LESSON 1

Globalization Overview:

A. Defining Globalization: Globalization has many interpretations:

1. Social Linkage: It's the intensification of global social connections, meaning events in one
area influence distant areas (Giddens).
2. World Awareness: It implies a global consciousness and the "shrinking" of the world
(Robertson).
3. Space-Time Compression: It reduces the significance of distance (Harvey).
4. Economic Integration: Globalization is marked by cross-border trade and investment (Sunny
Levin Institute).
5. Economic Focus: Some emphasize economic activities like trade liberalization and
transnational corporations.

Different fields interpret globalization uniquely. Historians debate its modernity,

economists study trade changes, and political scientists examine its impact on
governance. The term gained traction in academic circles in the 1960s-1970s, with a
peak in the 1990s.

B. Globalization's Nature:

1. As a Process: It's a series of interconnected events creating global ties and awareness,
influenced by technology and cultural shifts. However, scholars disagree on its start, with
estimates ranging from the Renaissance to the 1970s.
2. As a Condition: Globalization represents a highly interconnected world, evident in global
events that transcend borders (e.g., the response to the Syrian refugee crisis).
3. As an Ideology: It's a set of beliefs supporting a global market, often deemed irreversible,
that benefits all in the long run. Globalists argue it spreads democracy and requires collective
actions like counter-terrorism.

C. Theoretical Perspectives:

1. World System Paradigm: Capitalism's influence creates a global hierarchy (Core, Periphery,
Semi-Periphery).
2. Global Capitalism Paradigm: Considers globalization as an advanced stage of global
capitalism.
3. Network Society: Emphasizes technology's role in driving globalization.
4. Space-Time Globalization: Explores how distant events influence local contexts, termed
"glocalization."
5. Transnationality/Transnationalism: Focuses on cross-border connections beyond the state
level.
6. Global Culture Paradigm: Mass media and cultural exchanges shape a shared global culture.

D. Misconceptions:

1. Not Internationalization: Globalization doesn’t necessarily involve state boundaries.

 2. Not Liberalization: It's broader than merely removing trade barriers.
3. Not Universalization or Westernization: Globalization isn't just spreading Western ideals; it
includes various cultural exchanges.

LESSON 2

World Bank (WB)

 Purpose: Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development
programs to reduce poverty and improve living standards.
 Established: 1944, Bretton Woods Conference.
 Headquarters: Washington, DC.
 Structure: Part of the World Bank Group (WBG), which includes five institutions:
1. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) – Funds
infrastructure in middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.
2. International Development Association (IDA) – Provides interest-free loans and
grants to the world’s poorest countries.
3. International Finance Corporation (IFC) – Invests in private sector development.
4. Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) – Encourages foreign
investment by offering guarantees.
5. International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) – Settles
international investment disputes.
 Membership: 185 countries.
 Activities: Provides low-interest loans and grants, supporting 1,800+ development projects.
 Criticisms: Accusations of favoring U.S. interests, pushing a "neo-liberal" agenda, and having
undemocratic decision-making.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

 Purpose: Aims to ensure global financial stability, promote economic growth, reduce
poverty, and facilitate international trade.
 Established: 1945, as part of the Bretton Woods system.
 Headquarters: Washington, DC.
 Structure: Governed by a Board of Governors from its 189 member countries, supported by
an Executive Board of 24 directors.
 Functions:

1. Surveillance: Monitors global economic trends and member economies.

2. Lending: Provides loans to countries facing balance-of-payment issues.
3. Capacity Development: Helps countries modernize economic policies.

 Resources: Funded by member quotas based on their economies, affecting their voting
power and borrowing limits.
 Special Drawing Rights (SDR): An international reserve asset created by the IMF to
supplement member countries’ reserves.
 Criticisms: Accused of promoting Western interests, lacking transparency, and encouraging
austerity in borrowing nations.
Both institutions emerged from the Bretton Woods Conference with a shared mission
to stabilize and develop post-war economies, evolving to support a range of global
development and financial stability goals.

