📖 Reviewer on Approaches to Globalization 2.

Skeptics (Globalization is Limited or Not

Truly Global)
🌍 What is Globalization?
These scholars accept that globalization exists
Globalization is the increasing connection but believe it is less extensive than claimed.
between countries through trade, technology,
culture, and politics. It affects how economies Key Arguments:
grow, how governments make decisions, and
how cultures interact. Globalization is regional, not global – The
world economy is still dominated by North
However, experts disagree on what America, Europe, and East Asia.
globalization really means and how to study it,
leading to different approaches. National governments still control economies –
Most trade and financial activity happens within
Three Main Groups in the Globalization countries, not across borders.
Debate
Globalization is used as a political excuse –
1. Rejectionists (Globalization is Overstated or Some governments use “globalization” to justify
Misleading) reducing welfare programs and deregulating
markets.
These scholars argue that globalization is not a
useful concept because it is too vague, Example Thinkers:
exaggerated, or misunderstood.
Paul Hirst & Grahame Thompson (1996):
Key Arguments: Globalization is a myth because most economic
activity is regional, not global.
Lack of precision – Globalization is used to
describe too many things (e.g., internet, trade, Robert Wade (1996): Warned against
culture), making it meaningless. overgeneralizing economic trends to claim the
world is fully globalized.
Not a new process – Many globalization trends
have existed for centuries (e.g., Silk Road, Dani Rodrik (1997): Said global economic
colonial trade). integration is not as deep as it was before
World War I.
Overestimated influence – Many economic and
political activities are still controlled by national 3. Modifiers (Globalization is Real but Not
governments. New)

Example Thinkers: These scholars argue that globalization exists

but is part of a long historical process.
Susan Strange (1996): Called globalization a
“vacuous term” used for anything from the Key Arguments:
internet to a hamburger.
Modern globalization is just an evolution – The
Craig Calhoun (1993): Compared globalization global economy was already interconnected
to nationalism—both are hard to define and centuries ago (e.g., colonialism, trade routes).
often misused.
Economic globalization is not the only factor –
Linda Weiss (1998): Called globalization a “big Politics, culture, and technology have always
idea resting on slim foundations.” influenced global connections.
Globalization has accelerated, but it’s not Debate on sovereignty: Can nations still control
unique – Today’s globalization is faster and their own policies?
more complex, but not entirely new.
Example Thinkers: Kenichi Ohmae (The
Example Thinkers: Borderless World), David Held (Global
Governance)
Robert Gilpin (2000): Said that globalization
before World War I was just as strong as today. 3. Globalization as a Cultural Process

Immanuel Wallerstein (1979): Argued that the Studies how globalization spreads culture,
modern capitalist economy has been global for ideas, and media.
500 years.
Key Ideas:
Ash Amin (1997): Suggested that past
globalization was more about trade and war, Cultural Homogenization: The spread of
while today’s version is about technology and Western culture (e.g., Hollywood, McDonald’s).
finance.
Cultural Hybridization: Local and global cultures
Approaches to the Study of Globalization mix (e.g., K-pop, Bollywood, fusion food).

1. Globalization as an Economic Process Cultural Resistance: Some societies reject

outside influences (e.g., nationalist
Focuses on trade, investments, multinational movements).
corporations (MNCs), and financial markets.
Example Thinkers: John Tomlinson, George
Key Ideas: Ritzer (McDonaldization), Roland Robertson
(Glocalization)
Free trade agreements (e.g., NAFTA, EU)
encourage economic globalization. 4. Globalization as a Historical Process

Rise of multinational corporations like Amazon, Views globalization as a long-term historical

Toyota, and Apple. trend rather than a modern phenomenon.

Financial globalization: Money moves easily Key Ideas:

across borders, impacting economies.
Ancient empires (Persia, Rome, China) already
Example Thinkers: Joseph Stiglitz, Robert had global trade networks.
Keohane, Peter Dicken
Colonialism and the Industrial Revolution
2. Globalization as a Political Process expanded global connections.

