Globalization and Regionalism PDF

Chapter Four: Globalization and Regionalism 4.1. Defining Globalization Globalization is often understood as a phenomena, or as a multidimensional process characterized by increasing interconnectedness or interdependence. It is a supra regional process bringing the world into one global village. ...

Chapter Four: Globalization and Regionalism 4.1. Defining Globalization Globalization is often understood as a phenomena, or as a multidimensional process characterized by increasing interconnectedness or interdependence. It is a supra regional process bringing the world into one global village.  Globalisation is a process that removes all national barriers for the free movement of international capital, including human, material and structural resources as well as normative cultures that promote societal building across the globe (1) The stretching of social and political activities across state (political) frontiers so that events, decisions, and activities in one part of the world come to have significance for individuals and communities in other parts of the world.  The intensification or the growing magnitude of interconnectedness in almost every aspect of social existence from the economic to the ecological, the spread of HIV-AIDS, from the intensification of world trade to the spread of different weapons; The accelerating rate of global interactions and process as the evolution of worldwide systems of transport and communication increases the rapidity of or velocity with which ideas, news, goods, information, capital and technology move around the world; 4.2. The Globalization Debates Globalization is a arguable issue in international relations.  It is possible to understand the relationship between globalization and the role of nation state by examining three different well accepted theoretical perspectives of globalization. These are hyper-globalism, skepticism and transformationalism 4.2.1. The Hyper-globalists The role of the nation state is diminished by the existence of international organizations such as the United Nations and the International Monetary fund (IMF) or by social movements The world is on its way to a form of global governance, rather than a system the governance by powerful nation states Nation-states become obsolete to regulate their economy and boundary.  Cont.… This view argue that economic globalization is bringing about a de-nationalization/ de-territorialization of economies through the establishment of transitional networks of production, trade and finance. The hyper globalists claim that economic globalization is generating a new pattern of losers as well as winners in the international economy. It also argue that globalization is imparting new liberal ideas and implant culture of modernization replacing the traditional culture having an force towards creating a new global order marked by uniform cultural values or way of life. National governments unable to control trans-boundary movements and flow of goods, services and ideas Transnational organizations diminish the role of the nation state, and global governance will become the last frontier.  4.2.2. The skeptics Nation states are shaping the nature of world politics Globalization is not a new process, but an on-going form of internationalization Nation state is growing The role of the nation state is still alive and its borders are effective The organs of the United Nations (UN) are instruments of powerful nation states and are designed to achieve their political aims The future of world politics will be related to national states and their implementation Anti-globalist movements – a large number of people in the world are not comfortable with the idea of global governance  Con.. States are central actors and agents of globalization States play central role in shaping and regulating economic activities Reject the idea of global governance Reject the view of hyper-globalist as flawed, myth and politically naive Globalization brings nothing new; rather it is just the crystallization the already existing realities of the world which has been marked by the North-South gap reflected in terms of the deeply rooted patterns of in equality and hierarchy.  4.2.3. The Transformationalist Present the middle ground between the hyper-globalists and skeptics While there are still nation states that exist in the context of world politics, their structures are different from what they were, and the effect of globalization on nation states is indisputable Globalization is a real phenomenon and is affecting nation states The nation state still plays a role in world politics External forces such as human rights, population policy, and factors such as the environment, education, labour, and immigration, all have an enormous role to play in reshaping the structures of nation states Globalization is a critical driving force behind the rapid social, political and economic changes which are reshaping societies and international politics. It belief that globalization is reconstituting or reengineering the power, function and the authority of the state,  Even though the state has ultimate legal power to control events inside its boundary, it can’t command sole control over trans-boundary issues, actors, resource movements. 4.3. Globalization and Its Impacts on Africa Terms such as “One World” and “Villagization” are sometimes used as synonyms for globalization. In the case of Africa: its position in the international system; has been losing the race for economic development in general, and human development in particular, to other regions.  The negative impacts of globalization on Africa: The reduction of the capacity of governments to determine and control events in their countries, The fragmentation of national economies, polities, societies and cultures that are caused by globalization, Weaken national consciousness and cohesion, Leading to social divisiveness and instability, which in turn facilitate the emergence of authoritarian rule. The economic marginalization of African economies and their dependence on a few primary goods for which demand and prices are externally determined.  Economic and social stagnation has also activated a substantial brain- drain from Africa, further weakening the ability of African countries to manage their economies efficiently and effectively. African countries are rapidly losing their cultural identity. The positive impact of globalization on Africa: It has made available information on how other countries are governed and the freedoms and rights their people enjoy. It has also opened African countries to intense external study and exercised pressure for greater transparency, openness and accountability in Africa.  