Media and Globalization

Lecture 2

Introduction Part II: Definitions and Processes of Globalization

Dina Lache Iacov, PhD

Introduction Continued...

More definitions and processes of globalization Risks and benefits of globalization Schools of thought regarding globalization theory
The place and role of the media in globalization

What is Globalization?
Globalization is a contested term, but it is usually used to describe a series of interrelated processes, including: Internationalization of production Trade & finance International movement of people International communication flows Global circulation of ideas Development of international organizations, e.g. World Bank, IMF Growing significance of global NGOs, e.g. Amnesty Int., Red Cross

Basic Definitions
Globalization is a term commonly used to describe the spread and connectedness of production, communication and technologies across the world. Robertson's definition: Globalization is best thought of as the growing interconnections in the world. It is the result of a series of historical processes (economic, political, cultural) through while the world has become compressed, and which have led to an awareness that the world is becoming a single place"

Globalization Definitions
Many definitions of globalization. Jan Art Scholte (2000) has identified 5 broad definitions of globalization which are useful as a starting point: Globalization as Internationalization (loose interdependence) Globalization as Liberalization (open, borderless economy) Globalization as Universalization (a planetary synthesis of cultures) Globalization as Westernization/Modernization (Americanization, imperialism, McDonalization) Globalization as Deterritorialization (reconfiguration of geography where territorial borders are increasingly irrelevant)

So is globalization on the rise?

Prof. Noam Chomsky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHJPSLgHemM&featur e=related

Modern Conceptions
Contemporary analysts associate globalization with:

Deterritorialization as Jan Aart Scholte observes, "global events can via telecommunication, digital computers, audiovisual media, rocketry and the like occur almost simultaneously anywhere and everywhere in the world" (Scholte 1996, 45).
Interconnectedness geography is still important but distant events and forces impact local and regional activities. Speed or velocity of social activity high-speed transportation, communication and information technologies are the most immediate source for the blurring of geographical boundaries; fast flows, movements and interchanges of people, information, capital and goods

Conceptions Continued

Long term process despite contested roots, most agree that it is not recent or sudden. Some believe that glob has become more intense in recent decades as innovations create new possibilities due to hi-speed technology affecting territorial compression. Multi-pronged process deterritorialization, social interconnectedness and acceleration manifest themselves in many different arenas of social activity economic, political and cultural. Each form of globalization generates distinct conflicts and dislocations.

Recurrent Themes In Sum

Globalization, thus, has powerful economic, political, cultural and social dimensions. The following four themes appear are regularly discussed in the literature:

de-localization and supraterritoriality the speed and power of technological innovation and the associated growth of risk the rise of multinational corporations the extent to which movement towards (global) free markets to leads to instability and division

What are the advantages and risks?

Bright Side / Dark Side

Pros: communication, knowledge, streamlining, production, speed, employment, opportunity.... Obama on challenges of globalization
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7owMXrLu2d8&feature=rel ated

Cons: broaden socioeconomic gaps; unemployment, industrial pollution; exploitation; child labor; sweat shops... Hidden Faces of globalization
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bhodyt4fmU&feature=rela ted

Globalization and the Knowledge Economy

Productivity and competitiveness are largely a function of knowledge generation and information processing. For countries in the vanguard of the world economy, the balance between knowledge and resources has shifted so far towards the former that knowledge has become perhaps the most important factor determining the standard of living - more than land, than tools, than labour. Today's most technologically advanced economies are truly knowledge-based. (World Bank 1998)

Does this mean that only learning societies will thrive?

Globalization and...
Risk: The gain in power from the "techno-economic progress" entails risk (Ulrich Beck) which is the probability of harm arising from technological and economic change (e.g. pollution).
Branding primary producers in knowledge economy; multinationals outsource The impact of multinationals on local communities: 1. This can mean both new sources of employment as well as unemployment as companies establish or contract operations (inequalities; exploitation). 2. Multinationals seek out new or under-exploited markets and look to increase sales by trying to create new needs among different target groups. This is related to increasing commodification and rise of the brand. 3. Erosion of public space by corporate activities

Threat to Public Space

Giroux (2000: 10), for example, discusses this with respect to young people: [Y]oung people are increasingly excluded from public spaces outside of schools that once offered them the opportunity to hang out with relative security, work with mentors, and develop their own talents and sense of self-worth. Like the concept of citizenship itself, recreational space is now privatized as commercial profit-making venture. Gone are the youth centers, city public parks, outdoor basketball courts or empty lots where kids call play stick ball. Play areas are now rented out to the highest bidder..."

Impact of Multinationals Continued

4. Multinational companies can also have significant influence with regard to policy formation in many national governments and in transnational bodies such as the European Union and the World Bank (key actors within the globalization process).

Theories of Globalization
Theories of globalization can be summarized into 2 broad groups: Strong globalization theories (the globalists): These argue that globalization has resulted in a radical shift in societies and that the analytical categories that have guided social analysis such as the nation-state, society, national economies, and national cultures are becoming less and less applicable Weak globalization theories (skeptics): These argue that globalization is just another extension of imperialism that the discourse of globalization helps justify and legitimize the neo-liberal global project, e.g. the creation of a global free market and the consolidation of Anglo-American capitalism

Where do the media fit in?

Media are at the center of changes driving globalization. This is related to three dimensions: 1. Rapid Development of Technology media constitute the technologies and the service delivery platforms through which international flows are transacted 2. Leaders of Global Expansion/Integration The media industries are leaders in the push towards global expansion and integration 3. The media provide informational content and images of the world through which people seek to make sense of events in distance places

Mediated Globalization
Mediated globalization - processes of globalization occurring increasingly through the media (the media's role).
Globalization through the media changes: Peoples social relations Forms of interaction Peoples experience

Definitions
Thus Rantanen (2005:8) defines globalization as: A process in which worldwide economic, political, cultural, and social relations have become increasingly mediated across time and space. Anthony Giddens (1990: 64) defines globalization as: The intensification of worldwide social relations, which link distance localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa.

Themes in Media and Globalization

In sum, media and globalization focus on the following: The role of the media and cultural industries in the process of globalization Media ownership Changing trends in international news Global flows of communication Mediated communication through, e.g. news, film, music, internet Political economy of the media

Media Shaping Knowledge

Knowledge or mind control?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PE7VHDLnYw&feature=rel ated

Impact of new technology on traditional newsgatherer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6HRt1bH_dw

Concluding Comments
Studying globalization is an intellectual challenge because: It takes us beyond the conventional concerns of international politics, media and IR. We have to think of new ways of studying the compression and interconnectedness of the world (new frameworks and concepts). We have to appreciate the importance of the growing consciousness of the world that people possess, and which can shape their thinking on politics and policy.

Key References
Scholte, J.A. 2005: Globalization: A Critical Introduction 2nd Ed. (Palgrave) Held, D. et al 1999: Global Transformations:Politics, Economics and Culture (Polity) Lechner, F. and Boli, J. 2005: World Culture: Origins and Consequences (Blackwell) Lechner F. and Boli, J. (eds) 2004: The Globalization Reader 2nd Ed (Blackwell) Robertson, R. 1992: Globalization: Social Theory and Global Culture (Sage)