Globalization › What is it, Characteristics, Origin, Types

Globalization

What is Globalization

Globalization is a  historical process of global integration in the economic, political, technological, social and cultural spheres , which has made the world an increasingly interconnected place. In that sense, it is said that this process has made the world a  global village .

The progressive dissolution of the economic and communicational borders has generated a capitalist expansion. This, in turn, has enabled global financial investments and transactions aimed at distant or emerging markets, on terms that were previously very difficult, highly expensive, or unviable.

The globalization process has modified the way in which countries and subjects interact. It has had a great impact on economic (labor market, international trade), political (establishment of democratic systems, respect for human rights), as well as greater access to education and technology, among others.

Characteristics of globalization

The most important characteristics of globalization are the following:

• It is a planetary phenomenon, that is, it manifests itself throughout the world;
• it is universal, since it encompasses all aspects of human and social life;
• It is unequal and asymmetric, since it affects in very different ways according to the level of development of each country and its share of participation in world power;
• it is unpredictable, that is, its results cannot be anticipated;
• it depends on connectivity and telecommunications;
• it supposes the spatial reorganization of production;
• globalizes merchandise and favors uniformity of consumption;
• it forms a global financial model.

Advantages and disadvantages of globalization

Globalization leads to a set of actions that have both positive and negative aspects, hence the advantages and disadvantages of this great integration process are mentioned.

The  advantages of globalization  would be:

• Development of a global market;
• interconnection of companies with access to computer resources;
• greater access to information;
• circulation of imported goods and products;
• increase in foreign investment;
• exponential development of international trade;
• promotion of international relations;
• cultural exchange processes;
• increased tourism;
• technological development.

Among the  disadvantages of globalization  we can mention

• Incapacity of the national State as an entity of control and administration;
• obstruction or strangulation of the development of local commerce;
• increase in foreign interventionism;
• concentration of capital in large multinational or transnational groups;
• widening of the gap in the distribution of wealth;
• construction of a global cultural hegemony that threatens local identities;
• uniformity in consumption.

Causes and consequences of globalization

The   most immediate causes of globalization that we can mention have been:

• the changes in international geopolitics of the 20th century;
• the end of the Cold War;
• the consolidation of the capitalist model;
• the need to expand economic markets;
• the revolution in telecommunications and information technology;
• the liberation of capital markets.

We can count among the  consequences of globalization  as a historical process the following:

• Extreme poverty and concentration of wealth : wealth is concentrated in developed countries and only 25% of international investments go to developing nations, which has an impact on an increase in the number of people living in extreme poverty.
• Increase in unemployment : some economists argue that, in recent decades, globalization and the scientific and technological revolution (responsible for the automation of production) have been the main causes of the increase in unemployment.
• Loss of cultural identities : critical authors of globalization also argue that it favors the loss of traditional cultural identities in favor of an idea of ​​global culture, imposed by the influence of the great powers on the rest of the world.

Types of globalization

Economic globalization

Economic globalization consists in the creation of a world market that does not include tariff barriers to allow the free movement of capital, be it financial, commercial and productive.

The emergence of  economic blocs , that is, countries that associate to promote trade relations, such as  Mercosur  or the  European Union , is the result of this economic process.

In the XXI century, economic globalization intensified more, achieving an impact on the labor market and international trade.

Political globalization

Globalization has encouraged the creation and development of different mechanisms to respond and solve endless problems that have become global and that affect us all. Some examples of this are climate change, poverty rates, use of natural resources, among others.

For this reason, international institutions and organizations have been created, for example, the  United Nations  (UN), in order to face these problems and provide the best possible solution.

Technological globalization

Technological globalization encompasses access to information, the Internet and the media, as well as the various technological and scientific advances in the industrial and health areas.

We live in an interconnected world, information is shared at greater speed and distance, people are more informed about what is happening in their country and around the world through the various communication channels that exist.

Means of transportation have also benefited from technological and scientific advancement. For example, mechanisms have been developed to reduce fuel consumption and pollution levels, vehicles have greater security systems, among others.

Cultural globalization

Cultural globalization has been generated as a consequence of international relations derived from the exchange of information, technology, economy, tourism, among others.

By expanding consumer markets and the exchange of cultural goods and services, there have been important connections between countries and communities through cinema, television, literature, music, gastronomy, fashion, theater, museums, among others.

This has a number of positives and negatives. Some highlight the dissemination of universal values, greater access to information and cultural exchange.

However, smaller social groups are affected by the consumption of more far-reaching cultural products and even by the loss of certain values ​​of their own.

Social globalization

Social globalization is characterized by the defense of equality and justice for all human beings. Taking this meaning into account, it can be affirmed that a globalized world, in the social sphere, is one in which all human beings are considered equal regardless of their social class, religious beliefs or cultures.

Origin of globalization

Globalization is a palpable phenomenon, especially since the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. It is often noted that it  began  with the arrival of Columbus in America at the end of the 15th century and with the colonization by European powers around the world.

This process was exponentially accentuated from the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century and the rearmament of capitalism, and acquired its full form from the second half of the 20th century.

Globalization is the result of the consolidation of capitalism and the need to expand the flow of world trade, as well as the main technological advances, especially in communication matters.

Innovations in the field of telecommunications and information technology, especially the Internet, have played a decisive role in building a globalized world.

Update date: 08 February 2021.

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