Globalization and Maritime Spaces

Global Scale

• Seas and oceans are crucial to globalization, acting as major crossing points, vital for resource exploitation and trade routes. Key areas include the Arab-Persian Gulf, South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Strait of Malacca. The Arctic is significant for new resources and trade routes.
• Maritime spaces (seas and oceans) are claimed and protected by states, with differing degrees of openness to circulation.
• Globalization's marginalization affects territories whose relationship with maritime spaces is limited. This marginalization can be overcome by addressing access and regulatory issues among states.
• Geopolitical rivalries and conflicts are increasing in maritime spaces.
• Maritime spaces are crucial in global trade and supply chains, with significant ecological risks. Factors like oil spills, and environmental damage are important. The need for sustainable, environmentally-friendly global commerce is evident.

Key Terms

• Maritime Spaces: encompasses seas and oceans
• Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs): an area beyond a nation's territorial waters where it has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources
• UN Convention Law of the Seas: International agreement that defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans
• Flag of Convenience: a term used to describe the phenomenon of a ship being registered in a country that has little or no connection to the ship's owner or crew.
• Piracy: illegal activity at sea
• Containerization: shipping goods in large, standardized containers.
• Choke points: areas where a large portion of global maritime trade is concentrated (Canals, straits, etc.)

Learning Objectives

• Identify major maritime routes and their significance in globalization.
• Evaluate the crucial role of maritime spaces in globalization.
• Analyze why unequal access to the sea affects different territories.
• Analyze conflicts and tensions in maritime spaces, and provide examples of geopolitical issues.
• Evaluate the economic, diplomatic and military importance of maritime areas for nations involved.

Possible Key Question for an Essay

• Analyze the central role of oceans and seas in today's globalization process.

Definition of Globalization

• Globalization is a process connecting people, governments, and companies across the world. There is a surge in interconnectedness.
• Globalization involves the exchange of ideas, goods, services, and activities at a global scale.

Definition of Seas and Oceans

• Oceans are large, continuous bodies of saltwater, covering much of the Earth's surface.
• Seas are partially enclosed bodies of saltwater, often found where land and ocean meet.

Maritimeization of economies

• Seas and oceans are vital for global economies, providing natural resource access.
• Fishing, Offshore oil and gas, and other mineral resources are prominent.
• There are notable ecological risks (oil spills) connected to offshore activities involved with maritime resources.

Material and immaterial flows across seas/oceans

• Shipping goods globally is a key part of the global economy.
• Container ships have dramatically increased efficiency and affordability of global trade.

Oceans and Seas Unequally Integrated

• Some territories are marginalized in the globalized process due to their position, access to maritime spaces, and related resources.
• Powerful countries/territories often dominate access to resources and maritime routes.
• Integration and marginalization based on maritime links are notable phenomena in the global economy.

Maritime Activities and Cores

• Important maritime facades (regions of contact between land and sea) act as hubs of economic activity and globalization.
• Coastal areas, ports, and waterways become significant locations for connecting different parts of the world.

Geostrategic Stakes and Power Rivalries

• Conflicts and tensions arise due to changes and alterations in access and regulations of maritime domains.
• Disputes (e.g., EEZs, maritime borders) occur over who has control (political-nationalistic).

New Transcontinental Canals

• Proposals for new canals (e.g., Nicaragua Canal) face considerable challenges (economic, environmental).
• These alternative routes aim to compete with existing major maritime passageways.

Rise of China as a Maritime Power

• China's influence and growth as a maritime power will continue to affect world trade/relations.
• Chinese maritime strategies (e.g., BRI) are impacting regional and global political/economic dynamics.

Freedom of Circulation, Appropriation, and Protection

• International rules regulate maritime activities/usage, and disputes occur due to conflicting interests.
• Nations are actively involved in creating new and expanding access to various maritime trade routes.

Protection of the Maritime Environment

• Threats to the marine environment (e.g., pollution, overfishing, and climate change) are crucial issues.
• States/international bodies are increasingly aware of maintaining the health of the ocean ecosystem.

Explore the critical role of seas and oceans in globalization, including vital trade routes and resource exploitation areas. Understand the geopolitical conflicts affecting these maritime regions and the importance of sustainable practices in global commerce.