Globalization: Integration of Economies & Societies - Research Paper

Introduction

Globalization essentially is defined as the process by which there is close integration of different economies and societies. As resources, products and markets become more accessible to people and business, a factor of conditions outside their host country. The process of globalization entails increasingly developing relationships that widen how people, firms, organizations, and governments relate. The measure of globalization is not straightforward. It is established that an estimated 25% of global production is sold outside the country of production. This paper examines the definition of globalization and its impacts in the past, present, and future context. Additionally, there will be an examination of the positive impacts of globalization.

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Definition of Globalization

Authors have sought to define the concept of globalization in different ways. Some of the authors have claimed that a definition of globalization is impossible whiles others have claimed it would limit the meaning. However, some authors have developed a working definition for globalization. The definition of globalization by Thomas Larsson states that "is the process of world shrinkage, of distances getting shorter, things moving closer. It pertains to the increasing ease with which somebody on one side of the world can interact, to mutual benefit, with somebody on the other side of the world" (Stoudmann 3). The definition by Thomas Larsson shows a viewpoint established in a specific world position. It indicates that globalization encompasses a variety of discipline, societies, and cultures. It shows that elements of globalization can include the economic, social and political aspect.

Another definition is by Anthony Mcgrew which states that "globalization [is] a process which generates flows and connections, not simply across nation-states and national territorial boundaries, but between global regions, continents and civilizations. This invites a definition of globalization as: 'a historical process which engenders a significant shift in the spatial reach of networks and systems of social relations to transcontinental or interregional patterns of human organization, activity and the exercise of power" (Stoudmann 7). Establishing a definition that encompasses all elements of globalization and its dynamism is not easy. The definition by Anthony Mcgrew is one that captures the fluidity of the concept, and it is somewhat timeless. In a clear conceptualization of globalization, the definition shows that it is a trend and thus, dynamic. It is important to come up with a definition that encompasses the issues of the 21st century. As such, globalization is the interaction across borders and cultures in terms of products, services, information, jobs, and technology (Totonchi and Kakamanshadi 270).

Forces and Consequences of Globalization

It is important to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the globalization especially concerning its forces and consequences in the past, present, and the future context. Globalization can be seen as a development in social systems and the increment in the intensity of inter-societal ties (Totonchi and Kakamanshadi 270). Therefore globalization can be viewed as a process that links the past, present and the future. Globalization in these times is differentiated by its emphasis on the systematic context of globalization processes. Several thousand years ago, the connections in the scale of systematic trade had greatly exceeded the local level and had developed to regional and somewhat transcontinental. By the 1st millennium BCE, the size of processes and relationships became fully continental. Before the Great Geographic Discoveries, the size of global integration had become more like what is being experienced in recent times.

In the process of examining globalization in the past, present and the future, the types of social-spatial links and level of technology that was used can be examined. There were local links around the second half of the 4th millennium BCE and the forms of political organization at the time were of simple and medium complexity. The production principles at the period were hunter-gatherer, and it saw the initial stages of the agrarian production principle. Then came the regional links that developed in the second half of the 4th millennium BCE and the form of political organization were the early states and the first empires (Sheffield, Korotayev and Grinin 7). The second phase of agrarian revolution also characterized it and reaching its maturity. This was followed by continental links which came with the rise empires and the initially developed states. The type of technology was the final phases of the agrarian revolution. The last 15th century to the early 19th century saw the rise of intercontinental relationships and the growth of developed states and first matures states. It saw the initial stage of industrial production and the industrial revolution. The early 19th century and in particular the 1960s and 1970s were characterized by matures states and the initial formation of supranational entities and development of global links (Sheffield, Korotayev and Grinin 7). The technology at the time was the second phase of the industrial revolution and the last stages of industrial production. The beginning of the 20th century witnessed the development of planetary links and development of supranational entities and planetary governance forms. The factors for the development of this stage of globalization is the start and advancement of the scientific information revolution. This means that the formation of political organization and the level of technology was critical for the development of globalization. It can be concluded that globalization has been there only that the scale has continuously improved.

The analysis shows that globalization is in a state of transformation. However, debate on business is mostly centered on the past instead of looking toward the future. The constituent of countries, organizations, and workers that will gain in the next phase of globalization is changing. The understanding of the changing landscape of globalization will aid in the process of policymaking. The analysis shows that the present globalization discourse has been shaped by the trends of the distant and recent past.

Positive Implications of Globalization

Research conducted by the United Nations' Department of Economic and Social Affairs sought to describe three fundamental trends that are thought to affect the future greatly. Globalization has had effects on people and communities internationally and has greatly impacted sustainable development. This is implications have been compounded by the fast advancement in technology and the enhanced mobility of labor, products, service san capital ("New globalization report"). The first trend is the implication of production changes in labor markets. This entails outsourcing and mechanization and the effect it has brought such as job losses ad most in the manufacturing industry. The trend is also linked to heightened rates of income inequality. The second trend is fast technological development and advancement such as information and artificial intelligence ("New globalization report"). The third trend is globalization and its implication on climate change. Globalization has led to increased economics, urbanization and lifestyle changes which have affected the environment and thus climate change.

Globalization has greatly impacted the quality of life and especially on poverty, gender development and human development. It has been proposed to have various benefits and especially on developing nations. In addition to the ability to participate in globalization, they have experienced increased growth rates compared to the developed nations. Globalization has enhanced direct financial investments and multinational enterprise activity. It has aided in the accessibility to technology, and capital in addition to the enhancement of managerial practices and production approaches. Countries and especially the developing ones have been able to enhance manufacturing outputs which are a great direction towards development. It has positive impacts on putting limitations on national governance and policies (Bumbure 9). There is reduced government mismanagement due to the exposure to various issues such as international trade and factor movements and involvement in international cooperation. Despite the increased effects of globalization at the global stage, counties categorized as upper and middle income have only partially felt the effects. They are partly integrated into the global system (Bumbure 10). This means that globalization has had positive impacts on developed and developing nations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, globalization has been defined as the process by which people, business and governments interact and integrate. Authors have developed different ways of defining globalization. These definitions seek to integrate different aspects such as economic, political, social and information. Globalization is a concept that is continually evolving; thereby there are emerging trends. Some of the trends are production changes, rapid development in new technologies and the effect of globalization on climate change. Globalization has had positive effects in developed and developing nations such as increased employment, increased the flow of information and enhancement in health among others.

Work Cited

"New Globalization Report: Three Mega-Trends Expected To Impact Our Future | UN DESA | United Nations Department Of Economic And Social Affairs." UN DESA | United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2017, https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/intergovernmental-coordination/new-globalization-report.html.

Al-Rodhan, Nayef R.F., and Gerard Stoudmann. "Definitions of Globalization: A Comprehensive Overview and a Proposed Definition." Css.Ethz.Ch, 2006, http://www.css.ethz.ch/en/services/digital-library/publications/publication.html/19462.

Bumbure, Ieva. "Effects of Globalisation on Developing Countries: A Case Study of the Baltic States." Acikerisim.Bahcesehir.Edu.Tr, 2014, http://acikerisim.bahcesehir.edu.tr:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/83/2014%2006%2009%20MASTER%20THESIS%20IBUMBURE.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.

Sheffield, Jim et al. "Globalization as a Link between the Past and the Future." Hse.Ru, 2013, https://www.hse.ru/data/2013/05/23/1299088719/Globalization.pdf.

Totonchi, Jalil, and Gholamreza Kakamanshadi. "Globalization and E-Commerce." Pdfs.Semanticscholar.Org, 2011, https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/000e/97e2129a7190889c854f276b97bd906d5bf4.pdf.