Globalization What are we talking about?

Globalisation Globalization is not a very distinct concept We follow Steger in his introduction to the concept The reason for this is that it gives us an easy overview of the conceptual discussion. Steger states that opponents to the concept either advocates a one-dimensional view (political, economical or cultural) changes or they underestimates changes in the last decades

Globalization To avoid priority for a special sector in defining globalization Steger just refers to social relations. His definition is just: ”Gloalization refers to the expansion and intensification of social relations and consciousness across world-time and world-space”.

Globalization The main point is: ”Globalization is not a single process but a set of processes that operate simultaneously and unevenly on several levels and in various dimensions.” (end of ch 2, page 36) The definition is arrived at as i kind of combination of five different definitions from different scholars of economics, sociology, political science, internstional affairs and literature.

Globalization Globalization is given a historical periodization: Prehistoric period (10000 BCE-3500 BCE) Premodern period (3500 BCE-1500 CE) Early modern period ( ) Modern period ( ) Contemporary period (1970-)

Globalization The historical periodization is not easy to understand on what it is based. Maybe it can be understood in terms of: 1) population and population growth 2) geographical considerations of centre-periphery and tracks of influence

Globalization The disposition of the argument is then related to five topics: 1) economy 2) politival structure 3) culture 4) environment and ecology 5) ideology and popular movements

Globalization The economic issues dealt with in Stegers book is concentrated to modern times. It deals with a) the emergence of the global economic order b) the internationalization of trade and finance c) the rise of TNC (transnational corporations) d) the increasing role of international economic institutions (IMF, World Bank, and WTO)

Globalization Coming to the political issues Stegers main focus is in role of the nation-state His starting-point is the rise of the system of sovereign states which he after David Held dates back to the westphalian peace in (se page 60) Has globalization undermined national sovereignity? Tendencies work in diverse directions even if ”globalising” trends in various ways undermine national sovereignity.

Globalization Political globalization seems to work in directions of a new global governance. The global governance are characterized by a complicated network of A) supraterritorial institutions (local, regional and so on) B) global institutions (UN,WTO etc) C) NGOs D)TNCs E) national governments

Globalization This gives rise to a new system of governance (Illustrated on page 69). Hierarchical decisions becomes less important in relation to networking, market and quasi-market solutions as well as negotiations. An important question in relation to these tendencies is the consequences for the meaning of democracy and popular impact on decision-making.

Globalization The cultural dimension of globalisation faces the trends regarding whether people round the world grow more alike or whether it sharpens differences. It confronts some tendencies that try to uniform consumption patterns such as MacDonalds or IKEA with tendencies of new hybrids as a result of ”cultural meetings”. Steger also emphasize the role of media globalization. It has brought about increased commercial influence on the mass culture that seems to be more uniform. However, Steger doesn´t reflect on the role of internet and computer networking.

Globalization An interesting section relates to the globalization of languages Influencing factors relates to 1) number of languages 2) Carrying of languages by moving people 3) Foreign language training and tourism 4) Internets impact on communicative language 5) International scientific publications

Globalization The ecological dimension of globalization relates to all environmental consequences of global social interaction The growing consumption as result of economic growth and increased global population is the starting-point. The green-house effect is the prime illustaration of the global character of the problem

Globalization In a figure on page 90 the main factors of global environmental degradation is stated Environmental dangers are listed 1) Transboundary pollution 2) Food insecurity diseases 3) Global warming 4) Genetically modified organisms 5) Hazardous Waste and industrial accidents warfare 6) Loss of biodiversity

Globalization The ecological challenges need global regulation and decision- making. Steger notices that even if the problem are huge and some results have become disappointing the number international agreements all the same has increased.

Globalization Coming to the end of the book Steger reflects on ideologies and attitudes to globalization. The reactions vary strongly and he tries to divide them into three categories: A) market globalism B) Justice globalism C) Jihadist globalism

Globalization This chapter is short-handed The merit is that he underlines the contradicting reactions on globalization both regarding a) increasing inequality and b) traditional and religious values To get a more diversified view on these questions you are encouraged to read A. Sen, Identity and violence, which also is part of course literature.