My eldest grandson and I have had many conversations on my views concerning Globalization. He is convinced, at the tender age of 17, that such a theory of World Order belongs in one of his video games, and not to be taken seriously, especially by any citizen of the United States. The very idea of what Globalization conjures in his young mind, is far too foreign an idea, for him to fully grasp.
Globalization, in its broadest term, refers to the expansion of global links, the organizing of social life on a global scale, and the growth of a global 'consciousness', in order to consolidate a world society. To my young grandson, this sounds suspiciously like some insane conspiracy theory.
To better aid my grandson in comprehending the idea of Globalization, I have offered these relevent statements concerning the meaning of the term:
Globalization
'The inexorable integration of markets, nation-states, and technologies to a degree never witnessed before-in a way that is enabling individuals, corporations and nation-states to reach around the world farther, faster, deeper and cheaper than ever before . . . . the spread of free-market capitalism to virtually every country in the world '.- T.L. Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree, 1999, p. 7-8.
'The compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole . . . . concrete global interdependence and consciousness of the global whole in the twentieth century'.- R. Robertson, Globalization, 1992, p. 8.
'A social process in which the constraints of geography on social and cultural arrangements recede and in which people become increasingly aware that they are receding'. -M. Waters, Globalization, 1995, p. 3.
'The historical transformation constituted by the sum of particular forms and instances of . . . . 1. making or being made global by the active dissemination of practices, values, technology and other human products throughout the globe 2. when global practices and so on exercise an increasing influence over people's lives 3. when the globe serves as a focus for, or a premise in shaping, human activities'.- M. Albrow, The Global Age, 1996, p. 88.
' Integration on the basis of a project pursuing "market rule on a global scale'.- P. McMichael, Development and Social Change, 2000, p. xxiii, 149.
'As experienced from below, the dominant form of globalization means a historical transformation: in the economy, of livelihoods and modes of existence; in politics, a loss in the degree of control exercised locally . . . . and in culture, a devaluation of a collectivity's achievements . . . . Globalization is emerging as a political response to the expansion of market power . . . .It is a domain of knowledge'.- J.H. Mittelman, The Globalization Syndrome, 2000, p. 6.
As well, I suggested my grandson read the June, 2007, G8 Agenda for Global Growth and Stability. The G8, I explained to my grandson, is the annual meeting of the 'Group of Eight', (G8), the leading industrialised nations of the World.
My grandson is not alone in his unease at the prospect of what Globalization, in practice, will bring, to every nation in the world. But it is certain, there is such a tidal wave of 'Change' affecting the globe, that it is, in my opinion, unstoppable.
