29

Globalisation
varying degrees into a universal
The peoples of the earth have thus entered in
violation of rights in one part
community, and it has developed to a point where a
acosmopolitan right is, therefore, not
of the world is felt everywhere. The idea of complement to the unwritten code of
fantastic and overstrained; it is a necessary universal right of humanity.
political and international right, transforming it into a -Immanuel Kant1

a policy, a strategy, a
lobalisation -now a buzzword-is a trend, aprocess, has its many philes
ideology. It
predicament,a philosophy, a doctrine, even anOhamae and Francis Fukuyama)
Kenichi
(as Anthony Giddens, J.N. Bhagwati,for the good of all people of the world; it
movement
Wno regard it as an irresistible Wallerstein, Noam Chomsky and Eric Hobsbawm)
las its phobes also (as Immanuel mind-boggling phenomenon, a new
elusive idea, a
Wno take it as a slipperv and an bundle of contradictory forces. For the
or neo-colonialism, a
eiant of colonialism covering everything
convenience, one may take it as an omnibus expression interdependence
aKe of establishing interconnectedness and
to that with the aim of Robertson.
TOm this
associations all over the world. So, according to
ne people and their
it is "a catch-all phrase".2

Implications and Nature

Gomprehensive popularised by
has comprehensive
Theodore Levit in 1985,aspects. More or less
Globalisation,
Connotations involving
a term
economic, socio-cultural and political
internationalisation, liberalisation,
universalisation,
terms like deterritorialisation, etc., its salient features
Interchangeable marketisation, privatisation,
with
sophistication, economic
west
nay beernitraced
: sation,in ideological
rapid expansion
technological
of capitalism,Surprisingly, it may be dramatised as
universalisation. and justice
protection, gender qualitvy
integration and environmental
mixed array of issues likecross-border terrorism and the like. at the very outset
Tacial and ethnic conflicts, student of this subject is faced with things to different
which a
The problemglobalisation means different of
precisely mean? It Giddens, it "is the intensification
what does world. To
countries of the localities in a way that local
happenings are
cholars of different
relations which link
distant

1
worldwide Hans Reiss
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991)
Publications.
Kant: Writings, edited by Sage
p. 108. Political Culture (London:
Global
2. Globalisation: Social Theory and
See R. Robertson: G
(London: Macmillan,
2000).
3 1992) Jan Aart: Globalisation: A
Critical Introduction
See
 732 Contemporary Political Theory

versa." Hence, it signifies

shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice in a way
elimination of distances in integrating the peoples and their associations
vast world which, in the words of
that none remains like an island in itself in this
Marshall McLuhan, has now become a 'global village'. Obviously, globalisation is a
part of the isolated communities
system in which human beings are no longer like a of diplomatic relations and
that are themselves linked through narrow channels
to global affairs.
trade. Entire societies are now directly plugged in' in different contexts.
Obviously, the term 'globalisation' has different implications
with 'internationalisation'. From
1. Many people equate the term 'globalisation' by intense interaction and
this perspective, a global situation is marked
interdependence between country units.
'globalisation' to mean 'liberalisation', In
2. Many commentators take the word resources can move away
this usage, globality refers to an open world where trade barriers, capital
anywhere,unencumbered by state imposed restrictions like
controls and travel visas.
entail 'universalisation'. In this case,
3. Many analysts understand globalisation to in all corners of the earth.
a global phenomenon is one that is found
synonym for (Westernisation'
4. Some observers invoke the term 'globalisation' as the imposition of modern
or 'Americanisation'. In this context, globality involves the
structures especially of an American consumerist variant.
'deterritorialisation'. Here global
5. Some researchers identify 'globalisation' with transcends territorial
relations are seen as occupying a special space that
geography.
official and non
In view of different ideas about 'globalisation' and the role of
in 'transnational
official or non-governmental organisations, this term has its synonyms
advocacy networks' and 'worldwide multilateralism'.6
Alook at the meaning and nature of the term 'globalisation' may enable us to
derive its following implications:
internationalisation,
1. The term 'globalisation' has its synonyms in many words like
universalisation, de-territorialisation, Westernisation, Americanisation,worldwide
multilateralisation, etc. It, however, does not liquidate entirely what comes within
other in a way that
the range of "localisation'. Rather it seeks to integrate each
relevance. 50
the difference between the local and the global loses its place or
afiect
Giddens regards its as a phenomenon where local and global happenings implies that
each other. R. Robertson has coined the term 'glocal' to signify it. It production
"the local and the global are commingling in new glocal modes of
across and outside of national boundaries, 8"
4. Anthony Giddens: The Consequences of Modernity
(Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1990)
p. 64.
Nye, Jr. (eds.):
5 R.O. Keohane and Joseph Nye, Jr., "Introduction" in J.D. Donahue and 2000), Pp.
Institution Press,
Governance in a Globalizing World(Washington, D. C.: Brookings
1-41.
Perspectiresin
6. J.A. Scholte: GIobal Civil| Society" in Richard Little and Michael Smith (eds.):
World Politics (New York: Routledge, 2006), p. 213. Robertson (eds ):
Glohal
7. R. Robertson: "Glocalisation" in M. Featherstone, S. Lash and R.
Modernisation (London: Sage Publications, 1995).
8. T.W. Luke: "New World Order or Neo-World Orders", Ibid., p. 10.
 Globalisation 733

