pols 374 foundations of global politics lecture 4: defining globalization october 5, 2006 professor...

POLS 374 Foundations of

Global Politics

POLS 374 Foundations of

Global Politics

Lecture 4: Defining Globalization

October 5, 2006

Professor Timothy LimCalifornia State University, Los Angeles

Lecture 4: Defining Globalization

October 5, 2006

Professor Timothy LimCalifornia State University, Los Angeles

22

Definining Globalization: Qualifications


The six non sequiturs of globalization:

• Globalism• Reification• Global/Local Binaries• Cultural Homogenization• Universality• Political Neutrality

(Note: a non sequitur is “a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement”)

The six non sequiturs of globalization:

• Globalism• Reification• Global/Local Binaries• Cultural Homogenization• Universality• Political Neutrality

(Note: a non sequitur is “a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement”)

33



Globalism

• Discussion Question: What is the author’s main point here?

• Answer: The growth of transplanetary connections and the spread of supraterritoriality, while extremely important, do not mean that physical or territorial space has ceased to matter: the world still has borders and those borders still have very real meaning

Globalism

• Discussion Question: What is the author’s main point here?

• Answer: The growth of transplanetary connections and the spread of supraterritoriality, while extremely important, do not mean that physical or territorial space has ceased to matter: the world still has borders and those borders still have very real meaning

44



Globalism

• The author explains it this way: “Although contemporary history has witnessed the end of territorialism (where social space is effectively reducible to territorial grids), we have certainly not seen the end of territoriality”

Globalism

• The author explains it this way: “Although contemporary history has witnessed the end of territorialism (where social space is effectively reducible to territorial grids), we have certainly not seen the end of territoriality”

55



Globalism: On the importance of territory• QUOTE FROM “A FEW GOOD MEN”” Son, we live in a world that has walls,

and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled

Globalism: On the importance of territory• QUOTE FROM “A FEW GOOD MEN”” Son, we live in a world that has walls,

and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled

66



Globalism

• Physical geography is still a significant feature of our lives. Consider …– International trade– Immigration

Globalism

• Physical geography is still a significant feature of our lives. Consider …– International trade– Immigration

77



Globalism

• Territoriality continues to have influence even with regard to financial transactions– e.g., national currencies are still important,

localized banking institutions still play a major role in the most technologically advanced countries, and so on

Globalism

• Territoriality continues to have influence even with regard to financial transactions– e.g., national currencies are still important,

localized banking institutions still play a major role in the most technologically advanced countries, and so on

88



Globalism

• In sum, the “end of territorialism has not marked the start of globalism”

• Indeed, contemporary globalization can often have the contradictory effect of creating of reterritorialization, such as the rise of micro-nationalist politics, urbanization and the growth of globally connected cities

Globalism

• In sum, the “end of territorialism has not marked the start of globalism”

• Indeed, contemporary globalization can often have the contradictory effect of creating of reterritorialization, such as the rise of micro-nationalist politics, urbanization and the growth of globally connected cities

99



Globalism

• Perhaps the most striking form of reterritorialization is regionalization, which is evident in a range of both formal and informal arrangements– Basque area across France and Spain– the Kurdish movement across Iraq, Iran, Syria and

Turkey– intergovernmental projects: EAC, APEC, NAFTA,

FTAA

Globalism

• Perhaps the most striking form of reterritorialization is regionalization, which is evident in a range of both formal and informal arrangements– Basque area across France and Spain– the Kurdish movement across Iraq, Iran, Syria and

Turkey– intergovernmental projects: EAC, APEC, NAFTA,

FTAA

1010



Globalism

• The key point, to repeat: social space in today’s world is both territorial and supraterritorial. The two aspects of social space, moreover, are unavoidably interconnected

• It is critical to understand what the dynamics and implications of this interconnection are

Globalism

• The key point, to repeat: social space in today’s world is both territorial and supraterritorial. The two aspects of social space, moreover, are unavoidably interconnected

• It is critical to understand what the dynamics and implications of this interconnection are

1111



Reification

• Definition: make (something abstract) more concrete or real.

• Example: the “free market” is an abstract concept, but it is often understood as something that has a concrete existence

Reification

• Definition: make (something abstract) more concrete or real.

• Example: the “free market” is an abstract concept, but it is often understood as something that has a concrete existence

1212



Reification

• Discussion Questions:

• What is the significance of reification?

• What does matter if globalization is reified?

Reification

• Discussion Questions:

• What is the significance of reification?

• What does matter if globalization is reified?

1313



Reification

• Main point: there is no such thing as a global social space per se—we cannot see or touch a “global social space”; nor is it the case that a global social space exists as a discrete or separate realm

Reification

• Main point: there is no such thing as a global social space per se—we cannot see or touch a “global social space”; nor is it the case that a global social space exists as a discrete or separate realm

1414



Reification

• Instead, the “global is a dimension of social geography”; it exists simultaneously with the regional, the national, the provincial, the local, and the built environment.

