Lesson: Globalization, Globalism, and Globality

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G-SOCS003 BFS12 2nd Sem ( 2023-2024 )

Introduction to Globalization
Lesson: Globalization, Globalism, and Globality

Immersive Reader
Another way to understand globalization is to distinguish it from the terms

it is usually confused with, namely, globalism and globality. Confused with
these terms, globalization is sometimes referred to as an ideology that
advocates the opening up of the national economic borders or a condition
characterized of intense worldwide interconnectedness. While these
characteristics are related to globalization, they are rightly understood as
descriptive of globalism and globality, respectively.
Globalism
Globalism is the underlying philosophy—Manfred Steger (2005) calls it

ideology—behind the prevailing form of economic globalization. It is a
normative philosophy that tells us the imperatives of globalization.
According to Steger (2005), globalism advances six core interrelated
claims.
First, “[g]lobalization is about the liberalization and global

integration of markets” (Steger 2005, 16). As already mentioned,
liberalization refers to the free flow of peoples, goods, and capital
worldwide accomplished through the abolition of economic barriers such as
visa requirements, tariffs and quotas. Liberalization implies integration of
world economies for the purpose of creating a global market. According to
Thomas Friedman “[t]he driving idea behind globalization is free-market
capitalism—the more you let market forces rule and the more you open your
economy to free trade and competition, the more efficient your economy will
be. Globalization means the spread of free-market capitalism to virtually
every country in the world” (in Steger 2005, 17). We can argue on the
defensibility of free-market capitalism as the philosophy behind
liberalization and global market integration but let’s reserve that in the
latter sections of this course. For our purposes in this particular module,
suffice it to say that globalization—the prevailing one—is based on a
particular philosophy on how local and global economy should work.
The second claim of globalism is that “[g]lobalization is inevitable and

irreversible” (Steger 2005, 18). It is inevitable because no matter what we
do, just like water finding its way down the sea, the wave of globalization
will certainly hit the shores of all countries in the world. Even if we
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adhere to different philosophy of development or even if we adopt a different

economic and political policies—that is, even if we change the course of
history, globalization will surely happen. It is pre-determined to happen. It
is as if a dictate of law of nature. It’s irreversible; we can no longer go
back! The egg of globalization has been hatched and there’s nothing we can do
about it. It is here with us and it will continue to be with us no matter
what we do.
Think about it: What do you think is the implicit command in the secon
globalism?
Again, we can be critical about this second claim, exposing the hidden
agenda behind it, but let’s reserve that in the coming days.
The third claim of globalism is: “Nobody is in charge of globalization”

(Steger 2005, 20). Robert Hormats says the good thing about globalization is
that no particular individual, government, or institution is in control of
globalization (in Steger 2005). For the globalists, the global market is a
rational machine operating in accordance with economic laws. It is self-
regulating. Nothing but the invisible hand of competition regulates the
operation of the global market. No state or international organization has
the power to control its operation. The World Trade Organization (WTO) and
other economic and financial organizations are there to serve simply as
umpires of the global economic competition.
Think about it: Globalism states that no one is in control of globalization

case in reality? Or, globalization has effectively transferred the control
states to transnational corporations, so that “no control” actually means “no
the nation-states?
Fourth, “Globalization benefits everyone” (Steger 2005, 21). This is good

news! Not really, perhaps! But this seems to be the most attractive feature
of globalization—at least this is how its advocates advertise it to the
world. The point is that if you want to liberate your people from unending
poverty, join the bandwagon of globalization. If you don’t, you’ll be left
out of the global competition. This is clear in the rhetoric of the
globalists. Take the statement of former President George W. Bush, for
example. He says: “Free trade and free markets have proven their ability to
lift whole societies out of poverty—so the United States will work with
individual nations, entire regions, and the entire global trading community
to build a world that trades in freedom and therefore grows in prosperity” in
Steger 2005, 22). The United States is said to be taking the leading role of
globalizing the world not only for its own benefits but for the good of all.
But is this really the case?
Think about it: Is free trade good for developing countries like the
Philippines?
Fifth, “Globalization furthers the spread of democracy in the world

(Steger 2005, 22). How do you understand this? How does globalization promote
democracy?
You may have already learned that democratic society is one in which
sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from
them. It is a form of society that recognizes the liberty and equality of the
people. It is one that adheres to the rule of law and one that resolves
issues by way of public discussion. Essentially, democracy is about people
empowerment.
Think about it: How does globalization promote democracy in the world?
Well, here’s a hint: “[G]lobalists tend to treat freedom, free markets,

free trade and democracy as synonymous terms” (Steger 2005, 22).
The sixth claim of globalism, is that, “Globalization requires a global

war on terror” (Steger 2005, 24). Do you have any idea why a global war on
terror is an imperative of globalization?
Of course, there cannot be global economic development unless there is

global political stability and peace. No matter what you do, no matter what
you build, everything will come to naught if it is destroyed by those who
wreak havoc to the status quo. Global economic development requires
conformity to the rules of globalization (for its undisrupted operation
depends on them). But terrorist networks ignore, disregard, and trample upon
these rules. They are considered the anti-thesis of the globalists. Hence,
they must be destroyed and they must be destroyed with the participation of
all countries in the world.
Globality
If globalism is the philosophy or ideology that seeks to justify the

prevailing form of globalization, globality refers to the condition brought
about by the process of globalization. In other words, globality is the
effect of the globalizing process, which process is justified by an
underlying philosophy or ideology called globalism. But what kind of

condition is globality?
For Steger (2005: 7) “[g]lobality…signif[ies] a social condition

characterized by the existence of global economic, political, cultural, and
environmental interconnections and flows that make many of the currently
existing borders and boundaries irrelevant.” The key term here is
interconnection. Globality, in short, is the condition of world-wide
interconnectedness.
Globality, according to Steger (2005), should not be understood as the

final stage of the development of globalization. Globality is not static.
Similar to globalization, globality is dynamic which changes its form
depending on the level of global interconnections. As a by-product of a
historical process, it transforms itself into another condition which,
according to Steger, may be called planetarity.

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2/6/24, 9:04 AM G-SOCS003 BFS12 2nd Sem ( 2023-2024 ) G-SOCS003 BFS12 2nd Sem ( 2023-2024 ) - https://dlsud.edu20.

G-SOCS003 BFS12 2nd Sem ( 2023-2024 )

Lesson: Globalization, Globalism, and Globality

Another way to understand globalization is to distinguish it from the terms

Globalism is the underlying philosophy—Manfred Steger (2005) calls it

First, “[g]lobalization is about the liberalization and global

The second claim of globalism is that “[g]lobalization is inevitable and

adhere to different philosophy of development or even if we adopt a different

The third claim of globalism is: “Nobody is in charge of globalization”

Think about it: Globalism states that no one is in control of globalization

Fourth, “Globalization benefits everyone” (Steger 2005, 21). This is good

Fifth, “Globalization furthers the spread of democracy in the world

Well, here’s a hint: “[G]lobalists tend to treat freedom, free markets,

The sixth claim of globalism, is that, “Globalization requires a global

Of course, there cannot be global economic development unless there is

If globalism is the philosophy or ideology that seeks to justify the

underlying philosophy or ideology called globalism. But what kind of

For Steger (2005: 7) “[g]lobality…signif[ies] a social condition

Globality, according to Steger (2005), should not be understood as the

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