Examines how governments and international Globalization today is just a continuation of past
organizations influence globalization. economic and cultural exchanges.

Key Ideas: Example Thinkers: Immanuel Wallerstein

(World-Systems Theory), Robert Gilpin
Weaker national governments: Big corporations
and global markets have more power. 5. Globalization as an Ecological Process

Rise of international institutions like the United Studies how globalization affects the
Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), environment and natural resources.
and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Key Ideas: globalization is not just a process but also an
ideology—a set of beliefs and ideas that shape
Climate change, deforestation, and pollution politics, economy, and society.
are worsened by global industrialization.
📖 Reviewer: Ideologies of Globalization
Global cooperation is needed to solve
environmental issues (e.g., Paris Agreement). By Manfred B. Steger

Sustainable development: Balancing economic 🌍 What is Globalization?

growth with environmental protection.
Globalization refers to the increasing
Example Thinkers: Franz Broswimmer (Ecocide), connections between people, economies, and
Al Gore (An Inconvenient Truth) governments worldwide. However, some
scholars argue that globalization is not just a
6. Globalization as an Ideological Process process but also an ideology—a set of beliefs
and ideas that shape politics, economy, and
Examines how globalization is influenced by
society.
political and economic ideologies.
Steger argues that "globalism" is the dominant
Key Ideas:
ideology of our time and influences how we see
Neoliberalism: Belief that free markets and globalization.
capitalism drive globalization.

Anti-globalization movements: Groups opposing

corporate control and inequality.

Globalism vs. nationalism: Debate between

embracing global cooperation vs. protecting
national interests.
📌 The 6 Core Claims of Globalism
Example Thinkers: Manfred Steger (Globalism),
David Held (Cosmopolitan Democracy) Steger identifies six key ideas that globalists
(supporters of globalization) promote:
📢 Key Takeaways
1. Globalization is About Free Markets
✔️There is no single way to study globalization
—it depends on different perspectives. - Globalization means removing government
restrictions on trade and allowing businesses to
✔️Economic, political, cultural, historical, operate freely.
environmental, and ideological factors all
shape globalization. - Key Idea: "The market should decide
everything."
✔️Scholars debate whether globalization is
real, limited, or just a continuation of history. - Example: Many governments reduce tariffs
and regulations to attract foreign businesses.
✔️Some see globalization as positive (growth,
innovation), while others highlight risks 2. Globalization is Inevitable and Irreversible
(inequality, cultural loss, environmental
damage). - Globalization cannot be stopped; countries
must adapt or be left behind.
- Key Idea: "We have no choice but to embrace 6. Globalization Requires a Global War on
globalization." Terror

- Example: Governments promote free trade - After 9/11, some leaders said globalization
because they believe resisting globalization will must be protected from terrorist threats.
harm their economy.
- Key Idea: "We must use military force to
3. Nobody is in Charge of Globalization protect free markets and global trade."

- No single person or country controls - Criticism: This idea is often used to justify wars
globalization—it is a natural force like gravity. and increase military spending.

- Key Idea: "Globalization just happens on its

own."

- Criticism: Some argue that powerful countries

(e.g., the U.S.) and corporations (e.g., Amazon,
Google) actually shape globalization to benefit
themselves.

📢 Key Takeaways
4. Globalization Benefits Everyone (Eventually)
✔️Globalization is not just an economic or
- Supporters claim globalization creates jobs,
political process—it is also an ideology that
raises incomes, and improves lives worldwide.
influences how people think.
- Key Idea: "Even if there are problems now,
✔️Supporters of globalization argue that free
globalization will make the world better in the
markets, democracy, and global integration are
long run."
good for everyone.
- Criticism: While some countries benefit, others
✔️Critics say globalization benefits wealthy
suffer from economic inequality and job losses
countries and corporations while harming
due to outsourcing.
weaker nations and workers.
5. Globalization Spreads Democracy

- Free markets lead to freedom and democracy

because economic growth encourages political
freedom.

- Key Idea: "More trade = more democracy."

- Criticism: Some argue globalization helps

dictators stay in power because they benefit
from foreign investments.