Theories-of-Globalization.pdf

THEORIES OF GLOBALIZATION Introduction Theory and the Globalization studies have become interdisciplinary, encompassing various...

THEORIES OF GLOBALIZATION Introduction Theory and the Globalization studies have become interdisciplinary, encompassing various fields, Rise of including ethnic, area, and Globalization studies women's studies; literature, emer ged in the 1970s due to the arts, language, and several key developments, cultural studies; social including: Globalization sciences; history; law; business administr ation; and natural and applied sciences. Studies The scholarly liter ature on globalization has The emergence of a prolifer ated, encompassing a globalized economy with wide r ange of topics, from new systems of production, transnational sexualities to finance, and consumption. global tourism. Unprecedented multidirectional movement of people around the world, The spread of transnational resulting in new patterns of or global cultural patterns, transnational migration, practices, and flows, leading identities, and communities. to the concept of "global The emergence of new social culture(s)." hierarchies, forms of inequality, and relations of domination aroun d the world. The r ise of new transnational institutions and global governance structures. The Globalization Debate and The re is no consensus on the de finition of globalizat ion, lea ding to ongoing de ba tes and Theoretical competing interpre tations of social reality.Globa lization is considere d an “essentia lly contested concept,” reflecting the political implicat ions of competing claims and Discourses the diverse social interest s at play.Key “domain que stions” that underpin globalizat ion theories How do modernity and postmodernity relate to include:When does globaliza tion begin? (Three globalizat ion? broad approa ches: since t he dawn of history, with the rise of capitalism and modernity, or as a re cent phenomenon associate d with post- industrializat ion/postmode rnization).What are the causal determinants of globa lization? (Economic, polit ical, or cultural; material or idea tional; multiple de terminations).Does globalizat ion refer t o a proce ss or a condition? To wha t e xtent is the rela tionship between What is the relationship betwee n globa lization social structure and territoria lity redefined by and the na tion-state? globalizat ion? A Sampling of Theories of Globalization A functionally specific interna tional div ision of World-System Theory labor t hat reproduces t he structure of exploitation and ine qualit y. Immanuel W allerste in (1974) argue s that the capitalist world-system, which emerge d in the The centra lity and immanence of the inter-state Key fe atures of the world-system include: 150 0s, is t he appropriate unit of analysis for system. macrosocial inquiry. The world-system is div ided into thre e t iers: the core (Western Europe, North America, Ja pan), Cyclical rhythms of growth a nd crisis, secula r the periphery (Latin America, Africa, Asia , the Wa llerste in v iews globaliz ation as synonymous trends (outward expansion, industrialization, Middle East, Eastern Europe) , and the semi- with the birth and spread of world capitalism. commodifica tion), and struggles for he gemony. periphery (state s transitioning betwee n core and periphery ). He argues that the world-system isperiphery undergoing a "moment of tra nsformat ion" and transitioning to a ne w historical system. Theories of Global Theories of global capitalism, while sharing the critique of capitalism with world-system Capitalism theory, view globalization as a novel stage in the evolution of world capitalism. Sklair (2000, 2002) Focuses on "transnational practices" (TNPs) as operational categories for analyzing transnational phenomena. Identifies three levels of TNPs: economic (transnational capital), political (transnational capitalist class), and cultural-ideological (cultural elites). Argues that the transnational corporation, the transnational capitalist class, and cultural elites are the key actors in the global system. Robinson (2003, 2004) Argues that the transition from a world economy to a global economy marks a new epoch in world capitalism. Identifies three key elements of global capitalism: transnational production, transnational capitalists, and a transnational state. Analyzes the rise of a transnational capitalist class (TCC) that manages globalized circuits of production and accumulation. Theorizes an emergent transnational state (TNS) apparatus that comprises supranational institutions and penetrated national states. Hardt and Negri (2000, 2004) Propose a postmodern theory of globalization that combines Marx with Foucault. Argue that global capitalism has evolved into an "empire" that is fundamentally different from previous forms of imperialism. Emphasize the decentralized and normalized nature of this empire, which transcends boundaries and penetrates all aspects of social and cultural life. The Network Society Theories of Space, Place, and Globalization Giddens (1990)Defines globalization as “time-space distanciation,” the intensification of worldwide social relations th at link distan t localities.Harvey (1990)Argu es that