• Things, events and developments are not global or national or local or some other scale, but are an intersection of global and other spatial qualities

• Example: The U.S. government

Reification

• Instead, the “global is a dimension of social geography”; it exists simultaneously with the regional, the national, the provincial, the local, and the built environment.

• Things, events and developments are not global or national or local or some other scale, but are an intersection of global and other spatial qualities

• Example: The U.S. government

1515



Reification

• But does reification really matter? Isn’t it just an overly abstruse, academic issue, with no relation to the “real world”?

Reification

• But does reification really matter? Isn’t it just an overly abstruse, academic issue, with no relation to the “real world”?

Not necessarily .

1616



Reification

• Consider how racial differences have been reified …• During the colonial period, the very concept of race—a

biologically fuzzy concept—was reified in order to justify the domination by one group (i.e., the “white race”) over other groups (i.e., the “colored races”)

• Differences in pigmentation—which are obvious and real—were said to represent fundamental and largely unchangeable differences in intellectual capacity, in cognitive abilities, in the capacity for self-governance and so on

Reification

• Consider how racial differences have been reified …• During the colonial period, the very concept of race—a

biologically fuzzy concept—was reified in order to justify the domination by one group (i.e., the “white race”) over other groups (i.e., the “colored races”)

• Differences in pigmentation—which are obvious and real—were said to represent fundamental and largely unchangeable differences in intellectual capacity, in cognitive abilities, in the capacity for self-governance and so on

1717



Global/Local Binaries

• Discussion Question: What is the problem in seeing the local and global as distinct and opposing concepts?


• Discussion Question: What is the problem in seeing the local and global as distinct and opposing concepts?

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• The problem is two-fold.

• On the one hand, when treated as a dichotomous or oppositional dimension of social space, the local tends to be reified, too. The local is “here,” immediate and intimate; the local is authentic and meaningful

• This means that the “global” is everything the local is not: it is over there, “distant” and isolating


• The problem is two-fold.

• On the one hand, when treated as a dichotomous or oppositional dimension of social space, the local tends to be reified, too. The local is “here,” immediate and intimate; the local is authentic and meaningful

• This means that the “global” is everything the local is not: it is over there, “distant” and isolating

1919




• Thus, whereas the local is the arena for autonomy and empowerment, the global is the realm of dependence and domination.

• The former is safe and secure, the latter is full of danger and violence.


• Thus, whereas the local is the arena for autonomy and empowerment, the global is the realm of dependence and domination.

• The former is safe and secure, the latter is full of danger and violence.

2020




• The local/global binary does not bear up to close scrutiny– The “global” can be just as intimate, just as meaningful

and authentic as the local, while the local can be just as distant and isolating as the global


• The local/global binary does not bear up to close scrutiny– The “global” can be just as intimate, just as meaningful

and authentic as the local, while the local can be just as distant and isolating as the global

2121




• The basic point: both the local and the global have enabling and disabling potentials. Moreover, these qualities are inseparable in social practice, so terming one circumstance “local” and another “global” is arbitrary and confusing


• The basic point: both the local and the global have enabling and disabling potentials. Moreover, these qualities are inseparable in social practice, so terming one circumstance “local” and another “global” is arbitrary and confusing

2222



Cultural Homogenization

• What does the author mean by cultural homegenization? And what is his basic point?


• What does the author mean by cultural homegenization? And what is his basic point?

2323




• Basic Point: Since a situation is generally both local and global at the same time, it would be a mistake to assume that “globalization” (as the author defines it) necessarily leads to homogenization (or westernization)


• Basic Point: Since a situation is generally both local and global at the same time, it would be a mistake to assume that “globalization” (as the author defines it) necessarily leads to homogenization (or westernization)

2424




• A caveat: the potential for homogenization exists, but so too does the potential for greater diversity (cultural and otherwise)


• A caveat: the potential for homogenization exists, but so too does the potential for greater diversity (cultural and otherwise)

2525




• For example: the destructive or so-called “de-localizing” tendencies of the contemporary world are in great evidence: – Languages have been disappearing, indigenous

peoples’ heritages have been undercut or erased, science has triumphed worldwide as the authoritative form of knowledge, and a high tide of consumerism has seemingly imposed a cultural leveling across the world


• For example: the destructive or so-called “de-localizing” tendencies of the contemporary world are in great evidence: – Languages have been disappearing, indigenous

peoples’ heritages have been undercut or erased, science has triumphed worldwide as the authoritative form of knowledge, and a high tide of consumerism has seemingly imposed a cultural leveling across the world

2626




• On the other hand, perceptions of cultural homogenization have been greatly exaggerated.