Globalisation

soCial prCess to which the constraints of geography and social and

balisation is a aware that
arrangernernts recede and in which people becorne increasing]y
ural
are receding -M. Waters
Globalisation (London: Routledge, 1995), p. 3.
distances
social connections in which territorial location, territorial
ooal relations are
do not have a deterrnining influence. In global space, 'place' is
:dterritorial borders effectively no tirne and territorial
territorial distance is Covered in
st territorially fixed, could be
particular inpedirnents. Thus, global relations have what
otiets present no trans-world character
zled 'supra-territorial border or -J.A. Scholte
Perspectives on
Soiety" in Richard Little and Michael Srnith (eds.): 2006), p. 214.
"Global Civil World Politics (New York:
Routledge,
activities
described, simply as the expression of economic
transactions and
2obalisation) can be of economic
t refers to the expansion natíon-states.
155 national bOundarjes.... activities acros5 political bourndaries of economic
economic
* garnisation of as a process associated with increasingintegration
precisely, it can be defined econornic
interdependence, and deepening
ss, growing economic -Deepak Nayyar
nthe world econorny.
Oxford University Pres5, 2008), pp. 347-48.
(New Delhi:
Irade and Globalisation
enables its student to differentiate
of 'globalisation' Globality refers to thenotion
fact that
rninute study of the trend and globalism. of
globality, globalisation world society in the sense that
the
between
We are increasingly living in a now nothing, which happerns on our
illusory, for that the world market
closed Spaces has beCome event. Globalisation is the view
national action. Globalisation is
planet, is a limited Jocal Jocal and nation-states
powerful enough to support through which sovereign
the processes the varying prospects
the blank term to describe transnational actors in
by
are cris5-Crossed and underrmined and networks.
identities of government. Capitalism
power, orientations, the webs
enbedded in 'turbo-capitalism'. That is, it becomes
markets are from social
globalisation,
asumes a colo55al forrn and thus becornes desire for emancipation
driven bytherestrictions, trade union intransigence
aspecies of private enterprise search
of capital in by the
interference, taxation movement
(ustorn, territorial state restrictions upon the free so-called 'law'
(formulated
and all other external kicks against the expanding public sector. Its
of profit. Turbo-capitalism Adolph Wagner) of the deregulation, or Iighter
economist regime for
regulatory
nineteenth-century
advocates a new
push forregulation,
global
on aglobal
scale."i0
economic and
sociocultural But,
ànd m
nore flexible political, aspects revolve. Hence
many spheres- which other
Ihe .lobalisation
(COnoTmi C
Covers
dspect is like
the pivot
around

