Globalization · Globalization Defined •Globalization is the process through which the world is increasingly connected and interdependent. –In the modern period, globalization

Globalization A Sociological Perspective

Globalization Defined

• Globalization is the process through which the world is increasingly connected and interdependent.

– In the modern period, globalization has accelerated rapidly.

Globalization Example: Origins

Globalization Example

• What does it mean to be British around the year 1900? – Wearing clothes made of cotton from India or

Egypt, or wool from New Zealand or Scotland

– Drinking Tea from Hong Kong

– Burning wood from Canada

– Wearing diamonds from South Africa

– Eating sugar from Jamaica

– Drinking wine from Australia

Globalization Example continued

• What did it mean to be part of the British Empire around 1900?

– Speaking English

– Member of the Christian Church

– Recognizing the King as sovereign

– Having a British style economic and political structure

– Building British style houses/buildings

What causes globalization?

• Economic factors

– Transnational corporations

– Integrated financial markets

• Global flow of information and communication

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What causes globalization?

• Political changes

– Fall of communist regimes

–Rise of IGOs and INGOs

–Rising importance of international coalitions (the European Union, United Nations, etc.)

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Modern Agents of Globalization: USA

Globalization in everyday life

1. IKEA furniture ______________

2. Wii games ______________

3. H&M fashions ______________

4. L’Oreal shampoos or beauty products ______________

5. Samsung cell phone ______________

6. Molson beer ______________

7. Birkenstock sandals ______________

8. Diesel jeans ______________

9. Apple iPhone ______________

10. American Express credit card ______________

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Globalization in everyday life

1. IKEA: founded in Sweden, now owned by a Dutch foundation

2. Wii: MNC in Kyoto, Japan

3. H&M: Swedish company

4. L’Oreal: Paris suburb

5. Samsung cell or PDA: Seoul, South Korea

6. Molson beer: Montreal, Canada

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Globalization in everyday life

7. Birkenstocks: Germany

8. Diesel jeans: Molvena, Italy

9. Apple iPhone: established in California, parts from China

10. American Express: New York City

Modern technology and Globalization

• Internet

– Has drastically sped up the process

• Telephones

– Instant communication

• Television/Radio

• MIGRATION

Criticism of Globalization

• Replacing unique identities with “Global” identities

– Destruction of cultural groups

• Significant shifts in work and family life

• Ubiquity of Western—especially American—popular culture

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Global inequality

• Wealth concentrated in the developed world

– Poorest 40 percent of global population—5 percent of global income

– Richest 10 percent—54 percent of global income

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Between Richer and Poor Countries, 1800 – 2008

GDP PER CAPITA*

USA

GERMANY

JAPAN

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

BRAZIL

SOUTH AFRICA

EGYPT

CHINA

PAKISTAN

DEM. REP. OF CONGO

2008

1980

1950

1900

1800

1800 2008

$1,343

$1,643

$896

$740

$509

$759

$748

$992

$665

$394

$42,922

$32,637

$31,824

$23,845

$9,633

$9,630

$5,678

$5,520

$2,671

$370

* 2008 U.S. $

The Widening Gap