The Contemporary World

Ma. Theresa B. Dolipas

mt.dolipas@bsu.edu.ph
FaceBook: Theresa Dolipas

Source: oilandmarble.com/2017/03/06/10-ways-our-world-is-like-the-renaissance/

STUDY GUIDE
MODULE I
GLOBALIZATION AND ITS ORIGINS
Time Table Module Number & Learning Objectives Topics
Title

Week 2 Module I After working on this Definitions of

August 16-20, Globalization module, you should Globalization
2021 and Its Origins be able to:
Origin of
1. Define and discuss Globalization
the nature of
globalization; BSU’s
2. Explain the origins Internationalization
of globalization; Endeavors
and
3. Familiarize
yourself with
BSU’s
internationalization
endeavors and its
relationship/s with
globalization.

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Introduction
Module I discusses the nature of globalization and its origins. A number of
definitions given by noted authors are presented and explained, and the early
beginnings of this phenomenon is also explored.
In addition, the internationalization endeavors of Benguet State University
(BSU) in relation to globalization is also presented and discussed.
Learning Objectives
At the end of Module I, you should be able to:
1. Define and discuss the nature of globalization;
2. Explain the origins of globalization; and
3. Familiarize yourself with BSU’s internationalization endeavors and its
relationship/s with globalization.

Key Concepts
A. Definitions of Globalization
The term globalization is perhaps the perfect word that can describe today’s
world. It has been the buzzword of the 20th century, and several authors have
given varying notable descriptions of it.

Learning Activity
Read the definitions and nature of globalization as discussed by Kenichi Ohmae (1990),
Holm and Sorensen (1998), and George Ritzer (2011). After carefully understanding the
nature of globalization based on these authors’ discussions make an infographics on
globalization on a long bond paper. Make your infographics colorful by using picture or
images related to the concepts you are to discuss. Refrain from using lengthy sentences.
Below is an example of infographics.

Rubrics
1. Concepts from the Module
Reflected in the Infographics:
10 points
2. Vibrancy of the Infographics:
10 points

DUE DATE: August 23, 2021

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https://in.pinterest.com/
 B. Origin of Globalization
The definite date and place where globalization commenced has always been
the subject of debate among authors until these days. Baylis, Smith, and
Owens (2011) explained that globalization is not a new phenomenon in human
history. Together with Vanham (2019), these authors emphasized that the
process of globalization existed in three distinct waves in human history.

C. Internationalization Endeavors of Benguet State University (BSU)

Benguet State University’s (BSU) vision is for BSU “as an International
University engendering graduates to walk the intergenerational highways’
(http://www.bsu.edu.ph/about/vmdg). To be able to realize this vision, BSU
has been establishing and nurturing linkages with various educational
institutions locally and abroad for instruction, research, and extension
endeavors. Indeed, BSU is keeping pace with globalization.

Learning Activity
Familiarize yourself with Benguet State University’s (BSU) internationalization endeavors
using this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnM0iVV7pGU&feature=emb_logo
(BSU International Briefer).
As a BSU student, how will you be able to contribute to this internationalization endeavors
of our University?

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 MODULE I
GLOBALIZATION AND ITS ORIGINS

www.24hourtranslation.com

The Nature of Globalization

The term globalization is perhaps the perfect word that can describe today’s
world. Ritzer (2011) cited Bauman (2003) emphasizing that globalization is the most
essential change that has taken place in human history. This change is mirrored in
almost all aspects of human lives- social, cultural, economic, and political; hence,
making globalization omnipresent in societies. The term was created during the
second half of the twentieth century, and it was first incorporated in the Webster’s
dictionary in 1961.
Several authors have given definitions in an attempt to let people understand
what this phenomenon is all about. This module adopts the characterizations given
by the Japanese organizational theorist Ohmae, authors Holm and Sorensen, and
American Sociologist George Ritzer.
Kenichi Ohmae (1990), underlined that globalization is the onset of the
borderless world. He explained that states at present are more interconnected
because of their economic linkages. Capital, goods, technologies, human resources,
and services move across the globe making territorial borders less important. The
opening of the world economy provided trading opportunities to states specially
those belonging to the global south (used to be termed the Third World countries),
and this trade liberalization was aided by the widespread use of technology which
made it possible for people all over the globe to be acquainted with imported

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products and at the same time created opportunities for states to open their markets
for these foreign merchandises.
Having a borderless world can also be seen in the fact that the world can be
regarded as a small town where places can easily be reached by people.

