International Relations (IR)

International Relations (IR)
Lesson 4: Globalization
Definition:
It is believed that the word “Globalization” was coined by Theodre Levitt (1925-2006) in his paper
titled “The Globalization of Markets”, published by Harvard Business Review (May–June 1983).
https://hbr.org/1983/05/the-globalization-of-markets
Globalization, economic globalization, political globalization, cultural globalization, etc.
* Question: What is the truest definition of “globalization”?
Answer: Princess Diana’s death.
Question: How come?
Answer:
An English princess
with an Egyptian boyfriend
crashes in a French tunnel,
driving a German car
with a Dutch engine,
driven by a Belgian
who was drunk on Scottish whisky (check the bottle before you change the spelling),
followed closely by Italian paparazzi,
on Japanese motorcycles;
treated by an American doctor,
using Brazilian medicines.
This is sent to you by
an American, using Bill Gates’ technology,
and you’re probably reading this on your computer
that uses Taiwanese chips
and a Korean monitor,
assembled by Bangladeshi workers
in a Singapore plant,
transported by Indian lorry-drivers,
hijacked by Indonesians,
unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen,
and trucked to you by Mexican illegals.
That, my friends, is globalization!
http://web.uncg.edu/dcl/courses/global/unit1/jokepopup.html
* Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto (1848)
Modern industry has established the world market, for which the discovery of America paved the
way. This market has given an immense development to commerce, to navigation, to
communication by land. This development has, in its turn, reacted on the extension of industry;
and in proportion as industry, commerce, navigation, railways extended, in the same proportion
the bourgeoisie developed, increased its capital, and pushed into the background every class
handed down from the Middle Ages.
All old-established national industries have been destroyed or are daily being destroyed. They are
dislodged by new industries, whose introduction becomes a life and death question for all
civilised nations, by industries that no longer work up indigenous raw material, but raw material
drawn from the remotest zones; industries whose products are consumed, not only at home, but
in every quarter of the globe.
*When did globalization start?
Some Chinese scholars say it started as early as the 1492 when the New World was discovered by
Columbus. But it only picked up the pace after the Second World War.
* What is the meaning of (economic) globalization?
For economic globalization, there are three types of globalization: globalization of production,
globalization of trade, and globalization of finance.
Technological progress such as internet, transportation, etc., has been playing an important role
in pushing forward globalization.
* What is the impact of globalization on international relations?
More interactions and also inter-dependence between/among nations;
More global issues: terrorism, epidemic, organized crimes, climate change, etc.
What else?
* What does globalization mean for the developing countries?
It offers more opportunities of development, in the form of more capital inflows and technology
transfer, and easier market access, but also makes it difficult to resist global risks in every aspect.
Different developing countries have different ways to taking good advantage of globalization and
coping with the risks associated with globalization.
* 2019 KOF Globalisation Index
The KOF Globalisation Index measures the economic, social and political dimensions of
globalisation. Globalisation in the economic, social and political fields has been on the rise since
the 1970s, receiving a particular boost after the end of the Cold War.
Ranking:
1. Switzerland 91.19
2. Netherlands90.71
3. Belgium 90.59
4. Sweden 89.93
5. United Kingdom 89.84
80. China 65.08
https://kof.ethz.ch/en/forecasts-and-indicators/indicators/kof-globalisation-index.html
How useful is such an index?
* Recent development of (de-)globalization
De-globalization
Anti-globalization
Counter-globalization
Re-globalization
Neo-globalization
Alter-globalization (alternative globalization)
Trump’s Inaugural address:
For many decades, we've enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry;
subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military;
we've defended other nation's borders while refusing to defend our own; and spent trillions of
dollars overseas while America's infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay. We've made
other countries rich while the wealth, strength, and confidence of our country has disappeared
over the horizon. One by one, the factories shuttered and left our shores, with not even a
thought about the millions upon millions of American workers left behind. The wealth of our
middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed across the entire world.
From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be
America First.
Trump’s successful election, as well as Brexit, is considered as a fact that de-globalization is on

the rise.
*Brexit:
Brexit is an abbreviation for "British exit," referring to the U.K.'s decision in a June 23, 2016
referendum to leave the European Union.
* Anti-globalization:
It is a grassroots movement to counter the trend of globalization and its harmful effects, and to
reform unbridled capitalism.
http://www.anti-marketing.com/anti-globalization.html
Discussion:
Is globalization an angel or a devil?

Can globalization be reversed?
Has globalization widened or narrowed the North-South gap?
Who are the winners and losers of globalization? How about the developing countries? How
about China?
How about national sovereignty in the age of globalization?
Further readings:
* Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the World Economic Forum
Many people feel bewildered and wonder: What has gone wrong with the world? To answer
this question, one must first track the source of the problem. Some blame economic globalization
for the chaos in the world. Economic globalization was once viewed as the treasure cave found by
Ali Baba in The Arabian Nights, but it has now become the Pandora’s box in the eyes of many. The
international community finds itself in a heated debate on economic globalization. Today, I wish
to address the global economy in the context of economic globalization.
http://www.china.org.cn/node_7247529/content_40569136.htm
* Jiang Shixue: “Globalization is irresistible”, China.org.cn, March 27, 2017
Indeed, there's much evidence that globalization faces many obstacles, given that America is a
global superpower and Britain is one of the major players in the EU. However, exaggeration of the
impact of the Trump victory and Brexit is far worse than understatement. That is to say, while
these two "Black Swans" are likely to hinder the process of globalization, we cannot ignore other
positive elements.
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2017-03/27/content_40504317.htm

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International Relations (IR)

Globalization, economic globalization, political globalization, cultural globalization, etc.

* Question: What is the truest definition of “globalization”?

Answer: Princess Diana’s death.

Question: How come?

* Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto (1848)

*When did globalization start?

* What is the meaning of (economic) globalization?

* What is the impact of globalization on international relations?

More interactions and also inter-dependence between/among nations;

* What does globalization mean for the developing countries?

* 2019 KOF Globalisation Index

How useful is such an index?

* Recent development of (de-)globalization

Trump’s Inaugural address:

Trump’s successful election, as well as Brexit, is considered as a fact that de-globalization is on

Is globalization an angel or a devil?

* Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the World Economic Forum

* Jiang Shixue: “Globalization is irresistible”, China.org.cn, March 27, 2017

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