Globalization on Territory - Assignment Example

Globalization on Territory 1. Describe the effects of globalization on territory. Use specific examples to demonstrate your points. Globalization is a heavily loaded word used by people in association either with prosperity, peace and progress, or with disaster, doom, and deprivation. Issues of globalization have led to several disputes and confusions, and invoked several notions in the mind of people in terms of internationalization, liberalization, universalization, westernization, and respatialization. Thus, globalization involves a reconfiguration of the society with increased growth and trans-planetary connections between people, territory, states and nations. The effects of globalization on territory can be explained with the help of the following- Economic Globalization affects the territoriality of the nation-state, i.e. the territorial jurisdiction. Two notions can be used to explain this concept critically. The notions are based on the concept of sovereignty, and the impact of both governmental and non-governmental institutions on the national state. The notions are- Whatever the global economy gains from a global transaction, the national state lose and vice-versa. This is referred to as the zero-sum game. If an event takes place in a national territory, such as, a business transaction, a judicial decision, etc., it is a national event. Global cities are sites for carrying out specialized functions so as to run and co-ordinate the global economy. These cities located in national territories are locations for performing the major dynamics and processes in relation to financial and investment aspects, and irrespective of their geographical locations. These functions affect the growth and development of the territory. The global economy materializes in national territories to a large extent. Many national states have become deeply involved in the implementation of global economic system, and in the implementation of this process have experienced large transformation in their institutional structure, in both the aspects of economic and political. Economic Globalization has helped to strengthen certain segments of the national states, i.e. the banking functions, which have been developed as per with the development of technology. But certain segments in a territory have also been weakened under the effect of economic globalization, such as, the decline small industries as they are losing their existence under the effects of globalization. In the recent decades, although the major interstate conflicts has declined, yet territorial conflicts still persists which is difficult to resolve. Conflicts are generally created within the borders of states which determine territoriality or the territorial stakes. Globalization affects territorial stakes in a way that its effect may either lead to an increase or a decrease in the likelihood of interstate conflicts and those arising within the borders of existing states. The effects of Globalization on territory can be explained with the help of the following examples- Japan has gradually extended the military reach against territorial invasion from a domestic zone of defense to a globally scaled military role, and under the impact of Globalization it has made territorial expansion. Japan has expanded its conception of national security in geographical terms and self-defense force roles into global security. The impact of Globalization on Japan can be symbolized from the 9/11 attacks. Though the attack took place in United States, yet its impact was felt in Japan. The domestic market and foreign market of Japan was heavily affected, but the attack also opened new opportunities in national security policy. The state security institutions of Japan have been trained, equipped and legally empowered so as to be capable of undertaking any form of threats, either domestic or global. The economic reforms in China in 1980s opened China to globalization. Inspite of being a large and populous nation, China attained a high degree of openness. It has been able to cross the domestic boundaries and establish a world-wide market of its products, which presently competes with various foreign goods in almost every sector of the economy. China has increased the quality and standard of its product with the help of foreign Investment, which has received a world-wide recognition. Thus, globalization has helped China to strengthen and prosper with the help of its specialized functions. The exposure of Caribbean to globalization was through the trans-Atlantic trade, slave and colonialism, since Europe and America attempted to bring the world’s political, social and economic activities under the same blanket. The exposure of Caribbean to the early wave of globalization was negative because of huge migration, exploitation and destruction of the area. When Haiti, one of the Caribbean Islands was by earthquake in 2010, global powers found a benefit and decided to exploit the rich economy on the grounds of slavery and colonialism. As a result all the Caribbean islands resisted and revolted against the various aspects of globalization. Though the Caribbean islands have now become independent, yet they are still struggling under the aspects of Globalization. Thus, from the above it can be concluded that globalization has created both positive and negative effects on territory. 2. Globalization has increased the influence of some actors on the world stage and decreased the influence of others. Of the five actors listed below, which ones have increased and which ones have decreased? Why? (Actors: states, IGOs, NGOs, MNCs, networks). States- The influence of state has declined due to the impact of globalization. Globalization has resulted in rapid flow of goods, communication, people, knowledge, weapons, beliefs, culture, and fashion across territorial boundaries, which have interconnected the whole world. Economic Globalization has increased the operations of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which have brought about global expansion and growth in the global economy. As globalization increases the power will shift from states to MNCs. Globalization has brought a significant transformation in financial markets which have become difficult to control for the states. Globalization has reduced the state control on trade and activities of production. Thus, the reduction in the power of states has declined its influence. IGOs- The influence of Intergovernmental Organization (IGOs) has increased under the impact of Globalization. Globalization has resulted in increased international relations which have provided an easier means of IGOs growth in economical, military, political and domestic level. IGOs economically gains non-material and material resources for economic prosperity and help to provide political stability. ISOs help to establish common standards to ensure security to its members with the help of military alliances. IGOs also encourage the formation of autocratic states into democracies to form an effective internal government. Thus, the prospects of IGOs have increased its influence. NGOs- The influence of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) or Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have increased under the impact of Globalization. NGOs are considered to be the important actors in the “soft power” arena of international democracy. NGOs have been accredited to perform several activities, such as, abolition of Racial Discrimination, making people aware of their human rights, undertaking influential measures to protect the environment, etc. Before the concept of globalization aroused, people of different countries suffered due to many unjust notions and concepts prevalent among the society and the legislation. Globalization removed borders, brought countries together along with their culture and beliefs, and helped to eradicate the old prejudices with the help of NGOs. MNCs- Globalization has increased the influence of MNCs, as Multinational Corporations (MNCs) have become large, powerful and have created an enormous effect on countries in which they have established business. MNCs import huge amount of capital to undertake their new business investments which have created a current account deficit in the country. MNCs on one hand has promoted employment but on the other local business has declined as a result of MNCs which have created unemployment. Though MNCs have led to both development and decline, yet the contribution of MNC is huge in the aspect of Globalization which has increased its influence. Networks- Globalization has increased the influence of networks because technological developments are considered to be the main facilitator and driving force of processes of Globalization. With the help of technology global networks have been created so as to transmit information and knowledge all over the world and facilitate proper working of the operations, maintenance and reproduction of various systems. Some examples of global networks are, Electronic banking, Electronic Fund Transfer, and Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT). Thus global networks play a major role in promoting globalization. References Scholte, Steven A. Globalization: A Critical Introduction. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. Steinberg, Gerald M. “The Politics of NGOs, Human Rights and the Arab-Israel Conflict.” Israel Studies 16, no. 2, (2011): 24-54. Singh, Bhubhindar, and Philip Shetler-Jones. “Japan’s reconceptualization of national security: the impact of globalization.” International Relations of the Asia-Pacific. October 11, 2010. http://www.academia.edu/706277/Japans_reconceptualization_of_national_security_the_impact_of_globalization. Alabi, Adetayo. “Introduction: The Caribbean and Globalization.” The Global South 4, no. 2, (2010): 1-8. Goksel, Nilufer K. Globalization and the State. Accessed September 20, 2013. http://sam.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/1.-NiluferKaracasuluGoksel.pdf. Sassen, Saskia. “Territory and Territoriality in the Global Economy.” International Sociology 15, no. 2, (2000): 372-393. Kahler, Miles. Territoriality and conflict in an era of globalization. 2005. http://irps.ucsd.edu/assets/014/6738.pdf. Read More