Globalization

CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
This introduces the learners on how to analyze
the dynamics of transnational cooperation and how
governments are affected by globalization. This section
also enables the learners to look into the meaning of
global governance through the discussion of the United
Nations’ (UN) roles and functions.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, the learners are expected to:

1. Define and explain the meaning of state, nation and nation – states ;
2. Explain the various impacts of globalization on nation – states ;
3. Enumerate and explain the functions of intergovernmental organizations;
4. Identify the roles and functions of the United Nations (UN); and
5. Define and differentiate the concept internationalism from globalism
DIAGNOSTICS:
Instructions: Write AGREE if you think the statement is correct; otherwise, DISAGREE.
_________ 1. The Human Rights Watch is an international advocacy organization.
_________ 2. Internationalism and internationalization are two similar ideas.
_________ 3. The Asia Pacific Economic Forum is an intergovernmental organization (IGO).
_________ 4. The United Nations is a global government.
_________ 5. UN’s fiver permanent security council members have a veto power.
Weber (1997) defines the state as a compulsory political organization with a centralized
government that maintains the legitimate use of force within a certain territory. He explicated that it is
normal for the state to use force and/or violence to suppress lawlessness in its territory as well as to protect
itself from other states. On the other hand, the concept of nation emphasizes the organic ties that hold
groups of people together and inspire a sense of loyalty and belonging – i.e., ethnicity, language, religion,
and others (Schattle, 2014). Combining these two, a nation – state can then be defined as a political
community that emanates from civic society to legitimately execute peace. Thus, civic society is the basis
of the people’s oneness.
Weber explained that the state has the monopoly

of the legitimate use of force. Although we know
how destructive fire arms are, this is the reason
why we do not question soldiers using them or the
police. We have learned to accept this as
legitimate or natural.
© maxdefense.blogspot.com
Though some scholars like Appadural and Ohmae claim that globalization has superseded
the individual function and jurisdiction of nation – states, this is still arguable. In fact, nation –
states can manipulate competitive advantages with international and political issues, transnational
civil society organizations, and multinational companies. They are also accountable for a host of
international norms and standards, find themselves in subordinate positions to protect their
economy, and face new kinds of pressures of supranational integration and focus of local
fragmentation (Schattle, 2014). However, if nation – states no longer have power in today’s
globalized world, then why does the United Nations (UN), with its increasing number of states,
remain relevant in global decision making? The 194 member states of UN prove that globalization
has affected the dynamics of nation – states in the context of their agency as legitimate holders of
force in their jurisdiction.
College of Arts and Sciences – Social Sciences Department For SLSU Use Only 18
30
B. S T R U C T U R E S OF GLOBALIZATION
The United Nations was established after the Second World War with once central mission
– to maintain international peace and security. Aside from maintaining international peace and
security and protecting human rights, UN also carries the functions of delivering humanitarian aid,
promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law. It is composed of six organs:
a. The General Assembly – which serves as the main deliberative policy-making and
representative organ.
b. The Security Council – is the organ which has the commitment to preserve peace and security.
c. The Economic and Social Council – is the main organ for cooperation, policy, review, policy
dialogue, and advice on economic, environmental and social issues.
d. The Trusteeship Council – is the organ tasked to administer international oversight for trust
territories and to make sure that adequate procedures are taken for independence and self –
government.
e. The International Court of Justice – is the UN’s prime judicial organ.
f. The Secretariat – is the organ tasked to execute the daily activities as assigned by the five other
organs.
Globalization has, in a way, reshaped the role and functions of nation – states as governing
bodies in their particular territories.
First, globalization is seen to impose a forced choice upon nation – states. Either they
conform to the neo – liberal ideas and free – market principles of deregulation, privatization, and
free trade or run the risk of being left behind in terms of development. Of course, the nation –
states, in this contemporary age, are forced to submit themselves to the demands of globally
accepted free – market principles. Though government policies can be put in place, nation – states
are forced to realign their policies to be congruent with the principles of free trade because of the
pressures from global corporations. To illustrate, the member states of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), including the Philippines, established the ASEAN Free Trade Area
(AFTA) in 1999. Its goal is to encourage the member – states to deepen their commitments in
investment, trade, and industrial collaboration to brace them for the increase in the region’s
economic activity.
Second, is the establishment of economic and political integrations. One good example is
the European Union (EU) and the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). EU has
become a supranational body with 28 members. It has a single currency and monetary system
among 17 states, parliament with legislative powers, with common citizens’ right to live, work,
vote and run for office, with developed collective mechanism to resolve crises and assist those in
need, and with intercontinental jurisprudence in the case of the European Court of Justice and the
European court of Human Rights. The statehood of the members is not dissolved, what has
changed is only how nation – states function, in terms of economy and politics, as part of a whole
(Schattle, 2014).
The third effect of globalization is the establishment of international laws and principles.
This is observable in the establishment of the UN that operates as a forum for nation – states to air
their differences and try to resolve them. The UN Security Council has powers that include the
creation of peacekeeping operations and international sanctions and the authorization of military
action. Also, UN’s International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutes individuals accused of crimes
against humanity such as genocide. The founding of ICC is based on the adoption of the Rome
Statue of International Criminal Court in 1998, with the vote of 120 to 7, with 21 abstentions. It
began functioning in 2002 when the statue officially came into force. However, the United States,
China and India are not signatories. Thus, the treat is not binding to these economic powers.
Moreover, there are also universal principles that are adopted by nation – states in relation to the
31
dynamism of globalization. Two of them are the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that
affirms an individual’s rights and the other is the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea
that defines the rights of nation – states on the use of the world’s oceans.
These three mentioned effects are vertical effects. Aside from this, globalization also has a
horizontal effect which can be observed in the formation of transgovernmental Networks
(Slaughter, 2004). National government offices connect with their counterparts in other nation –
states in order to establish linkages that would benefit all parties. As institutions, policies are
agreed upon and individual state – participants are conscious that their home country policies
should not be violated.
The fourth effect of globalization is the rise of transnational activism (TNA). Such happens
when activist groups of nation – states connect with their counterparts in our states. For example,
an advocacy – based organization in the Philippines may connect itself with and get support from
other human rights groups in Europe to pressure the Philippine government to realign its stance
and actions in upholding human rights.
The fifth and last effect of globalization is the creation of new communication network.
Globalization binds communities through digital media. With new technologies in communication,
political interaction can happen in a virtual sphere. People can exchange political perspectives
through internet, therefore stirring political discourse on an online platform. Because of the so –
called network society (Castells, 2009), nation – states must reshape themselves to become part of
global networks in the arena of finance, education, science, technology, arts and sports. This can
be seen in the proliferation of online education from universities outside the Philippines.
Conversely, Philippine universities offer online courses to non – Filipinos. Thus, digital media has
become the platform for strategic communications at home and abroad wherein the nation – states
can utilize the internet to gather feedback from the citizens. Social media gives people the power
to air their sentiments, and also, serves as an avenue to discuss issues. In the case of authoritarian
and repressive states like China, Russia, and North Korea, the governments make us of media
technologies to filter content that can be viewed by their citizens. On the other hand, digital media
can also be used by governments to gain public support in their campaigns. Thus, social media, in
particular, can become an alternative to mainstream media that advances its biased perspective.
In order to facilitate connections among nation – states, intergovernmental organizations
(IGOs) were established. Their aim is to foster strong economic, political, cultural, educational,
and technical intergovernmental relationships. Here are some examples:
Name Date Members Objectives
Established
Association of 1967 10 – state 1. Accelerate economic, social and cultural
Southeast Asian members growth and development;
Nations (ASEAN) 2. Promote regional progression;
3. Advance peace and sustainability;
4. Promote active and beneficial cooperation
and mutual assistance in economic, technical,
cultural, administrative and scientific fields;
5. Provide assistance to each other in the
framework of training and research
installations in the educational, professional,
technical, and administrative spheres;
6. work hand in hand for more effective and
greater use of agriculture and industries;
7. advance Southeast Asian research; and
8. Preserve close and beneficial collaboration
with current international and regional
institutions with similar aims and purposes.
European Union November 28 – state 1. Promote peace, its values, and the well –
(EU) 1993 members being of its citizens;
2. Offer freedom, security, and justice
without internal borders;
3. Uphold sustainable development based on
balanced economic growth and price
stability;
4. Combat social exclusion and
discrimination;
5. Promote scientific and technological
progress;
6. Enhance economic, social, and territorial
cohesion and solidarity among members
countries;
7. Respect cultural and linguistic diversity;
8. Establish an economic and monetary union
(europa.eu).
World Trade January 1, 164 – The sole IGO that caters to rules of trade on
Organization 1995 member a global scale. It aims:
(WTO) states 1. To ensure that trade runs as smoothly,
predictably, and freely as possible;
2. To encourage trade by lowering trade
barriers that may hinder how products and
services flow from nation to nation.
Organization OF September 13 Member To coordinate and unify the petroleum

