globalisation 1 - sociology

• Giddens view on globalization

  He looked at the importance of globalisation to postmodern society.

  Notes that recent developments in communications technologies underpin many of the transformations associated with globalisation.

  This has resulted in a 'time space compression' in which we are able to communicate with people in faraway places more quickly.
• Cohen and Kennedy definition of globalisation

  Cohen and Kennedy (2000) argue that globalisation is the 'increasing interconnectedness and interdependency of the worlds nations and their people into a single global , economic , political system'.
• Cultural globalisation

  Refers to the rapid movement of ideas, attitudes, meanings, values and cultural products across national borders.
• Giddens view on cultural globalisation

  Said this means that more and more people have a 'global outlook' and increasingly identify with a global audience.
• Robertson view on globalisation

  identified the term 'glocalization' which is a hybridisation of local cultures of goods.
• Definition of global commodity chains

  links between corporations and workers whereby commodities are made into products that are distributed around the world.
• Definition of economic globalisation

  Involves the global expansion of international capitalism, free markets and the increase in international trade.
• Quah's view on economic globalisation

  1999 - 'weightless economy' where products are much more likely to be information based/electronic rather than actual physical goods.
• Definition of political globalisation

  The spread of democracy is increasing as capitalism dominates meaning a decline in dictatorships. Increasing powers of the WTO who helped to regulate world trade. As a result of the growth of these international institutions, nation states now have less power.
• Three global theories

  Global optimists / neoliberals

  Global pessimists / radicals and Marxism

  Transformationalists
• Global optimist/neoliberal view of globalisation

  They believe that globalisation is happening and that it is a positive process characterized by economic growth. They argue that with free trade the wealth will trickle down to the whole population.
• Friedman view on globalisation

  Neo-liberal approach

  Identifies an economic set of principles that he calls the 'golden straitjacket' that countries need to fit into if they are likely to achieve success in the global economy.
• Global pessimist view on globalisation

  Chang and Seabrook argue that globalisation is negative because it is a form of Western imperialism.

  Chang (2008) argues that the neoliberals paint a false picture of the benefits of economic globalisation.

  Seabrook (2005) argues that globalisation makes all other cultures inferior. He argued that globalisation implies a superior civilised mode of living.
• Wallerstein perspective regarding globalisation

  Takes a Marxist approach in critiquing globalisation and the inequalities it creates. He argues that countries can be upwardly or downwardly mobile, however not all countries can move up due to economic inequalities.

  There have been concerns that the dominance of western culture has resulted in the marginalisation of local culture - 'cultural imperialism
• Transformationalist view on globalisation

  Argue that the impact of globalisation has been exaggerated by globalists and they suggest that the globalisation process can be controlled.

  They argue that the flow of culture is not one way and it is a two-way exchange in which Western culture is also influenced.
• Definition of a Hybrid identity

  The fusion of two or more cultures resulting in the creation of new ones.
• Mono-culture definition

  The culture is led or dominated by a single shared belief, objective or other element that defines the group.
• Cohen and Kennedy evaluation of globalisation

  2012 - they argue that globalisation has created both 'global winners' who have increased power and 'global losers' who have missed out. Globalisation then creates two problems:

  - a growing gap between the rich and the poor

  - growing environmental problems because of the spread of consumerism.
• Colliers Bottom Billion - evaluation

  Poorer people in poorer countries have not been helped by globalisation.

  Collier argued that there were 4 traps which prevent countries from developing:

  The conflict trap

  Being landlocked with bad neighbours

  The resource curse

  Poor governance
• Naomi Klein's evaluation of globalisation

  2000 - the winners are the TNC's ; she argues that globalisation is a project by the TNC's to further their own interests and profits.