Blog 1 - what is globalization - Sehyang Kim

 1) Summary


While acknowledging that globalization is a “controversial concept” that is difficult to define with a single, precise definition, Robertson and White attempt to explain it as systematically as possible. Since the 1990s, globalization has primarily been used in an economic context, referring to concepts such as neoliberalism, free trade, and transnational corporations. However, the authors criticize this economically centered perspective for overlooking cultural and social factors, arguing that globalization should be viewed more broadly as a process through which the world is increasingly becoming “one place.” The authors identify three core aspects of globalization. First, globalization consists of two trends: increased connectivity and increased global consciousness. Until now, the aspect of global consciousness has been relatively neglected, and the authors view the heightened focus on the “clash of civilizations” following 9/11 as a result of overlooking the cultural dimension. Second, globalization unfolds around four reference points: the nation-state, the international system, the individual, and humanity. Third, globalization manifests through the intertwining of four dimensions: cultural, social, political, and economic. Furthermore, through the concept of “glocalization,” the authors view the global and the local not as opposites but as two sides of the same coin. Just as McDonald’s offers menu items other than beef in India, everything is adapted to the local context; therefore, a “fully globalized world” is impossible. In conclusion, they emphasize that globalization should not be viewed as a single entity (“it”) but rather treated as a conceptual framework for analysis, and that any criticism of it must be grounded in a sophisticated theoretical framework.


2) New Insights / Interesting Points


What I found most interesting was the view that the nation-state is not the antithesis of globalization but rather a part of it. I had generally assumed that as globalization progresses, the power of the state weakens; however, the authors argue that the concept of “national identity” itself has spread globally, and that states are not disappearing but rather changing in character—moving toward multicultural societies. I was also struck by the explanation that individuals “express their uniqueness in a common way.” Fashion is a prime example: while people seek to express their individuality, they ultimately do so within similar trends and formats. This was an easy-to-understand example from everyday life illustrating how homogeneity and heterogeneity coexist.


3) Issues / Discussion Topics


First, the authors acknowledge that people in developing countries find it difficult to accept a Western-centric definition of globalization. Yet, when explaining the international system, they frame the world as a “West versus terrorism” dichotomy and adopt Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” theory almost verbatim. This perspective, which lumps the Islamic world together as a single threat, raises the question of whether it merely repeats the very Western-centric viewpoint the authors were trying to avoid. I believe the authors should have explored further how globalization can be explained from the perspective of non-Western societies. Furthermore, this article was written before smartphones and social media became ubiquitous. While connectivity has increased significantly since then, some argue that algorithmic recommendations and filter bubbles actually cause people to view different worlds. It is worth discussing whether the authors’ premise—that increased connectivity leads to a shared global consciousness—remains valid in today’s platform era.


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