Globalization Perspectives Quiz

Views on Globalization

• Globalization is primarily associated with economic aspects, highlighting disparities between the Industrial North and Developing South.
• Local cultures are often undermined and diminished due to global influences.
• It is believed to increase global inequalities, with impoverished populations becoming poorer.

Understanding Globalization

• Globalization transforms personal lifestyles and social experiences.
• Importance of grasping its implications for modern society, as outlined by Longhorne in 2001.

Globalization Theories

• World-System Theory: Developed by Immanuel Wallerstein in the 1970s; posits that nations are part of a worldwide capitalist system divided into three social systems: mini-systems, world empires, and world economies.

  • Mini-systems: Characterized by small, homogenous societies, primarily subsistence-based.
  • World Empires: Economies reliant on extracting surplus from conquered territories, with tribute systems supporting administration and military forces.
  • World Economies: Lack a unified political framework; focus on surplus extraction from peripheral areas to maintain central dominance.

• Capitalist World-System: Views the world as a unified capitalist entity focusing on profit optimization and labor exploitation, with core countries exerting significant control over global dynamics.

• Unequal Exchange: Structural inequality is inherent in global economic systems, favoring core nations that exploit peripheral countries through unfavorable trade terms.

• Dependency Theory: Links world-system theory by highlighting the economic and political subordination of less-developed countries to developed nations, which restricts development opportunities and processes.

• Cyclical Nature: The global system experiences long-term cycles influenced by various factors, resulting in shifts in the dominance of nations over time.

• Resistance and Agency: Acknowledges the capability of nations and groups to resist dominant global forces and to pursue alternative development paths.

Classification of Economic Areas

• Wallerstein categorizes the capitalist world economy into three areas:
  • Core states
  • Semi-peripheral areas
  • Peripheral areas

Theories of Globalization Approaches

• Hyperglobalist Approach: Asserts that the world has entered a 'truly global age,' which fosters ‘global capitalism’ and promotes an open market ideology.

• Skeptical Approach: Questions the impact of trading blocs and argues that globalization has not significantly altered the global landscape, leading to increased polarization.

• Transformationalist Approach: Provides a more balanced perspective, acknowledging global interconnectedness while recognizing that globalization can lead to societal stratification.