TCW LESSON 1

Realism

• The realist perspective explaining globalization focuses on the shifting distribution of power among states.

• They explained that the core idea of dominating the world through the employment of power. 

• This force comes from different angles, depending on the power availability of a nation.

Realists argue that countries open their economies to the world is because of two contending reasons:

1. Financial returns of expanding markets offer new economic opportunities to the capitalist (origin country). (Examples: McDonald’s, Chevron, Ford, Coca-Cola, Citibank, Microsoft, and H&M)

2. The continued centrality of political power and military strength are obvious forces of interdependence and realistic behavior of the more and most powerful countries.

• Realists see economic alliance and corporation as medium of flourishing activities under favorable security conditions.

•  Economies tend to forge partnership if they see advantages from other countries. 

• In some cases, political-military alliances are sometimes used especially within the bipolar world where economic power is utilized to strengthen military capability.

Liberalism

• a perspective in international relations where actors and institutions emphasize relationships, and negotiations.

• Liberalists observe the importance of interaction and communication and focus on solving problems and conflicts affecting them.

• Liberalists believe that to avoid international conflict and problems, and negotiations and dialogues are potential mechanisms in confronting issues among parties.

Three Factors that describe the Transformation of Political-Economic Structure and Development of Global Interconnectedness:

1. Spread of Democracy and Institutions

Democracy as a frontline of liberalism has been utilized as a sociopolitical apparatus in challenging political actors who act beyond their power and control. 
The strong participatory presence of citizens in key issues affecting the interest and welfare of the public could be used as a reference in balancing the interest of stakeholders.

2. Global Economic Ties

The core belief of liberalism is that economic alliance and integrating the domestic economy into a regional or economic bloc will deliver prosperity and security.

Opening to markets to other countries is described as an act of country’s commitment to global consciousness and moral understanding of multistate interests. 
Examples: European Union’s Eurozone and Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community (AEC)

3. International Organizations

Liberals believe that the formation of leading regional and international organizations like global commerce and governance are main instruments in the maintenance of peace and solidarity.
Examples: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Idealism

• This theory emphasizes on the functions of ideologies, frameworks, systems, and identities in understanding globalization and international order.

• Its core beliefs centers on the centrality of ideas, beliefs, emotions, and collective values that shape the political and economic landscapes of the world.

Role of Ideas and Technology in Globalization

• Ideas are non-material entities of culture; it embodies one’s perception of his social world or environment. It defines on how values, norms, and beliefs are used by governments and institutions in hold and exercising of power.

• When ideas are used well based on their intended application, development takes place.

• It could be utilized for linking and transfer of knowledge in a transnational community of nations, scientific, and social innovation, and increase in the understanding of people in their day-to-day life.

• Ideas are necessary in this particular scene because the definitions and concepts constructed are used in interpreting how people act and behave.

Three Important Technological Trends that made Significant Changes in the Interaction of Nations and People:

1. Knowledge and technology are significant determinants of wealth and power.

• The success of economy of a country requires pool of resources like ideas and technology. 

• The technological advancement of a nation is an identity of its economic power.\

2. The fast pace of technological change.

• From industrialization to modernization, technology has taken a significant role in business, government, and individuals. 

• The advent of fourth industrial evolution, the global community is expected to embrace multiple technical changes and technological developments.

3. Dispersed knowledge and technology.

• The increasing trends in communication revolution make it more possible to move data and ideas from people to people and country to country at faster and more convenient way.

• Innovation as a product of technological advancement have rendered national borders irrelevant in international system.

Role of Ideas and Technology in Globalization

• Discoveries and changes in science and technology make markets around the world a borderless contact, making the global economic structure more intertwined.

• Because of global reach, economies find this trend as a ground of tough competition, with rivals’ states and institutions who have vast resources of wealth and power.

• Resource- poor countries are prone to the damage of these changes.

Institutions and Globalization

• Institutions consist norms, set of activities, and regulate structures that provide meaning and stability to the social behavior of a group.

• Norms like the rules, guidelines, programs, and the types of activities constitute the operation of an institution. 

• They are understood as structures that are parts of a society.

Meyer and Rowan (1977) 

• describe the formation of institution as a symbolic manifestation on the needs of society. 

• The actions and behavior of the group members can change and alter the movement of community and its people.

Giddens (1979)

• states that institutions will not be recognized as institutions if they do not shape the behavior of individuals.

•  As a set of systems and norms, institutions convey individuals on how to behave and conform to the practices of the group as a way of accepting the legitimacy of the norms and values of the organization.

Global governance is directed by two important institutions: political and economic institutions. 

• The operation of the political and economic life of globalization depends on how plans are implemented and how accountable these institutions are in their actions. 

• Liberalists emphasize the importance of institutions in international order and stability. Domestic and international institutions have various roles in maintaining growth and development in both political and economic realms.

International institutions

• are classified intergovernmental organizations that are formed by national governments. 

• These are international formal organizations that set rules and with the purpose of regulating the flow of communication and movement of resources. 

• Governments engaged in internationalizing their organizations because of retaining and assertingcontrol over global activities and networks brought by global changes and transformations.

Theories of Globalization see it as a process of increasing:

Homogeneity

• Increasing sameness in the world as cultural inputs, economic factors, and political orientations of societies expand to create common practices, same economies, and similar forms of government.

• Often refers to cultural imperialism where one culture influences other cultures.

• E.g. Christianity by the Spaniards, Americanization (images, behavior), in terms of economy, the spread of neoliberalism.

Heterogeneity 

• Creation of various cultural practices, new economies, and political groups because of the interaction of elements from different societies in the world.

• Preserving or strengthening cultural identity (ex. Bollywood vs Hollywood, Kpop vs American Pop)