Google Images (Parag Khanna)

Because of the revolution in transportation, people can now travel to different

parts of the globe using airplanes, ships, bullet trains, buses, and cars. Even the outer
space can be reached by using special transport vehicles. In addition, the progress in
the field of information and communications technology has made it possible for
people all over the globe to communicate despite distance and time. Through the use
of various gadgets connected to the internet, a person living in the Philippines can
call or have video call with a friend working in South Korea or anywhere in the
globe.
Holm and Sorensen (1998), on the other hand, remarked that globalization is
the intensification of economic, political, social, and cultural relations across
borders. This explanation is closely related to Ohmae’s description of globalization;
however, Holm and Sorensen are accentuating that the interconnectivity of states
around the world is not only economic; their interrelationships are also seen in their
political as well as socio-cultural affairs. For instance, the different states, through
their leaders, are maintaining diplomacy through a number of treaties (agreements)
to ensure the maintenance of peace and order as well as environmental stability in
the international community. These countries cooperate with one another to combat
terrorism, to help solve environmental problems across borders, and to address
health concerns across (like famine, Malaria, AIDS, CoVid-19) the globe.
Aspects of western states’ cultures (popular culture) are also visible in the
cultures of eastern states. McDonalds, Starbucks, and Hollywood for instance are
famous in Asian countries. Similarly, Hallyu or the Korean popular culture (K-pop),
and Japanese animations and cuisines are also loved in various western states. The

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cultural influences of the western countries over the eastern ones and vice versa are
vividly evident.

express.co.uk techzimo.com

Google Images iwmbuzz.com

Conversely, Ritzer (2011) stressed that globalization is a transplanetary

process or set of processes involving increasing liquidity and the growing multi-
directional flows of people, objects, places, and information as well as the structures
they encounter and create and that are barriers to, or expedite those flows. Notice
that this definition basically sums up the definitions of globalization that were given
by Ohmae and Holm and Sorensen. Ritzer is simply saying that globalization is the
spread of state connections seen in the principal sectors of human interactions. Ideas,
products, films, music, companies, people and so on enter states all over the globe
creating a variety of impact within these states. However, it is to be noted here that
Ritzer remarked that globalization can bring with it greater integration (especially
when things flow easily), but it can also serve to reduce the level of integration (when
structures are erected that successfully block flows). Depending on its effect,
globalization can further cooperation and assimilation between and among states
(and its citizens) or the opposite.
Scholte (2007) discussed redundant concepts of globalization. The terms
internationalization (growth of transactions and interdependence between
countries), liberalization (open and borderless world economy), universalization

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(cultural, economic, political homogenization), and westernization (colonization;
Americanization; westoxification) are being used to refer to globalization. However,
he asserted that too little will be revealed about globalization if the above mentioned
words were to be used in reference to it; he stressed that the transplanetary
connections between people should always be emphasized when talking about
globalization.
Globalization has three engines as specified by Baylis, Smith, and Owens
(2011). These engines are basically the three interrelated factors that are often times
utilized to explain the process of globalization. These engines are:
a. Technics. These encompasses modern communications infrastructures that
make world trade possible. This involves logistics (ships, airplanes, trucks,
the internet, digital media and the like) for the travel of goods/products and
even services from one part of the globe to another.
b. Economics. The economic reason that paved way for the globalization of
economic activity is capitalism’s insatiable need for new markets to amass
profits.
c. Politics. This provides the normative infrastructure (ideas, interests, power)
that nurtures the globalization process. The globalization process is
maintained and strengthened through the diplomatic relationships among the
various states of the globe via the state leader/s. Policies or rules are
formulated and implemented for order to exist in these transplanetary
connections.

The Origin of Globalization

Baylis, Smith, and Owens (2011) explained that globalization is not a new
phenomenon in human history. The definite date and place where globalization
commenced has always been the subject of debate among authors until these days.
Vanham (2019) explained that the process of globalization was spearheaded by the
sea activities launched by European monarchs for a variety of reasons; these
activities eventually led to European conquests of new lands outside their sphere. He
further discussed that global trade took place during this period when European
explorers connected the Eastern and Western parts of the globe using the sea routes
they discovered aided by the inventions that went along with the Scientific
Revolution.
On the other hand, Baylis, Smith, and Owens together with Vanham
emphasized that the process of globalization existed in three distinct waves in human
history.
The first wave of globalization (19th century-1914) was driven by the
Industrial Revolution in Great Britain. During this period, Great Britain’s empire
stretched across the globe; furthermore, the technological progress (like invention of

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the weaving machine and steam ships, trains) that came along with the Industrial
Revolution enabled the state to produce products like textiles, iron, and
manufactured goods that were marketable abroad, and transported these across the
globe. Other countries also benefitted from this by exporting their own goods.

Peter Vanham

The second wave (1850-1945) of globalization points to the period when the
United States of America was regarded as the new hegemon (a country that
dominates the rest in the fields of politics, military, or economics) in the international
community. With the invention of cars, and airplanes as well as the aid that came
from international organizations that were managed by the USA, global trade arose
despite the ravages brought by the concluded war.