(Cambridge: Polity
Press, 2000). pp. 10-11
University Press, 2003), pp.
67-6H

Bek: What is Globalisation (Cambridge: Canbridge

Society?
Keane Globall Cil
 Globalisation 735

Fconomic Dimension: Mainly as an economic affair, globalisation refers to a

Drocess of deepening economic integration; increasing economic openness and growing
aronomic interdependence between countries in the world economy." It is shaping
anew svstem of international economic relations -be it in the field of investment,
production, trade, finance or technology. It reveals the fact that now no country can
live in a state of isolation; autarchy or economic self-sufficiency cannot be
by any state of the world. The growing trend of interlocking of national
practised
into a global economic system cannot be reversed. The fact is that we are now economies
in the age of 'technological determinism' which makes the rise and living
growth of new
economic patterns inevitable. It has the potential to enrich everyone in the world,
specifically the poor and the backward, and may be a force of the 'common good.'3
However, it has its positive and negative effects. On the
caused a shift in the pace and patterns of both the developed positive side, it has
and the developing
countries of the world. It may be noticed in the removal of
and subsidies, reduction of tariffs, changes in patent qualitative restrictions
of investments, new rules of dumping and regimes and in the patterns
safeguards, etc. If so, the rise and developmentanti-dumping measures, adoption of
of globalisation must be analysed in
terms of the underlying economic factors, the political
gather momentum and the intellectual rationale that is conjectures which enable it to
integration of financial markets has its impact on the almost prescriptive. The rapid
Which underwent three revolutions all at international monetary system
innovation 14 once-regulation, internationalisation and
On the negative side, it is contended that such a
uvantage of the rich and advanced countries of thedevelopment has been to the
world alone. It has done a
lot of harm to
of the poor, backward and undeveloped countries which are devoid
resources
Compete
and technology. In the international market the poor countries cannot
with the rich and highly industrialised countries. While the
COuntries with their saturated markets are seeking access for their
developed
or goods to the poor and backward countries, the
surplus products
developing countries remain
tdeveleGlchonolbalopediosagiticoanCOunt
l y andriedevelopment
excluded and they cannot export their surplus labour even to the
s due to restrictions of visa or untavourable immigration rules.
coincide with each other along the lines of ensuring
Inarkets for western goods, retaining cheap labour and raw materials and in this
process sover eigrnty of the state is undermined.
but itFinisancial iberalisation might help increase in access to global financial resources,
mostly of a speculative nature as but far as the case of the
toountries is Concerned. It follows that the developing countries would provide access
developing
their
marmobikliettys. Thus,
lufabraeuer mmovement without capital mobility and without a corresponding provision for
of labour across national boundaries lies atthe heart of inequality
asymmetry in the form of free movement of capital and the
PD
Press, Sh2006)
enoy , p.6
Globalisation: Its Inpact on Industrial Relations in India (New Delhi: New Dawn
JN Bhagwati: In Defense of Globalisation (New Delhi: Penguin, 2002).
Se De pak Mean for
It
Nayyar: "Challenges of Globalisation" in Bibek Debroy (ed.): Globalisation: What
Development (Delhi: Konark Publishers, 1998).
 736 Contemporary Political Theory

in the rules of game for liberalisation. Globalisation has the power to do enormous
good to the rich countries; it has similar power to do enormous harm to the poor
and developing countries of the world. So, a critic comments that "in much of the
world, it has not brought about comparable benefits, for many it seems closer to an
unmitigated disaster. 15
Globalisation is a game between the gainers and the losers. It is a good game for
the rich countries alone. The poor and backward countries cannot get their expected
rewards, for they cannot compete with them on account of the want of resources
and technology. So, another critic comments: "The currently fashionable free market
globalisation has brought about a dramaticgrowth in economic and social inequalities
both within states and internationally; there is no sign that this polarisation is not
continuing within countries, in spite of a general diminution of external powers."16
Socio-cultural Dimension: Socio-cultural globalisation is the process whereby
information, communications and images, that have been produced in one part of the
world, enter into a global flow that tends to 'flatten out cultural differences between
nations, regions and individuals.!" Driven to impart by the growth of transnational
Companies and the emergence of global commodities, cultural globalisation is also
fuelled by the so-called 'information revolution' - spread of satellite communication,
telecommunication networks, information technology, internet and global media
corporations. It may be visualised in the changing patterns of social norms and
etiquettes. People's preferences for sipping Coca Cola, or taking food in the McDonald
restaurants, or wearing European garments, etc., leave an impression that they are
moving towards cultural homogenisation.
However, its adverse effects may be seen in two directions -rise of religious
fundamentalism and the emergence of multiculturalism. The fundamentalists exhort
their co-religionists to maintain purity of their faith and traditional ways of life and
also try to export their ideology, while the multiculturalists clamour for maintaining
their separate and distinct identity for the sake of recognition in their country. Both
vehemently oppose the ´imposition' of an alien culture or the value system of the
foreigners and may go to the extent of using violent and unconstitutional means for
this sake. The communitarians like Michael Sandel, Michael
and A. Maclntyre assert that there can never be Walzer, Charles Taylor
unanimity on
'good life' even at the local and regional levels in spite of the factthe conception of
that the majority
is said to have the right to promote or popularise its
or 'good life'. conception of the 'public good
While the wave of globalisation is blowing with vigour, the trend of
multiculturalism is also gathering weight. It may be taken note of in, what 1s
known by various names, as politics of identity', 'politics of
'politics of difference'. While each term has slightly different recognition',the or
connotations,
underlying idea is the same. It covers the case of the people who have been victims
of marginalisation, tranquillisation, exclusion, segregation and
dehumanisation for
15. Joseph Stiglitz: Globalisation and Its Discontents (New Delhi:
Penguin Books, 2002), p. 20.
16. Eric Hobsbawm: Globalisation: Democracy and Terrorism (London:
17. Heywood, op. cit., p. 139.
Little Brown, 2007), P. .
 Globalisation 737

