EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION

EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION

Omar Kalinge

Definition:

There are many suggestions on how to define the concept of globalisation.

We state two commonly used definitions:   

Globalisation refers to all those processes by which the peoples of the world are incorporated into a single world society, global society.(Albrow, 1990).

Globalisation can [...] be defined as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa.(Giddens, 1990).

Owing to the difficulty of definition, a descriptive  approach is taken to define globalization through its characteristics. 

The characteristics of the globalisation trend include the internationalising of production, the new international division of labour, new migratory movements from South to North, the new competitive environment that accelerates these processes, and the internationalising of the state [...] making states into agencies of the globalizing world. (Cox, 1994) 

Effects of globalization:

Depending on one’s world view, globalization  has both positive and negative effects.

The dynamic complexity of the social phenomena that people call ‘globalization’ invoke a divisive discourse with strong arguments for and against the globalization and its effects.

These effects are of a social (cultural), economic and political technological nature and can be discussed separately. However, the globalization has effects that cut across.

First, isolation is no longer possible – whether of markets, people or governments.  The world is so shrunk; no one can get escape scrutiny. Secondly cultures have dissolved thanks to global television networks and their programming, dominated by the northern hemisphere, aimed at the global audience, unfortunately. Some heave termed it the new cultural imperialism.

Thirdly globalization has intensified innovation as old goods and services tend to give way to newer ones faster than anticipated.

Fourthly, due to advancements in technology, transport, education communication, globalization has simplified business management as more standardized trade regulations and unfettered movement of  labour have developed. This has paradoxically caused loss of jobs as it is increasingly possible to carry out business tasks across five continents with an operation located in one major city.

Fifthly, because the word has become  global village with global standards, less developed nations that cannot afford huge investments in technology, education and product and services innovation that can only be driven by research, have been greatly disadvantaged, thus causing international conflict situations which often get played out as local political contests.

Last but very critical, to the delivery of learning, the era of universities without walls has dawned upon us, as eLearning is fast replacing traditional methods of especially, higher education. Online universities serving hundreds of thousands of students with a fraction of infrastructure and campus area  required for even the smallest traditional university are now commonplace.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it can be said that of all effects of globalization, its impact on culture is more profound.  As globalization critic Jeremy Rifkin has suggested, there may be a need to establish a World Cultural Organization to help represent diverse cultures and put cultural protection on an equal footing with the WTO (Rifkin, 2001).

References

Martin Albrow, Elizabeth King, Globalization, knowledge, and society: readings from International sociology, Sage Publications, 1990. 

Giddens A. 1990. The Consequences of Modernity. Stanford University Press: Stanford, CT, 1990 .

Caldecott, S. (2003). The Age of Access: How the Shift from Ownership to Access is Transforming Modern Life, by Jeremy Rifkin. The Chesterton Review, 29(1), 186-189. doi:10.5840/chesterton2003291/2