Petroleum 10 – 14, Countries policies of its Member Countries and ensure
Exporting 1960 the stabilization of oil markets in order to
Countries (OPEC) secure an efficient, economic and regular
supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady
income to producers and a fair return on
capital for those investing in the petroleum
industry. (opec.org)
The intensification of relations among nation – states gave birth to the idea of
internationalism and globalism. The former is the theory and practice of interdependent
collaboration while the latter is an attitude. Internationalism is basically anchored on the opinion
that nationalism should be outrun because links that bind people of different countries are more
powerful than those that disconnect them (Anora, 2014). Immanuel Kant (1795) stated that
agreements among nations must be reached. He conceptualized the idea of liberal internationalism
which proposes that nations must give up their freedom and submit to a larger system of laws that
is embodied by common international principles. Thus, a form of global government is needed to
create and enforce these laws.
Socialist interactionalism, on the other hand, contradicts liberal interactionalism. This is
based on the view that capitalism is a global system and that the working class must unite as a
global class to forward the struggle against capitalism. Its notion is linked to the goal of a world
evolution – to end class struggle globally. The Second International (1889 – 1916), the original
socialist international, was an organization of labor and social parties established in Paris in 1889.
It is best known for declaring the International Worker’s Day (May 1) and International Women’s
Day (March 8) and for initiating the campaign for the eight – hour work day.
On the other hand, globalism emerged as an attitude that seeks to understand all the
interconnections of the modern world and to highlight patterns that underlie them. It pursues to
describe and explain a world that is characterized by a network of connections that spam multi –
continental distances.
E
Overall, the global interstate system is a facet of contemporary political globalization that
seeks to form collaboration among nation – states through the establishment of intergovernmental
organizations. It is rooted on the idea of internationalism.
OBJECTIVES:
THE GLOBAL DIVIES: THE NORTH
DIAGNOSTICS:
_________ 1. The Philippines is an example of Global South.
_________ 2. First World countries are communist nation – states.
_________ 3. Second World countries include the United States of America.
_________ 4. The Philippines is a Third World country.
_________ 5. A Global South country is characterized as a poor nation.
Since the process of globalization is uneven, it follows that there is an imbalance in the
socio-economic and political categories of the world. The world is divided into north and south,
and first, second, and third.
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Europe, Australia, and America tend to see the big
difference between the ways of living in the Philippines and in Western countries. Some of them
come home as “one- day millionaires” giving our presents to their family, relatives, neighbors, and
friends. Although their incomes are relatively higher than if they work in the Philippines, they
realize that life is still tough despite the remittances they send to their families and the taxes that
the country gains from these. Furthermore, they cannot escape the reality that their occasional
vacations in the Philippines are temporary because they would need to go back to work in order to
continue making a living in another country. This is a reflection of the global divide between the
north and the south as experienced by these Filipinos.
The term Global South is a metaphor for interstate inequality and a product of Western
imagination (Claudio, 2014). Historically, there had been divisions and labeling among the
different nations of the world. Countries that were colonized by the Spaniards in the southern part
of the American continent are collectively called Latin America. By virtue of the Treat of
Tordesillas in 1994, the newly discovered lands outside Europe were divided into two – the West
belonging to the Crown of Castile (now part of Spain) and the East belonging to the Portuguese
Empire. There is also a split based on labor – the core, the semi – periphery, and the peripheries.
From these divisions, the Global South refers to the socio – economic and political divide primarily
focused on the southern hemisphere of the 1569 – designed Mercatorian map. It also includes the
regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania (Dados & Connell, 2012). It connotes
developing countries as opposed to rich, industrialized, and wealth nations. On the contrary, the
Global North is the home of all members of the Group of Eight – Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States of America. It is also the abode of the four
powerful permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. It also refers to the
developed countries in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Although usually associated with developing nations, the Global South is also found in
developing countries. Economically poor families, underprivileged individuals, unfair labor
48
36
practices, and suppression of human rights, and other violation of basic rights in Europe, Australia,
US, and Canada are the pieces of evidence that people from developed countries also share similar
experiences with people from developing countries.
By now, one can say that the

