LESSON 1 Course Overview

THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

The concept contemporary world is a composite of the terms "contemporary and “world".'
World generally means the earth, together with all of its countries and peoples (or a particular
region or group of countries) including the human and sociaf interactions happening in it. The
adjective contemporary denotes belonging to d occurring in the present, or living or occurring at the
same time orat the time.
The contemporary world thus refers to our world with the circumstances and ideas of the
present age, as in the phrase “in modern times like these". It is sometimes used interchangeably
with modern times, modern world, and present times. The concept also denotes a more or less
definite period of time now or previously present, and the things happening, existing, living, or
coming into being in that period of time.
The term contemporary can be confusing due to its slightly different meanings.Before the 20th
century, it referred only to things from the same era as any other things.For example, Islam's
Muhammad was contemporary with Catholic Pope Gregory the Great.In today's use however, the
term contemporary usually means simply“modern,”"new” or "current,"as the term is marked by
characteristics of the present period.

GLOBALIZATION IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

One of the substantial distinctions of the so-called contemporary world is the presence of
globalization with its very profound concept and the complex ideas that goes with it. In fact,
globalization is one of the main reasons the contemporary world is an ever-changing mix of social,
cultural, and political changes.
Globalization has remarkable irrefutable effects on almost all spheres of the
contemporary world as it brings about flow of goods, capital, people, ideas,and
technology. The globalized socio-economic and geopolitical patterns expedite
transnational activities across the borders of nation-states in this contemporary world.
Figuratively speaking, globalization is responsible for the shrinking of the contemporary world. On the
other hand, it allows the increased consciousness of the modern world as a whole. In a broad sense,
 globalization defines the changes in contemporary societies and the current world economy that is largely
influenced by heightened cross-border trades, investments, and cultural exchanges.

GLOBALIZATION: AN INTRODUCTION
Globalization (or globalisation) is an umbrella term denoting the growing modern interconnectedness of
nations, people, and markets. It also refers to the process of interaction and integration among companies and
governments worldwide.Globalization is a convergence made possible, and probably inescapable, by advances
in transportation and communications technology that led to the development of global communications
networks.
Globalization is principally an economic process of interaction and integration.The development of
immensely profitable transnational corporations, the birth pf the brand, and the development of a global
market place for goods and services re now seen as.both the causes and effects of globalization. Moreover,
increasing ntergovernmental cooperation and the growth of influential non-governmental prganisations
largely affect globalization and vice versa.
With amplified global interactions come the growth of international trade and ideas and even the the
commodification of culture into intellectual property. Globalization is thus linked with social and cultural
changes.Relatedly, conflicts and diplomacy are also perpetual parts of the history of globalization.

CONCEPTS AND IDEAS ASSOCIATED WITH GLOBALIZATION

The following are some of the most significant ideas that are related to the concept of globalization:
Free Trade
Promoted by globalization, free trade is an international trade
left to its natural course, that is,without tariffs, quotas, or other
restrictions. It is a principle or policy to remove discrimination
against imports andexports. In a free trade, buyers and sellers from
various economies may voluntarily trade without any government
sanctioning tariffs,quotas, subsidies, or prohibitions on services and
goods.
The swift pace of globalization is largely due to policies which
Free trade: Promoted by globalization,it is a
are aimed at achieving macroeconomic benefits. Examples of such
principle or policy to remove exports.
[Image source:ccn-clil.eu] policies are those which favor free trade such
as those which forbid trade protectionism and economic isolationism, allow more direct foreign
investment, lower or remove tariffs, and permit.foreign.access to capital markets.

Mass Media
Mass media may be the strongest (though the most debatable) indirect agent of socialization in the
contemporary globalized world. They put across to us lot of ideas and mannerisms from various parts of
the world without having any kind of direct interpersonal communication. They influence our lives to a
great extent as we tend to learn a lot from international newspapers, magazines, radio, Internet, and
television.
 The mass media play a key role in augmenting.globalization as they facilitate cultural exchanges and
several flows of information and images, among countries through international news broadcasts,
television programs,new technologies, film,and music. Once relatively national in scope, most
communications media have become progressively global, ranging their scope beyond the nation-state to
acquire audiences worldwide. Global flows of information have been aided by the development of
worldwide capitalism, new technologies, and the growing commercialization of global television, which has
transpired as a result of the deregulation policies adopted by different countries in the United States and
Europe in order to allow the spread of cable and satellite channels.