homogenisation of the people of the

centuries. While globalisation desires cultural
Such groups struggle
world, multiculturalism lavs stress on the trait of indigenisation.
of race, culture, religion, ways of life
for maintaining their distinct identity in terms
light on cultural injustices rooted in
and the like. The politics of this kind throws
patterns of representation, interpenetration and communication, including
the social disrespect, so as to dispense with the
cultural domination, non-recognition and
condition of differentiated citizenship'.18
problem is that certain minorities (as the Kurds in Iraq, the French in
The
the Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland, the Tamils in Sri Lanka, etc.) are
Canada, called the 'national culture'. Then,
assimilate themselves with what is
not willing to with the 'global culture. Not only
willing to assimilate themselves
how can thev be developed political awareness.
this, the excluded, neglected and exploited people have
countries and have taken to the way of
They have formed their groups in their operating in other
position by joining hands with similar groups
strengtherning their
world. Its examples may be seen in their meets at Durban, London
cOuntries of the liberal 'civic
and Bhopal. At the national level, this struggle may be seen between liberal-democratic
The leaders of the
nationalism' and illiberal'ethnic nationalism'.19
to realise that the best way to ensure the loyalty of the national
Systems have come
sense of distinct nationality.20
minorities is to accept, not to attack, their
be seen to have a remote
Apprehensivelv, the trend of multiculturalism may
terrorism. Hitler raised the slogan of
Connection with the rising trend of cross-border Austria and Czechoslovakia
Pan-Germanism' that enthused the German minorities of
rebel. In not much time Nazi Germany could destroy the independence of these
to organisations have developed international
twostates. So now some Muslim terrorist to provoke their co
links operating from any place like Karachi, Dubai or Sharjah revolt. Their mission
Russia to rise in
religionists in the US.A. Britain, France and world as
to establish purity of faith and rule of Islam over as many parts of the
IS America,
in their attacks on the cities of
POSS1ble. Its sinister instances may be seen requires a progressive outlook so
Dritain, France, Russia and India. Globalisation integration in different directions,
of
hat the nations of the worldtake to the course foments a reactionary or regressive
Inulticulturalism. if blended with secessionism,
of multiculturalism is certainly different
vutiook that hampers sucha process. This type enemy of cultural conservatism and both
Iom its liberal counterpart which "is the
reflects and embraces the openness,
pluralism, and autonomy that modernisation
and globalisation entail."21
Political Dimension: Political globalisation is evident in the growing significance
of mmany international organisation as the United Nations, International Labour
International Bank for Reconstruction
International Monetary Fund,
Organisation,
of the ldeal of Universal Citizenship'"
.M Young:"Polity and Groups Differences: A Critique
in Ethics, Vol. 99, No. 2, PP 250-74.
Nationalism(New York: Simon
William Pfaff. TheWratlh of Nations: Civilization and the Furies of
and Schuster. 1993), p. 162.
Will Kymlicka CoutemDorary Political Philosophy: An Introduction (New Delhi: Oxford
Gniversity, Press, 2005), Indian Elition, p. 352.
21. Tbid., p.
369.
 742 Contemporary Political Theory