terms Global South and Third World are
conceptually the same. But the term
Third World is the antecedent of Global
South (Claudio, 2014). The classification
of nations as First World or Third World
emerged during the Cold War. The term
“Third World” historically, was coined
by Alfred Sauvy in 1952 in an article
entitled “Three Worlds, One Planet”
(Andrews, 2018). In this original context,
the First World included the United
States and its capitalist allies in places
such as Western Europe, Japan and
Australia. The Second World consisted
of the communist Soviet Union and its 1www.atlasworld.com
Eastern European satellites. The Third
World, meanwhile, encompassed all the other countries that were not actively aligned with either
side in the Cold War. These were often impoverished former European colonies, and included
nearly all the nations of Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia (Andrews, 2018). To
illustrate, India was considered a Third World country for it was a colony of the United Kingdom.
Later, the category was used to refer to countries that were neither capitalist nor socialist. Since
many countries were impoverished, the term was also used to refer to the poor world. These
countries were considered to be non – industrialized and newly industrialized. They lacked the
standard systems in banking, finance, and trade.
Hence, it is outdated to say that countries in Southeast Asia belong to the Third World for
the term has ended its usage after the Cold War. These countries may be classified as the Global
South through some of their citizens experience the Global North within their territories.
38
ASIAN REGIONALISM
This section investigates the mechanism of how Asian region integrates and how nation –
states approach the challenges of world homogenization and division.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Differentiate between regionalization and globalization;
2. Identify the factors that lead to a greater integration of Asian regions; and
3. Analyze how different Asian states confront the challenges of globalization and
regionalization through regionalism.
DIAGNOSTICS:
_________ 1. Russia is a part of Asia.
_________ 2. Lebanon is in Asia.
_________ 3. East Timor is the youngest state in Asia.
_________ 4. The term Asia was coined by Asians themselves.
_________ 5. Japan colonized some parts of Asia.
Among all
the continents, Asia
has the biggest
population of at least
two – thirds of the
world’s inhabitants –
with China being a
home of more than
1.4 billion people
based on the 2018
population projection
of the United Nations
which makes it
country as one of the
economic super © www.foreignpolicy.com
giants of the world.
Asia is most probably
one of the biggest
because the continent
comprises one – third
of the world’s land
mass. In terms of economy, emerging and developing Asian countries and the Associations of
Southeast Asian Nations 5 or the ASEAN 5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and
Thailand) had
an average of 6.3% and 5.1% GDP growth, respectively, compared to the world average growth
of 3.5% as of 2016 (Obiols, 2017). In 2016, China was the world’s leading exporter of goods
valued at $1.99 trillion, followed by the United States with $1.45 trillion (Dillinger, 2018).
Since the European Union is in its mature state of regionalism, the world is now focused
on Asia. Most countries want to have collaborations with East Asian countries and the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members because economic and political growths in these
regions have started to shape up. As a result, the United States strategically takes care of its allies
in Asia to maintain and further enhance its supply of raw materials, human technological skills,
and even its military force. At the same time, Europe keeps its strong relationship with Asian
For SLSU Use Only 39

51
countries to expand its growing business in the field of medical science and research. It cannot be
denied that Asia is gaining worldwide attention.
In this light, globalization, regionalization, and regionalism are compared. Also, exposures
to the different factors that bring about better homogenization of Asia and how member – states
collectively and separately address the challenges they are facing are discussed.
The terms regionalization and globalization are both related to integration. However, while
globalization refers to the expansion and intensification of social relations and consciousness
across world – time and world – space; regionalization, on the other hand, is the “growth of
societal integration within a region and to the often undirected process of social and economic
interaction” (Hurrel, 1995). In terms of scope, it is clear that globalization happens around the
world while regionalization happens only in a specific geographical region. Social and economic
reciprocal actions of regionalization are undirected because of diversity – which comes in different
levels of development (from the rich Singapore to the poor Laos), politics (from democracy to
dictatorship and everything in between), economics (from free markets to capitalism and more),
and religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and more) (Richter & West, 2014).
Another concept commonly confused with regionalization is regionalism. Regionalism

refers to regional concentration of economic flows and also pertains to the process of
intergovernmental collaborations between two or more states (Eliassen & Arnadottir, 2012), while
regionalization refers to a political process by economic policy if cooperation and coordination are
present among countries (Mansfiled & Wilmer,1993).
Asian regionalism is a new concept among the continental communities. New to