Technology and Internet

Technology has enabled globalization. Since the turn of the 20th century, there have been international
market integration and widespread cultural exchange. Much of what is distinct about present-day
globalization can be traced to technological innovations.
Today, two cultures do not have to engage in direct contact with each other to allow diffusion or
transferring of cultural elements. Technologies such as the Internet have wiped out the physical borders for
“getting in touch” with other cultures.Now,people just have to operate modern devices, especially those
powered by the Internet,to reach any place in the world, explore its culture, comprehend it, and if like,
borrow its cultural traits.
The 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study in the Philippines reported that the deregulation of
the telecommunication industry in 1995, following the passage of Republic Act 7925(Public
Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines), paved the way for the rapid development of information
and communication technology in the country.Today, cellular phones have become the most common
communication technology tool for every Filipino, especially that modern cellphones are now Internet-
compatible.
The Internet provides a means to establish relationships without face-to-face contact, referred to as
virtual friends and online business clients. It is now common that people, because of being Internet users,
have online or virtual friends and customers,i.e., those they have not met personally.
People have been socialized into relying on new communications technologies not just in industrial
nations but also in Africa and other developing areas like the Philippines. Not long ago, ifJuan Dela Cruz, for
instance, wanted to personally see his mother, he had to make a two-day trip from New York where he
works by plane and bus to the rural town in La Union where he was born. Now, both he and his mother
have access to a cell phone or Internet, and they simply send text messages to each other daily or video
chat. Juan and his mother are now not atypical. Although cell phones.are not cheap, millions of owners in
developing countries have come to consider them a necessity. Today, there are more cell phones in
developing nations than in industrial nations-the first time in history that developing nations have outpaced
the developed world in the adoption of a telecommunications technology (Sullivan, 2006).
Moreover,technological revolution has created a new economy in which the world is a single market
and a new social order in which people play a part in a global culture and economy that is more inclusive
and flexible. The new economy is characterised by (a) globally integrated production, (b) specialized but
interdependent labor markets,(c) the privatization of state assets, and (d) new technological linkages
(phones, the Internet, online markets) that transcend national borders.
Indeed, the Internet has internationalized capital markets. Real-time communications (through phone
and the Internet) have made possible the export of service jobs (e.g., call centers), smoother cultural
diffusion, and social and economic relations across national boundaries. The Internet has allowed
worldwide access to news and has spread both political thoughts and better consumer knowledge.

The Social Media and Social Networking

Social media are computer-and-Internet-mediated tools that allow people to generate, share, and
exchange information, pictures, and videos in virtual communities and networks. As such, it includes all
Internet-based applications that allow the formation and interchange of user-generated content.
Moreover, “social media depend on mobile and web-based technologies to create highly interactive
platforms through which individuals and communities share, co-create, discuss, and modify user-generated
content" ("Social Media,"n.d.).
Unlike traditional or industrial media, social media operate in a "dialogic transmission system," that is,
in a "many sources to many receivers" manner.Additionally, they are comparatively inexpensive and
accessible,as they enable anybody, even private persons, to access and broadcast information.
Forms of socialmedia includeInternetforums,weblogs,socialblogs,microblogging,wikis, podcasts, photograph-
sharing platforms (e.g,, Instagram), video-sharing platforms (e.g., YouTube), online magazines (e.g.,
OurHappyschool,com), and social bookmarking. “Technologies include blogging, picture-sharing, vlogs,wall-
posting,music-sharing, crowd sourcing and voice over IP, to name a few."("Social Media,"n.d.).Social networkingis a
famous form of social media and an integrationof the various social media platforms.
Social networking refers to “the use of dedicated websites and
applications to interact with other users,or to find people with similar
interests to oneself"(“Social networking,' 2009). A social network is “an
online community of people with a common interest who use a website or
other technologies to communicate with each other and share
information, resources, etc."(“Network,”2008).
Social media: The greatest
beneficiary of heightened
An example of a social media and social networkingincrease in social media activities
site is the Facebook which has attained over one billioninterchanging of ideas and

is globalization which involves

active users from around the world since 2012. Because cultures.

of modern technologies and social media applications, the world has become one giant

social network where people can learn, play games, or work with anyone, anywhere.

