CONWORLD Unit 1

What is globalization, and what are its main positive/negative views?

Definition: increasing interconnectedness of people, goods, money, ideas, culture across economy, politics, society

Positive: progress, easier interaction, economic growth

Negative: inequality, modern colonization, benefits rich countries more

What are the two definitional approaches of globalization and why is it hard to define?

Broad/inclusive = “borderless world” but vague

Narrow/exclusive = focuses on specific processes (production, labor, migration) but limited

Hard because: simultaneously positive/negative, changes over time, affects countries differently

What do the metaphors "solid" and "liquid" mean, and what are the 5 flows of globalization?

Solid = fixed borders, limited movement, stable structures.

Liquid = fast, flexible, constant change, hard to control.

Flows: people, goods, money, culture, information.

What are the 2 Globalization Theories?

Homogeneity = world becomes more similar (same brands, weak local cultures)

Heterogeneity = world becomes more diverse (local cultures adapt but stay unique)

What are the 3 cultural change outcomes?

Differentialism: culture stays distinct, traditions preserved

Convergence: cultures become similar via global brands/media, standardization

Hybridization: global + local = new mixed culture; most common today

What is the globalization of religion, and what role does modern technology play?

Religion has become global, not local, enabled by communication, transportation, and technology.

Technology:

• Internet = access anytime

• Social Media = debates, forums, preaching

• Media (TV/radio/print) = promotes ideas

• Transportation = enables pilgrimages

Why does religion NOT easily hybridize compared to food or fashion?

Religions have fixed beliefs, rituals, and doctrines. Some are theologically incompatible, so they do not easily mix.

What are the five perspectives on globalization's origins?

Hardwired (Chanda): basic human needs, traced to early migration from Africa ~50,000 yrs ago.

Cycles (Scholte): repeating process with phases that disappear/reappear.

Epoch (Ritzer referencing Therborn): 6 “waves”

• Globalization of Region (4th–7th c.)

• European colonial conquests (late 15th c.)

• Intra-European wars (18th–19th c.)

• European imperialism (mid-19th–1918)

• Post-WWII

• Post-Cold War

Events: specific conquests/trade

• Roman

• Genghis Khan

• Columbus/Magellan

• transatlantic trade

Broader 20th c.:

• US emergence post-WWII

• rise of MNCs

• fall of Soviet Union (1991)

What is global demography, its transition phases, and what is global migration with its push/pull factors and impacts?

Demography = study of population changes (births, deaths, age structure, movement) affecting societies/economies.

Phases:

• Stage 1: ↑birth=↑death (Pre-Industrial)

• Stage 2: ↑birth>↓death (Industrialization)

• Stage 3: ↓birth>↓death (Urbanization/Education)

• Stage 4: ↓birth=↓death (Developed)

• Stage 5: overall decline (Debated)

Migration = movement between countries (voluntary/forced)

Types:

• labor migrants (work)

• refugees (forced asylum)

• tourists (short-term)

Push factors: unemployment, poverty, war

Pull factors: jobs, better wages, safety

Impacts:

• sending = remittances boost economy but brain drain + family separation

• receiving = fills labor shortages + diversity but pressures jobs/services + social tensions.