4.4. Ethiopia in a Globalized World Ethiopia like any other country found itself facing a fast track of multidimensional changes that positively and negatively affected its place in the globe. The positive impacts Ethiopia achieved amazing economic transformation. It has also benefited from the technological and knowledge transfer, free movement of ideas, people and finance. The negative impacts The conquest of western free market economy and liberal democracy has put the country’s defiant political economic policy.  New religious and secular values that affected the religiosity and social solidarity of its people. Socio-cultural impact of western values is fully observed in urban centers. Furthermore, the rise of radical nationalism and ethnicity. The predominance of human trafficking and migration. To sum up, Ethiopia has benefited less from globalization than its negative influences. 4.5. Pros and Cons of Globalization Merits of globalization are: The expansion of democratic culture, human right and the protection of historically minority groups. Innovation in science, medicine, and technology and  information communication has enabled the improvement of quality of life. Agricultural technological expansion. The technological and social revolution significantly contributed to advancement of human security and safety. The free movement of good, service, people, ideas, expertise, knowledge and technology across national borders strengthened international interdependence. Demerits: Climatic, environmental and technological risks have multiplied.  Globalization, in the sense of connectivity to the global economic and cultural life, brings with it a different order than what it was before threatening the continuity of non-Western age-old traditions, way of life and cultural values.  Besides, globalization has made the globalization of risks, threats and vulnerabilities like global terrorism, religious fundamentalism, proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs), arms and human trafficking. Moreover, globalization has stimulated the emergence a simultaneous but opposite process of Glocalization, which involves a process of integration to the world and differentiation to the local. The rise of radical nationalism and ethnicity, which set the context for the emergence of the era of identity and identity conflicts. 4.6. Defining Regionalism and Regional Integration Region can be defined as a limited number of states linked together by a geographical relationship and by a degree of mutual interdependence (Nye, 1968).  Regionalism refers to intensifying political and/or economic processes of cooperation among states and other actors in particular geographic regions. Regionalism normally presents the sustained cooperation (either formal or informal) among governments, non-governmental organizations, or the private sectors in three or more countries for mutual gains. Regionalization can be conceived as the growth of societal integration within a given region, including the undirected processes of social and economic interaction among the units (such as nation-states.  It can be best understood as a continuing process of forming regions as geopolitical units, as organized political cooperation within a particular group of states, and/or as regional communities such as pluralistic security communities. Similarly, the term regionalism refers to the proneness of the governments and peoples of two or more states to establish voluntary associations and to pool together resources (material and nonmaterial) in order to create common functional and institutional arrangements. Furthermore, regionalism can be best described as a process occurring in a given geographical region by which different types of actors (states, regional institutions, societal organizations and other non-state actors) come to share certain fundamental values and norms.  Regionalism Old regionalism: Emerged in Western Europe in the late 1940s regional association and protection from globalization and trade liberalization advocate protectionist policy cooperation and integration is limited to member states  New regionalism: open and outward oriented regionalism driven by market and less by politics globalization changes the balance from state regulation to market competition more diverse in geographical coverage 4.7. Major Theories of Regional Integrations 4.7.1. Functionalism Functionalist viewed regionalism as a functional response by states to the problems that derived from regional interdependence. According to functionalism, the task of policy makers is to encourage the states to peacefully work together. The real task of the cooperation is the conquest of poverty, ignorance, and disease The existing system based on sovereignty is not only adequate but also an obstacle to finding solutions to global problems  Integration is functional response by states to regional problems arising from interdependence Cooperation must start from low politics Reject political aspect of cooperation Neglected anticipated problems like conflicts, hard power decisions and political mobilization Supranational institutions are the main actors within the integration Technocrats should rule  4.7.2. Neo-functionalism Neo-functionalists defined integration as a process: 'Political integration is the process whereby political actors in several distinct national settings are persuaded to shift their loyalties, expectations and political activities towards a new centre. popular in the 1950s and 1960s Integration developed through time The theory hinged on three main processes  The theory views interest groups, political parties, nation states and supranational institutions as actors in regional integration  Good will and common interests will ultimately leads greater integration  The context in which integration take place is economic, social and technical and to a lesser extent political  The Relations between Regionalization and Globalization There are three possible options regarding the mutual relations between regionalization and globalization, especially in the economic dimension: (1) Regionalization as a component of globalization (convergent trends); chapter of globalization, the process of regionalism is part of global economic order. (2) Regionalization as a challenge or response to globalization (divergent trends); Reaction and challenge to economic rules of globalization, creating trade blocks based on Mercantilism perspective and oppose neo-liberal ideology and denial of a single universal cultural values. (3) Regionalization and globalization as parallel processes (overlapping trends). Act as parallel or overlapping in the economic and security issues.