Globalization: Causes, Consequences and Reflections

According to Osterhammel and Petersson, globalization “summarizes a wide spectrum of experiences shared by many people” (2). I agree with this statement and would go on to claim that globalization is a group of processes and events, some beneficial and some harmful, that have resulted in the spread of networks across the world. However, this spread of networks did not happen over night. This is in part because not all interactions are transformed into networks, as these require a certain degree of longevity. In order for interactions to become networks, groups must consider the range between each other and their interactions must be important or impactful, intense, fast, durable, and frequent. For the reason that each of these characteristics must be present in order for networks to form, globalization has been in the works for many centuries and is still at work today. Therefore, while the historical events and processes of past centuries have provided the roots of globalization, the modernization of recent decades has built upon these roots to connect the world in a way

Globalization, described as the expansion, intensification and acceleration of global interconnectedness, is one of the intense phenomena that the contemporary era has experienced. It has influenced the monetary, ecological, and societal characteristics of all the nations of the world. Due to both positive and negative consequences on the life of the citizens the world over, globalization is one of the most talked about issue of this century (Javed 2004).

“Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology. This process has effects on the environment, on culture, on political systems, on economic development and prosperity, and on human physical well-being in societies around the world” (The State University of New York, 2014, para 1).

Globalization, defined as “a process that aims to expand business operations on a worldwide level, and was precipitated by the facilitation of global communications due to technological advancements, and socioeconomic, political and environmental developments” has been around for ages. However, it is a force that is becoming increasing more relevant in today’s world. In layman’s terms, globalism is the merging or “melting” of individual perspectives and markets into a more global market. As of recently, society has been obsessed with studying globalization. However, the conversation is rarely economical. Globalization is typically looked at as a social or cultural force that is shaping and connecting the world. This is scene in clothing styles, human travel, and popular culture that has become increasingly similar across nations. That sentiment isn’t wrong-globalization does have a cultural side, but many people are missing the economic impacts that this new world is facing. In fact, the economic implications of globalization and how governments legislate to control them leads to significant opportunity, but also huge threat globally.

Globalization has been a process underway for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. From the Roman Empire, to caravans on the Spice Road, to the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the process of connecting the globe in an interdependent web has been underway for a long time. Today, it seems that this process has been quickly accelerated. Since the end of World War II and the rebuilding effort that followed it, global development has increased at an intense rate fueled by transnational corporations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. These multilateral organizations have transformed our global economy and reshaped our society.

The world is not a large and strange place anymore. The world is a place that is interconnected and intertwined. The world has become from a place that each country and their peoples are separate and isolated to a place that each country and their peoples are part of a global network. Thanks to globalization this is occurring. Globalization is the ‘international integration” or ‘de-bordering’ – “a number of highly disparate observations whose regular common denominator is the determination of a profound transformation of the traditional nation-state” (Von Bogdandy 2). Globalization is connecting different people from different cultures and backgrounds together. More and more corporations are entering new foreign markets to sell their

Globalization is the process by which different societies and cultures integrate through a worldwide network of political ideas through transportation, communication, and trade. Generally, globalization has affected many nations in various ways; economically, politically, and socially. It is a term that refers to the fast integration and interdependence of various nations, which shapes the world affairs on a global level. Simply put; globalization is the world coming together. In this essay I will discuss multiple perspectives on globalization through the analysis of these three sources.

We all live in a globalized world; due to technologies being rapidly made it has driven globalization. Now we are well informed about other countries across the entire world and able to communicate internationally. Globalization has created a framework for cooperation among homelands. Generally, it has affected our nations and, indirectly we, the citizens in various ways; economically, politically, and socially, however it is a fast integration and association of various nations, which shapes the world affairs on a global level. The concept of globalization is evident in the many difficult challenges that come with it, involving our cultural differences, and the regulating challenge of globalizations. The phenomenon of globalization has affected many cultures around the world, resulting in the Americanization of other nations.

Although the first use of the term ‘globalization’ can be traced back to the 1940s, it was only after half a century that this concept stormed the public consciousness. The buzzword ‘globalization’ exploded into the ‘Roaring nineties’ because it captured the increasingly interdependent nature of social life on this planet. Earlier the concept of globalization was viewed as a techo-economic juggernaut spreading western culture and the intellection of capitalism and quashing local beliefs and national traditions. Thus, it was viewed as a ripple of Americanization. One corollary of the propagation of this perspective created fears in the minds of people, who had utter love and affection towards their own culture.

During the last decade of the twentieth century, the word ‘globalization’ has become an increasingly prominent feature of political, social, and economic discussion in academic and policymaking circles, as well as in the media. The processes and outcomes of globalization drew attention and debates that had one thing in common. The research shows that nearly everyone agrees that globalization is a trend that is changing the face of the world, and as a result the world society lives in a more ‘globalized’ world. Nearly two and a half decades passed since 1990s, and studies have been conducted to examine the causes and consequences of globalization. Moreover, nearly every person experiences some type of globalization and can testify firsthand the effects it has on their life, society, and the state. The analysis of the effects that globalization dynamics have on the world society indicates that globalization has a significant positive impact via spreading opportunities and wealth across nations, stimulating innovation and productivity, enhancing the economic development of poorer countries, and helping to improve living standards.

The affairs around Globalization are not new to the study of World Politics. Although Globalization is not a new phenomenon and historians, anthropologists and economists can agree that Globalization is not a new phenomenon there are little to no agreements to the origin of Globalization and when it started. The definition of Globalization from the Mirriam-Webster dictionary defines Globalization as “the act or process of globalizing : the state of being globalized; especially: the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets”. With taking the Miriam-Webster definition into account while looking into influential theories that

In today’s landscape, globalization is surely a highly-loaded term and one that cannot be denied. However, it cannot be accurately evaluated without taking into consideration the point of view of those who have be most heavily impacted, or “globalized” by its spread. Things do not appear as black and white as certain agents of globalization, such as governments or corporations may want to believe and even portray it as such. In both literature and reality, it can be seen that there are more than one side to every issue, and the concept cannot be considered ethically without spending time in consideration of those most significantly affected. Our initial vision of globalization is one that has been sugar coated

‘Globalization: What’s new? What’s not? (And so what)’, portrays the speed in which globalism has increased through many different factors; economically, military, environmentally and socially. This is an idealist analytic approach, not set in stone. This leads on to

There are many ways to look at and understand modern globalization. In general terms, globalization means that the world, as a whole, is leading to a more utopian society, meaning that the globe is become very interconnected and similarities are growing between different regions and cultures of the world. Globalization is a phenomenon that has been evolving since before 10,000 B.C. This constant evolution can cause many problems, but it can also solve many issues positively as well. Development of any country, however, seems to be a key issue when discussing globalization. Globalization and development present two different factors in the world today. Many countries are lacking in their own development while the world around them is becoming more developed and globalized. Globalization hinders development because with globalization, less developed countries depend on more developed countries to help them to sustainability and self-reliance.

The issues of globalization increasingly dominate the universe’s life. The concept of globalization according to Robertson (1992) refers to the narrowing of the world as incentives and increased our awareness of the world, namely the increasing global connections and our understanding of the connection. Globalization is a situation in which no boundaries between the people of the world and links communities in a country with people in another countries. Globalization departs from an idea to unite the nations which is expected to be a mutual agreement and guidelines for nations around the world. Globalization is able to waive the space and time constraints to get the interaction and communication between nations can be done