LESSON 3

The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 to promote global peace, security, and
cooperation. Its primary concern is collective security and resolving disputes between
nations, with a structure allowing it to impose sanctions or engage in peacekeeping.

Key Objectives:
 Facilitate peaceful dispute resolution and collective military security.
 Act in conflicts either independently or on behalf of specific member interests.

Main Organs:

1. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - Focuses on sustainable development across

economic, social, and environmental sectors.
2. Trusteeship Council - Oversees territories until they are ready for self-governance.
3. International Court of Justice (ICJ) - Handles legal disputes and provides advisory opinions.
4. Security Council (SC) - Has the authority to make binding resolutions, impose sanctions, and
deploy peacekeepers. It comprises 15 members, including 5 permanent (P-5) and 10 rotating
members.
5. General Assembly (GA) - Includes all 193 member states; votes on global issues, some
requiring a two-thirds majority.
6. Secretariat - Led by the Secretary-General (currently Antonio Guterres), this organ
administers UN operations and addresses global security threats.

Reform Efforts:

Reform has been limited, with the most significant change in 1963, expanding the
Security Council from 11 to 15 members. Calls continue for further reforms to
address the power concentration within the P-5 and to enhance inclusivity.

LESSON 4

The North-South divide is an economic and socio-political distinction between

wealthier, stable countries (Global North) and poorer, developing countries (Global
South).

Global North
  Comprises affluent, economically stable countries such as the U.S., Canada, G8 members,
Australia, and New Zealand.
 Known as More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) with characteristics like stable
economies, high life expectancy, free education, and universal healthcare.

Global South
 Includes most nations in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.
 Known as Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs) with lower GDP, unstable
governments, poorer living standards, and lower Human Development Index (HDI).

Causes of Disparity

The economic disparity is largely attributed to historical colonization and

imperialism, which kept many Global South countries economically disadvantaged,
whereas former imperial powers remained wealthy.

Classification and Terms

 Human Development Index (HDI) is often used for a more objective classification.
 Former terms like "First," "Second," and "Third World" reflect Cold War-era political
alignments, while "Global South" is now preferred as a neutral, apolitical term.

Bridging the Divide

Organizations like the UN, IMF, and World Bank, through initiatives such as the
Millennium Development Goals, aim to close the gap via financial support and
sustainable development programs for the Global South.

LESSON 5

Regionalism involves the expression of shared cultural identity and purpose, often
achieved through institutions that promote unity and coordinated actions within a
region.

Asian Regionalism began gaining momentum with the establishment of APEC in

1989, encouraging economic cooperation. However, the 1997 Asian financial crisis
highlighted weaknesses in regional mechanisms. Today, Asia's economies are closely
linked through trade, investment, and labor flows, reinforcing the need for
cooperation.

Imperatives of Asian Regionalism:

1. Boost productivity, innovation, and competition to drive economic growth.

2. Strengthen capital markets for stability and effective use of Asian savings.
 3. Diversify global demand sources for economic stability.
4. Support open global trade and financial systems.
5. Address health, safety, and environmental challenges regionally for global impact.

Key Regional Organizations:

 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): Founded in 1967, it fosters cooperation
among Southeast Asian countries in various sectors and aims for peace and economic
growth.
 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation): Established in 1989, APEC promotes free trade,
economic cooperation, and sustainability across the Asia-Pacific.
 EAS (East Asia Summit): A forum for leaders from 18 countries, including ASEAN, to address
common concerns.
 APT (ASEAN Plus Three): A collaborative forum between ASEAN and China, Japan, and South
Korea, focusing on energy, security, and economic issues.

Challenges:

1. Health and security threats.

2. Environmental degradation.
3. Social instability and economic uncertainty.
4. Limited progress in trust-building and dispute resolution.
5. Lack of regional mechanisms for humanitarian aid and disaster response.
6. Weak enforcement in human rights and social issues.

The Philippines is a strong proponent of regionalism and remains committed to

ASEAN’s ideals, emphasizing economic integration, peace, and socio-cultural
cooperation as a founding member.