Mid Term Questions on Globalization: Marx, Giddens, Weber

Please explain Marxs and Marxian formulations (i.e. Gramscian and Althusserian versions) of state.

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The Marxist formulation theory of state is so far the most promising and logical theory. This is because not only does it challenge the concepts that are most basic concerning the liberal states but also makes a point of emphasizing its enslaving effect to the majority of the population in the society. For the society to be declared free then it should be done away with; otherwise man will forever be a slave to it and the state of true freedom will never be achieved. Marx and Engels came up with a Communist Manifesto where the following definition of state was derived, Political power, properly so called, is merely the organized power of one class for oppressing another. Marx clearly believes that the most fundamental human right is freedom and that everything else comes after that. Where freedom is compromised, it is hard to notice other privileges and thus should at any given point prioritized.

Marxist view of state is that it is a tool employed to dominate and exploit the common citizen. It is a system of coercion punctuated with materialism and social transformation. Marxist theory analyzes as well as critiques capitalism and goes ahead to evaluate economic change in relation to class struggle. According to Marx, the real reason why class struggle exists is the fact that the most active form of production is managed by a small private owners who he referred to as the bourgeoisie. The other group plays the subordinate roles such as offering labor and the long-term result of these two parallel social groups forms the basis of socialism. In his hypothesis, Marx suggested that it will not be long before socialism gives way to communism.

How Weber analyzes the state?

Webers definition of state is more modern and developed as compared to Marxs. It is a more realistic approach. Although some might be tempted to see it as a pessimistic way to define and view the state, Webers approach has some truths in it. Weber uses the power and monopoly on violence to define the state. To Weber, the state is simply an organization where a form of power is capable of using force and violence to rule, threaten, and administer its residents. How true is this? As much as the constitution and democracy protects the rights and freedom of individual citizens and claims that no one is above the law, this is not usually the case. Time after time we have seen government official having their way on so many matters and the only logical reason why this is possible is that they have the backing and support of a certain force.

Weber goes ahead and says that this kind of monopoly on violence is limited to a particular geographical area and it is in this definition that state is fully defined. What Weber means is that this type of violence used to rule, threaten and administer its subjects is only limited to one country and cannot be extended to another. The residents subjected to this force must have legitimated the same and this means when it is exercised to other people outside the states boundaries, then it is crossing the line and may result to inter-state conflicts. Safe to say, the state is allows the use of legitimate physical force and it is enhanced by the police and military.

Please compare early and late Foucaults depictions of power by referring to concepts like panopticon, disciplinary power, biopolitics and governmentality.

Michael Foucault was a great French philosopher who came up with theories relating to power and knowledge, something that came to be known as Foucaults depictions. In his theories, Michael tried to come up with the relationship between power and knowledge. He hypothesized how these two were and are still used to establish some form social control through various societal institutions. It is for this reason that he was named a postmodernist but he rejected these title. His theories have played a significant role in influencing scholars and activists.

In his theory concerning power for instance, Foucault explains it using a question. He enquires the one behind machinations such as sex and discipline, criminality as well as punishment. His answer is that these things are not produced by a particular individual but rather, they are a product of power. In power, there are many things that can be derived and almost all of his other theories stem from this main argument. The early and late Foucaults depiction of power differ in several ways. Initially, Michael Foucault depicted power as a mysterious autonomous force that has an independent existence with that of human influence. This changed over time although he put it in ambiguous terms that it was hard to establish his stand on the same.

His latest views concerning power is that it is ubiquitous and resisting it is futile. Power is everywhere and exists in every realm of life. It enhances discipline and where the state is concerned it is facilitated by governmentality. Foucault, unlike Weber, does not believe in monopoly and autonomy but rather peaceful and organized civil arrangements punctuated with occasional supremacy struggle.

Please scrutinize Marxian readings (I. Wallersteins, D. Harveys, S. Lash and J. Urrys approaches namely) of globalization.

Globalization is simply the increase of capital by way of transferring goods and services. In globalization, there is an increase in the flow of information across borders due to several factors such as improved infrastructure, new markets, proper communication and technological advancements. With increase in such factors, competition is inevitable; countries compete against each other on who is producing the most goods, who has the most say in the markets, whose profits are larger and so on and so forth. The basic idea about globalization is to maximize on the profits while minimizing the production costs. Marx foresaw this in the 19th century and predicted that the same globalization we yearn for, will be the basis of capitalism. Capitalism in the sense that the countries that dominate such markets and play significant roles in enhancing globalization will be dictating the terms of others.

Fast forward to the present day, Max was actually right. Globalization and capitalism are hell-bent on oppressing the poor while enriching the rich. For this reason the gap between the rich and poor will never be bridged. People are so driven by their desire for profits and make the most in businesses at the expense of minimizing workers wages and unfavorable working conditions. It is not a surprise that some of these workers who work in the production industries cannot afford the very products they are manufacturing. They live from hand to mouth, reduced incomes, poor living conditions and they can hardly afford better healthcare services and because of what? Globalization. Max also suggested that globalization will be marked with increased demand and value emphasis on luxuries and this is coming to pass as peoples love for expensive gadgets and fast cars is on the rise.

How A. Giddens and U. Beck portray the globalization?

Anthony Giddens has a different perspective of globalization. He views it as the intensification of interactions among people. He defines it as a modern way where the world will be a global village and things and events will be interconnected regardless of the distance. They say simplicity is an art and Giddens uses this perspective to portray globalization. To him, it is the process through which everything will be oversimplified and complexity reduced. This is evident in the nature of operations we have nowadays. Unlike in the past where a lot had to be done and long distances covered to make a successful transaction, modern technology has made life a lot easier. Almost everything is within our reach at the click of a button.

Giddens classifies globalization into four dimensions namely:

World capitalist economy

This dimension emphasizes in the main world powers in terms of economy. These are the kind of states whereby economic enterprise is the main form of production. The influence that a specific state has in the world has a lot to do with its economy and level of wealth.

Nation-state system

This dimension states that the sovereignty of any state is something that ought to be kept under a system of checks and balances.

World military order

Due to world wars and the cold war, many states are always prepared for the outbreak of another war. Therefore, they are heavily armed with weapon of mass destruction as a defense strategy.

Industrial development

This is the most obvious aspect of globalization. Expansion of industries, division of labor and product specialization mark the ultimate globalization.