Ideological Dimensions of Globalization Notes

Ideological Dimensions of Globalization

Lesson Objectives:

  • Define the term ideology.
  • Identify the types of ideologies of globalism.

Ideology Defined

  • Ideology is a system of widely shared ideas, patterned beliefs, guiding norms and values, and ideals accepted as truth by a certain group of people.
  • Ideology can be genuine or distorted but often serves as a guide for social and political actions.

Ideological Dimension of Globalization

  • The ideological dimension of globalization operates on areas filled with norms, claims, beliefs, and narratives about globalization itself.
  • Norms are cultural and can differ between cultures.
  • Claims, beliefs, and narratives are often influenced by culture.
  • Events are explained and simplified using cultural orientations.

Types of Ideologies of Globalism (Manfred Steger)

  • There are three main types of ideologies of globalism, which give specific values and meanings to globalization:
    • Market globalism
    • Justice globalism
    • Religious globalism
Market Globalism
  • Seeks to associate 'globalization' with free-market norms and neoliberal meanings.
Neoliberalism
  • Refers to market-oriented reform policies.
  • Includes eliminating price controls, deregulating capital markets, lowering trade barriers, and reducing state influence in the economy through privatization and austerity.
Justice Globalism
  • Constructs an alternative vision of globalization based on egalitarian ideals of global solidarity and distributive justice.
Egalitarianism
  • A political thought that is based on social equality for all people.
  • All humans are equal in fundamental worth or moral status.
Religious Globalism
  • Religious globalism is in opposition to both market and justice globalism.
  • Seeks to mobilize religious values and beliefs seen as being under attack by secularism and consumerism.
Secularism
  • May refer to any worldview or principle defined within a given context.
Consumerism
  • A social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts.

Equality vs. Equity vs. Justice

  • Equality: Evenly distributed tools and assistance.
  • Equity: Custom tools identify and address inequality.
  • Justice: Fixing the systems to offer equal access to tools and opportunities.

Review Questions

  • What is the primary definition of Ideology
    • B. A system of widely shared ideas, patterned beliefs, guiding norms and values
  • Which statement is true about Ideology
    • C. It serves as a guide and compass for social and political actions.
  • What does the ideological dimension of globalization involve?
    • B. Norms, claims, beliefs, and narratives about globalization
  • What does market globalism aim to achieve?
    • B. Endow globalization with free-market norms and neoliberal meanings
  • Neoliberalism primarily focuses on:
    • B. Promoting market-oriented reform policies like privatization and deregulation
  • Justice globalism promotes:
    • B. Global solidarity and distributive justice
  • Egalitarianism is best described as:
    • B. A school of thought promoting social equality for all people
  • Religious globalism primarily opposes:
    • A. Secularism and consumerism
  • Secularism is best described as:
    • B. Any worldview or principle defined within a given context
  • Consumerism encourages:
    • B. The acquisition of goods and services in increasing amounts