The Contemporary World

and Globalization
GE TCW. THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
Learning Objectives

 At the end of this lesson, learners are expected

to:
1. Define globalization;
2. Identify the economic, political, and social
dimensions of globalization;
3. Describe the character of contemporary
globalization;
4. Discuss competing views of globalization; and
5. Evaluate the historical factors that help shape
contemporary globalization.
Defining Globalization

 Disagreements on the concept

 Single or multiple dimensions?
 Process, condition, system, force?
 Trajectory: homogeneity, heterogeneity?

 Analogy of blind men and the elephant

Case Study 1: Definitions of
Globalization
 Globalization is various defined as:

 “a multidimensional set of social processes that create, multiply,

stretch, and intensify worldwide social interdependencies and
exchanges” (Steger, 2003)

 “the shrinkage of distance on a large scale. It can be contrasted

with localization, nationalization, or regionalization”(Keohane &
Nye, 2000)
Case Study 1: Definitions of
Globalization

 “the international integration of markets of goods, services, and

capital” (Garrett, 2000)

 “the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant

localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by
events occurring many miles away and vice versa” (Giddens,
1990)
Defining Globalization

 The term is usually used to describe the pattern

of growing interconnectedness of individuals
and groups, whether in economic, political, or
social realms

 The world is reduced into a “global village”

 Time and space become increasingly irrelevant
Defining Globalization

 globalization may be defined as “the widening,

deepening and speeding up of global
interconnectedness” such that events and
interactions in one place have growing impact
on people elsewhere (Held et al., 1999)
Case Study 2: Globalization Index

 It ranks states/economies in four

categories: (1) economic
integration, (2) political
engagement, (3) technological
connectivity, and (4) personal
contact.
 For the year 2015, the Philippines
ranks 70th overall, falling behind
Vietnam (66th), Thailand (37th), and
Malaysia (10th). It ranks 121st in
economic globalization, 44th in
political globalization, and 119th in
social globalization.
Defining Globalization

 Other equally important dimensions of

contemporary globalization:
 economic, military, environmental, and social
and cultural (Keohane and Nye, 2000)

 expansion of international trade and financial

relations
 is
closely linked with the political leadership of
powerful countries (Gilpin and Gilpin, 2001)
Defining Globalization

 Silk Road between ancient China and Europe or

the galleon trade between colonial Philippines
and Mexico

 contemporary globalization is arguably distinct

in terms of scope, intensity, velocity, and impact
 Thickglobalization – high extensity, intensity,
velocity, and impact
Defining Globalization

 In terms of scope,
 Contemporary globalization is diffuse
 19th
century commerce – mainly Western
hemisphere and colonies
 Today, economic, political and social interactions
are taking place simultaneously across multiple
locations
Case Study 3: Tourism and
Globalization
 Globalization presents opportunities
to the tourism industry. More and
more foreign and local tourists get
to travel to different destinations
because of ease of travel and
increased awareness of tour sites.
The image shows an American UN
Command Force officer orienting
the tourists about the Korean War
and the Demilitarized Zone.
Defining Globalization

 In terms of intensity,
 Greater interconnectedness and more patterns
of interaction
 It does not only involve opening up of markets
 Both states and non-state actors coordinate
actions and decisions on a wide range of issues
Defining Globalization

 In terms of velocity,
 Today’s globalization is fluid
 Many interactions could occur instantly
 Technological advancements – speed up global
diffusion of goods and services, people and ideas
Defining Globalization

 In terms of impact,
 Globalization presents both opportunities and
challenges
 Itblurs the distinction between the local and the
global
 Localevents have global importance, global
events have local significance
The Globalization Debate

 Three dominant views in the analysis of

globalization (Held et al., 1999):

1. Hyperglobalist
2. Skeptical
3. Transformationalist
The Globalization Debate

 Hyperglobalist Thesis

 Globalization de-nationalized human affairs

 The state is replaced by global governing
institutions
 Free trade will make the world borderless
 Role of national authorities will become minimal
The Hyperglobalists’ Camp
What’s new?
Dominant features
Power of national governments
Driving forces of globalization
Pattern of stratification
Dominant motif
Conceptualization of globalization
Historical trajectory
Summary argument
A global age
Global capitalism, global governance,
global civil society
Declining or eroding
Capitalism and technology
Erosion of old hierarchies
McDonalds, Madonna, etc.
As a reordering of the framework of
human action
Global civilization
The end of the nation-state
The Globalization Debate

 Skeptical Thesis

 Dismissesthe contention that globalization is

making states irrelevant
 National governments are essential to regulate
international economic activity
 Globalization is a product of state acquiescence
and support
The Skeptics’ Camp
What’s new?
Dominant features
Power of national governments
Driving forces of globalization
Pattern of stratification
Dominant motif
Conceptualization of globalization
Historical trajectory
Summary argument
Trading blocs, weaker
geogovernance than in earlier periods
World less interdependent than in
1980s
Reinforced or enhanced
States and markets
Increased marginalization of South
National interest
As internationalization and
regionalization
Regional blocs/clash of civilizations
Internationalization depends on state
acquiescence and support
The Globalization Debate

