Globalization in International Relations - Coursework Example

GLOBALIZATION Globalization Throughout time man has always come in contact with people of other cultures, nationalities, and races and has always either shared his beliefs with them or in the process learned something from them. This process is natural and its traces can be evident through the diffusion of the technologies of one civilization being found in archaeological digs found in civilizations existing on the other side of the planet. This process of diffusion of cultures or beliefs is called Globalization. So technically Globalization is not a new concept but has existed since time immemorial. Globalization can be classified into four different specific aspects. They are namely: 1. Globalization of Economy 2. Globalization of Politics 3. Globalization of Culture 4. Globalization of Law 1. Globalization of Economy Globalization of Economy has taken place thanks to the improvement in transportation technology, and due to the concept of a Free-market society which the WTO is currently promulgating. When different nationalities begin to manage their economic decisions along the same procedures or guidelines or when the economy becomes internationally interconnected globalization of economy is believed to have taken place. There are different viewpoints as to whether the globalization of economy is beneficial or not. In a study conducted by IMF it was discovered that in the last two decades income inequality has risen thanks to financial globalization and technological advancements (which is a factor of Economic Globalization). However it was also discovered that the per capita income has also seen an increase even in the poorer classes. Inequality is on the rise between the different income classes as the well-to-do have a steeper rise in their per capita income as compared to the middle classes. Globalization has raised the eyebrows of even its supporters as they believe that its gains must be more widely distributed to actually encourage other countries to promote globalization. (Falk, 2007) 2. Globalization of Politics Initially the responsibility of national governments was to protect the citizens of the state by outsiders, provide shelter and to take care of their needs. But as the global scenario has been changing over time the responsibility of the governments has also included becoming members of global organizations for their survival. This has been due to the global ecological changes, an integrated global economy and other global trends decision making has progressed to the global arena. Institutions such as IMF, European Union, United Nations, and World Bank are the major decision makers and enforcers of policies which should be established by member countries. This factor of globalization is the most related to International Relations. With the entrance of America into Afghanistan and Iraq, the boycott of Denmark by Iran and Sudan over the cartoons depicting the Prophet and other such global decisions being made the effect of globalization on international relations can be evident. (Seabrook, 1999) 3. Globalization of Culture Thanks to the advancement in technology and the improvement of communication channels the concept of a global culture has become a possibility. The Internet, TV and radio is breaking down cultural barriers and even the most conservative nations are noticing the change in cultural values. The entertainment industry is currently the most influential in changing cultural values. This raises some ethical issues as to whether using media cultural values are being lost, the languages are losing their importance as English is becoming the universal language and how consumer values may overwhelm the people’s sense of social solidarity and community. (Carvajal, 2007) As far as International Relations is concerned, Globalization of Culture stands at a precarious situation. This form of globalization may help the countries to have a better understanding of each other and more tolerance towards each other. As immigration from one country to another is increasingly popular in search of better jobs and lifestyles, people come into contact with other nationalities and cultural diffusion takes place. However, this may also lead in the loss of the minority’s cultural values and the injection of the western concepts into the third world countries and other smaller countries who are not yet willing to embrace their concepts in either technological or social terms. The most debated issue these days is the Chinese indoctrination of the Tibetans and the gradual demise of the Tibetan culture. 4. Globalization of Law Law had always been the product of a country’s own policy makers as these laws were customized according to the religious or social beliefs of the people inhabiting the country. But in recent years there has been a move towards the globalization of law. This would lead to the standardization of legal procedures in different countries and the globalization of business laws. The implementation of international laws has been weak. This is due to the diverse nature of people and their reluctance in accepting others values and beliefs. However with the creation of global institutions the task of enforcement of standard laws has become much easier. Since there has been more potential in the business environment the most effective globalizing has taken place in Business laws. This allows countries to trade with each other on a familiar platform and helps in removing doubts as both sides who are dealing follow the same guided principles. International Criminal Court is also aimed at unifying the penalties and punishments and providing justice on an international code of conduct. After discussing the four major aspects of Globalization we now stand better at analyzing its importance in international relations. International relations is a branch of political studies that is concerned with the foreign affairs of and relations among countries. It deals with the relations between different countries and their foreign policies towards each other. The differences between them and the histories they have between them have led to the study of International Relations. But now the introduction of a global setting has brought about some changes in the study of this subject. Globalization, seen on its own, is a step towards the change of a country’s culture or identity. The mixture of the four types of globalization leads to a country changing its values, beliefs and perceptions. Decision making is influenced and the overall outlook of the world is changed. The concept of a country being sovereign has been eliminated now that there are so many international influencing factors in decision making. (Waters, 1995) It has been noted that the culture of a state is the major deciding factor in the nature of its relations with other nationalities and cultures. The wars and conflicts which took place were due to the cultural beliefs; the economic decisions being made were influenced by cultural needs, even the judiciary system and legal systems were established according to the cultural norms. But with globalization, cultural change has been the most notable. The volunteering of China to host the Beijing Olympics is just one example how the Chinese wish to portray their culture to other countries and globalize their beliefs. This shows a change in the Chinese approach as in earlier years China was reluctant in outside influence and was aiming to create a self-reliant standing. Through this example we can see how Globalization has affected the international relations of China. Aside from the cultural aspect of globalization affecting international relations the economic factor is just as important. As smaller countries wish to side with greater countries as they get more funding, they get protection from larger neighbouring countries and they get more business opportunities; they join global economic bodies for these purposes. The United Nations, WTO and World Bank invite countries to join them and in the process get the above mentioned facilities. But they must then also reform and adjust their own national policies in accordance to the needs of the global institutions. The decision making powers of the countries is reduced as they must conform to global standards. They must also behave in accordance to the international policies set by the bodies. (Brecher & Costello, 1994) International Relations of countries have been affected both positively and negatively by the process of Globalization. It promises them security, more availability of resources, more economic opportunities, and better relations with many countries. But it also takes away the decision making potential of the nation and makes it regulate its systems according to the wills and desire of the larger, more economically sound nations which in turn often hampers the growth and potential of these nations. (Stiglitz, 2002) Works Cited 1. Jeremy Seabrook. Whose International Community? Third World Network. April 1999 2. Doreen Carvajal. In Many Business Schools, the Bottom Line Is in English. New York Times. April 10, 2007 3. Rainer Falk. The Global Establishment and Global Inequality. World Economy and Development. November-December 2007 4. Clark. Globalisation & Fragmentation 5. Roland Robertson. Globalization: Social Theory and Global Culture (London, Sage, 1992) 6. Malcolm Waters. Globalization (New York, Routledge, 1995) 7. Jeremy Brecher and Tim Costello. Global Village or Global Pillage: Economic Reconstruction From the Bottom Up (Boston, South End Press, 1994) 8. Stiglitz, J. (2002). Globalization and Its Discontents. New York: Norton. Read More