|
- What is Globalization?
- Globalization is the spread of free- market capitalism to virtually every country in the world. Therefore, globalization has its own set of economic rules - rules that revolve around opening, deregulating and privatizing national economies in order to make it more competitive and attractive to investment capital. It also has a dominant culture, one largely based on western culture as it homogenizes with other regional cultures to varying degrees. And it also has its own defining technologies, namely computerization, minaturization, digitization, and the Internet. All of this leads to integration, which will continue to change life at the local, national and global levels. (more information)
- Globalization as an Economic System?
- Globalization ended the Cold War, and the United States and the West were viewd as reigning 'victorious' because it had the system best able to compete within a globalized market. But more countries and individuals have a chance in the global markers because the system rewards the most productive, efficient and least corrupt plarties, no matter what size they are. This will increase the volitility in the short term markets, but will have huge monetary gains for everyone in the middle and long term. All governments must therefore be responsible for providing some minimum layer of safety net to catch those that fall to reach economic development immediately.
For countries to take advantage of the democratization of technology, finance and information that is currently underway, and thereby level the playing field economically, they need to reform and open their markets. By doing this, countries can easily improve the standards of living of their constinuents, if not aquire wealth. The road is difficult and backlashes are likely, but can be minimized through following the economic terms of the system. (more information)
- Globalization as a Social System?
- In, and of itself, Globalization is nothing more than an economic system. However, because, with the collapse of the Cold War, the United States of America had the largest economy much of what is thought of as the social system of globalization is simply a process called 'westernization' or 'americanization'. Because globalization is so ideal for business, it can become an extremely diffifcult place for people to live. The pace of everything is rapidly increasing and at the moment, due to the size of the US's economy, the social culture accompanying economic openness is western (specifically american) commercialism.
Hence, societies and governments must play by the 'rules' of international markets, but create their own path as to how to culturally achieve their goals. Without this, the strength of the backlash could slam the door against globalization or, in reverse, a society will have lost 'itself', potentially devastating all societies and countries around the world. (more information)
- Globalization as a Political System?
- Again, globalization is primarily an economic system. However, as within the social realm, there are attributes of globalization in the political sphere. Unlike the Cold War, the world is filled entirely with competitors now. Nation- states are no more able to live in this situation than most individuals. As such, alliances between culturally similar nations are probable and only worrysome in cases where alliance- states are not all economically developed, as violence will not deter underdeveloped areas. This will display the overridding anarchy of the international political arena.
A system could develop once all nations are at least on their way towards economic developement. When we all increasingly know how others live, it creates a whole new dynamic to local and world politics. Some autrocity happening in some dark corner of the world is now known and leaders can only choose not to act. And some opportunity being enjoyed in another corner of the world can no longer be censored, leaders only have the choice between delivering it or denying it to their people. In a few years, every person will be able to comparison shop between their country and the one next door or across an ocean. The power is in the hands of the people. They now decide the relevant issues and capable forms of government. (more information)
|
