GEC-104 Chapter 1: The Contemporary World and Global Cities

Flashcards covering defining globalization, imperialism, theoretical perspectives, history, global city characteristics/rankings, and environmental/or environmental challenges.

Borderless World

A term for globalization meaning people, goods, and ideas can move across the world almost as if there are no borders separating countries.

Single World Society

The process of bringing all people on Earth together into one connected community.

Homogeneity

Making everything the same, which is often linked to cultural imperialism when one powerful culture dominates others.

Heterogeneity

Keeping things unique through cultural hybridization, including ideas like glocalization, creolization, and amalgamation.

Glocalization

The adaptation of global ideas to fit local needs.

Amalgamation

The process of blending different cultures together.

Imperialism

When one country uses its power—such as its army, money, or politics—to control other countries.

Colonialism

When a powerful country sends its own people to live in and formally rule another land, creating a government to manage it.

World System Theory

A way to group countries based on wealth into Core (rich), Periphery (poor), and Semi-periphery (middle).

Core

In World System Theory, these are rich, developed countries.

Periphery

In World System Theory, these are poor countries that depend on rich ones.

Semi-periphery

In World System Theory, these are countries in the middle that are starting to build industries.

Network Society

Also called the Age of Information, describing how the internet and technology connect everyone instantly.

Liberalisms

An approach to globalization that focuses on keeping people free and happy.

Political Realisms

An approach to globalization focusing on how powerful countries compete for control.

Marxisms

An approach to globalization focusing on fairness, social classes, and how wealth is shared.

Constructivisms

An approach focusing on how language and symbols shape our view of the world.

Postmodernisms

The belief that there is no single "truth" and that everyone has their own perspective.

Feminisms

An approach focusing on how women are often treated unfairly and are more likely to be poor.

Eclecticism

Taking the best parts from many different theories instead of picking just one.

Colonial Era

The period between the $1400s$ and $1914$ when European countries took over many lands outside of Europe.

Modern Era

The $20th$ century, also known as the "American Century," characterized by the rise of multinational corporations.

Global City

Major hubs in the world’s connected systems of money, information, and business that act as "brain hubs" for the knowledge economy.

Spatial Phenomenon

In the context of global cities, it means globalization happens in physical spaces where cities act on globalization and vice versa.

Globality

A hypothetical final state where the process of globalization is complete and barriers between countries have fallen.

Globalism

A national policy where a country treats the whole world as a place where it wants to have political influence.

Gentrification

A process where poorer residents are driven out of their neighborhoods to make room for wealthier new residents.

Banlieue

A term for clusters of ethnic enclaves housing poor migrants, often located on the outskirts of cities like Paris.

Global Cities Index (AT Kearney)

Ranks cities based on business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, and political engagement.

Global Power City Index (Mori Memorial Foundation)

Examines cities based on their ability to attract and support actors like managers, researchers, artists, visitors, and residents.

Global City Competitiveness Index (EIU)

Ranks cities by economic strength, institutional effectiveness, financial maturity, global appeal, and physical infrastructure.

Globalization and World Cities (GaWC)

Ranks cities by their "connectivity" through advanced business services like banking, law, advertising, and accounting.

Environmental Degradation

The damage or ruin of the natural world.

Industrial Revolution (1st)

The transition to new manufacturing processes in Europe and the US beginning around $1760$ to $1820$-$1840$.

Consumerism

The belief that a person's happiness and well-being depend fundamentally on obtaining consumer goods.

Food Security

The delivery of sufficient food to the entire world; demand is estimated to be $60\%$ greater by $2050$ for $9$ billion people.