It has become impossible for the corporate world, governments, and other industries to disregard social media
with its millions of users around the world. These institutions have had to join social media networks to keep in a
loop in activities happening with their citizens and globally. The greatest beneficiary of heightened increase in social
media activities is globalization which implicates interchanging of ideas and cultures.
 For instance, the industrial growth of Western economies has been a great beneficiary of social media. The
industries that are placed in Europe and America have had an opportunity to conduct market research through
social media on the regions they can present their products. Previously, it was costly to conduct surveys in various
countries as physical man power was needed. However, it has become possible for industries to do this research
through social networks. Using social media and social networks, companies have been able to reach new markets
with ease. Business firms have also had an opportunity to get knowledge on the cheapest sources of raw materials
and labor and discover efficient ways of production.
The Pros and Cons of Social Media. For being relatively more accessible and cheaper,social media has been
becoming the main source of news for more and more people in the world.Nonetheless, criticisms of social media
include disparity or inconsistency of the information offered in various social media sites and issues with reliability
of the sources of posted materials.
In commerce, mobile social media applications incite a rising trend in the popularity and accessibility of buying
online (e-commerce), thereby generating new types of jobs. Social media have also provided a venue where people,
both consumers and produces, are free to exchange ideas on products and services. However, these open platforms
can work both ways, as they can be used as launching pads of viral yet deceitful propagandas for or against a
company.
Sociologically,social media are effectively utilized to explore things and places,document memories, advertise
oneself, build reputation, create friendships, and even bring in career opportunities. However, some people who
use social media to fulfill certain social needs are said to be unfortunately disappointed. “Lonely individuals are
drawn to the Internet for emotional support... [but] it interferes with 'real life socializing'... Social media provides
more breadth, but not the depth of relationships that humans require” (“Social Media," n.d.).
Using social media also hás an effect on social skills because of the absence of face-to-face contact. In fact, it is
believed that they could affect the mental health,especially of teens. “Teens who use Facebook frequently..may
become more narcissistic,antisocial, and aggressive. Teens become strongly influenced by advertising, and it
influences buying habits for the future" ("Social Media," n.d.). These therefore call for a responsible, wise,
controlled, and guided use of the social media.
In relation to children, using social media promotes socialization, learning, and creativity as it helps them with
class requirements and enables them to stay connected with classmates and peers. On the other hand, social media
may also exposè children to cyber-bullying, online sexual predation, alcohol, tobacco, and sexual behaviors.
As regards social, cultural, and political change, social media and social networking can shape people's opinions
on crucial issues and involve them in cause-oriented activities and even in radical campaigns. Case in point, the
people in Egypt used Facebook,Twitter, and YouTube in 2011 as means to communicate and orchestrate various
protests and rallies which eventually overthrew President Hosni Mubarak.

Transnational Migration

Since the late 20th century, the rise of globalization has changed the concept of migration. Improvements in
transportation, communication,and financial systems have made it easier for people to migrate to work in another
country but still provide for their families by sending or remitting their earnings back to their home country.
Transnational migration refers to the phenomenon in which people migrate from one country to another forthe
purpose of temporarylabor, in which they simultaneously participate in social connections in multiple nations.
Transnational migrants are also called foreign laborer,guest worker,and expatriate.
 Transnational migrants find themselves redefining the notion of citizenship-they of capital of another. In a
sense, therefore, they inhabit two distinct spatal locations.
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Psychologically,they possess a multiple-contextual view of self.They maintain a sense of self, which is

inherently oriented to their place of origin, as well as a sense of selfin the location to which they migrate.
Sociologically, they are exposed to various values,belies, rituals, and customs of more than one cultures.
In the Philippines, a remarkable increase in labor migration has generated a large population of Filipino
families with a member who is a transnational migrant. There is a special term being used for Filipino
transnational migrants-they are usually referred to as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic and political system in which the industry and trade are controlled not by
thestate but by private owners for profit. It is an economic system which recognizes private property rights.
Both globalization and capitalism essentially advocate freeexchange of goods and services. Capitalism
benefits from global trades and global labor and globalization is upheld (and even financed) by
international capitalists. Capitalism aims to produce more products and services for low cost and sell as
much as possible and globalization helps feed this need of capitalism. For instance, through globalization, a
Western capitalist enterprise can have access to cheap labor in Asian countries as well as to to the large
consumer market in the region. Arguably, capitalism and globalization feed on each other.
Capitalism is said to be born when the credit system was incorporated into the monetary economy. As
monetary systems became more complex with the growing interconnectivity among countries, capitalism
has been seen as one of the various manifestations of globalization. Globalization's principle of eradicating
restrictions on trade gives a boost to capitalists' corporations to flourish.
German phílosopher Karl Marx (1818-1883) prophesied the demise of state-supported capitalism. He
proposed communism as ultimately the next evolutionary stage for human cultures.Capitalism, for
Marx,has the tendency to concentrateincome and wealth in ever fewer hands which would bring about
more and more severe crises of excess output and rising unemployment.