Issue of Global Governance

If globalisation is the process of interconnectedness and interdependence of the
states, the issue of global governance may be described as its logical outcome. If the
process remains at work in ahumane way, the dream of global governance mav be
realised in along time to come. As Fukuyama hopefully visualised: "What we are
witnessing is not just the end of the Cold War, or the passing away of a particular
period of post-war history, but the end of the history as such; that is the end point of
mankind's ideological revolution and the universalisation of western liberal democracy
as the final form of human government."6 It may be in spite of the fact that there
is, and can be, no fixed form of global governance, nor is there a single structure
for this purpose. It is a broad, dynamic and complex process of interactive decision
making, that is constantly evolving and responding to changing circumstances."
It was Chancellor Willy Brandt of Germany who took the lead in the establishment
of the Commission on Global Governance in 1992 in the belief that international
developments had created a unique opportunity for strengthening global cooperation
so as to meet the challenge of securing for all and achieving sustainable development
and universalising democracy. With the blessings of the then Secretary-General of the
United Nations (Dr B.B. Ghali), the Commission (having 28 members from different
countries of the world) came into being as an informal private group. It aimed to
contribute to the improvement of global governance, to analyse the main forces of
global change, to examine the major issues facing the world community, to assess
the adequacy of global institutional arrangenments and to suggest how they should
be reformed or restrengthened.®
The theme of global governance may be like a distant dream at the moment, but
it should not be taken as afigment of imagination. The growing trend of liberalisation
may soften the passage. The goal may be realised by the sincere COoperation and
concerted efforts of the people of the world. As an Indian scholar says: "Global
governance must take an integrated approach to questions of human survival
and prosperity. Effective global decision-making needs to build up and influence
decision-makers. It must build partnerships -networks of institutions and processes -
that enable global actors to pool information, knowledge and cooperation and to
develop just policies and practices on issues of common Concern. There must be an
agreed global framework for actions and policies to be carried out at appropriate
levels. A multifaceted strategy for global governance is required. This will involve
reforming and strengthening the existing system of intergovernmental institutions,
and improving the means of collaboration. The international system that the U.N.
Charter put in place thus needs to be renewed,"39
36. Francis Fukuyama: The End of History and the Last Man (London: Penguin Books, 1992), pp.
lxxiiand 418.
37. Ingvar Carlson and Sridath Ramphal: Our Commission
Global Neighbourhood: The Report ofthe
on Global Governance (Oxford
38. In April, 1991, 36 eminernt University Press, 1995), p. Stockholm
4. discussthe
Sweden toSecurity and
persons
needs of the 1990s under the had a meeting at in
auspices of the on Global
Stockholm Initiatives commission
Governance. this occasion, it was proposed that an international
On be set up to
explore the opportunities created by the end of the Cold War so as to build a moreeffective
 Globalisation 743

Hallmarks and Foundational Factors of Globalisation

Hallmarks
1. More inter-state connections and the decreasing effect of state policy,
2 Development of increasingly transnational communications and activities,
3. Decline in the importance of the nation-state,
4. Emergence of global political, economicand cultural organisations and bureaucracies.
5. Emergence of global cities such as London, New York, Paris, Tokyo as local sites
of global interaction,
6. Huge increase in the flows of commodities and cultural products, and
7. Worldwide spread of Western style consumerism.
Foundational Factors
1. Expansion of trading relationships and the use of symbolic tokens of which money
is an obvious example,
2. Copernicusean conception of the world as a globe,
3. Invention of the mechanical clock, time, measurement and global time zones,
4. Invention of the navigational aids and the steady advance of travel technologies,
5. Outward expansion of European institutions and culture,
6. Capitalism's insatiable drive to maximise profit leading it to go global in its post
modern phase and to open up and exploit new markets with new products.
S.Lash and J. Urry: The End of Organised Capitalism (Cambridge: Polity Press, 1987)
cited in John Beynoon and David Dunkerley (eds.): Globalisa tion: The Reader (London:
The Athlone Press, 2000), pp. 5-7.
Significant Features of Globalisation
1. The pace of economic transformation is so great that it has created a new world
politics. States are no longer closed units and they cannot control their economies.
The world economy is more interdependent than ever, with trade and finances
ever expanding.
2. Communications have fundamentally revolutionised the way we deal with the
rest of the world. We now live in aworld where events in one location can be
immediately observed on the other side of the world. Electronic communications
alter the notions of the social groups we work with and live in.
3. There is now, more than ever before, aglobal culture, so that most urban areas
resemble one another, the world shares a common culture, much of it emanating
from Hollywood.
4. The world is becoming more homogeneous. Differences between peoples are
diminishing.
5. chronological
Time and space seem to be collapsing. Our old ideas of geographical space and of
time are undermined by the speed of modern communications and media
6. There is emerging a global polity, with transnational social and political
movements and the beginnings of a transfer of allegiance from the state to suh
state, transnational, and international bodies.
7. Acosmopolitan culture is developing, People are beginning 'to think globally and
act locally'.
8. A risk culture is emerging with people realising both that the mainrisks that face thom
are global (pollution and AIDS) and that states are unable to deal with the problem.
John Bavlis and Steve Smith: The Globalisation of World Politics: An Introduction (New
York: Oxford University Press, 2005), p. 11.
 744 Contemporary Political Theory

