwide media/communications
- global patterns of consumerism
- Cosmopolitan lifestyles
- World Sport
- World Tourism
- Growth of Christianity/Islam
- Dominance of the English Language
Are Neoliberals positive or negative globalists?
POSITIVE - they see it as a good thing because it extends the free markets, liberal democracy and ‘trickle down’ equality (E.g India & China are growing because of capitalism Vs Africa which is still struggling)
What is the Neoliberal view of globalisation?
- It creates a ‘new world order’
- Capitalism replaces other religious/philosophical
movements
- represents desirable progress (ensures peace &
only winners after a period of time) - Encourages cultural globalisation
- if the world & the market are ‘free’ then there will
eventually only be one culture (a dominant superior
Western one)
Are Radicals positive or negative globalists?
NEGATIVE - they highlight issues in DT & WST as the pitfalls of globalisation (impoverished many & bad for the environment)
What theories are Radicals influenced by?
WST & DT (Conflict theories)
What is the Radical view of globalisation?
- serves to increase inequality by making businesses more profitable through exploitative & disingenuous practices
- ‘structural violence’ money is used to subjugate
people in place of guns (Galtung, 1969)
- ‘structural violence’ money is used to subjugate
- Cultural Imperialism leads to cultural homogenisation
- diminishes different culture & values & traditions
- TNCs & IGOs are the new empire builders
- the ‘new world order’ is disorder as the South cannot
be safe & secure as long as the West is wealthy
because their prosperity is based on intensifying the
others poverty
- the ‘new world order’ is disorder as the South cannot
Are Transformationalists positive or negative globalists?
NEITHER - they are uncertain on the outcome of globalisation therefore, try to take an objective stance on the issue
What theory are Transformationalists influenced by?
POST-MODERNISM
What is the Transformationalist view on globalisation?
Cohen & Kennedy (2012)
- globalisation may be unstoppable/slow/reverse
- countries could reject some negative aspects and embrace the positives
- Cultural HYBRIDISATION, not homogenisation
- Reverse culture flows mean the developing world influence the West (white Rastafarians)
- globalisation is transforming old hierarchies of North/South
How far has economic globalisation gone? (limitations)
- It’s far from complete
- Still many national companies that have clear singular bases
- states do have less control over their economies, however, IGOs can still provide worker rights/human rights - limiting the power of TNCs
How do Hirst & Thompson (1999) criticise economic globalisation?
- claim its a MYTH
- Still at a stage where we are only outlining ideal types of an international economy
- nation-states remain important & can control the direction of the world economy
- Although there’s greater global economic activity, still no fully developed global economic system
How far has political globalisation gone? (limitations)
- dictatorships are still possible (e.g Zimbabwe’s Mugabe) & tolerated (e.g Saudi Arabia & USA)
- Governments still make key decisions in driving development e.g war/taxes
- Westernisation had led to extremist religious or national groups e.g Islamic fundamentalists - backlash
- nations are increasingly leaving IGOs e.g Brexit
What did McGrew (2004) argue in support of political globalisation?
- the development of global decision making & diffusion of individual nation’s power
- more global & international movements (e.g Youth Strike for Climate or BLM)
Nevertheless, political activities such as party membership & voting are declining in the North
^ problems increasingly require global & local change - politics is changing to reflect this
What was the Transnational Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)?
In 2016, there were secret negotiations between the EU & the USA concerning the reduction of the nation’s powers in controlling the activities of big businesses.
^ shifts power from governments to TNCs
How far has cultural globalisation gone?
- Americanisms (36,000 Maccies in more than 100 countries)
- Cultural homogenisation (shared cultures e.g Western consumer items - Hello Kitty)
- Reverse flow (Bollywood challenging Hollywood)
- Migration (works both ways, shares culture e.g ethnic foods or practices like martial arts)
Is cultural globalisation always accepted?
- Some countries strongly oppose Western Values
- turn to religious fundamentalism (Iran)
- or Isolationism (North Korea)
(still proves globalisation exists)
Who benefits from globalisation?
- Neoliberals argue that, in the long run, everyone benefits (trickle down)
- Radicals argue the ‘transnational capitalist class’ are the winners
- Naomi Klien argues it’s the TNCs
Who loses from globalisation?
Radicals argue that the negatives outweigh the positives:
- failed to deliver peace & property & stability
- Progress has been slow or non-existent for the ‘bottom billion’
- consumerism has led to environmental problems
(LLEDCs & LEDCs are the losers basically)
What did Cohen & Kennedy argue about global winners & losers?
- globalisation has created ‘global winners’ (increased power & priveledges) and ‘global losers’ (those who have missed out)