• To see this, it is important to look below the surface at how, say, “global” products are actually received and understood


• On the other hand, perceptions of cultural homogenization have been greatly exaggerated.

• To see this, it is important to look below the surface at how, say, “global” products are actually received and understood

2727




• Consider …– Hollywood movies– McDonald’s– Wal-mart

• These examples tell us that losses of cultural diversity are not intrinsic to globalization as such; instead, we see the rise of new forms of diversity


• Consider …– Hollywood movies– McDonald’s– Wal-mart

• These examples tell us that losses of cultural diversity are not intrinsic to globalization as such; instead, we see the rise of new forms of diversity

2828




• The rise of new forms of diversity is difficult for some to recognize … why?

• One problem in is that people tend to reify culture as well: to consider culture a concrete and largely static “thing” that either exists in its original form or ceases to exist at all.

• Some argue, in fact, that cultures which adapt to contemporary changes are not authentic; that is, they are not “real,” but …


• The rise of new forms of diversity is difficult for some to recognize … why?

• One problem in is that people tend to reify culture as well: to consider culture a concrete and largely static “thing” that either exists in its original form or ceases to exist at all.

• Some argue, in fact, that cultures which adapt to contemporary changes are not authentic; that is, they are not “real,” but …

2929




• … it is a fundamental mistake to assume that new forms of cultural diversity are less authentic or real than older forms

• Once we see beyond this mistake, moreover, we can see how globalization offers opportunities for many societies to reassert cultural distinctiveness


• … it is a fundamental mistake to assume that new forms of cultural diversity are less authentic or real than older forms

• Once we see beyond this mistake, moreover, we can see how globalization offers opportunities for many societies to reassert cultural distinctiveness

3030




• Example: by breaking down territorial distances that previously effected considerable segregation of culture, globality fosters innovative blends of traditions—or “new cultures”

• These new cultures, to repeat, are not less authentic than “old cultures”; they are equally “real” and equally significant (at least potentially)


• Example: by breaking down territorial distances that previously effected considerable segregation of culture, globality fosters innovative blends of traditions—or “new cultures”

• These new cultures, to repeat, are not less authentic than “old cultures”; they are equally “real” and equally significant (at least potentially)

3131




• Concrete examples:– Ethnic youth in Germany– Muslims (or Buddhists) in the

United States– Skinheads and neo-Nazis– Japanese “punks”– Korean breakdancers


• Concrete examples:– Ethnic youth in Germany– Muslims (or Buddhists) in the

United States– Skinheads and neo-Nazis– Japanese “punks”– Korean breakdancers

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=255604725505077770&q=b-boys&hl=en




3232



Universality

• Globalization links people anywhere on the planet, but it does not connect people everywhere on the plant; nor does it link everyone on the planet

Universality

• Globalization links people anywhere on the planet, but it does not connect people everywhere on the plant; nor does it link everyone on the planet

3333



Universality

• It is the unevenness of globalization that is important: unevenness not just regard to territory, but also with regard to class

Universality

• It is the unevenness of globalization that is important: unevenness not just regard to territory, but also with regard to class

3434



Universality

• Basic point: Understanding the implications of globalization means understanding the unevenness of globalization, which creates unequal opportunities and unequal power relations

Universality

• Basic point: Understanding the implications of globalization means understanding the unevenness of globalization, which creates unequal opportunities and unequal power relations

3535



Political Neutrality

• Space always involves politics: processes of acquiring, distributing, and exercising social power


• Space always involves politics: processes of acquiring, distributing, and exercising social power

3636




• Practically speaking, we must always be on the lookout for the political aspects of any aspect of globalization, even those which seems to completely apolitical or benign


• Practically speaking, we must always be on the lookout for the political aspects of any aspect of globalization, even those which seems to completely apolitical or benign

3737




• It means that we must be aware that globalization is about contests between different interests and competing values

• It means that globalization is about social justice or the lack of it


• It means that we must be aware that globalization is about contests between different interests and competing values

• It means that globalization is about social justice or the lack of it

3838




• It means that globalization is about choices and agency. Globalization is not an automatic process that must unfold in a certain way. As the author puts it, “there is nothing inevitable about the scope, speed, direction and consequence of the trend”

• This means, in turn, that multiple globalizations are possible and that different paths will have different implications: some paths might be more desirable than others


• It means that globalization is about choices and agency. Globalization is not an automatic process that must unfold in a certain way. As the author puts it, “there is nothing inevitable about the scope, speed, direction and consequence of the trend”

• This means, in turn, that multiple globalizations are possible and that different paths will have different implications: some paths might be more desirable than others

pols 374 foundations of global politics lecture 4: defining globalization october 5, 2006 professor...

Documents

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sequiturs of globalization

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end of territoriality

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end of territorialism

social space

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