Ro bertso n (1995) Appadurai (1990) globalization is a new burst of “time- In troduces the co ncep t of In troduces the co ncep t of " tran sl ocali ti es," local space compression” driven by the "gl ocali zatio n," argui ng that the commun ities that are cul tu rall y and dynamics of capitalist gl obal i s onl y man ifest in the ph en omeno log icall y l ocated beyon d the natio n- lo cal. state. development.Emphasizes the role of Emp hasi zes the sign ificance o f Argues th at gl obal izati on creates new cyclical crises of capitalism in driving the l ocal and the commu nal in transnation al cu ltural spaces and practi ces that time-space compression.Sassen the ag e of glo bali zatio n. are n ot l inked to an y nati onal society. (1991)Focuses on the spatial dynamics of globalization and the emergence of a new spatial ord er based o n a network of global cities. Emphasizes the role of Identifies global cities global cities in the (New York, London, Tokyo) redeployment of growth as command posts for th e poles and the creation of global economy, sites for new forms of articulation specialized services, and between different markets for innovation. geographic regions. Theories of Transnationality Basch et al. (199 4) and Focuses on the activities of immigrants in forging and sustaining multi-stranded social relations that link their societies of orig in and settlement. Transnationalism Argu es that transn ationalism has led to the emergence of "transnatio nal communities" and "transnational spaces." Lev itt (200 1) Emph asizes th e intensity and den sity of transnatio nal ties among recent immigrants, which are facilitated by advances in transportation and communication. Questions traditional dichotomies (external vs internal, national vs international) and highlights the interconnectedness of transnational communities. Portes et a l. ( 1999) Argues that transnationalism is both an effect and a force that shapes globalization. Emph asizes th e role of transnational actors in shaping the course o f globalization. Question s the extent to which tran snational practices liberate or reinforce existing power structures. Roudometof (2005) Argues that transnationality is a broader experience that extends beyond immigrant groups, encompassing professional and managerial groups, transnational sexuality, musical and youth subcultures, and non-governmental association s. Portes et a l. ( 1999)Argues tha t transna tionalism is both an ef fect and a force that shapes globalization.Emphasizes the role of transnational actors in sha ping the course of globalization.Quest ions the e xtent to which transnational practices libera te or reinf orce e xisting power structures.Roudometof (2005) Argue s that transnationality is a broader experience t hat ext ends bey ond immigra nt groups, encompassing professional and manageria l groups, transnational se xua lity, musical and youth subcultures, and non-gov ernmental a ssociations. Espiritu (2 003) Focuses on transnational immigrant labor pools and new axes of inequality based on citizenship and non-citizenship. Wa i (2002 ) Views globalization as a new phase in post-colonial relations. Parreñas (2001) Theorizes th e "international division of reprod uctive labor," which involves the relocation of women from poor countries to richer nations to work in domestic service. Modernity, Robertson (1992) Postmodernity, Views globalization as the universalization of modernity. and Emphasizes the role of both concrete global interdependence and consciousness of the world as a whole. Globalization Giddens (1990) Argues that globalization is the outcome of the completion of modernization, or "late modernity." Identifies the nation-state as the universal political form organized along the four axes of capitalism, industrialism, surveillance, and military power. Meyer et al. (1997) Propose an institutional and network analysis of globalization, viewing it as the spread and ultimate universalization of modern values, practices, and institutions. Emphasize the role of "isomorphic processes" in driving globalization. Highlight the role of educational institutions in transmitting global culture and values. Albrow (1997) Argues that globalization signals the end of the "modern age" and the dawn of a new historic epoch, the "global age." Emphasizes the decentring of the nation-state and the rise of the globe as the primary source of identity and arena for social action. Theories of Robertson (1992)Emphasizes the emergence of a global consciousness, Global Culture an awareness of the world as a single place.Tomlinson (1999)Identifies three positions in cultural theories of globalization: homogenization, heterogeneity, and hybridization.Ritzer (1993, 2002)Coined the term “McDonaldization” to describe the sociocultural processes by which the principles of the fast-food restaurant came to dominate society.Argues that McDonaldization is a form of rationalization that leads to cultural homogenization and dehumanization. Appadurai (1990) Introduces the concept of "global Argues that globalization creates cultural flows" and "scapes," a "disjunctive order" between which are disjunctive mental economy, culture, and politics. pictures of the social world.