Post on 29-Jul-2020
Globalization A Sociological Perspective
Globalization Defined
• Globalization is the process through which the world is increasingly connected and interdependent.
– In the modern period, globalization has accelerated rapidly.
Globalization Example
• What does it mean to be British around the year 1900? – Wearing clothes made of cotton from India or
Egypt, or wool from New Zealand or Scotland
– Drinking Tea from Hong Kong
– Burning wood from Canada
– Wearing diamonds from South Africa
– Eating sugar from Jamaica
– Drinking wine from Australia
Globalization Example continued
• What did it mean to be part of the British Empire around 1900?
– Speaking English
– Member of the Christian Church
– Recognizing the King as sovereign
– Having a British style economic and political structure
– Building British style houses/buildings
What causes globalization?
• Economic factors
– Transnational corporations
– Integrated financial markets
• Global flow of information and communication
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What causes globalization?
• Political changes
– Fall of communist regimes
–Rise of IGOs and INGOs
–Rising importance of international coalitions (the European Union, United Nations, etc.)
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Modern Agents of Globalization: USA
Globalization in everyday life
1. IKEA furniture ______________
2. Wii games ______________
3. H&M fashions ______________
4. L’Oreal shampoos or beauty products ______________
5. Samsung cell phone ______________
6. Molson beer ______________
7. Birkenstock sandals ______________
8. Diesel jeans ______________
9. Apple iPhone ______________
10. American Express credit card ______________
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Globalization in everyday life
1. IKEA: founded in Sweden, now owned by a Dutch foundation
2. Wii: MNC in Kyoto, Japan
3. H&M: Swedish company
4. L’Oreal: Paris suburb
5. Samsung cell or PDA: Seoul, South Korea
6. Molson beer: Montreal, Canada
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Globalization in everyday life
7. Birkenstocks: Germany
8. Diesel jeans: Molvena, Italy
9. Apple iPhone: established in California, parts from China
10. American Express: New York City
Modern technology and Globalization
• Internet
– Has drastically sped up the process
• Telephones
– Instant communication
• Television/Radio
• MIGRATION
Criticism of Globalization
• Replacing unique identities with “Global” identities
– Destruction of cultural groups
• Significant shifts in work and family life
• Ubiquity of Western—especially American—popular culture
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Global inequality
• Wealth concentrated in the developed world
– Poorest 40 percent of global population—5 percent of global income
– Richest 10 percent—54 percent of global income
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Between Richer and Poor Countries, 1800 – 2008
GDP PER CAPITA*
USA
GERMANY
JAPAN
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
BRAZIL
SOUTH AFRICA
EGYPT
CHINA
PAKISTAN
DEM. REP. OF CONGO
2008
1980
1950
1900
1800
1800 2008
$1,343
$1,643
$896
$740
$509
$759
$748
$992
$665
$394
$42,922
$32,637
$31,824
$23,845
$9,633
$9,630
$5,678
$5,520
$2,671
$370
* 2008 U.S. $
The Widening Gap