Google Images

The third wave of globalization begun in the 1960s when technological

advances (invention of microchips and satellites), which define today’s world,
commenced. It was also during this period when the USA, through the World Trade
Organization (WTO), spearheaded the goal of pursuing every state in the globe to
enter into free-trade agreements. Baylis, Smith and Owens (2011) also underlined
that it is also during this period when world economic activities gradually

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commenced shifting from the West to the East (China and Japan are emerging
hegemons that challenge US and European economic and military supremacy). The
invention of the internet also allowed the expansion of the integration of the different
states of the world in all principal sectors.
Vanham (2019) maintained that the world is now in a new wave of
globalization, and he labelled it Globalization 4.0. This wave of globalization,
according to Gupta (2019), was fueled by the rapid spread of digital technologies.

manmonthly.com.au

Vahman emphasized that the globalization 4.0 is seen in the presence of e-

commerce (like online shopping), digital services (services delivered via the internet
or electronic network like e-banking, e-books, streaming of movies or music, etc.),
and the use of artificial intelligence (self-driving cars, spam filters in e-mails,
plagiarism checkers, etc.).
There is no doubt that you who belong to the internet generation (igen) is well
exposed to globalization; you may not have been aware of it until now. Hence, you
should at least be well-informed about this phenomenon in order for you to
appreciate and value its existence.
Internationalization Endeavors of Benguet State University (BSU)
Educational institutions all over the globe are also keeping pace with the
phenomenon of globalization. To be able to sustain its vision of being ‘an
international university engendering graduates to walk the intergenerational
highways’, Benguet State University has been establishing linkages with a number
of universities and organizations both locally and abroad for instruction, research
and extension undertakings.

The International Relations Office (IRO) is BSU’s “lead office in facilitating

and coordinating international partnerships for the university. Its primary aim is to
mainstream the university in the global arena, to benefit from mutual partnerships
with known universities of the world, as well as with developing universities with
excellent niche programs and projects” (http://www.bsu.edu.ph/international-
relations-office).

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 http://www.bsu.edu.ph/international-relations-office

BSU’s efforts to integrate the institution to international ventures is not new.

Looking into its history, the university has been into partnerships and cooperation
with organizations like the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (OXFAM) and
German Technological Cooperation Agency (GTZ) in the 1970’s for funding of
research projects. In the 1980’s, the University collaborated with the Australian and
Japanese embassies, Peru’s International Potato Center, Belgium’s Vlaamse Inter
Universitaire Raad (VLIR-OUS) for faculty trainings and scholarship grants abroad.
It is noteworthy to mention that the VLIR-OUS paved way for BSU’s library and
ICT infrastructure development, faculty development through scholarships in
Belgium as well as local and foreign trainings, and research capacity building. At
present, BSU continues to expand this internationalization ventures by seeking good
partners for the benefit of the BSU community.

BSU has engaged in some mobility programs that enable faculty members and
students to enrich their teaching and learning experience by exposing them to the
educational, cultural, economic, or political situations in other countries. The more
recent activities of the BSU IRO such as internship programs, exchange programs,
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) activities, and Departpment of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) activities are shared (among others) via its Facebook Page
(https://www.facebook.com/bsu.iro.1). All of these shared posts aim to inform and
invite the BSU students to be informed and eventually take interest to actively
participate to broaden students’ knowledge about the events and opportunities
beyond the Philippines.

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 Some BSU Faculty who availed of the Erasmus
Faculty Mobility Program bound for Spain
Source: https://www.facebook.com/bsu.iro.1

Sample Student Exchange Program

Source: https://www.facebook.com/bsu.iro.1

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 BSU Students Won Awards in the International
Student Mobility Program 2021
Source: https://www.facebook.com/bsu.iro.1

BSU and its colleges also maintain active linkages with the following
universities abroad.

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*images taken from http://www.bsu.edu.ph/international-relations-office/international-linkages-and-networks

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*images taken from http://www.bsu.edu.ph/international-relations-office/international-linkages-and-networks

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*images taken from http://www.bsu.edu.ph/international-relations-office/international-linkages-and-networks

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 A number of international students also enrolled and graduated in BSU since
2017.

*images taken from http://www.bsu.edu.ph/international-relations-office/international-linkages-and-networks

Indeed, BSU has been in touch with the international community for the
improvement of the processes and services that accords its students and immediate
community.

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References

Bauman, Z. (2003). Wasted lives: Modernity and its outcasts. Cambridge, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Baylis, J., S. Smith and P. Owens. 2011. The globalization of world politics: An introduction to international
relations. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Benguet State University. International linkages and networks. Retrieved from http://www.bsu.edu.ph/international-
relations-office/international-linkages-and-networks

Gupta, A.K. (30 January 2019). The effect of the new era might not be what you expect. Retrieved from
https://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/faculty-research/smithbraintrust/insights/welcome-globalization-40

Holm, H. and G. Sorensen. (1998). Whose world order? Uneven globalization and the end of cold war. USA:
Westview Press.

International Relations Office. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/bsu.iro.1

Ohmae, K. (1990). The borderless world: Power and strategy in the interlinked world. New York: HarperCollins
Publishers.

Ritzer, G. (2011). Globalization: The essentials. UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Scholte, J. (23 October, 2008). Defining globalisation. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-

9701.2007.01019.x

Vanham, P. (17 January 2019). A brief history of globalization. Retrieved from

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/how-globalization-4-0-fits-into-the-history-of-globalization/

You May Proceed to

the Next Module

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