Globalisation and Development

Globalisation and development appear to be interrelated, but, in fact, it is not so
The former signifies the trend of increasing interaction and interdependence of the
states particularly in the economic sphere, while the latter has its aim in
about an improvement in the living conditions of the people. No state canbringing
remain
immune from the impact of globalisation and so no people should be excluded
from the effects of development. Progress should be made in both directions, but
it cannot be simultaneous in view of the fact that, unlike markets, the governments
are accountable to their people. And yet the two may be brought to an irreducible
minimum. Development must bring about an improvement in the living conditions
of the people. It should, therefore, ensure that the basic needs of all are satisfied.
Globalisation must serve the purpose of development which after all "is tocreate a
milieu that enables people, ordinary people, to lead a good life."0
The real difficulty is that while the process of globalisation is fast, the pace of
development is retarded by increasing disparities at the level of economic development
on account of being8 governed by the politics of hegemony or dominance. Increasing
progress in the direction of globalisation requires the role of some dominant economic
power with astrong and stable currency so as to maintain international monetary
system. It may result in internationaleconomic welfare of course, but it puts the poor
and backward countries in astate of disadvantage. Market becomes more important
than the state and as it is dominated by the barons of industry, the welfare of the
weaker sections of the society is not properly looked after. The quality of life of
the affluent sections is improved without having similar impact on the lot of the
unprivileged sections of the people. "As a result of privatisation and deregulation.
capital has gained at the expense of labour almost everywhere, for proit shares have
arisen while wage shares have fallen. "41
The 'hegemonic stability theory' as propounded by Charles Kindleberger and
further developed by Robert Gilpin is based on the hypothesis that a dominant
economic and military power is necessary for the creation and full development of
a liberal world market economy, because in the absence of such a
power, iberal
rules cannot be enforced around the world. However, different from the contentioi
of the mercantilists, it contains a liberal element in that the
dominant power aoes
not merely manipulate international economicrelations for its own sake; itcreates ai
open world economy based on free trade which is to the benefit of all
states and not only the hegemon."2 participating
A critic may comment that the altruisticaspect of the
hegemonic stability theory
quite superficial and misleading. The hegemonic state becomes'predatory inasmuch
as it establishes its sway over many other economically weaker states and pputs a
mask on it by obliging them with certain tangible
benefits.Paying
become 'free riders' by making use of the goods without Some for
of them.
suc More

40. Deepak Nayyar: Trade andDevelopment (Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2008), P. *
41. lbid., p. 352.
42. Robert Jackson and Georg Sorensen: lntroduction to International Relations: Theories and
Approaches (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003), p. 196.
 748 Contemporary Political Theory

