DEFINING

GLOBALIZATION
CHAPTER 1
At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

1) Differentiate the competing conceptions of globalization;

2) Identify the underlying philosophies of the varying definitions of globalization; and

3) Agree on a working definition of globalization for the course.

Introduction
Human beings have encountered many changes over the last century especially in their social
relationships and social structures. Of these changes, one can say that globalization is a very important
change, if not, the “most important” (Bauman, 2003). The internet, for example, allows a person from
the Philippines to know what is happening to the rest of the world simply by browsing Google. Aside
from this, globalization encompasses a multitude of processes that involve the economy, political
systems, and culture. In this chapter, different definitions of globalization will be discussed.
 The Task of Defining Globalization
The literature on the definitions of globalization revealed that definitions could be classified as
either (1) broad and inclusive or (2) narrow and exclusive. No matter how one classifies a definition of
globalization, the concept is complex and multifaceted as the definitions deal with economic, political,
or social dimensions.

Firstly, defining globalization is shaped by the perspective of the person who defines it. In effect,
one’s definition and perspective could determine concrete steps in addressing the issues of
globalization. For example, if one sees globalization as positive, the person can say that it is a unifying
force. On the other hand, if it is deemed as creating greater inequalities among nations, globalization is
negatively treated. Secondly, to paraphrase the sociologist Cesar Poppi: globalization is the debate and
the debate is globalization. One became part and parcel of the other. Thirdly, globalization is a reality. It
is changing as human society develops. It has happened before and is still happening today. We should
expect it to continue to happen in the future. Overall, globalization is a concept that is not easy to define
because in reality, defining globalization has a shifting nature. It is complex, multifaceted, and can be
influenced by the people who define it.
Metaphors of Globalization
In order for us to better understand the concept of
globalization, we will utilize metaphors. Metaphors make use of
one term to help us better understand another term. In our case,
the states of matter-solid and liquid-will be used. In addition, other
related concepts that are included in the definition such as
structures and flows will be elaborated.
 Solid and Liquid
The epochs that preceded today’s globalization paved way for people, things, information, and places to
harden over time. Consequently, they have limited mobility (Ritzer 2015). The social relationships and objects
remained where they were created. Solidity also refers to barriers that prevent or make difficult the movement
of things. Furthermore, solids can either be natural or man-made. Examples of natural solids are landforms
and bodies of water. Man-made barriers include the Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall. Imaginary lines
such as the Nine-Dash Line being used by the People’s Republic of China in their claim to the West Philippine
Sea is an example of modern man-made solid. This created limited access of Filipino fishermen to the West
Philippine Sea. Obviously, these examples still exist. However, they have the tendency to melt. This should not
be taken literally being like an iceberg melting. Instead, this process involves how we can describe what is
happening to today’s global world. It is becoming increasingly liquid.
 Solid and Liquid
Liquids are not fixed. Liquidity, therefore, refers to the increasing ease of movement of
people, things, information, and places in the contemporary world. First, today’s liquid
phenomena change quickly and its aspects, spatial and temporal, are in continuous fluctuation.
This means that space and time are crucial elements of globalization. Another characteristic of
liquid phenomena is that their movement is difficult to stop. For example, the videos being
uploaded on YouTube or Facebook are hard to halt once they become viral.

Liquidity and solidity is in constant interaction. Liquidity is the one increasing and
proliferating today. Therefore, the metaphor which could best describe globalization is liquidity.
 Flows

Flows are the movement of people, things, places, and information brought by the
growing “porosity” of global limitations (Ritzer 2015). Think of the foreign cuisines being
patronized and consumed by the Filipinos. Aside from local dishes, many of us are fond of
eating sushi, ramen, hamburger, and French fries-foods introduced to us by foreign cultures.
The following are other kinds of flows that can be observed today: poor illegal migrants
flooding many parts of the world (Moses 2006), the virtual flow of legal and illegal
information such as blogs and child pornography, respectively, and immigrants recreating
ethnic enclaves in host countries. A concrete example are the Filipino communities abroad
and Chinese communities in the Philippines.
 Globalization Theories
Homogeneity refers to the increasing sameness in the world as cultural inputs, economic factors,
and political orientations of societies expand to create common practices, same economies, and similar
forms of government. Homogeneity in culture is often linked to cultural imperialism. This means, a
given culture influences other cultures. For example, the dominant religion in our country is
Christianity which was brought to us by the Spaniards. In terms of the economy, there is recognition of
the spread of neoliberalism, capitalism, and the market economy in the world (Antonio 2007). Global
economic crises are also products of homogeneity in economic globalization. In the end, rich countries
become advantageous in the world economy at the expense of poor countries; leading to increased
inequality among nations. The political realm also suffers homogenization if one takes into account the
emerging similar models of governance in the world.
 Globalization Theories

Heterogeneity pertains to the creation of various cultural practices, new economies, and political
groups because of the interaction of elements from different societies in the world. Heterogeneity
refers to the differences because of either lasting differences or of the hybrids or combinations of
cultures which can be produced through the different transplanetary processes. Contrary to cultural
imperialism, heterogeneity in culture is associated with cultural hybridization. Economic issues are not
exempted from heterogeneity.
 Hardwired
According to Nayan Chanda (2007), it is our basic human need to
make our lives better that made globalization possible. Chanda mentioned
that commerce, religion, politics, and warfare are the “urges” of people
toward a better life. These are respectively connected to four aspects of
globalization and they can be traced all throughout history: trade,
missionary work, adventures, and conquest.
 Cycles

For some, globalization is a long-term cyclical process and thus, finding its
origin will be a daunting task. What is important, are the cycles globalization has
gone through (Scholte 2005). Subscribing to this view will suggest adherence to the
idea that other global ages have appeared. There is also the notion to suspect that
this point of globalization will soon disappear and reappear.
 Epoch
Ritzer (2015) cited Therborn’s (2000) six great epochs of globalization. These are also called
“waves” and each has its own origin. Today’s globalization is not unique if this is the case. The
difference of this view from the second view (cycles) is that it does not treat epoch as returning.
The following are the sequential occurrence of the epochs:

1) Globalization of religion (4th-7th Centuries)

Some examples include the first transatlantic telephone cable (1956), the first transatlantic
television broadcasts (1962), the founding of the modern Internet in 1988, and the terrorist attacks on
the Twin Towers in New York (2001). Certainly, with this view, more and more specific events will
characterize not just the origins of globalization but more of its history.
Broader, More Recent Changes

Recent changes comprised the fifth view. These broad changes happened in the
last of the twentieth century. Scholars today point to these three notable changes as
the origin of globalization that we know today. They are as follows:

1) The emergence of the United States as the global power (Post-World War II)
2) The emergence of multinational corporations (MNCs)
3) The demise of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War
 Broader, More Recent Changes
Before MNCs came into being, their roots are from their countries of origin during the eighteenth to early
nineteenth centuries. The US, Germany, and Great Britain had in their homeland great corporations which the
world knows today. However, they did not remain there as far as their production and market are concerned.
For example, Ford and General Motors originated in the US but in the twentieth century they exported more
automobiles and opened factories to other countries.

More recent than the first one would be the fall of the Soviet Union 1991. This event led to the opening
of the major parts of the world for the first time since the early twentieth century. Many global processes –
immigration, tourism, media, diplomacy, and MNCs – spread throughout the planet. This paved way for the so-
called “free” world. China, even though the government remains communist, is on its way to becoming a major
force in global capitalism (Fishman 2006). Moreover, China is also globalizing in terms of other aspects such as
their hosting of the Olympics in 2008.