Globalization

Globalization is a term used to describe the increasing connectedness

and interdependence of world cultures and economies.

Globalization is a term used to describe how trade and technology

have made the world into a more connected and interdependent
place. Globalization also captures in its scope the economic and
social changes that have come about as a result. It may be pictured
as the threads of an immense spider web formed over millennia, with
the number and reach of these threads increasing over time. People,
money, material goods, ideas, and even disease and devastation
have traveled these silken strands, and have done so in greater
numbers and with greater speed than ever in the present age.

When did globalization begin? The Silk Road, an ancient network of

trade routes across China, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean used
between 50 B.C.E. and 250 C.E., is perhaps the most well-known
early example of exchanging ideas, products, and customs. As with
future globalizing booms, new technologies played a key role in the
Silk Road trade. Advances in metallurgy led to the creation of coins;
advances in transportation led to the building of roads connecting the
major empires of the day; and increased agricultural production meant
more food could be trafficked between locales. Along with Chinese
silk, Roman glass, and Arabian spices, ideas such as Buddhist beliefs
and the secrets of paper-making also spread via these tendrils of
trade.

Unquestionably, these types of exchanges were accelerated in the

Age of Exploration, when European explorers seeking new sea routes
to the spices and silks of Asia bumped into the Americas instead.
Again, technology played an important role in the maritime trade
routes that flourished between old and newly discovered continents.
New ship designs and the creation of the magnetic compass were key
to the explorers’ successes. Trade and idea exchange now extended
to a previously unconnected part of the world, where ships carrying
plants, animals, and Spanish silver between the Old World and the
New also carried Christian missionaries.

The web of globalization continued to spin out through the Age of

Revolution, when ideas about liberty, equality, and fraternity spread
like fire from America to France to Latin America and beyond. It rode
the waves of industrialization, colonization, and war through the
eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, powered by the
invention of factories, railways, steamboats, cars, and planes.

With the Information Age, globalization went into overdrive. Advances

in computer and communications technology launched a new global
era and redefined what it meant to be “connected.” Modern
communications satellites meant the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
could be watched in the United States for the first time. The World
Wide Web and the Internet allowed someone in Germany to read
about a breaking news story in Bolivia in real time. Someone wishing
to travel from Boston, Massachusetts, to London, England, could do
so in hours rather than the week or more it would have taken a
hundred years ago. This digital revolution massively impacted
economies across the world as well: they became more information-
based and more interdependent. In the modern era, economic
success or failure at one focal point of the global web can be felt in
every major world economy.

The benefits and disadvantages of globalization are the subject of

ongoing debate. The downside to globalization can be seen in the
increased risk for the transmission of diseases like ebola or severe
acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), or in the kind of environmental
harm that scientist Paul R. Furumo has studied in microcosm in palm
oil plantations in the tropics. Globalization has of course led to great
good, too. Richer nations now can—and do—come to the aid of
poorer nations in crisis. Increasing diversity in many countries has
meant more opportunity to learn about and celebrate other cultures.
The sense that there is a global village, a worldwide “us,” has
emerged.

Examples of Globalization (Concept Map)

Because of trade developments and financial exchanges, we often think of globalization

as an economic and financial phenomenon. Nonetheless, it includes a much wider field
than just flowing of goods, services or capital. Often referred to as the globalization
concept map, some examples of globalization are:

 Economic globalization: is the development of trade systems within

transnational actors such as corporations or NGOs;
 Financial globalization: can be linked with the rise of a global financial
system with international financial exchanges and monetary
exchanges. Stock markets, for instance, are a great example of the
financially connected global world since when one stock market has a
decline, it affects other markets negatively as well as the economy as
a whole.
 Cultural globalization: refers to the interpenetration of cultures which,
as a consequence, means nations adopt principles, beliefs, and
costumes of other nations, losing their unique culture to a unique,
globalized supra-culture;
 Political globalization: the development and growing influence of
international organizations such as the UN or WHO means
governmental action takes place at an international level. There are
other bodies operating a global level such as NGOs like Doctors
without borders or Oxfam;
 Sociological globalization: information moves almost in real-time,
together with the interconnection and interdependence of events and
their consequences. People move all the time too, mixing and
integrating different societies;
  Technological globalization: the phenomenon by which millions of
people are interconnected thanks to the power of the digital world via
platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Skype or Youtube.
 Geographic globalization: is the new organization and hierarchy of
different regions of the world that is constantly changing. Moreover,
with transportation and flying made so easy and affordable, apart from
a few countries with demanding visas, it is possible to travel the world
without barely any restrictions;
 Ecological globalization: accounts for the idea of considering planet
Earth as a single global entity – a common good all societies should
protect since the weather affects everyone and we are all protected by
the same atmosphere. To this regard, it is often said that the poorest
countries that have been polluting the least will suffer the most from
climate change.