cooperation and collaboration goals, it has the 50 – year – old ASEAN group and the failed East
Asia Economic Group (EAEG). The ASEAN community is comprised of three pillars – political
security community, economic community, and socio – cultural community.
The political security community gives importance to human rights, drugs, foreign
relations, defense, law, and transnational crimes. The association adheres to significant roles of
monitoring – economic ministers, finance ministers, central bank governors, free trade area,
investment area, agriculture and forestry, transport ministers, telecommunications and information
technology ministers, science and technology, energy, minerals, tourism, free trade agreements
with dialogue partners, and sectoral bodies in the arena of economic community. In the socio –
cultural community, there is an avenue for cooperation among the ministers responsible for culture
and arts, sports, disaster management, education, environment, health, information, labor, rural
development and poverty eradication, women, youth, and civil service matters.
ASEAN has also partnered with three East Asian countries – China, Japan, and South
Korea. It is called the ASEAN +3. Its goal is to address the 1997 Asian financial crisis and help
each other cope with the crisis. In this context, ASEAN has concretized regionalism in the Asian
region.
Similar, to the goal of ASEAN in achieving greater integration within the region, other
countries form groups for various reasons. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
a free trade pact between Canada, United States and Mexico was created to help reduce trading
costs, increase business investment, and help North America to be more competitive in the global
marketplace (NAFTA, 2018). The European Union (EU) was established to ensure free movement
of people, goods, services, and capital within the EU’s single market (EU, 2018).
41
Moreover, there are some aspects that led to a greater Asian integration.
 First, integration has been market – driven. Within Asia, there are a variety of systems,
institutions, procedures, social relations, and infrastructures that are put into place for
countries to engage in exchange.
 Second, formal institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were established.
The ADB which was conceived in the 1960s, is composed of 67 members, 48 of which are
from the Asia – Pacific region. It promotes social and economic development and serves
as a financial institution that aids its members and partners by providing loans, technical
assistance, grants, and equity investments. Initially, ADB focused its assistance on food
production and rural development to serve a predominantly agricultural region.
 Third, economic grants and overseas development assistance are made available by better
Asian economies.
 Fourth, production networks have expanded. Economies are mainly on comparative
advantage through the regional division of labor.
 Fifth, cooperation among the ASEAN and East Asian countries ensued the ASEAN +3
Financial Ministers’ Process that established two economic structures – the Chiang Mai
Initiative and the Asian Bond Markets Initiative. The process aims to strengthen policy
dialogue, coordination, and collaboration on common financial, monetary, and fiscal
issues.
 Last, ASEAN follows a consensus rule as an approach to decision making. The process
prevents collision of cultural beliefs and economic policies that are understandably not east
to unite because of the region’s diversity of archipelagic lives.
In facing the challenges brought about by globalization, Asian countries have responded
with regional alternatives as big group, small group and local communities.
As a big group, Asian countries established their own Asian Development Bank (ADB)
that is more focused on Asia and the Pacific as a reaction to global economic integration. Asian
nations work in the form of loans, grants, and information sharing on topics such as terrorism
and regional security.
The establishment of the ASEAN is also another initial reaction to globalization. It fosters
the spirit of regionalism and oneness of Asian nations. As a group, it sets out in the ASEAN
Declaration the following aims and purposes:
1. To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region;
2. To promote regional peace and stability;
3. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest;
4. To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities;
5. To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilization of their agriculture and
industries;
6. To expand trade, improve their transportation and communications facilities, and raise
the living standards of the people;
7. To promote Southeast Asian Studies; and
8. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation.
More so, Asian countries respond to globalization as a small group by doing bilateral or
multilateral agreements. For example, Philippines has standing bilateral agreements with China in
trade, defense, infrastructure, transnational crimes, tourism, education, health, and many others.
Reaction to globalization (and the West) also gave rise to terror groups, like the Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) which has spread to the Muslim communities in Southern
Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. To combat global terrorism, these countries made use of
53
their available resources to minimize and ultimately stop the effects of civilian – victims such as
displacement and suffering. More so, they reached military multilateral agreements to address this
common problem. In 2017, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia had a trilateral security
meeting wherein they agreed that they need to conduct joint navy patrols within their boundaries
to prevent he entry and exit of the terror group (Antiporta, 2017).
Other reactions to globalization came in the form of disengagement from globalization that
transpired locally. Santi Suk village in Thailand created its own currency, called the bia, that was
regulated by a central bank in a village. This homemade currency can only be used in participating
villages, and cannot be exchanged for Thailand’s baht. This trend is a manifestation of self –
sufficiency movements that emerged after the Asian financial crisis of 1997. Other forms of
disengagement appeared in the formation of self – sufficiency groups, community – owned rice
mills, and the preference for local products (Kimura, 2014).
To conclude, globalization and regionalization are the same for they refer to integration.
Their difference lies on the scope. Globalization is worldwide, while regionalization focuses on a
specific geographical region. As a response to world homogenization and division, regionalism
that comes in various forms of regional alternatives to globalization spawned within and among
regions in Asia. Asian integration did not happen based only on one historical event for there were
different factors that led to this alliance.
49
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
ASIAN REGIONALISM
This section investigates the mechanism of how Asian region integrates and how nation –
states approach the challenges of world homogenization and division.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Differentiate between regionalization and globalization;
2. Identify the factors that lead to a greater integration of Asian regions; and
3. Analyze how different Asian states confront the challenges of globalization and
regionalization through regionalism.
DIAGNOSTICS:
_________ 1. Russia is a part of Asia.
_________ 2. Lebanon is in Asia.
_________ 3. East Timor is the youngest state in Asia.
_________ 4. The term Asia was coined by Asians themselves.
_________ 5. Japan colonized some parts of Asia.
Among all
the continents, Asia
has the biggest
population of at least
two – thirds of the
world’s inhabitants –
with China being a
home of more than
1.4 billion people
based on the 2018
population projection
of the United Nations
which makes it
country as one of the
economic super © www.foreignpolicy.com
giants of the world.
Asia is most probably
one of the biggest
because the continent
comprises one – third
of the world’s land
mass. In terms of economy, emerging and developing Asian countries and the Associations of
Southeast Asian Nations 5 or the ASEAN 5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and
Thailand) had
an average of 6.3% and 5.1% GDP growth, respectively, compared to the world average growth
of 3.5% as of 2016 (Obiols, 2017). In 2016, China was the world’s leading exporter of goods
valued at $1.99 trillion, followed by the United States with $1.45 trillion (Dillinger, 2018).
Since the European Union is in its mature state of regionalism, the world is now focused
on Asia. Most countries want to have collaborations with East Asian countries and the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members because economic and political growths in these
regions have started to shape up. As a result, the United States strategically takes care of its allies
in Asia to maintain and further enhance its supply of raw materials, human technological skills,
and even its military force. At the same time, Europe keeps its strong relationship with Asian
countries to expand its growing business in the field of medical science and research. It cannot be
denied that Asia is gaining worldwide attention.
In this light, globalization, regionalization, and regionalism are compared. Also, exposures
to the different factors that bring about better homogenization of Asia and how member – states
collectively and separately address the challenges they are facing are discussed.
The terms regionalization and globalization are both related to integration. However, while
globalization refers to the expansion and intensification of social relations and consciousness
across world – time and world – space; regionalization, on the other hand, is the “growth of
societal integration within a region and to the often undirected process of social and economic
interaction” (Hurrel, 1995). In terms of scope, it is clear that globalization happens around the
world while regionalization happens only in a specific geographical region. Social and economic
reciprocal actions of regionalization are undirected because of diversity – which comes in different
levels of development (from the rich Singapore to the poor Laos), politics (from democracy to
dictatorship and everything in between), economics (from free markets to capitalism and more),
and religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and more) (Richter & West, 2014).
Another concept commonly confused with regionalization is regionalism. Regionalism

refers to regional concentration of economic flows and also pertains to the process of
intergovernmental collaborations between two or more states (Eliassen & Arnadottir, 2012), while
regionalization refers to a political process by economic policy if cooperation and coordination are
present among countries (Mansfiled & Wilmer,1993).
Asian regionalism is a new concept among the continental communities. New to

