Post Modernism and Globalization - Essay Example

Post Modernism and Globalization Post modernism generally views objective truth and cultural narratives in vain and is characterized by the growth of a contemporary culture; the culture of interconnectedness across political as well as geographical frontiers (Giddens, 1990). The culture of post modernism puts greater emphasis on motivation, power relations and language as opposed to the classification of individuals in terms of their sexual orientation, sex, race and colonial or imperial standings. It is worth noting that postmodernism has had a fair share of influence on diverse field of culture including linguistics, music and literary criticism among others. The postmodern world has seen the growth and development of what today is commonly known as globalization. The concept of globalization, for some, entails the world’s westernization while others view it as the ascent of capitalism. While others view globalization as leading to heterogeneity through heightened hybridization, other quarters view it as something that is leading more towards the production of diversity. Globalization according to many scholars, who believe in post modernism, has caused great ripples in the cultural political and economic situation and stability of the word and has led to new dispensations (Giddens, 1990).. In spite of the existence of several descriptions of the term globalization, believers of postmodernism have come to the point of stating that globalization is a historical break from the norm; one that has been characterized by the development of transnational capitalism, the production of post –Fordism configuration or the view that globalization is a new cultural view of what has previously been termed as capitalism. Implications of Globalization It is beyond doubt that globalization has upon the world fallen with its effects beyond taking for granted. The phenomenon has been associated with several benefits and limitations. The benefits of globalization as touted by post modernists include the opening of markets, greater k[prosperity for societies, freer trade, greater respect for individuals and communities and the springing of a global culture that has greater respect for human rights based on western ideologies as noted by Lipietz (1996). Conversely, the alternative side of globalization has mainly included the weakening and possible abolition of cultural and national liberties by transnational organizations. The phenomenon has also led to the growth of inequality environmental degradation and the volatility of financial markets according to Lipietz (1996). Globalization and the World’s Political-Economy It may well be stated that globalization has led to the increasing reliance, of states and regions, on the market economy. In addition, globalization has seen the renewal of faith in private resources and capital with the World Bank and other international organizations playing important roles in the development and well being of nations and societies (Stanford University, 2002). In addition, globalization has brought about new opportunities while also encouraging the transfer of technology. India has been a remarkable example of a country that has been impacted by the process of globalization as it has enjoyed massive growth from the time it lowered its barriers to competition and thereby increasing its speed of globalization Differences between Modernization and Globalization Many scholars have noted that there is no concrete difference between modernity and globalization (Appadurai, 1996). Other scholars have however maintained that the two concepts have glaring differences. Modernization in many places was, for example, concerned with the advancement of the internal market of the country as opposed to the growth of an integrated economy (Appadurai, 1996). In this sense then modern capitalist country focused on regulation as opposed to deregulation and free trade across national and territorial borders. Better said, modernization had a lot to do with rigidity whereas globalization has been concerned with flexibility in many respects. Works Cited Appadurai, A. Modernity At Large: Cultural Dimensions Of Globalization, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.1996. Giddens, Anthony. The Consequences of Modernity, Stanford: Stanford University Press. 1990. Lipietz Alain (1996) Social and Ecological Impact of Globalization. Viewed 23 June 2010 http://lipietz.net/spip.php?article355 Stanford University (2002) Globalization. Viewed 23 June 2010 http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/globalization/ Q 3 World Urban Population Population growth in many parts of the world has never been a foreign phenomenon. However, when the population of urban areas grows beyond that of rural areas, it becomes an issue worthy of discussion and debate. This paper will discuss the astronomical growth of the world urban population and its possible implications on human geography and ecology. Urban Population Growth According to a United Nations report on human demographics, the last five decades have seen the phenomenal growth of the world’s urban population (Unis, 2004). According to the same repot, this growth has more so been witnessed in less developed countries and has led to numerous challenges in these countries. It is however notable that these challenges are not unique to the developing countries as the wider global community must also be affected by such transitions in some ay or another. It has been important for different countries and regions to monitor such developments in so far as creating environments that are sustainable remain issues of great concern both in the national and international arena. According to the UN report, the world’s urban population in 2003 was about 3 billion. This population is however expected to rise over the next 20 years to 5 billion with the rural population expected to reduce over a period of about 27 years slightly to 3.2 billion; down from 3.3 billion in 2003 (Unis, 2004).. The report further states that in 2003 alone, close to 48% of the global population resided din urban areas (Unis, 2004). This figure was expected to increase over a period of four years to over 50% in which case the population of urban residents in the world would first exceed that of rural residents according to the UN report. In the actual sense, more advanced areas have seen the steady growth in urbanization with about 75% of the population