Globalization is a process where the world becomes connected. Instead of each country, or each city, only focusing on itself, it is people becoming more aware of the world around them. It is considering how different parts of the world exist, and attempting to co-exist with them. It is being interested in what is happening in other countries and being globally aware. It is a process that is still in progress, but it has increased with technology.
A large contributor to the increase of globalization is capitalism. An article by Paul M. Sweezy says: “Globalization is not a condition or a phenomenon: it is a process that has been going on for a long time, in fact ever since capitalism came into the world as a viable form of society”[i]. Companies have realized that there is money to be made in other countries. Once the market in the United States has been exhausted, or is slowing down, it makes sense to look elsewhere for business. These companies doing research on the cultures and customs of other countries has contributed to globalization. In order to open up a business in another country, you need to understand what is going to appeal to customers there. The profits available in other countries has sparked an interest in understanding other cultures.
However, there are still parts of the world where people aren’t globalized. Many people just aren’t aware of what is going on abroad, or don’t understand cultural differences. A large part of becoming personally becoming globalized is going through culture shock. Realizing that other people in the world are different than you, have had different experiences, and different customs. It is important to understand that your way is not necessarily the only way. However, it is also important to find common ground with people in other countries, so you don’t feel completely alienated, and you have a will to understand.
[i] Sweezy, Paul M. More (or Less) on Globalization. Monthly Review, Volume 49, Number 4. September 1997. http://www.monthlyreview.org/997pms.htm. February 2011. Internet.
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ReplyDeleteI think the connection of capitalism to globalization is really interesting. Your point that globalization stems from capitalism and the desire to profit is also something to think about with information poverty. Nations that do not have capitalist democracies or free enterprise would not be of interest to those looking to make money. Without a structure for business, one cannot deal with countries in Africa, for instance. Since no one is able to profit in Africa, that is why they are left out in the globalization process. With no investment, how can they gain resources of their own, then? It is a vicious circle, and one that explains how globalization, through capitalism, is connected to Westernization and is heavily weighted towards the "developed" nations that can trade with each other.
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