cooperation and collaboration goals, it has the 50 – year – old ASEAN group and the failed East
Asia Economic Group (EAEG). The ASEAN community is comprised of three pillars – political
security community, economic community, and socio – cultural community.
The political security community gives importance to human rights, drugs, foreign
relations, defense, law, and transnational crimes. The association adheres to significant roles of
monitoring – economic ministers, finance ministers, central bank governors, free trade area,
investment area, agriculture and forestry, transport ministers, telecommunications and information
technology ministers, science and technology, energy, minerals, tourism, free trade agreements
with dialogue partners, and sectoral bodies in the arena of economic community. In the socio –
cultural community, there is an avenue for cooperation among the ministers responsible for culture
and arts, sports, disaster management, education, environment, health, information, labor, rural
development and poverty eradication, women, youth, and civil service matters.
ASEAN has also partnered with three East Asian countries – China, Japan, and South
Korea. It is called the ASEAN +3. Its goal is to address the 1997 Asian financial crisis and help
each other cope with the crisis. In this context, ASEAN has concretized regionalism in the Asian
region.
Similar, to the goal of ASEAN in achieving greater integration within the region, other
countries form groups for various reasons. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
a free trade pact between Canada, United States and Mexico was created to help reduce trading
costs, increase business investment, and help North America to be more competitive in the global
marketplace (NAFTA, 2018). The European Union (EU) was established to ensure free movement
of people, goods, services, and capital within the EU’s single market (EU, 2018).
Moreover, there are some aspects that led to a greater Asian integration.
 First, integration has been market – driven. Within Asia, there are a variety of systems,
institutions, procedures, social relations, and infrastructures that are put into place for
countries to engage in exchange.
 Second, formal institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were established.
The ADB which was conceived in the 1960s, is composed of 67 members, 48 of which are
from the Asia – Pacific region. It promotes social and economic development and serves
as a financial institution that aids its members and partners by providing loans, technical
assistance, grants, and equity investments. Initially, ADB focused its assistance on food
production and rural development to serve a predominantly agricultural region.
 Third, economic grants and overseas development assistance are made available by better
Asian economies.
 Fourth, production networks have expanded. Economies are mainly on comparative
advantage through the regional division of labor.
 Fifth, cooperation among the ASEAN and East Asian countries ensued the ASEAN +3
Financial Ministers’ Process that established two economic structures – the Chiang Mai
Initiative and the Asian Bond Markets Initiative. The process aims to strengthen policy
dialogue, coordination, and collaboration on common financial, monetary, and fiscal
issues.
 Last, ASEAN follows a consensus rule as an approach to decision making. The process
prevents collision of cultural beliefs and economic policies that are understandably not east
to unite because of the region’s diversity of archipelagic lives.
In facing the challenges brought about by globalization, Asian countries have responded
with regional alternatives as big group, small group and local communities.
As a big group, Asian countries established their own Asian Development Bank (ADB)
that is more focused on Asia and the Pacific as a reaction to global economic integration. Asian
nations work in the form of loans, grants, and information sharing on topics such as terrorism
and regional security.
The establishment of the ASEAN is also another initial reaction to globalization. It fosters
the spirit of regionalism and oneness of Asian nations. As a group, it sets out in the ASEAN
Declaration the following aims and purposes:
1. To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region;
2. To promote regional peace and stability;
3. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest;
4. To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities;
5. To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilization of their agriculture and
industries;
6. To expand trade, improve their transportation and communications facilities, and raise
the living standards of the people;
7. To promote Southeast Asian Studies; and
8. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation.
More so, Asian countries respond to globalization as a small group by doing bilateral or
multilateral agreements. For example, Philippines has standing bilateral agreements with China in
trade, defense, infrastructure, transnational crimes, tourism, education, health, and many others.
Reaction to globalization (and the West) also gave rise to terror groups, like the Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) which has spread to the Muslim communities in Southern
Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. To combat global terrorism, these countries made use of
their available resources to minimize and ultimately stop the effects of civilian – victims such as
displacement and suffering. More so, they reached military multilateral agreements to address this
common problem. In 2017, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia had a trilateral security
meeting wherein they agreed that they need to conduct joint navy patrols within their boundaries
to prevent he entry and exit of the terror group (Antiporta, 2017).
Other reactions to globalization came in the form of disengagement from globalization that
transpired locally. Santi Suk village in Thailand created its own currency, called the bia, that was
regulated by a central bank in a village. This homemade currency can only be used in participating
villages, and cannot be exchanged for Thailand’s baht. This trend is a manifestation of self –
sufficiency movements that emerged after the Asian financial crisis of 1997. Other forms of
disengagement appeared in the formation of self – sufficiency groups, community – owned rice
mills, and the preference for local products (Kimura, 2014).
To conclude, globalization and regionalization are the same for they refer to integration.
Their difference lies on the scope. Globalization is worldwide, while regionalization focuses on a
specific geographical region. As a response to world homogenization and division, regionalism
that comes in various forms of regional alternatives to globalization spawned within and among
regions in Asia. Asian integration did not happen based only on one historical event for there were
different factors that led to this alliance.
Exercise 1: Towards a Formidable Asian Integration

Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________
Course and Section: ____________________ Score: ___________
Instructions: Identify two strengths of the Philippines that may contribute to a greater
integration among countries in the Asian region. Explain
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Exercise 2: PH and the World

Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions: Identify and enumerate how the Philippines reacts to regional and global
challenges in the table below. Choose only two (2) and list down three (3) actions for each.
 International Terrorism
 International Monetary Fund (IMF)
 Asia – Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
 Asian Development Bank (ADB)
 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Challenges Actions
1. a.
b.
c.
2. a.
b.
c.
MEDIA AND CULTURE
This section exposes the learners to the different

forms of media in worldwide integration and how
digitization of media affects our cultural practices.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this section, you are expected to:
1. Define and explain the different forms and functions of
media; and
2. Analyze the impact of digitization of media in our cultural
practices
DIAGNOSTICS:
_________ 1. Television is a form of media?
_________ 2. Cultures are never erased nor forgotten.
_________ 3. Cultures are static and fixed.
_________ 4. All cultures are equal.
_________ 5. Globalization of culture will not happen without media.
Culture refers to the unified style of human knowledge, beliefs, and behavior from which people
learn, and the ability to communicate knowledge to the next generations. Its development has been mainly
influenced by media.
The word ‘media’ means middle and is often used to describe its location between the media
industry or institution creating the content (the sender) on the one hand and the audience member (or
receiver) on the other (Cinque, n.d.). Media are the vehicles or channels which are used to convey
information, entertainment, news, education, or promotional messages are disseminated; it includes every
broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as television, radio, newspapers, billboards, mails, telephone,
fax, internet etc. (the main means of mass communication) (Mehraj, et al., 2014). Media fulfills several
basic roles in our society –it provides an entertainment for the people, educates and informs the public,
serves as a public forum to discuss important issues, and acts as a watchdog for government, business and
institutions (y University of Minnesota, 2010).
Historically, media underwent five stages of development from the earliest forms to the complex
one. These stages affect globalization progressively (Lule, 2014).
The first stage started with oral communication. Language allowed humans to communicate and
share information. Moreover, language became the most important tool for exploring the world and the
different cultures. It helped people move and settle down. Oral communication led to markets, trade, and
cross – continental routes.
The next stage is the invention of script. Distance became a hindrance to oral communication.
Script allowed humans to communicate over a larger space and for a much longer duration. It allowed the
permanent codification of economic, cultural, religious, and political practice. Knowledge, beliefs, and
behaviors were written and made available for transmission to the next generation and to other nations and
cultures.
Third stage is printing press. The advent of printing press allowed continuous production,
reproduction, and circulation of print materials. Written documents were produced in large volumes which
gave everyone access to information that was only available to the wealth, powerful and religious. This era
of media development had an impact in globalization by transforming various institutions such as schools,
markets, businesses, churches, governments, and armies, among others.
Followed by the next stage, which is the emergence of electronic media as characterized by its use
electricity. Electronic media includes the telegraph, telephone, radio, film, and television. The wide reach
of these media continues to open up new perspectives in the economic, political, and cultural processes of
globalization. Both radio and television became medium to observe international events.
The last stage is the digital media which relies on digital codes. It can be created, modified, and
stored in any digital electronic device. Digitalized content is transmitted over the internet and computer
networks. In politics, candidates often use this media as their campaign tools. In economics, it serves as a
platform for advertisement of products and online business transactions.
HOW DOES DIGITAL MEDIA OR “NEW MEDIA” AFFECT US?
The term ‘new media’ comprises content that is created, stored or retrieved in digital form,
encompassing text, still pictures, audio and video. New media forms are differentiated from legacy media
in that they are instantaneous, globally accessible, fast and efficient ways of passing on news and
information. New media has also created an almost virtual world. There are online games in which a person
will be creating an avatar which serves as the person’s ‘alter ego’ living in a virtual world, offers an escape
from the reality (Mehraj, et al., 2014).
Through the process of digitization, interactions from individuals from all over the world is possible
and thus results in the integration of cultures. Pieterse (2004) asserts that the only outcomes of the influence
of globalization on culture are cultural differentialism, cultural convergence, and cultural hybridity.
Cultural differentialism views cultural difference as immutable. As the West and non – Western
civilizations interact or are brought in contract through globalization, clash of civilizations such as that of
the West and Islam logically follows.
Cultural convergence suggests that globalization engenders a growing sameness of cultures.