living in urban areas as of 2003 (Unis, 2004). It is also worth noting that large urban agglomerations may not be experiencing astronomical growth as may have been expected my many people as their growth rates average less than 1.5% as noted by Unis. Implications of Growing Urban Population With the growing world population, there have been numerous challenges some of which include water shortages, environmental pollution, soil degradation, as well as the degradation of coastal strips in many areas (Hinrichsen and Robey, nd). The growing population of the world and more so in urban areas has posed a challenge with respect to how living standards of the populations may be improved sustainably without degrading the population; through pollution mainly. Common knowledge indeed dictates that where there is a higher population – like in urban areas – resources will most likely be consumed at a fast rate as humans exploit nature to cater for pressing needs. Unfortunately, many urban areas greatly depend on rural areas to supply various resources which means that rural areas will probably be affected by the population growth of urban areas. Many demographers have predicted that the growth in global urban population will gravely affect the environment as there is less likelihood of the environmental conditions improving. In terms of public health, there is expected to be poor sanitation and higher levels of air pollution. This factor alone is known to lead to the death of close to 12 million people annually (Hinrichsen and Robey, nd). Insufficient supply of fresh water, and food supply will also lead to the death of a significant number of persons per year. This however may be countered through taking family planning measures to control population growth. Conclusion Pressures resulting from urban population growths will result in more massive fishing activities in global seas which will lead to loss of biodiversity and over-exploitation of fish resources. As usual, massive pollution always leads to global climatic change due to the emission of greenhouse gases with their associated effects including rise in sea levels, widespread droughts and flooding as well as the disruption of agricultural activities. Works Cited Hinrichsen Don and Robey Bryant (nd) Population and the Environment: The Global Challenge. Viewed 23 June 2010 http://www.actionbioscience.org/environment/hinrichsen_robey.html Unis (2004) UN Report Says World Urban Population of 3 Billion Today Expected to Reach 5 Billion by 2030. Viewed 23 June 2010 http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/pressrels/2004/pop899.html Q7) Neo-Malthusianism and Doomsday Predictions Neo-Malthusianism has always been concerned with population control through various means. One main concern of Neo-Malthusians has been the issue of overpopulation vis-à-vis environmental degradation and the depletion of natural resources in an unsustainable manner. The result of this of course is possible ecological collapse other hazards not withstanding. Indeed according to the Malthusian theory, there is a relationship between food and the growth of population. The theory which was postulated by Robert Malthus states that while agricultural growth is arithmetic, population growth is at the least geometric. What this means is that population will increase in such a manner as to exceed the rate of food production and hence at some point the population will have insufficient supply of the product (Huppi, 2010). The last century has seen world population grow in a manner that seems to prove truthful Malthus’ theory. In the 1960s, Neo-Malthusians predicted with unwavering conviction of a looming crisis – a doomsday – in which humanity will have insufficient food; possibly in the 70s, 80s or 2000s according to Huppi (2010). This together with other related factors will result in more intense competition for resources and food in a manner that will cause a lot of suffering. These predictions were of course based on Malthus’ theory, although the predictions have never quite come to pass in reality. Environmentalists and Doomsday Predictions Present day environmentalists have taken every measure to convince every ear that would care to listen that the world is headed squarely for doom. In fact, it is no mystery hearing the environmentalist crying foul for the preservation of the ozone layer, just in case that would prevent the drastic effects of ozone layer depletion coming into full force. Some of the arguments posted by present day environmentalists in support of their dooms day scenario are as highlighted hereunder. First, manmade chemicals are contributing much to the pollution of the environment, and to the destruction of the ozone layer (Turchin and Korotayev, 2006). These chemicals are also causing the greenhouse effect which is continuously leading to global warming. Furthermore, many agricultural, water and fish resources have exceeded their sustainable limits and are fast on the decline in spite of their growing populations. Deaths and cancer rates have increased around certain polluted sites, forests are on the decline and many harmful species are getting more and more resistant to pesticides, vaccines and treatments used against them. Yet again, today, environmentalists have continued to state that the world is bound to suffer from the effects of declining resources such as petroleum based on the peak oil theory. One of the main causes of this looming crisis according to the environmentalists is rapid growth in global population with the result being greater demand for resources such as oil. In addition to these causes, it is claimed that certain agricultural effects will result when oil, which is mainly used to drive agricultural activities in most parts of the globe, will continue to dwindle in supply. Conclusion Some of the lessons that may be learnt from the dooms day warnings are that some of the warnings issued by scientists may never come to pass in reality as they are predicted. Such predictions in some cases are formed on young fields of science; which means there may be no concrete scientific proof of their reality. Works Cited Huppi (2010) Scientists have been right on life-threatening issues like global warming and the ozone layer. Viewed 23 June 2010 http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-doomsday.htm Turchin, P. and Korotayev A. Population Dynamics and Internal Warfare: A Reconsideration. Social Evolution & History 5(2): 112–147. 2006. Read More