 Transformationalist Thesis

 Occupies middle ground in the debate

 Itis reshaping contemporary international order,
but the direction is indeterminate: there can be
integration or fragmentation
 Globalizationis a long-term continuous process
characterized by uncertainties and crises
The Transformationalists’ Camp
What’s new?
Dominant features
Power of national governments
Driving forces of globalization
Pattern of stratification
Dominant motif
Conceptualization of globalization
Historical trajectory
Summary argument
Historically unprecedented levels of
global interconnectedness
‘Thick’ (intensive and extensive)
Reconstituted, restructured
Combined forces of modernity
New architecture of world order
Transformation of political community
As the reordering of interregional
relations and action at a distance
Indeterminate: global integration and
fragmentation
Globalization transforming state power
and world politics
Case Study 4: Globophilia and
Globophobia
 Individuals are polarized on whether globalization brings
more good than harm.
 Globophilia is a perspective that affirms the benefits and
necessity of globalization, while globophobia is that which
denies them.
 Globophilia emphasizes the role of markets and
technology in bringing solutions to age-old problems such
as poverty and conflicts, while globophobia points out the
adverse consequences of market-driven
interconnectedness on local economies, cultures, and the
environment.
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Developments and changes in the various
dimensions of globalization do not occur
simultaneously and uniformly

 Economic globalization went remarkably well until

World War I
 It
was revived in the interregnum period, but
experienced downturn during World War II
Case Study 5: Spanish Colonization
in the Philippines
 The paintings on the octagon
ceiling of the Magellan’s Cross in
Cebu depict the arrival of navigator
Ferdinand Magellan, who headed
the first Spanish foray to the
Philippines, and the planting of the
cross. Spanish rule in the Philippines
lasted for over three centuries. The
Spaniards initially viewed the islands
as key to the riches of the East
Indies, but even after the
Portuguese and Dutch came to
dominate the spice trade, they
continued their rule over the islands.
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Historical Periods

 Pre-World War I
 Interwar Period
 Post-World War II and Cold War
 Post-Cold War
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Pre-World War I

 Before
World War I, countries were in contact with
each other – discovery of the Americas and the
Moluccas
 Trade
and investment in 19th century – classical gold
standard – British Industrial Revolution
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Pre-World War I

 Politically,
before 1648 – authority at the macro-level
with Holy Roman Empire, micro- at the feudal entities
 Treatyof Westphalia – recognized sovereign
statehood
 Eve of World War I – downward trend in economic,
political, and social globalization, but not in military
globalization
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Interwar Period

 There was an attempt to revive pre-World War I status

quo – gold exchange standard
 It
facilitated international trade and worked well until
World War II
 Nation-states were pressured to fight persistent
inflation and unemployment
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Interwar Period

 Importantdevelopments in global governance –

League of Nations, forerunner of United Nations
 Tight
alliance system and the clandestine treaties
were seen as causes of World War I
 Internationalorganizations will promote collective
security and prevent future wars
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Interwar Period

 WorldWar II was another major reverse trend in

economic, political and social globalization
 gold exchange standard collapsed, another alliance
system emerged, and human survival was threatened
by extreme forms of nationalism
 Advancements in modern warfare: Nagasaki and
Hiroshima
Case Study 6: The Leyte Landing

 Gen. Douglas MacArthur and staff,

accompanied by Philippine
President Sergio Osmeña, made an
amphibious landing in the shores of
Leyte. Gen. MacArthur was the
commander of the United States
Armed Forces in the Far East
(USAFFE) that fought against the
Japanese forces in the Philippines
toward the end of World War II. The
images are on display at Hotel
Alejandro gallery in Leyte.
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Post-World War II and Cold War

 Beforethe end of World War II, negotiations for the

post-war world already began – Bretton Woods
Conference – IMF, World Bank, GATT
 United Nations – sought to address the limitations of
LN
 Rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Post-World War II and Cold War

 One legacy of the Cold War is the upsurge in interests

for non-traditional security issues like environmental
degradation and civil war
 Civil wars are also a growing issue
Historical Background of
Contemporary Globalization
 Post-Cold War War

 The post-Cold War world is characterized more by

continuity of the past in many dimensions of
globalization
 Globalization “received a particular boost”(Gygli,
Haelg, & Sturm, 2018)
 Global governance continues across a wide range of
issue-areas, from traditional security to human security
issues
Case Study 7: The Philippines in the
Seoul Nuclear Security Summit
 The Philippines participates in global
security governance. This image
shows the seat for the Philippines at
the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit
held in Seoul, South Korea. Vice
President Jejomar Binay
represented the country. Started in
2010, the Nuclear Security Summit
gathers world leaders to discuss
issues concerning nuclear security
and safety, peaceful use of nuclear
energy, and prevention of nuclear
terrorism.