Sociology Chapter 15

Chapter 15 Globalization: The Interconnected World

Overview

• Learning Objectives (LOs):

  • LO1: Defining Globalization

  • LO2 & LO3: The Emergence of Globalization

  • LO4: Characteristics of Globalization

  • LO5 & LO6: The Vision of Globalization and its Reality

  • LO7: Global Justice Movements

  • LO8: Sociology in Theory

(LO1) Defining Globalization

• Globalization: The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments across the globe.

• Globality: The social condition characterized by a global connectivity and interdependence.

(LO2) Emergence of Globalization

• Historical Factors:

  • Historical trade routes: Established connections across various civilizations.

  • Migration patterns: Movement of populations that facilitated cultural exchange.

• 19th Century Technological Developments: Innovations in transportation and communication that increased global interactions.

• Post World War II: Shift towards global collaboration and rebuilding efforts.

• Decolonialization: Countries gaining independence and establishing their roles in a global context.

• Transnational Financial/Political Institutions: Development of organizations aimed at fostering international cooperation and policy coordination.

(LO3) Emergence of Globalization - Neoliberalism

• Neoliberalism: An economic philosophy promoting free markets, deregulation, and privatization.

  • Historical roots trace back to the 20th century advocating minimal state intervention.

Neoliberal Foundations

• Establishment of Transnational Institutions:

  • 1945: World Bank

  • 1946: International Monetary Fund (IMF)

  • 1947: General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

  • 1994: World Trade Organization (WTO)

Two Tenets of Neoliberalism

• Deregulation: Reduction of government rules ensuring free market operations.

• Privatization: Transfer of public services or assets to private ownership.

(LO4) Characteristics of Globalization

Four Dimensions:

• Technological: Enables connections and exchanges on a global scale.

• Economic: Expansion of markets and flexible production processes.

  • Consequence: Concentration of economic power.

• Political:

  • Rising concerns over declining state power and shifting governance to regional bodies and networks.

• Cultural:

  • Cultural migration and the influence of the internet and consumerism.

Economic Characteristics

• Apple vs. Countries' GDPs (2015):

  • Apple's market value compared to the GDPs of various countries demonstrates economic scale.

Political Features

• Declining State Power:

  • Power shifts to regional organizations, cities, and civil society networks.

Cultural Features

• Cultural Migration: Movement of cultures through migration and globalization processes.

(LO5) Vision of Globalization: The Good

• Positive Aspects:

  • Increases in employment, support for development, enhanced trade, and sharing of cultural knowledge.

(LO6) Vision of Globalization: The Bad

Social Inequality

• Rise in extreme poverty and increasing polarization.

• The Digital Divide: Access issues to secondary education creating social disparities.

Economic Consequences

• Patterns of Social Inequality stem from how globalization is implemented.

• Capital vs. Labor: Global capital thrives while local labor faces challenges.

Worker Exploitation

• Issues of Child Labor and worsening working conditions, referred to as the Race to the Bottom.

• Lack of Institutional Accountability: Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) lead to reduced spending on social services.

Cultural Consequences

• Processes leading to Cultural Homogenization and Glocalization: Blending of local and global cultures.

(LO7) Global Justice Movements

• Movements resisting neoliberalism involve diverse groups fighting against various global injustices.

(LO8) Sociology in Theory

Explanations of Global Inequality

• Modernization Theory: Suggests that economic growth leads to social progress, urging developing countries to adopt Western values.

• Dependency/World-system Theory: Considers the exploitation and economic dependence in a global context.

Feminist Theory

• Focus on global gender inequalities and importance of resisting global economic subordination of women.

Summary Perspectives

Functionalist Perspective: Modernization Theory

• Foundation for post-WW2 ideology; promotes the idea that economic and technological advances bring social progress.

• Walt Rostow’s Theory: Critiques traditional values as barriers to development, suggesting developed nations guide the less developed.

Conflict Perspective: Dependency Theory

• Criticizes Modernization Theory; emphasizes that it doesn't benefit all societies equally, but rather creates new forms of dependence.

Feminist Perspective

• Highlights gender issues in globalization, advocating for women's rights in the global economy and promoting feminist methodologies.