W3. What is Globalization? / Jungho Kang

1. Summary

This article is about 'Globalization'. What is globalization? Globalization is common because it appears in many countries, and it is also specific because it deals with the unique word of globalization. Definition of globalization is abstract and there are many perspectives. The reason is due to the difference in perspective around the world. In this reason, a number of scholars also said globalization in the plural. Therefore, this article attempts to introduce many definition of globalization and offer coherent statements. 

 The concept of globalization was started many centuries ago, but explicit discussed of globalization was started by 1970~1980. At the beginning, because of collapse of communism, Neo-liberalism, FTA, WTO, IMF, and so on, globalization has been addressed in economic terms.  But it is now being addressed not only in economic terms but also in social and cultural aspects. 

 The most important feature of globalization is connectivity and consciousness. In general, connectivity has been researched by political scientists, international relations specialists and economists. Consciousness has been studied more by anthropologists, sociologists and cultural historians. These features related to economic-materialistic or about policies and ideologies surrounding access to such resources, and this significance of the material resource are important in present international conflict.

 There are many dimensions of globalization. This article shows four important dimensions of globalization; the economic, the political, the social, and the cultural. The cultural aspects were more and more importance because of the concern of globalization. Social aspects are also important, but many sociologists were neglect social aspects (especially, communication) of globalization. However, we cannot explain globalization aside from social aspects. This dimensions also does not indicate that one of these dimensions is more important than another dimension. we must know environmental or ecological change are also important aspects.

 We should be wary of thinking that globalization is becoming a 'ONE' world. We must think in a multidimensional way. We should be considered nation-states, sex, gender, aged, and so on. We also worried about globalization is not 'Globalized world'. Globalization is ongoing, so it is impossible to image 'Globalized world'.

 In the end, this article summary four part. First, globalization is increasing global connectivity and global consciousness.  Second, globalization has a form like UN (United Nations). Third, there is four important dimensions of globalization (economic, political, social, cultural). Most important thing is, we wary about reifying globalization. There is no clear definition of globalization. 

2. Interesting Point

 I'm always interesting about history, so I was interested in the relationship between world history and globalization. We usually think we can lose the national identity through globalization, but at the same time, we can also make the nation's identity more solid through more 'interaction' with other countries. "Indeed, one of the most striking features of the highly compressed world in which we presently live is an often contentious rewriting of histories of ethnic groups, nation-states and regions in order that the members of such entities may have an ‘authentic identity’". I was totally shocked by this sentence. For example, we usually think only about the negative effects of globalization on our culture through the term "socialism". We were taught in middle and high schools that we must observe our own culture that could be lost because of the socialism. But also, we can learn more about the uniqueness of our nation through comparison with America and our culture! There is another example, too. Let's also look at the case of Dokdo. By arguing more about the history of the Dokdo area, our people can have more solid cohesion through Dokdo area. In addition, you can also get to know the history of your nation area(Dokdo).  I never thought about it before. I think this historical point is very interesting and unusual items.

3. Discussion Point

Before I read this article, I was convinced that there is clear definition of globalization. However, I was wrong. globalization was not defined clearly. However, I think without a clear definition maybe has danger of concept confusion. Maybe I had misunderstood, but I thought that this article define 'globalization' is too abstractly expressed. I do not mean that it is wrong, but I think it is necessary to take a more specific look. 

 Another question is beginning with the following sentence, "Understandably, many people in developing countries are not exactly eager to accept definitions of globalization deriving from more privileged societal contexts." This sentence is one of the problems caused by globalization as well as the point of view of globalization. The world is still subject to the laws of survival of the fittest. A strong country has a strong influence in all aspects of economy, politics, culture and society. A weak country is the opposite. Globalization will continue in the future. Is there a globalization where various ideas are respected in this situation? If it is not possible now, how can various aspects of globalization be respected?