developments take place as a result of the exercise of the rational power of man. It
is well observed: "Global governance, then is not so much about world government.
as it is about institutions and practices combined with rules that facilitate cooperation
among sOvereign nation-states, "56
Critical Appreciation
To sum up, globalisation is an omnibus or a catch-all phrase that includes an
array of processes such as time and space compression, cultural and commercial
homogenisation, technological sophistication, and a general intensification of the
consciousness of the world as a whole. It is a process by which the world is
becoming more and more like asingle unit. So, it is like aset of related processes
which "interconnect individuals, groups,communities, states, markets, corporations,
international governmental and non-governmental organisations in a complex web
of social relations, "57
Like any other process or system, globalisation has its merits and demerits,
but in this case the former outweigh the latter. To say that globalisation creates
'economic dominance' and 'democratic deficit' may be correct on a theoretical
plane; in fact, it is a reality which cannot be effaced by any means. Equality exists
in the midst of inequality. It implies equal rights and opportunities for al, but all
cannot be equalised. Natural equalityis an ideal that cannot be put into practice.
Complete equality may be possible in a hypothetical condition of communist society
as conceived by Marx or in the 'Ram Raj of Mahatma Gandhi. The 'superiors' shall
ever rule the 'inferiors'. However, the merit of globalisation should be traced in the
fact that it aims at the equalisation of opportunities whereby the disadvantaged
countriesmay reap itsbenefits, the examples of which may be seen in the miraculous
development of Germany, Japan and China. Even small entities like South Korea,
Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam are now labelled as 'economic tigers.
Critical allegations are levelled by those who, instead of taking to the path of hard
work and sacrifices, clamour for bringing about a new and equitable international
economic order by showering abuses on the industrious and industrialised countries
of the world.
It is commented that globalisation is creating a 'risk society'-one
of
that
established
characterised by rising individualism with associated weakening calls
traditions and institutions.S* It is the same thing what CB. Macpherson
'possessive individualism' and on that count he hits at the pitfalls of a liberal-pose
democratic system. Another critic holds that globalisation creates crises which
control
threats to an 'open society' and which can be prevented only by greater and
The ecologists comment that globalisation creates environmental pollution
they lay blame on the unsympathetic and indifferent attitude of the industrialised

56. Deepak Nayyar, op. cil., p. 365.

57. Alberto Martinelli: "Markets, Governments, Communities and Global Governance" in
International Sociology. Vol. 18, No. 2, (2003).
58 See U. Beck: Risk Society: Tovards New Moderity (London: Sage PublicatiOn, 1=
59. See G. Soros: The Crisis of Global (New York: BBS/Public
Affairs, 1998). Capitalism: Open Society Endangered
 Globalsation 749

nuntries which deliberately ignore their calls, the example of

in the non-implementation of the Kyoto which may be seen
summer of 1997 Protocol on Climate Change adopted in the
From what we have said above, following critical
inferences may be drawn:
1. Contemporary globalisation is not reducible to asingle
causal process, but it
involves acomplex configuration of causal logics - whether political,
economic, migratory, ecological or cultural. They raise two important military,
issues.
First, while the process of globalisation may be uniting the globe physically,
it is not necessarily inculcating asense of global community and citizenship, a
prerequisite for any democratic global government.
2. Globalisation means different things to different people. The term is used in
two ways which create a source of confusion. It is used in apositive sernse to
describe the process of increasing integration of the world economy. It is also
used in a normative sense to describe a strategy of development based on rapid
integration with world economy. Even its characterisation, however, is by no
means uniform. Itcan be described in simple terms as the expansion of economic
activities.
3. Since globalisation has created a universe of unequal partners, it isand
notinequitable
surprising
that the rules of the game are asymmetrical in terms of construct
make the rules and the
in terms of outcome. The strong have the power to
neither make such rules
authority to implement them. In contrast, the weak canpeople who express such
nor invoke them in their defence. The reaction of the involvine issos
has its forms in new social movements
exclusion or frustration
identities, cultural chauvinism and religious fundamentalism.Obyioushy
of ethnic stability and harmony. n this ww
8lobalisation leads to the erosion of social social tensions
integration with the world outside mnay accentuate
economic well as undeveloped or
fragmentations in the developed as
or provoke sOcial
COuntries of the world. But the question arises as to what
developing
These critical points are go not without
back to
weight.
the days of the mid-20thandcentury, or should
should be done. Should out we problems new challenges?
new solutions for new goal of
we look to find with the within the universalisation of
forward
Since the theme of globalisation is aligned framework of a
problems can be solved the fact of the
system, all globalisation lies emerging
'liberal-democratic At the root of is providing strength to the
democracy.' expansion
re-invented
civil many parts of the world. Its development of bothis now an irreversible

processsociety "Civil
in simultaneous transnational corporations, non-
globalisation, The activities of become very
of society based on
the groups has much a
international pressure
phenomenon.
governmental agencies and
reality."61 concerned with
disclosing the cultural.
communities
democracy'that "iswhere political
and stages
'cosmopolitan world
Govermance (London:
in a Globalisaton: Frontiers of
60. David Callsit
Heldethical political order
bases ofexclusively". Taming
legal and and
matter, but not only