However, the culture of powerful and progressive countries becomes culture. Example is the Korean Pop
Culture. Some Filipino adolescents prefer to style themselves like their South Korean idols. Most of them
have also joined different fan clubs as to show their admiration and support of their Korean idols.
Cultural hybridity suggests that globalization spawns an increasing and ongoing mixing of
cultures. An example of this is the Chabacano, a Spanish – based creole language of the Zamboanga City
and of some hybridity in language prompted by the merging of two cultures. This trend will further bring
about new cultural forms, not only in language but also in food, fashion, arts, music, among others.
These outcomes set the dynamics between local and global cultural production. Glocalization,
coined from globalization and localization, is a rather new concept brought about by the increased frequency
of contact among cultures. This reinforces the fact that local cultures are not weak, static, or fixed; they are
built and understood new each day in a globalized world (Lule, 2014). Local cultures continue to
accommodate and assimilate cultures of the world due to globalization.
All in all, the five stages of development of media have greatly influenced the globalization of
culture. From pamphlets to Facebook media has produced and reproduced cultural products around the
globe. Moreover, the increase in cultural interactions generated by media results in outcomes that exhibit
the vigor of local cultures influenced by the global culture.
Exercise 1: Globalization without Media

Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions: Write an argumentative essay presenting your stand on the topic: Gloalization
does not need media for global integration.
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Assignment 1: Metacognitive Reading Report

Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions: Read the attached referenced article and complete the statements that follow.
Kraidy, M. (2002). Globalization of culture through the media. In J.R. Schemet
(Ed.), Encyclopedia of communication and information, Vol.2 (pp. 359-363). New
York, NY: Macmillan Referenes USA.
1. The three (3) things that I significantly learned from the readings are ………..
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2. The three (3) things that are still unclear to me are ……………..
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3. I used to think that ……………..

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4. The three (3) questions that I want to ask about the readings are ……………..
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GLOBAL VS LOCAL CULTURE

This section delves into the difference between
what is local and what is global culture, the tensions
between them, and in their material and non-material
manifestations in our everyday lives.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
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1.) differentiate global from local culture; and
2.) analyze the erosion of local culture due to the dominating forces of global culture.
In the preceding section, we already encountered what cultural hybridization and glocalization is
about, and that they cannot be separated from globalization itself. Basically, the former is an increased
mixing of different cultures while the latter is the accommodation by local culture of foreign ones (Brazalote
and Leonardo 2019). However, these two are too simplistic and fail to show us the more nuanced and
complicated version of how local and global cultures interact. There is nothing new with the interaction of
different cultures with one another, with the consequence that at least one of them changes. But in this case,
such phenomena have been accelerated to a large degree by the forces of globalization. But before we go
to such nuances, definitions are in order:
1.) Local Culture – cultural configuration which characterize the experience of everyday life in
specific, diverse and identifiable localities1.
2.) Global Culture – way of life that is governed by a set of ideas, beliefs and values that are based
on the exposure and consumption of cultural products uniformly produced for everyone irrespective
of their background2.
Based on the definitions stated above, we can see that the two are essentially polar opposites. However,
we should note that even though this is true, their existence is dependent on each other. This means that
what is global cannot make sense if it is not contrasted with the local, and the same can be said vice-versa.
In addition, we can only recognize the diversity of local cultures if it is placed side-by-side with the
uniformity of global culture. Take one Filipino staple party food, for example: spaghetti bolognese. It is
global in the sense that you can basically find it everywhere in the world, but it would only bversion of the
pasta dish only exists because there are other versions globally, too. To better illustrate the point, here is a
table that provides an overview of the respective characteristics of global and local culture3:
Characteristics Global Culture Local Culture
Primary Uniformity Diversity

