Globalization and Local Communities

Local Community in a Globalized World

• A local community is a group sharing interests and values within a specific area, smaller than a nation-state, which differs from civil society.
• Globalization influences include expected empowerment of local communities, the rise of multiculturalism/interculturalism, and the potential for a global cultural melting pot.

Trends Since 1945

• National-liberation movements (decolonization) have occurred post-1945.
• UN membership increased from 51 to 193, with only 20 states being ethnically homogeneous.
• There are over 3,000 ethnic groups and over 7,000 languages.
• Local cultures have seen a revival in areas like the EU, Americas, and Russia.
• The UN declared two international decades of indigenous peoples (1995-2004 and 2005-2014) and an international decade of indigenous languages (2022-2032).

State-Society Relationship Models

• State-society relationships impact how globalization affects local communities.

Liberal Model

• 19th-century assimilation of minorities was considered progressive.
• Aristocratic privileges and discrimination were eliminated.
• Liberal democracy was once synonymous with majoritarianism, leaving some minority groups permanently in the minority due to identity characteristics.
• Post-WWII, a consociational vision emerged, aiming to represent all main communities, not just achieve a 50%+1 majority.
• This shift led to constitutional amendments (power sharing, decentralization) or unofficial arrangements (quotas for minority representatives) in some countries.
• Canada has shifted from assimilating minorities to official multiculturalism and interculturalism (Quebec).
• Indigenous peoples went from exclusion from political life until 1960 (right to vote) to recognition of self-government (1995).
• Self-government forms vary among local communities.
• The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), ratified by Canada (2021), promotes partnership and respect between governments and indigenous peoples.

Authoritarian Model

• States may not tolerate local communities, favoring support from the largest ethnic group.
• Minorities are frequently used as scapegoats, such as during pogroms, to divert attention from economic issues.
• Some political regimes rely on one minority group (e.g., Iraq under Saddam Hussein, Syria under Assad).

Totalitarian Model

• The treatment of local communities depends on the official ideology.
• Nazi Germany excluded minorities.
• The Soviet Union officially recognized ethnicities, granting internal self-governance, Russia inherited this approach.

Cultural Assimilation

• Cultural assimilation involves minorities gradually losing their cultures by adopting prestigious cultural identifiers (e.g., global languages).
• It affects local communities lacking resources to preserve their cultures.
• Over 3,000 languages, spoken by 88 million people, are endangered and likely to become extinct in 50-100 years.

Economic Globalization Index (KOF Swiss Economic Institute, 2022)

• Singapore: 93.66
• Netherlands: 89.79
• Belgium: 88.05
• Ireland: 87.65
• UAE: 87.58
• Switzerland: 86.96
• Luxemburg: 86.75
• Canada: 72.18 (44th)
• USA: 66.27 (63th)

Social Globalization Index (KOF Swiss Economic Institute, 2022)

• It comprises personal contacts, information flows, and cultural proximity.
• Personal contacts include international telecom traffic, tourism, personal financial transfers, foreign population, and international letters.
• Information flows include the number of internet users, the share of households with a television set, and the value of international newspapers.
• Cultural proximity includes the value of international books and the number of McDonald’s restaurants and IKEA stores.
• Hong Kong: 90.70
• Singapore: 88.78
• Andorra: 88.18
• Luxemburg: 88.18
• Switzerland: 86.68
• Monaco: 86.27
• Canada: 85.62 (7th)
• USA: 82.70 (23th)

International Migration

• Top destinations (millions) in 2000 vs 2020:
  • USA: 35 vs 50
  • Russia: 12 vs 12
  • Germany: 9 vs 16
  • India: 6 vs N/A
  • France: 6 vs N/A
  • Canada: 5 vs 8
• Top origins (millions, 2020):
  • India: 18
  • Mexico: 11
  • Russia: 11
  • China: 10
  • Syria: 8

International Trade

• Top exporters (billions $US, 2023):
  • China: 3,420
  • USA: 1,860
  • Germany: 1,570
  • Japan: 766
  • South Korea: 645
• Top exported products (billions $US, 2023):
  • Crude Oil: 1,280
  • Cars: 1,000
  • Refined Petroleum: 930
  • Integrated Circuits: 910
  • Broadcasting Equipment: 610

IKEA

• Ingvar Kamprad started a mail-order business in 1943 and began selling furniture in 1948.
• First store opened in Sweden (1958), followed by Norway (1963), Denmark (1969), Switzerland (1973), Germany (1974), Australia & Hong Kong (1975), Canada (1976), Saudi Arabia (1983), USA (1985), Hungary & Poland (1990), China (1998), Russia (2000), Egypt (2013), Mexico & Philippines (2021), Chile (2022), and Colombia (2023).
• The USA and Germany have the most stores (55 each).

