Gst 100 Fall 2017 Globalizing The World Take Home Midterm

Gst 100fall 2017globalizing Worldtake Home Midtermthe Exam Is

List five characteristics of globalization.

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Globalization is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon characterized by several key features that reflect its pervasive influence across societies and economies worldwide. Among these, the following five characteristics are often discussed: interconnectedness, acceleration, cultural exchange, economic integration, and technological advancement.

Firstly, interconnectedness refers to the increasing links and interdependence among countries through trade, communication, and cultural exchange. As globalization progresses, nations become more reliant on each other for goods, services, and information, leading to a globally interconnected system. This interconnectedness facilitates the flow of ideas, capital, and resources across boundaries, creating a more integrated world.

Secondly, acceleration indicates the rapid pace at which global interactions occur, especially due to technological developments. The speed of information exchange, travel, and commerce has dramatically increased, shrinking distances and reducing delays that once characterized international relations. This acceleration enhances the immediacy and scale of global phenomena, from financial markets to cultural trends.

Thirdly, cultural exchange reflects the blending and sharing of values, traditions, and practices inspired by increased global contact. As people from different backgrounds interact more frequently, elements of diverse cultures are exchanged and often integrated into local contexts, contributing to a more multicultural and cosmopolitan world.

Fourth, economic integration involves the merging of national economies into a more unified economic system. This is evident through the proliferation of multinational corporations, international trade agreements, and the development of global supply chains. Economic integration tends to promote efficiency but can also raise concerns about inequality and sovereignty.

Finally, technological advancement underpins much of globalization by providing the infrastructure for rapid communication, transportation, and data exchange. Innovations such as the internet, mobile technology, and logistics systems have made it easier to connect globally, thus facilitating other characteristics of globalization.

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Manfred Steger delineates the development of globalization into five historical periods: the explorers’ era, Mercantilism, the industrial revolution, the modern geopolitical era, and the contemporary era of digital globalization. The explorers’ era, spanning the 15th and 16th centuries, was marked by European voyages that established initial contacts across continents. This period was driven by curiosity and the pursuit of trade routes, setting the stage for increased global interaction.

Following this, the Mercantilist period (16th to 18th centuries) emphasized national accumulation of wealth through trade proxies and colonial expansion, establishing a global economic system centered on European powers. The industrial revolution (18th to 19th centuries) significantly transformed the nature of globalization by advancing manufacturing, transportation, and communication technologies, which expanded global markets and interconnectedness.

The geopolitical era of the 20th century was characterized by nation-state conflicts, wars, and the creation of international organizations that aimed to manage global relationships. This period was marked by increased political and military cooperation alongside economic flows.

In the recent digital era, globalization has taken on new dimensions through the rise of digital technology, the internet, and rapid global communication. Steger argues that despite these deep historical roots, it is only in the past few decades that globalization has become a truly all-encompassing, immediate, and pervasive phenomenon. The 'Flat World' thesis by Thomas Friedman complements this view by claiming that technological advances, especially in communication and transportation, have flattened economic and social disparities, enabling even small players to participate meaningfully in the global economy, thus emphasizing the recent intensification and democratization of globalization.

Friedman's thesis suggests that the world has become a level playing field, where borders matter less and opportunities are more evenly distributed thanks to technological convergence. This supports the argument that although globalization’s roots are deep and historically varied, its most profound and meaningful phase has manifested predominantly within the last few decades, driven by rapid technological change and an increasingly interconnected world.

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Marc Levinson, in Chapter 1 of his book “The Box,” explains how the invention and widespread adoption of the shipping container revolutionized global trade and economics. Prior to this innovation, cargo was loaded and unloaded manually, a process that was time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly, which limited international trade and kept shipping prices high. Levinson describes how the container system standardized the process, enabling ships, trucks, and trains to handle standardized containers seamlessly, thus reducing shipping costs dramatically.

This transformation changed the shape of the global economy by making international trade more efficient, affordable, and accessible. The shipping container allowed goods to travel faster and over greater distances with minimal handling, expanding markets and encouraging manufacturers to supply global markets rather than just local ones. This increase in efficiency meant that countries could specialize in producing certain goods, leading to the growth of global supply chains and fostering economic globalization.

For manufacturers with local markets who did not want to compete internationally, the container system introduced challenges. As international trade became cheaper and more accessible, local producers faced increased competition from globally integrated companies. The cost advantage of local production diminished, forcing some firms to either adapt by integrating into global networks or risk losing market share. This shift contributed to the decline of some local industries, but also opened opportunities for others to access larger markets.

The effect on workers was multifaceted. Consumers benefited from a broader array of affordable goods, leading to increased purchasing power and improved living standards. However, workers in traditional manufacturing sectors and local industries faced job losses as production shifted to countries with lower wages. On the wage-earner side, the globalization driven by containerization contributed to both economic growth and economic insecurity, especially for workers in industries vulnerable to international competition.

In sum, Levinson’s portrayal of the container illustrates its pivotal role in shaping a more interconnected global economy, influencing manufacturing, trade practices, and labor markets in profound ways. By reducing shipping costs and increasing trade volume, the container system fueled the rise of a globalized economy, profoundly impacting global production, consumption, and labor dynamics.

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In Chapter 1 of “Strangers in This Land,” Professor Richardson introduces the concept of chain migration as a process where migrants settle in a new country and subsequently facilitate the migration of their relatives or community members. This process creates networks that sustain and expand immigrant communities over time. Chain migration often begins with individuals seeking economic opportunities, safety, or reunification, who then help family members or community members follow them, reinforcing social bonds and community cohesion in the new land.

The discussion on pages 25 and beyond contrasts two deeply held American values: diversity (or pluralism) and homogeneity (or assimilation). The value of diversity is symbolized by the Statue of Liberty and the poem “The New Colossus,” which welcome immigrants and emphasize the United States as a nation of inclusiveness and opportunity for all. The Statue of Liberty's inscription highlights the nation’s open-door policy, celebrating the arrival of immigrants from various backgrounds, fostering a multicultural society.

Conversely, the value of homogeneity is symbolized by Ellis Island and the play “The Melting Pot.” Ellis Island served as a gateway through which many immigrants passed, often undergoing processes aimed at integrating them into the American identity—sometimes at the expense of their original cultural identities. The Melting Pot metaphor suggests that immigrants should assimilate into a unified American culture, shedding their diverse backgrounds to create a homogeneous society that aligns with patriotic ideals.

These contrasting symbols reflect ongoing tensions within American society about how best to define national identity. The celebration of diversity underscores America's historical role as a refuge and haven for different cultures, while the emphasis on homogeneity advocates for cultural assimilation as a means of fostering social cohesion. Understanding this dichotomy illuminates how immigration policies and societal attitudes about multiculturalism and assimilation shape the American experience.

References

• Friedman, T. L. (2005). The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century. Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
• Levinson, M. (2016). The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger. Princeton University Press.
• Richardson, R. (2014). Strangers in This Land: Essays on Immigration and American Identity. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Steger, M. (2013). Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Hough, R. (2013). The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. Oxford University Press.
• Biersteker, T., & Weber, C. (2014). The Resurgence of State Power in Global Politics. Cambridge University Press.
• Champion, D. (2015). The Construction of American History. Routledge.
• Hackett-Foster, C. (2017). Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Routledge.
• Groszky, J., & Tsakalotos, E. (2014). The Political Economy of International Trade. Routledge.
• Heywood, A. (2018). Politics (6th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.