emphasis
Geographic scale Large Small
Objective To be everywhere, to consume To retain roots, to be sustainable
Point of origin Western origins, particularly American Different localities as points of
origin
Value Economic efficiency, “everything can be a Continuing long-held traditions,
commodity” authenticity
Nature of To be a spectator To be a participant
Activity
Relationship with Buying, having, entertainment Making, being, authentic
cultural products experience
To give us a better idea of these general differences, here is another table with some examples:
Examples Global Local
Travel Tourist: tourist packages, exclusive Traveler: makes his/her own flexible
transportation, standardized itinerary, itinerary (if at all), commutes like the
hotels, international food, lives like a locals do, inns, local food, tries to live
visitor like a local
Food and Fast food chains, food companies and Family-owned restaurants, street stalls,
Dining corporations small-scale businesses
Clothes Ready-to-wear outfits, trend-based Hand/tailor-made clothes, indigenous
garments
Music and Film Mass-produced and mainstream Independent projects
Consumption of Products that need extensive marketing Products are the advertisements
Products and advertisement themselves; word of mouth
Reason for What is trendy nowadays? What would last a long time?
Buying
As you can see in the table above, it is evident that the presence of global culture may cause erosion
to local cultures. Basically, what happens is that a culture loses many of its fundamental elements
because of the arrival of a new one. When such changes, happen there are always positive or negative
effects. Positive effects may include the improvement of the way things are being done or being thought
off, doing away with obsolete and inefficient practices, or clearer understanding of things that we
experience. Negative consequences may be that things that are already good and working may be replaced
with something worse, being efficient but not effective, or being confused on how things really work.
On a more material level, this means that new jobs will be available, but those working on old ones
will be unemployed; and it is not a simple manner to learn new things when you are used to doing other
ones. Consumers can have new choices on what products to buy,
but this is not a guarantee that the new ones are better overall. The
influx of new products would also mean that old ones will be
disposed of even if they are still working perfectly fine, which
means that it generates more waste than necessary. Big businesses
may flourish, but smaller scale ones would suffer; this benefits the
rich more than it does the poor. These are things that happen when
global culture causes erosion of local ones.
Lucban’s Pahiyas festival is a good example. It is
celebrated during May 15 to honor San Isidro Labrador, the patron
saint of farmers. However, in recent years, we can see that the Pahiyas is becoming less and less of a
religious celebration, because people, especially those visiting Lucban for it, are more interested in its
extravagance. The people visiting Lucban for Pahiyas look for food, drinks, the intricate house decorations,
contests and celebrities; in short, the pageantry of the festival that everybody can uniformly look forward
and relate to. Fewer and fewer people attend and participate in the religious events of the festival itself,
which are parts of the authentic experience of Pahiyas itself. This is also true of the locals, as evidenced
by the declining number of younger people interested in
participating with the traditional preparation of its colorful
decors (Mallari 2017). Surely, there is nothing wrong with
looking forward to the pageantry and extravagance of
Pahiyas because it is one of the most beautiful festivals in
the country; but it is quite disheartening that its original
religious component, the reason for why it is celebrated
in the first place, is slowly being forgotten.
The example above is not exclusive to Pahiyas. The
same holds true of Bacolod’s MassKara, Davao’s
Kadayawan, Iloilo’s Dinagyang, Baguio’s Panagbenga or
Cebu’s Sinulog. The religious components and community camaraderie are being overshadowed by the
encroachment of telecommunications companies, fast food chains, celebrity appearances, band concerts
and broadcast networks that attract droves of visitors to flock into these communities, with the effect of
making these festivals look and feel more and more similar with one another year after year. The
authentic differences between them are slowly being felt less and less every year they are celebrated. This
© www.google.com
is what the erosion of local culture looks and feels like, and this happens because of the forces of global
culture are slowly exerting its dominance.
Things like these can be averted. Local and indigenous cultures can serve as pockets of resistance
to the steamrolling effects of global cultures. The continuing emergence of independent art projects (films
and music), do-it-yourself movements, travelogues, blogs and vlogs found online that promote local cultural
products, and efforts by local government units in the Philippines to bring local cultural products to the fore
of the market (i.e. Niyogyugan festival) all bring a halt to the dominance of global culture in the Philippines.
Although the effects may be small and short-lived, through the support of small consumers like us, such
efforts can be sustained so that the erosion of local cultures can be averted.
Exercise 1: Global vs Local Culture

Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions: For you to have a better idea about the differences between global and local
culture, let’s do a little exercise. In the table below, make a list of the pros and cons of
having fast food chains (Jollibee, Chowking, etc.) in Lucban.
Exercise 1: Fast Food Chains in Lucban (10 pts)

Pros Cons
1.) 1.)
2.) 2.)
3.) 3.)
4.) 4.)
5.) 5.)
Exercise 2: Odd One Out

Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions: Encircle the one that does not belong to the group (10 pts).
Exercise 2: Odd One Out. Encircle the one that does not belong to the group (10 pts).
Explain why.
1.) Jollibee Chito’s Chowking McDonald’s
2.) Lucban’s Baguio’s Bacolod’s Quezon’s

Pahiyas Panagbenga MassKara Niyogyugan
3.) T’nalak cloth Taka art of Paete Shirts from Kultura Batok tattooing of
by the T-boli Laguna Filipino Kalinga
4.) Local street Hotel buffet Tourist package Travel agency

stalls
5.) Standardized Authentic Uniform Mass-produced
6.) Extensive Family-owned Various Production value

marketing stakeholders
7.) Oral tradition Boxing Beauty pageants Campus

intramurals
8.) Communal Hanging of Making a list of Falling in line for

Cooking banderitas people to invite concert tickets
9.) Abstinence Fasting Going to the beach Joining the

from meat Prusisyon
10.) Preserving Business profit Entertainment Large Scale

traditions
GLOBALIZATION OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICES
This section examines how religious practices are being

affected by the changes brought about by globalization,
particularly through the realm of information technology.
The tension between global forces and traditional
religious beliefs and practices are also given attention and
how it contributes to new forms of religiosity, or its
disappearance altogether.
© www.google.com
Intended Learning Outcomes

1.) explain how globalization affects religious beliefs and practices; and
2.) analyze the changing forms of religiosity in the face of globalization.
As a reference point, etymologically, we could look at religion through the lens of two Latin words:
religio (respect for the sacred) and religare (to bind in the sense of an obligation). This implies that the
word describes a group of people or an institution that is bound together by a common view on what is good
or sacred. However, the simplest one that encompasses what we want to learn in this module is that religion
is “a collection of cultural belief systems and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to
spirituality and moral values.1” Now, what does this mean exactly? A breakdown of the definition is in
order. It tells us that religion relates to almost all aspects of our way of life (culture) characterized by what
we see as true or not (belief), our fundamental interpretation of in reality (worldview). Religion does this
by having representations (symbols) that connect humanity to something higher than ourselves (spirituality)
and what is good and worthwhile (moral values).
If that sounds like a lot to take in, well, because it is. The influence of religion is so vast that it can be
observable from our personal lives to our social ones, from the way we act to how social movements occur,
from individual choices to global events. In the case of us Filipinos, a lot of what we believe and do are
rooted on religious beliefs, and we subscribe to the practices of our respective religions one way or another.
Take Christmas, for example. A lot of our values and beliefs as Filipinos are highlighted during the season’s
festivities. The belief of sharing and valuing close family ties are reflected through practices like gatherings,
parties, exchanging gifts and the likes. We partake in and consume things that symbolize sharing our
blessings with one another. That’s why one can say that the Christmas season is the longest holiday in the
Philippines.
Now, where does globalization comes in? According to Brazalote and Leonardo (2019), there are 4 events
where globalization caused the most changes in religion that we could see nowadays:
1.) Religious Nationalism – After World War II, nationalism was very much related to religious
affiliation, hence to a specific set of beliefs. As an example, in the Philippines where most people
are Catholics, laws for religious holidays are legislated and are being observed by most of the
populace even though they do not belong to Roman Catholicism.
2.) Turning of Religion into Public Life – Related to the first item in this list, religious values
extended out beyond the performance and observance of religious sacraments into the domain of
public affairs. Today, religious institutions can exert considerable influence on the laws that
lawmakers legislate, which means that the boundary between church and state is adjusting.
3.) Proliferation of Religious Fundamentalism and Extremism – The digitalization of information

and culture helped spread religious fundamentalism (belief in the prime superiority of religious
teachings over everything and the strict observance on who are the righteous or not) and extremism
(political violence according to the will of a supreme being). Leaders of such groups legitimize the
conflicts they create and battles they fight using religious texts, much to the loss of innocent life
and disruption of peace in many parts of the world.
4.) Increase of Individual Religiosity – For many who practice such a religiosity, the confidence on
one’s own belief and relationship with a supreme being is a better alternative to the rigid dogmas
that their religious affiliation observes and calls for. The exposure to different information in a
globalized world hugely contributes to this. Some reasons for individual religiosity are the
dissatisfaction from religious institutions, desire for a more personal search for salvation, or just
disliking to belong to any organization.
Isn’t There Something More Concrete?