Rhodope Mountains Region (Bulgaria)

• Area: 10,000 sq. km.
• Before 1990: state-owned agro-companies focused on tobacco and mining for domestic and COMECON markets.
• 1990-2000: closure/privatization of state-owned companies led to mass unemployment and emigration to Germany (construction) and Italy (home care).
• After 2000: re-migration, rural tourism, and retirement immigration (EU) occurred.

Guangzhou (China)

• Population: 5 million in 1980 to 29+ million in 2024.
• Until the 1940s: mainly port logistics.
• 1950s-1970s: mining, metallurgy, and automobiles for the domestic market.
• Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone created in 1984.
• 2024: 30,000 foreign companies (297 from Fortune Global 500) with a GDP per capita of $25,000+.
• Major industries: automobile assembly and biotechnology for foreign markets ($90 billion+).

Climate Change

• It involves the ongoing increase in global temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions.
• Climate change leads to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and disruptions to ecosystems.
• MDG 7 aimed to ensure environmental sustainability, integrating sustainable development into policies.
• SDG 13 focuses on climate action, integrating climate measures into policies and improving education and capacity on climate change.

Biodiversity Loss

• It refers to the decline in the variety of life on Earth.
• Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change drive the loss.
• It threatens ecosystems and essential services such as pollination.
• MDG 7 aimed to reduce biodiversity loss by 2010.
• SDG 15 focuses on protecting threatened species and promoting equitable sharing of resource benefits, while ending poaching and trafficking.

Plastic Pollution

• It involves the accumulation of plastic waste in oceans and landfills.
• It harms marine life and ecosystems and can enter the food chain.
• SDG 3 relates to negative impacts on human health.
• SDG 12 focuses on responsible consumption and production to reduce waste and promote recycling.
• SDG 14 directly addresses plastic pollution in the oceans.

Deforestation

• Deforestation is the clearing of forests for agriculture and urbanization.
• It contributes to climate change, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss.
• MDG 7 included targets related to environmental resources, implicitly including forests.
• SDG 15 aims to promote sustainable forest management, halt deforestation, and restore degraded forests by 2020.

Air Pollution

• Air pollution involves the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
• It impacts human health and the environment.
• MDG 7 aimed to integrate sustainable development into policies, indirectly addressing air pollution.
• SDG 3 aims to substantially reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution by 2030.

Water Scarcity

• It is characterized by the lack of access to clean and safe water resources.
• It is exacerbated by climate change, pollution, and unsustainable practices.
• MDG 7 touched upon water scarcity through sustainable natural resource use.
• SDG 6 aims to increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable freshwater withdrawals by 2030.

Ocean Acidification

• It refers to the increasing acidity of oceans due to excess carbon dioxide absorption.
• Ocean acidification threatens marine life, especially shellfish and coral reefs.
• SDG 13 links ocean acidification to climate change, caused by excess carbon dioxide.
• SDG 14 aims to minimize the impacts of ocean acidification through scientific cooperation.

Overconsumption and Waste

• It refers to unsustainable consumption and excessive waste generation.
• It leads to resource depletion, pollution, and environmental degradation.
• SDG 12 aims to halve global food waste and reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse by 2030.

Food Security

• Food security is ensuring access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for a growing global population.
• It also involves minimizing environmental impacts.
• MDG 1 aimed to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
• SDG 2 aims to end hunger, ensure access to safe and nutritious food, end malnutrition, and double agricultural productivity by 2030. It also aims to ensure sustainable food production systems.

Data Breaches

• Unauthorized access and theft of sensitive information from organizations or individuals.
• It exposes personal or financial records.
• The 2017 Equifax breach impacted millions globally.
• Globalization increases the impact of breaches across borders.
• Politically, it erodes trust, prompts regulations, and international cooperation. Data breaches are used to influence elections or destabilize governments.

Disinformation and Propaganda

• It involves spreading false or misleading information to manipulate public opinion.
• Fabricated evidence is used to justify war.
• Globalization enables the rapid dissemination of narratives across borders.
• It impacts elections, incites unrest, and escalates international conflicts.

