T1 - globalisation

• Globalisation refers to the world becoming more interconnected through travel, trade, and communication. This has been accelerated by the advancement in new technologies.
• Old Versions of Globalisation

  • Humans have always travelled across geographical boundaries for travel, trade, and communication.  
  • E.g. Roman, Moor, or European colonial conquests - globalization is not a new phenomenon 
• Globalisation as a new phenomenon: 

  • Advancement of new technologies such as the Internet, airplanes, and digital communication led to an increase in globalization.
  • The global trade of goods is now much larger, quicker, and less restrictive  
  • Digital communications have enhanced the speed of communication: the exchange of new ideas is now transnational, instantaneous, and continuous. 
• Some people, such as Amazonian Indians who live in traditional ways, are rarely impacted by the globality of the Internet. However, these people do experience some global issues such as global warming and climate change. 
• Marxists on Globalisation:

  • The rich and the poor may experience globalization differently 
  • The rich worry less about the pollution that globalization brings whilst the poor are likely to be affected directly  
• Berry

  The old do not benefit from new digital media as much as the young.

  • D - disabilities like arthritis that stop them
  • I - Not interested
  • S - Don't have the skills
  • C - Cost is too high
• What are the positive effects of Globalisation?

  Gives people the opportunity to make a variety of choices regarding their lives and identity which can be liberating and empowering for people who want to be relieved of old oppressive traditions.
• Giddens (positive effects)

  • Globalisation has led to detraditionalization, a decline in traditional behaviour. 
  • Example: global campaigns such as #girlsnotbrides and #metoo have led to greater global awareness of gender inequality.  
• Postmodernists on globalisation:

  • Welcomes globalisation because it brings increased consumer choice  
  • Now millions of products, tourist destinations, and information available. 
  • Increased opportunities allow for highly personalized choices which are liberating and exciting. 
• Giddens (negative effects)

  • Globalisation means we see more international news which leads to anxiety and a feeling of risk.
  • ‘New riskiness’ as a result of the increasingly international nature of problems (international terrorism, climate change, etc)
  • The new lack of fixed structures and traditions results in people turning to addiction or fundamentalism as a reaction
  • These people may then seek out a clear political or religious ideology (like ISIS) that offers a strict and simple explanation of the world
• Ritzer (Neo-Marxist)

  • McDonaldization means local cultures are disappearing under pressure from American restaurants. 
  • Cultures are becoming homogeneous - the local economy is impacted as they are unable to compete with the economic power of global brands. 
  • Applicable to other industries: western tastes threaten traditional clothing leading to Americanization 
  • ‘McJobs’ as a result of strict service guidelines of multinational companies (wearing the same uniform, doing tasks in the same way) which leads to less empowerment for employees.  
• Robertson

  • ‘Glocalization’ is the mixture of localisation and globalization  
  • Local or global companies tailor products and services to fit local conditions (McDonald's don't serve any beef in India) 
  • Glocalization is a way to maintain cultural diversity whilst welcoming global ideas.