THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD MODULE 2

GEC 13- Introduction to the Study of Globalization

This module is designed for you to analyze what characterizes the
contemporary world. In Module 1, when you were asked to make your
Concept Map (Graphic Organizer) as to the things that characterize
the contemporary world, you have listed various things but upon
analysis, you realized that they can be grouped together into major
classifications such as cultural, economic and political concepts or
events. Those concepts or factors may be experienced by people
across the globe in different degrees, but the issues are similar. The
contemporary world we live in is constantly changing due to those
interconnected factors which we all know as GLOBALIZATION.

Objectives:

At the end of the module, you are expected to:

1. Define globalization
2. Differentiate the competing conceptions of globalization
3. Identify the underlying philosophies/theories of the varying
definitions of globalization
4. Explain the origin of globalization

PART 1
1. Defining Globalization

Globalization is defined variedly based from

the perspective one is coming from. Varying and
contradicting definitions can be found in the world-wide web. But
one thing is common: globalization defines what the contemporary
world is.

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 Beerkens (2004) refers to globalization as “The world-wide
interconnectedness between nation-states becomes supplemented
by globalization as a process in which basic social arrangements (like
power, culture, markets, politics, rights, values, norms, ideology,
identity, citizenship, solidarity) become disembedded from their
spatial context (mainly the nation-state) due to the acceleration,
massification, flexibilization, diffusion and expansion of transnational
flows of people, products, finance, images and information (p.13)”.

It cannot be contained within a specific timeframe, all people,

and all situations (Al Rhodan 2006). Globalization encompasses a
multitude of processes that involve the economy, political systems,
and culture. Social structures are directly affected by globalization.

Globalization can be defined as the intensification of worldwide

social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local
happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and
vice versa. (Giddens, 1990)

Gidden’s definition is complimented by Thomas Larson when he

said that globalization was “the process of world shrinkage, of
distances getting shorter, things moving closer. It pertains to the
pertaining ease with which somebody on one side of the world can
interact, in mutual benefit with somebody on the other part of the
world.

By the start of the new millennium, technological advances

made its revolutionary mark indelible as Giddens further said that:
“Globalization is political, technical and cultural, as well as economic.
It is ‘new' and ‘revolutionary' and is mainly due to the ‘massive
increase' in financial foreign exchange transactions. This has been
facilitated by dramatic improvement in communications technology,
especially electronic interchange facilitated by personal
computers.(p.10)”

While definitions may cover so many aspects as to what

globalization is, 2 authors succinctly define it as: “Globalization means
the onset of the borderless world (Ohmae1992) and Martin Khor (1990)
bluntly stated “globalization as colonization.”

You will notice that there are two ways globalization is defined:
1. Broad and inclusive and 2. Narrow and exclusive.

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 Broad and inclusive definition includes a variety of issues and
opportunities where different sectors may participate such as:
“globalization is the process of integrating nations and peoples—
politically, economically, and culturally—into a larger community.”

Narrow and exclusive definition like this one focuses on one

aspect of globalization, economics: “The characteristics of the
globalization trend include the internationalizing of production, the
new international division of labor, new migratory movements from
South to North, the new competitive environment that accelerates
these processes, and the internationalizing of the state…making
states into agencies of the globalizing world.”

Notice that a common concept developed in globalization is

not on nations but on the entire globe. Definitions emphasize that
globalization is a complex, controversial, and synergistic process in
which improvements in technology (especially in communications
and transportation) combine with the deregulation of markets and
open borders to bring about vastly expanded flows of people, money,
goods, services, and information. This process integrates people,
businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and nations into larger
networks. Globalization promotes convergence, harmonization,
efficiency, growth, and, perhaps, democratization and
homogenization. Homogeneity refers to the increasing sameness in
the world as cultural inputs, economic factors, and political
orientations of societies create common practices, common
economies and common government. This is commonly known as
cultural imperialism or neo imperialism.

Heterogeneity on the other hand pertains to the creation of

various cultural practices, new economies and political groups
because of the interaction are different elements from different
societies of the world. Heterogeneity in culture is associated with
cultural hybridization. It is also known as “glocalization” a word coined
by Roland Robertson. It is characterized by the creation of a new
culture by combining acquired influences with existing local routines.

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 Let’s Think About This:
Read the following metaphors used about
globalization. Can you identify the solid and liquid aspects that are
present in your locality?

a. What are the solids you identified? How do they hinder the
flow of progress in your community?
b. What about the liquids in your locality? How do these changes
facilitate the flow of progress in your community?

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 Reading Time

Together with this module you will read the articles written by
James Steger to help you further understand the underlying
characteristics of globalization. These Readings are required under
the CHED national syllabus for the course.