The Benefits of Globalization

Globalization has benefits that cover many different areas. It reciprocally developed
economies all over the world and increased cultural exchanges. It also allowed financial
exchanges between companies, changing the paradigm of work. Many people are
nowadays citizens of the world. The origin of goods became secondary and geographic
distance is no longer a barrier for many services to happen. Let’s dig deeper.

Culture encompasses the social behavior, institutions,

norms, knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, and
habits found in human societies . It includes language, ideas,
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rituals, ceremonies, and material objects . Culture can also refer

1

to the customary beliefs, social forms, and material

traits of a specific group or time period . 3

Culture is a term that refers to a large and diverse set of mostly

intangible aspects of social life. According to sociologists, culture
consists of the values, beliefs, systems of language, communication,
and practices that people share in common and that can be used to
define them as a collective.
Culture also includes the material objects that are common to that
group or society. Culture is distinct from social structure and
economic aspects of society, but it is connected to them—both
continuously informing them and being informed by them. Common
cultures include those shaped by regional traditions, religious beliefs,
and historical experiences.

An action can be considered part of a culture when it becomes a regular,

shared practice among a group of people and is passed down through
generations. Here are some key indicators:

1. Consistency and Regularity: The action is performed consistently

over time.
2. Shared by a Group: It is practiced by a significant number of people
within a community or group.
3. Transmission: The action is taught and passed down from one
generation to the next.
4. Significance: It holds meaning or importance within the group, often
tied to their values, beliefs, or identity.
5. Integration: The action is integrated into the daily lives and routines
of the group members.

For example, traditional dances, rituals, and even certain ways of greeting
each other can be considered cultural actions if they meet these criteria 12.

Asian cultures are incredibly diverse, encompassing a wide range of traditions, languages, and
customs. Here are some examples of cultural aspects and biases within Asian cultures:

Cultural Aspects

1. Family Values: Many Asian cultures place a strong emphasis on family and community. For
instance, in countries like China, Japan, and India, family loyalty and respect for elders are highly
valued.
2. Cuisine: Asian cuisine is diverse and varies significantly by region. For example, Japanese cuisine
often includes sushi and sashimi, while Indian cuisine is known for its rich use of spices and
curries.
3. Festivals: Festivals are an integral part of Asian cultures. The Chinese New Year, Diwali in India,
and the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan are just a few examples of major celebrations.
 4. Religions and Philosophies: Asia is home to many major religions and philosophies, including
Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Taoism. These belief systems deeply influence cultural
practices and values.

Common Biases and Stereotypes

1. Model Minority Myth: This stereotype suggests that all Asian Americans are highly intelligent,
hardworking, and successful, particularly in fields like math and science. While this may seem
positive, it can be damaging as it overlooks the struggles and diversity within Asian
communities1.
2. Homogeneity Assumption: There is a common misconception that all Asians share the same
cultural practices and values. In reality, Asia is incredibly diverse, with significant differences
between East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Central Asian cultures 2.
3. Language Proficiency: Another bias is the assumption that all Asians struggle with English
proficiency. While language barriers can exist, many Asians are fluent in multiple languages,
including English1.
4. Dietary Stereotypes: There are stereotypes about Asian diets, such as the belief that all Chinese
people eat dogs or that all Asians eat rice with every meal. These stereotypes are not only
inaccurate but also perpetuate harmful biases2.

Understanding and acknowledging these cultural aspects and biases is crucial for fostering a
more inclusive and respectful society. If you have any specific questions or need more detailed
information, feel free to ask!

Globalization and culture are interconnected but distinct concepts:

Globalization

 Definition: Globalization refers to the process by which businesses, technologies, ideas, and
cultures spread around the world, leading to increased interconnectedness and
interdependence among countries.
 Impact: It affects various aspects of life, including the economy, politics, technology, and
culture. For example, global trade allows products from one country to be available in another,
and the internet enables instant communication across the globe.
 Examples: The spread of multinational corporations like McDonald’s and the global influence of
social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram1.

Culture

 Definition: Culture encompasses the ideas, customs, social behaviors, and artifacts of a
particular group of people or society. It includes language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music,
and arts.
 Impact: Culture shapes the identity and lifestyle of individuals and communities. It influences
how people interact, celebrate, and perceive the world around them.
  Examples: Traditional festivals, local cuisines, and indigenous languages2.

Key Differences

 Scope: Globalization is a broad process affecting multiple domains, while culture specifically
pertains to the social and artistic expressions of a group.
 Nature: Globalization often leads to the blending and exchange of cultures, sometimes resulting
in cultural homogenization or the creation of new hybrid cultures3.
 Influence: While globalization can spread cultural elements globally, culture itself is rooted in
local traditions and practices4.