Reading 1: What is Globalization - Roland Robertson & Kathleen E. White

 1) Summary

The authors are trying to explain the general meaning of globalization and all of its aspects. They give a broader understanding of where and when the term originated and how it changed and expanded throughout the years. They point out that due to all the previous research regarding globalization, there are already many different views and opinions, and that these views also differ from one civilization to another. This makes it difficult to concretely define globalization, especially as there are also so many different factors and areas to take into consideration.

The authors proceed to nicely break down and explain all these factors, giving examples and mentioning other researchers and their views. They discuss the political, cultural, economic and social dimensions and how they affect globalization, Capitalism and both it’s negative and positive impact on globalization, and finally, the impact nation-states, individuals, “international systems” or the current biggest opposing powers, and human relationships between each other and the world have on our understanding of globalization.

They also discuss glocalization, a combination of the words globalization and localization. The authors point out that most companies trying to expand internationally, trying to globalize, will most of the time have to adapt themselves or whatever they are selling to local cultural norms. These two concepts shouldn’t be seen as separate but as a whole. It is still globalization, there are just adjustments in place to ensure the highest rate of success.

All in all, globalization is, in its simplest form, the sharing of ideas, culture, values, foods, and anything else, with the rest of the world in the hopes that they will one day be seen as part of the worldwide culture instead of only as a small, unknown part of it. The more our world grows the more this concept too will grow. Until perhaps, one day, the world will be fully globalized and a proper, set definition will be created.

2) What I learned

I think one of the most interesting points discussed is that not everyone sees, or understands, globalization in the same way. That people from 3rd world countries might not have the same ideas of globalization as people from America or Europe. That the idea that the whole world is part of our view of globalization is not really accurate as different countries in varying stages of development, different from the 1st world countries, might be looked over or left behind. This, as the article mentions, means there are more views on globalization than just the one the 1st world countries have, but we just don’t realize as we just assume everyone is part of this one concept of globalization.

3) Topic for discussion

If we want to get a more unified form of globalization why don’t the 1st world countries, that tend to have more money and resources than the 3rd world countries, use these to help the 3rd world countries develop and grow so they can eventually also be 1st world countries fully ready to share their own cultures and resources with us? Because if all countries are on a similar level when it comes to money, resources, and people, we would minimize inequality between countries and improve equal power distribution, making globalization easier.

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