2014_James Approaches in the

Steger_Globalizations Study
- genealogy of the concept.pdf
of Globalization.pdf

Let us Think About This:

Answer the process questions to help you further
comprehend the articles. Your answer should be submitted in the
Google classroom in the section opened for it. IT IS ENCOURAGED
THAT YOU USE YOUR OWN WORDS. Refrain from Googling the answers
from the internet because THE ANSWERS ARE BASED ON THE CONTEXT
OF THE ARTICLES GIVEN. One or two sentences may be enough
except when you are asked to explain further, then the required
number of words will be indicated. Thank you!

Note: There is another option which is DISCUSSION THROUGH

SYNCHRONOUS ONLINE meeting. Keep yourself posted for further
announcements.

A Genealogy of ‘Globalization’: The Career of a Concept Paul James

& Manfred B. Steger
1.
a. What does the word “genealogy” mean?
b. From the title, Genealogy of Globalization, what was the
purpose of the article?
c. What did the authors mean with the term “genealogical
vacuum?
d. According to the article, we usually have a person whom we
can attribute the origin or etymology of words. In the case of
globalization, is there someone whom we can recognize to
have coined the term “globalization?” Yes or No?
If Yes, who is that person?
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 If NO, Explain. (not more than 250 words)
e. At the bottom of page 419, Figure 1 is shown, what important
information is it showing?

2. What are the 4 levels of meaning formation for building the

concept of globalization as identified by the authors?
(for each level, do not exceed 200 words explanation)

3. From the article, the phrase “religion of first occurrence” was

mentioned. How do you understand the reference that
globalization is a religion of first occurrence?
(do not exceed 200 words explanation)

4. Did the Cold War contribute to the spread of globalization?

Why or why not? (do not exceed 200 words explanation)

5. We know Sputnik in the scientific field, how did the launch of

Sputnik contribute to globalization? (do not exceed 250 words
explanation)

6. “a number of Hollywood movie studios used globes as part of their corporate image
from the 1910s. The first logo for Universal Pictures from 1912 to 1919 was a stylized Earth
with a Saturn-like ring. It was called the ‘Trans-Atlantic Globe’ or ‘Saturn Globe’. In the
1920s, Universal Pictures’ logo was an Earth floating in space with a bi-plane flying
around it, leaving a trail of white vapor in its wake. Built in 1926, Paramount Picture’s
New York headquarters was topped by an illuminated glass globe, which was later
blackened in response to World War II. In the immediate aftermath of the war—and in
the spirit of recognizing the global reach of the communications industry—the
Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association initiated a series of media
presentations they called the Golden Globe Awards.”

Beyond the literal meaning of using the image of the globe,

what is the significance of movies in globalization? (do not
exceed 250 words explanation)

7. Bilbos in uniform was mentioned in the article. Is the concept

behind it still prevalent and a concern of the contemporary
world? (do not exceed 250 words explanation)

8. What prevailing issue is being pointed out in this part of the

article? How deeply rooted is it even in the age of
globalization? (do not exceed 250 words explanation)

“ ..The paper’s executive editor, Lucius Harper, later helped establish the Bud Billiken
Club and Parade—the oldest and largest African-American parade in the USA—and
also ghost-authored the successful autobiography of Jack Johnson, America’s first
Black heavyweight boxing champion
9. Based from the article, did the authors achieve what they
have set to achieve when they started with their scholarly

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 research about the genealogy of globalization? (do not
exceed 200 words explanation

Approaches to the Study of Globalization

Manfred B. Steger
1. How do you understand the 3 perspectives identified by Steger
in the evaluation of globalization as a phenomenon?

(for each level, do not exceed 200 words explanation)

a. Rejectionist
b. Sceptics
c. Modifiers

2. According to Steger, globalization is comprised of the political,

economic, and cultural processes which are interrelated with
each other. Which among these processes is the most important
force where ALL OTHER CHANGES in the system starts and affects
all other processes. Explain (do not exceed 300 words explanation)

3. In your point of view, does globalization actually foster

homogeneity of culture? Is it advantageous for Filipinos or not?
(do not exceed 250 words explanation)

Google Quiz: Let’s Check your

Comprehension
A short quiz is prepared for you in the Google
classroom. Availability of access will be
posted so keep yourself updated. The quiz will
be available for a specific period of time
(taking into consideration the internet
connectivity of students) so manage your time and load in
accessing the Google quiz. Give your best. Your learning
basically depends on you, your Professor is just a facilitator. Let
us work together. I believe in you!

Notes:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fungerboeck.com%2Fresources%2Fglobalization-how-it-
influences-and-challenges-the-event-industry&psig=AOvVaw17qzUMRq5-

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 lu6wwTOncUlF&ust=1598407427020000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwjG87XoobXrAhVPeZQKHYwKArg
Qr4kDegUIARDRAQ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhackernoon.com%2Fglobalization-a-comparative-perspective-
kv6n3221&psig=AOvVaw17qzUMRq5-
lu6wwTOncUlF&ust=1598407427020000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwjG87XoobXrAhVPeZQKHYwKArg
Qr4kDegUIARDmAQ

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