Introduction to the Study of

Contemporary World
 Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the students shall be able
to:
a. Differentiate the competing conceptions of
globalization
b. Identify the underlying
philosophies of the varying definitions of
globalization
c. Agree on a working definition of globalization for
the course
 Learning Objectives:

What is your understanding about the

word CONTEMPORARY WORLD?
Contemporary World
MODERN WORLD
CURRECT WORLD
PRESENT WORLD
PRESENT-DAY WORLD
WORLD TODAY
-Power Thesaurus
 Contemporary World
“Most accounts view globalization as primarily an
economic process. It usually refers to the
integration of the national markets to a wider
global market signified by the increased free trade.
“Anti-globalization movement of the 1990’s, the
mean resisting the trade deals among countries
facilitated and promoted by the global
organizations like the World Trade Organization
(WTO).”
 Definition of Globalization
In the work of Aldama, the revelation that definitions
could be classified as either:
a. Broad and inclusive (Ohmae- “globalization means
the onset of the borderless world…”
- It can include a variety of issues that deal with
overcoming traditional boundaries but does not shed
light on the implications of globalization due to its
vagueness.
b. Narrow and exclusive - application adhere to only
particular definition.
 Definition of Globalization
In the work of Aldama, the revelation that definitions could be
classified as either:
b. Narrow and exclusive - application adhere to only particular
definition.
-it is better justified but can be limiting, in the sense that their
application adhere to only particular definitions. As Robert Cox’s
definition suits the best in this type: “characteristics of
globalization trend include the internationalizing of production,
the new international division of labor, new migratory
movements from South to North, the new competitive
environment that accelerates these processes, and the
internationalizing of the state… making states into agencies of
globalizing world” (as cited in RAWOO Netherlands Development Assistance Research Council,
2000, p. 14)
 Definition of Globalization
How can definition/s help us understand globalization?
 Definition of Globalization
1st Perspective:
The perspective of the person who defines globalization
shapes its definition.
“Arjun Appadurai claimed that globalization is a ‘world
of things” that have different speed, axes points of origin
and termination, and varied relationships to institutional
structures in different regions, nations or societies’.
-it means that if the implication of globalization is
positive then a person can say it is a unifying force. If it
deemed creating inequalities among nations,
globalization is negatively treated.
 Definition of Globalization
Second perspective:
“Cesare Poppi: Globalization is the debate and the
debate is globalization.”
-One become part and parcel of the other.
-”It is always a debate/argument about the working
definition of globalization. In a sense, the meaning of
the concept is self-evident, it is vague and obscure as it
reaches are wide and constantly shifting.”
 Definition of Globalization
Third perspective:
-”Globalization is a reality. It is changing as human society
develops. It has happened before and is still happening
today.

What do we expect in the coming years about globalization?

- “… in the coming years is what has happened over the past
50 years and that is the fluidity and complexity of
globalization as a concept, which made more debates,
discussions, and definitions than agreements on it.
 Definition of Globalization
Third perspective:
-”Globalization is a reality. It is changing as human society
develops. It has happened before and is still happening
today.

What do we expect in the coming years about globalization?

- “… in the coming years is what has happened over the past
50 years and that is the fluidity and complexity of
globalization as a concept, which made more debates,
discussions, and definitions than agreements on it.
 Definition of Globalization
Manfred Stager:
-To him, globalization is a process as expansion and
intensification of social relations and consciousness
across world time and across work-space.

By expansion – it is a creation of new social networks

and multiplication of existing connections that cut across
traditional political, economic, cultural and geographic
boundaries.
By intensification – refers to the expansion, stretching
and acceleration of networks
 Definition of Globalization
E.g. Strong financial market between London and New
York, advent of electronic trading, volume of electronic
trade increase thus the world becomes financially
integrated.

When we say Globalism: it is a widespread belief among

powerful people that the global integration of economic
markets is beneficial to everyone (Prof. Sam Bernales, 4)
 Definition of Globalization
Globalization:
Arjun Appadurai (Anthropologist)
-proposed that kinds of globalization occur on multiple and
intersecting dimensions of integration.
Dimension of Integrations:
1. Ethnoscape – global movement of people
2. Mediascape – flow of culture
3. Technoscape – circulation of mechanical goods and
software
4. Financescape –global circulation of money
5. Ideoscape – realm where political ideas move around
 Definition of Globalization
Thus,
“Appadurai’s argument is simple: there are multiple
globalizations.”
To him, “ what is/are being globalized? Depending on
what is being globalized, the vista (view) and conclusion
change.”