Although religion is commonly thought of as something concerned with the immaterial, the effects
of it are very material and observable in nature. As we can see, the information age in globalization has
penetrated religions in an accelerated rate, which has various impacts in the methods that religions use to
spread their own respective teachings. The proliferation, increased production and continuous consumption
religious teachings and information can be now seen not only in religious institutions like churches and
schools but also in books and e-books, films, cell phone applications, social media, websites and many
more. In this pandemic, you might have observed that more and more people “attend” televised masses,
download religious texts or search for gospels online in lieu of personally going to church. There is also a
marked increase of accessing computer and cell phone applications to enable parishioners to attend mass,
worship rites or other religious gatherings. This means that because religion is a very important facet of
our lives, many will find ways, through globalization, to continue its practice even in the midst of a
pandemic where gatherings are discouraged.
So far, we have talked about how globalization has contributes to continuing practices that are
religious in nature, albeit in new modified forms. They are very effective indeed, as knowledge propagation
and information dissemination has exponentially improved through information communications
technology. But what about the discontinuity of these same religious beliefs and practices, or more
appropriately, the changing of traditional ones that was unimaginable just 20 years ago?
Even though nationalism also tied to religious beliefs as was stated above, there is an increasing
tendency for religious beliefs to be spread outside of traditional or national boundaries. Today, religion is
rarely tied to national and even continental borders, since traditional ones and new forms of it are vastly
spreading at an accelerated rate through information technology. For example, the current pope, Jorge
Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) is from Argentina, in the South American continent. It is the first time that
a pope was selected outside Europe—a sign that the order of power is changing significantly in the Catholic
Church. This may be also a sign that Catholic or Christian religiosity may be already declining in Europe,
its original seat. This makes sense since Europe has the most non-believers among all the continents2.
Due to the digitalization of information and globalization, it is now very easy to do two things:
study religious text or related information and be conscious of religious conflict around the world. These
two are self-explanatory and obvious, but their major impacts deserve attention.
Never before has humanity experienced a time when information, particularly those which pertains
to religion, is readily available. With some clicks on your mouse or taps on your phone, you could study a
myriad of religious knowledge—from the pre-deluge times of Enoch and the Giants to the writings of the
Apostolic Fathers, the ancient Vedas of Hinduism, or the paradoxical koans of Zen Buddhism. This
inevitably leads to the appreciation of other forms of religion, but at the same time may cause one to
question his/her religious convictions. It may also lead to confusion, since a person may be exposed to
differing and contradicting beliefs, values and worldviews. This may ultimately lead a person to conclude
that religious affiliation, as the human inventions that they are, are less important than one’s relationship
with a supreme being.
The exposure to religious conflict and strife around the globe may also lead to the same conclusion,
albeit a more negative one. We have been taught from a young age that one of the major tenets of religious
beliefs is peace, and yet battles and wars are being fought around the world in an unprecedented rate in the
name of religion. Religious fundamentalism and extremism can be seen as a reaction to the threats to
religion brought about by the modernizing forces of globalization. Add to that some news of corruption and
immoral scandals of religious leaders from time to time and you have a recipe for dissatisfaction with
organized religion. These all may explain the marked increase in individual religiosity around the world.
To conclude this section, we can say that religion is one of the last vestiges of traditional life. This
ironically makes the new influences of globalization the most prominent of all aspects of life since the old
had become very new, so to speak. The contrasting elements of the old and new make religion the most
affected by globalization among the different social institutions. The changes, therefore, are felt on an
individual and societal level. Globalization’s impact on society is very significant, with the greatest effect
being on religion because of its nature. Religion used to bind people as intimate or face-to-face
communities, but globalization has turned this configuration of religious phenomenon upside down. As
people move and communicate around the globe, the increased rate of exchange of ideas through
information technology continually creates changes in many forms of religion. It has positive and negative
effects, which brings forth a lot of confusion. One the one hand, it results into some people holding on to
religion and its more traditional (sometimes extreme) forms. One the other hand, sometimes it results into
people not believing in religion altogether, or at least having only a personal relationship with his/her
supreme being.
References:
Brazalote TM & Leonardo RM (2019). The Contemporary World: Outcome-Based Module. Edited by
Ofalia BC. Quezon City. C & E Publishing, Inc.
Claudio & Abinales (2018). The Contemporary World. Quezon City. C & E Publishing, Inc.
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Publishing, Inc.
https://bizfluent.com
https://www.britannica.com
https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com
https://google.com
https://www.quora.com

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Globalization

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CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL

At the end of this module, the learners are expected to:

Weber explained that the state has the monopoly

Organization OF September 13 Member To coordinate and unify the petroleum

THE GLOBAL DIVIES: THE NORTH

By now, one can say that the

For SLSU Use Only 39

Another concept commonly confused with regionalization is regionalism. Regionalism

Asian regionalism is a new concept among the continental communities. New to

Another concept commonly confused with regionalization is regionalism. Regionalism

Asian regionalism is a new concept among the continental communities. New to

Exercise 1: Towards a Formidable Asian Integration

Exercise 2: PH and the World

MEDIA AND CULTURE

This section exposes the learners to the different

HOW DOES DIGITAL MEDIA OR “NEW MEDIA” AFFECT US?

Cultural convergence suggests that globalization engenders a growing sameness of cultures.

Exercise 1: Globalization without Media

Assignment 1: Metacognitive Reading Report

3. I used to think that ……………..

GLOBAL VS LOCAL CULTURE

Characteristics Global Culture Local Culture

Primary Uniformity Diversity

Examples Global Local

Exercise 1: Global vs Local Culture

Exercise 1: Fast Food Chains in Lucban (10 pts)

Exercise 2: Odd One Out

2.) Lucban’s Baguio’s Bacolod’s Quezon’s

4.) Local street Hotel buffet Tourist package Travel agency

5.) Standardized Authentic Uniform Mass-produced

6.) Extensive Family-owned Various Production value

7.) Oral tradition Boxing Beauty pageants Campus

8.) Communal Hanging of Making a list of Falling in line for

9.) Abstinence Fasting Going to the beach Joining the

10.) Preserving Business profit Entertainment Large Scale

GLOBALIZATION OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

This section examines how religious practices are being

Intended Learning Outcomes

3.) Proliferation of Religious Fundamentalism and Extremism – The digitalization of information

Isn’t There Something More Concrete?

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