Global Perspectives on Social Theories

Cosmopolitanism

• Promotes the idea of individuals as global citizens
• Advocates for obligations transcending national boundaries

Marxism

• Linked to capitalist imperialism
• Wealthy nations exploit developing countries
• This leads to inequality and concentration of wealth in multinational corporations.

Postcolonialism

• Reinforces a Western-centric perspective
• Marginalizes voices and identities from non-Western cultures

Environmentalism

• Emphasizes interconnectedness of ecosystems
• Calls for global cooperation to address environmental challenges like climate change, deforestation, and resource depletion

Cultural Relativism

• Cautions against imposing universal values or a single global culture
• Advocates for protecting local traditions, languages, and customs

Technological Determinism

• Technology drives globalization
• Shortens distances, creates instant communication, enables global markets

Pragmatism

• Global problems need flexible, cooperative solutions
• Solutions are based on shared interests and outcomes

Global Economy

• International exchange of goods and services
• Distinct from the international economy
• Examples: trade, finance, technology

World Economy

• Aggregate of national economies
• Human economic activities assessed in monetary terms
• Includes legal and illegal markets

Market Integration

• Prices across locations or related goods move together over time
• Proportional price movement across different markets

Collapse of the Gold Standard

• Post-WWII: Bretton Woods System (1944-1971) established
• Created IMF and World Bank to stabilize global finance
• GATT established to promote trade
• Marshall Plan helped European recovery and development

Rise of Neoliberalism and Technology

• Neoliberal reforms (deregulation, liberalization) led to rapid growth in trade
• Tech advances (computers, communication) boosted integration
• WTO replaced GATT, promoting deeper trade integration
• Financial crises and trade imbalances continue to challenge stability

Global Corporations

• Operate in multiple countries with significant investments and facilities
• Lack dominant headquarters, decentralized nature
• Examples include Apple, Toyota, Nestle

Global Interstate System

• Network of relationships between countries
• Interconnectedness of states
• Complex web with competing and allied states
• Dynamic nature of alliances and conflicts
• International organizations play a role (e.g., UN, WTO)
• Examples of international relationships: NATO, BRICS

Global Corporations and the Global Interstate System

• Global corporations can influence international relations
• Influence through economic power, lobbying, and global supply chains
• Impact political decisions
• International regulations and treaties affect global corporations
• Trade agreements, sanctions, and human rights considerations influence corporate behavior

The UN General Assembly

• Established in 1945 under the UN Charter
• Chief deliberative body for addressing international issues, maintaining peace and security
• Discusses international peace but makes recommendations if security Council already addressed it
• Makes recommendations for peaceful settlement of situations that might impair friendly relations
• Elects new members to the Security Council
• 15 Members (5 permanent, 10 non-permanent)

Challenges of Global Government in the 21st Century

• New technologies created new pathways for the international community but also caused climate change, poverty, etc.
• To address these challenges:
  • Openness of mind
  • Build resilience
  • Peace building

Relevance of the State Amidst Globalization

• John Herz argued in 1957 that the state would be irrelevant due to its inability to defend against nuclear attack.
• Johan Galtung predicted its disappearance as individuals developed identities
• State legitimacy lies in its effectiveness in providing public goods, not in handling globalization

American Imperium

• U.S. influence globally, territorial and non-territorial
• Overview of world politics since the Cold War
• Peter J. Katzenstein argued that regions are central in global politics
• Contrast with views on nation-state persistence and globalization

Nation-State Persistence

• Nation-state: individual countries with their own governments
• Despite global changes, nation-states are still central in global politics

Regional Dynamics in Europe and Asia

• Technology, security, and culture shape relationships between Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
• Connections between the U.S., Germany, and Japan link America to Europe and Asia.
• Economic, security, and diplomatic ties exist between these regions.

Impacts of the American Imperium on Europe and Asia

• Security and Defense:
  • U.S. military protection through NATO in Europe (e.g., responding to Russian threats)
  • U.S.-Japan security agreements in Asia address regional threats (e.g., North Korea)
• Economic Influence:
  • U.S. investments (e.g., tech firms) shape European economies
  • U.S. is a key trading partner with Asia, particularly with China, influencing trade policies
• Cultural Impact:
  • U.S. media (e.g., Hollywood) influences European entertainment preferences
  • American brands and media (e.g., Apple, Netflix) shape Asian consumer culture
• Political Influence:
  • U.S. leads diplomatic efforts in Europe (e.g., sanctions on Russia after Crimean annexation)
  • U.S. involved in South China Sea disputes, promoting stability and supporting allies

North-South Divide

• Socioeconomic and political division
• Global North: Wealthier, more developed regions (e.g., U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia)
• Global South: Poorer, less developed regions (e.g., Africa, Latin America, developing Asia)
• Economic Disparities:
  • North: Higher income, advanced technology, better infrastructure
  • South: Poverty, resource limitations, lower economic development
• Political Power:
  • Northern countries have more influence in global decision-making
• Social Indicators:
  • North: Higher qality of life, better health, and education
  • South: Lower quality of life
• Fluidity of the Divide:
  • Developing nations can move to the "North"
  • Lagging nations remain part of the "South"

Global South versus Third World

• Martin Lewis argued there is no "Third World" or "global south"
• The "three worlds theory" (First, Second, and Third World) was conceptually incoherent

The "Three Worlds Theory"

• First World: Wealthy, industrialized countries allied with the U.S. during the Cold War
  • Democratic governments, high standards of living
• Second World: Communist countries aligned with the Soviet Union
• Third World: Non-aligned countries, often poor and underdeveloped

Printing Press

• Device for mass production of uniform printed matter (books, pamphlets, newspapers)
• Revolutionized society in China where it was created

Electronic Media

• Broadcast or storage media using electronic technology
• Includes Television, radio, internet, fax, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and any media requiring electricity or digital encoding

Digital Media

• Computer is the most important media influencing globalization
• Provides access to global markets and transformed cultural life
• Revolutionized daily lives
• Enables adoption of new practices (e.g., fashion, sports, music, food)
• Exchange ideas and establish relationships through platforms like Skype, Google, Chat, Zoom, etc.

Global Integration

• Connecting different parts of the world
• Exchange of goods, services, information, and ideas
• Leads to a more unified global community

Global Products

• Marketed internationally under the same brand name, features, and specifications

Three Perspectives of Global Culture

• Cultural Differentialism: Views cultural difference as immutable. Emphasizes differences among cultures, superficially affected by globalization
• Cultural Convergence: Globalization results in growing cultural sameness. Increased cultural exchange and interaction
• Cultural Hybridity: Globalization leads to a mixing of cultures. Integrates local and global cultures

Globalization of Religion

• Spread and interaction of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions across the globe
• Influenced by technological, social, and cultural exchanges
• Religion is a system of shared symbols, beliefs, and rituals directed toward a sacred, supernatural realm, addressing the meaning of existence