Theorists have been defining Globalisation for years now. To
prove this, I have a quote from 12 years ago, however the ideas behind
globalisation have changed considerably in that time.
“Globalization refers to all those processes by which the
peoples of the world are incorporated into a single world society, global
society” (Albrow, 1990 p.45)
The basics are still there, the idea is that globalisation
refers to the world becoming one, but that’s just it, there are so many things
wrong with the idea of the world becoming one and to say that globalisation is
happening is completely and utterly wrong. Globalisation is said to occur due
to technological advancements that allows peoples cultures to be shared, such
as an increase in physical flows resulting in an increase in cultural flows. Globalisation
is occurring due to the use of internet which allows you to be able to
communicate with anyone from around the world, but anyone, really? We are expected
to believe that people in third world countries such as Ethiopia have the money
and means to travel overseas to spread the culture? Yeah I know what you are
thinking, if they cannot afford travel surely they can afford internet at
least! Wrong. There are people in the world in famine, living in huts built of
wood or clay, with no internet, no television, no food at the same time many government
bodies also censor and limit who and what people can do online. How are these
people supposed to spread their culture or in turn receive ours? So to say,
even now, 12 years after that quote was written, that Globalisation is in
affect is so completely and utterly wrong. It may be occurring in first world countries
there is no denying that, but to say we have become a ‘single world society’ is
just not true. “…what is striking about the definitions of globalization is
that they do not make a distinction between defining the phenomenon itself and
its CONSEQUENCES.” (Rantanen, T 2005 p.6) The consequences are how people
ignore and miss parts of the world because we are said to be a ‘single world
society,’ so those not involved simply get forgotten.
For example;
How often do you see Ethiopian news on the television?
How often do you see a Nigerian film?
If globalisation has made us a ‘single world society’ we are indeed missing a large chunk of world.
How often do you see a Nigerian film?
If globalisation has made us a ‘single world society’ we are indeed missing a large chunk of world.
References
Rantanen, T 2005, ‘Theorizing
media globalization’, The media and globalization, Sage, London, pp
Hi Nick, am enjoying the theme of your blog!
ReplyDeleteI agree in part with your point about globalisation and its 'neglect' of third world countries. I wrote something similar on my blog when underlining the one-way nature of capital flows and how they originate largely from a developed, western world. However, many third-world countries are not entirely immune from the effects of globalisation. Put simply, the villager I saw sucking on a can of coke in Papua New Guinea or the KFC I walked into in Phnom Penh in Cambodia are very real examples of globalisation in third world societies. While I agree their relative poverty is less than those experienced by some African nations and that their unique cultures are unlikely to be shared in a so-called 'global village', there are some very real elements (positive or negative!) of globalisation that exist even in the third world.
This is very interesting to read and quite opinionated in its connotations. It gives an insight into how you are thinking about these topics and what your thoughts are on the digital divide. It gives a thorough explanation of what the digital divide is.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to change it a little maybe you should speak about things like the global village? about exactly what that is, more details to show you have grasped an understanding of the global village theme along with the digital divide theme.
It uses good examples of globalisation, and makes the idea/theory easier to understand. I enjoy how you explain the theories I find it easy to relate to.
I really enjoy your blogs Nick, you are very strongly opinionated and are not afraid to share it! This post is very informative and in a way persuasive. It is a well researched piece, as well as using your own style and form of writing makes it seem very academic, but yet still has a relaxed blog informal style about it! Not sure how you do it!
ReplyDeleteYou make very good points when tackling the "single world society", and your views are clear for all to see!
I wasn't sure what to expect when I clicked on "Angry Fire Breathing Pirate Dinosaurs", but your content, (and background!), haven't disappointed! Top effort mate!