Terrorism
Terrorism is politically oriented violence or threat of violence. It undoubtedly causes change in society
as it involves the purposeful creation and exploitation of fear for bringing aboutsocio-political change.
Terrorism has transpired throughout history for an assortment of reasons. Its causes can be social, cultural,
political, historical,psychological, economic, or religious-or any combination of these.
 Some see correlation among (a) remarkable advances in
technology and communication,(b)the ever increasing pace. of
globalization, and (c)the rise of terrorism. Certain views assert
that globalization may be one of the key causes of the spread of
terrorism because it aids terrorist groups to dispense their
literature and impose their visions on like-minded people in
various parts of the world which has become a global village. On
the other hand,some views state that terrorism is increasing not
Globalization and terrorism:
Globalization is seen as a cause of the spread of because of globalization but because some people are excluded
terrorism as it aids terrorist groups to dispense their from globalization. Either way,globalization is seen as related to
ideology.[Image source: localfutures.org]
terrorism.
International Organizations
International organization refers to membership group that functions across national borders for well-
defined purposes. They are practical organizations through which vital international issues are addressed.
Histoically, through international organizations, issues on international mail service and control of
traffic on European rivers were managed. Moreover, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)-an
international organization-helped nations agree on a treaty to stop manufacturing ozone-destroying
chemicals. The World Health Organization(WHO), helped nations to focus attention on acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as a global crisis.
International organizations fall into two basic categories:(1)the intergovernmental organizations and (2)
the internatiónal nongovernmental organizations.

Globalization and state sovereignty:In globalization, states
are increasingly losing their sovereignty as international
organizations take over the states'traditional functions and
prescribe dislikeable policies.
State's Sovereignty
Another problem with globalization is that states are in
effect increasingly losing their sovereignty.Sovereignty refers to
the full power and right of a governing body over itself, without
any intrusion from outside bodies or sources. In a
globalized.world however, organizations such as the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and World
Trade Organization (WTO) are said to virtually take over the
states' traditional functions. For example, the World Bank and
the IMF usually prescribe dislikeable neoliberal policies such as
currency devaluation,subsidy removal, and the privatization of
strategic public enterprise as conditions for granting loans to
financially distraught states.

The disastrous repercussion of this is that elected local leaders cede their prerogative over economic
management to unelected officias of international organizations. This scenario generated by globalization is
thus seen as morally condemnable intrusiveness of international economic organizations, characterized
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bylack of accountability to the people openly affected by their policies and the tendency to impose
agonizing conditions on indebted governments.

Ethics
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that studies morality or the rightness or wrongness of human
conduct. It is fundamentally related to morality which speaks of a code or system of behavior in regards to
standards of right or wrong behavior.Globalization and its effects have ethical implications and they do
pose some moral challenges.
One criticism against: the presently unfolding neoliberal globalization in globalization is that it concentrates
wealth in the hands of a few, leaving the majority in the condition of poverty. While advocates of globalization paint
a pretty picture of a globalized world marked by the spread of liberal democracy, prosperity, and peace,
globalization is said to have actually caused radical inequality, a deepening of exclusions brought about by
inequalities that present the world to be a fragmented space where some benefit at the expense of others. Critics
thus describe globalization as a process driven by progressive capitalist countries to perpetuate their economic and
political domination.
Filipino Philosophy professor Jensen DG. Mañebog explains that the fact that globalization and the propagation
of the laissez-faire capitalism deepen the inequalities within and between nations is ethically condemnable from
both the consequentialist and deontological standpoints. From the consequentialist viewpoint, the moral argument
against globalization is that it fails to maximize happiness for the greatest number of people. From a deontological
perspective, particularly in Kantian ethics, globalization is condemnable on the account that exploited populations
are treated as means to an end and not as end in themselves (For detailed discussions on the ethical implications of
globalization, read the Appendix A:“Globalization and Pluralism: New Challenges to Ethics" by Jensen DG.Mañebog).

A CONCEPT MAP OF GLOBALIZATION

A concept map or mind map is a thinking technique used to visually organize information (“Mind map,”n.d.). It
is a creative and logical way of organizing thoughts and ideas in one's mind through a diagram. Mind map was
popularized by English author and educational consultant Tony Buzan (born 1942).
Usually, a concept map revolves around a central subject. Major ideas in the form of
images and/or words branch out from the main subject.Texts,lines,colors,images,and symbols
may be used to make mind maps. Concept maps can be simply done by manual drawing or
sketching or it can be created through-more intricate processes using computer applications.
Figure 1.1 is an example of a concept map of globalization.
 Figure 1.1. Globalization: A concept map
[Concept source:econ-globalization.blogspot.com]
Name: Score:
Professor: Date:

Define the following terms using your own description.

1. Contemporary world

2. Globalization

3. Internet
4. Social network

5. Capitalism

6.Terrorism

7. Ethics

8. Transnational migration

9. International organization

10. Concept map