Terrorism

• It is the use of violence to achieve political or ideological goals.
• It intimidates or coerces governments or populations.
• The September 11th attacks are an example.
• Globalization facilitates communication and coordination of attacks.

Extremism

• Holding extreme political or religious views advocating actions outside societal norms.
• The January 6th attack on the US Capitol highlights the potential consequences.
• Globalization facilitates the spread of ideologies online.
• It poses challenges to social cohesion, democratic institutions, and national security.

Geopolitical Instability

• A volatile environment marked by tensions and conflicts between nations.
• The war in Ukraine impacts global energy markets and food security.
• Globalization interconnects nations, making instability contagious.
• It forces diplomatic efforts, military realignments, and economic sanctions.

Climate Change as a Political Issue

• The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
• Rising sea levels threaten coastal cities.
• Globalization accelerates its effects through emissions and economies.
• It necessitates international agreements but fuels disputes over responsibility and resource allocation.

Pandemics

• Widespread outbreaks of infectious disease that highlight the interconnectedness of modern society.
• Pandemics strain healthcare systems, disrupt economies, and force governments to implement public health measures.
• International cooperation is crucial. Pandemics can exacerbate tensions and inequalities, leading to restrictions and economic nationalism.

Economic Inequality

• The uneven distribution of wealth and income.
• The vast gap between the richest 1% and the rest of the population exemplifies this.
• Globalization concentrates wealth.
• It fuels social unrest and influences elections, creating a breeding ground for populism and extremism.

Migration Crisis

• Large-scale movements of people fleeing conflict or persecution.
• The Syrian refugee crisis exemplifies this.
• Globalization facilitates movement but also creates conditions that accelerate migration.
• It strains resources, fuels xenophobia, and impacts national security debates.

Nuclear Proliferation

• The spread of nuclear weapons and technology to new countries.
• North Korea's programs exemplify this threat.
• Globalization increases the risk as materials become more accessible.
• Proliferation destabilizes regions and fuels arms races.

Cultural Appropriation

• The use of elements of a minority culture by members of the dominant culture without understanding or respect.
• It fuels political tensions and perpetuates power imbalances.
• Indigenous designs in fashion are used by non-Indigenous brands without credit or compensation, sparking protests.

Digital Divide

• The gap in access to modern information and communications technology, creating political and economic inequalities.
• Unequal access limits participation in the global economy and political discourse, marginalizing communities.
• Limited internet access restricts access to education, healthcare, and information.

Gender Equality

• Equal access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making.
• Increased interconnectedness can spread progressive or reactionary ideas that reinforce traditional gender roles.
• Conflicts arise over women's rights, such as debates over hijab bans in Europe.

Identity Politics

• The tendency for people to form political alliances based on shared identities and perceived marginalization or injustice.
• Groups advocate for their rights and interests.
• The global Black Lives Matter movement highlights racial injustice and calls for systemic reforms.

Misinformation

• False information that is spread, regardless of intent to mislead.
• It impacts political discourse and stability.
• False narratives manipulate public opinion, influence elections, and incite violence.
• During the 2016 US election, foreign actors used social media to spread disinformation.

Religious Freedom

• The freedom of an individual or community to manifest religion or belief.
• It also covers the freedom to change religion or belief.
• Political debates arise regarding the accommodation of religious practices in secular societies.
• Controversies occur over religious symbols in public (schools) in some European countries.

Nationalism and Protectionism

• Some countries have seen a rise in nationalist and protectionist movements due to the perceived threat of cultural homogenization.
• These movements seek to protect local cultures from foreign influences, sometimes through restrictive policies.
• Nations prioritize domestic industries, using tariffs and trade barriers, hindering global trade.

Tourism and Cultural Exchange

• Tourism can be a powerful force for cultural exchange, but it can also lead to the commodification of culture and the exploitation of local communities.
• Mass tourism on Venice has sparked debates about preservation and the well-being of local residents.

Social Media

• Social media has become a major platform for cultural exchange, but it also presents challenges.
• It enables rapid dissemination of information but presents challenges, such as the spread of misinformation.

Indigenous Cultures

• Globalization presents both opportunities and threats to Indigenous cultures.
• Increased interconnectedness can raise awareness of indigenous issues and facilitate cultural exchange, but can also lead to exploitation of resources and cultural appropriation.
• Ongoing struggles of indigenous communities (e.g. the Amazon rainforest) against deforestation and resource extraction exemplify the political battles for land rights and cultural survival.