Meaning of globalization (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Globalization:

Globalization is a historical process of world integration in the economic, political, technological, social and cultural spheres, which has turned the world into an increasingly interconnected place. In this sense, this process is said to have made the world a global village.

The progressive dissolution of the economic and communicational borders has generated a capitalist expansion. This, in turn, has enabled global financial transactions and investments geared towards distant or emerging markets, in terms that in the past were very difficult, highly expensive or unviable.

Hence, the globalization process has modified the way in which countries and subjects interact, and has generated a great impact in economic (labor market, international trade), political (establishment of democratic systems, respect for human rights) and, access to education, technology, among others.

Characteristics of globalization

Globalization has a set of characteristics that distinguish it from other processes. The most important are the following:

It is a planetary phenomenon, that is, it manifests itself throughout the world; it is universal, since it covers all aspects of human and social life; it is unequal and asymmetric, since it affects very different forms depending on the level of development of each country. and its share of world power participation is unpredictable, that is, its results cannot be anticipated; it depends on connectivity and telecommunications; it supposes the spatial reorganization of production; it globalizes goods and favors uniformity of consumption; it forms a global financial model.

Advantages and disadvantages of globalization

Globalization leads to a set of actions in general that have both positive and negative aspects, hence the advantages and disadvantages of this great integration process are mentioned.

Advantage

Development of a global market; interconnection of societies with access to computer resources; greater access to information; circulation of imported goods and products; increase in foreign investment; exponential development of international trade; fostering of international relations; processes of cultural exchange; increase in tourism; technological development.

Disadvantages

Inability of the national state as an entity of control and administration; impediment or stranglehold on the development of local trade; increase in foreign interventionism; concentration of capital in large multinational or transnational groups; increase in the gap in the distribution of wealth; construction of a Global cultural hegemony that threatens local identities, uniformity in consumption.

Origin of globalization

Globalization is a palpable phenomenon, especially since the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. It is usually pointed out that it had its beginning with the arrival of Columbus in America at the end of the 15th century and with the colonization by European powers around the world.

This process was exponentially accentuated from the Industrial Revolution of the XIX century and the rearmament of capitalism, and it acquired its full form from the second half of the XX century.

Globalization is the result of the consolidation of capitalism and the need to expand the flow of world trade, as well as the main technological advances, especially in communicational matters.

Innovations in the field of telecommunications and computing, especially the Internet, have played a decisive role in building a globalized world.

Causes and consequences of globalization

In short, we can say that the most immediate causes of globalization are:

the changes in international geopolitics of the 20th century:
- the end of the Cold War, the consolidation of the capitalist model, the need to expand economic markets;
the revolution in telecommunications and information technology, the liberation of capital markets.

The following consequences of globalization can be listed as a historical process:

Wealth is concentrated in developed countries and only 25% of international investments go to developing nations, which has an impact on an increase in the number of people living in extreme poverty. Some economists maintain that, in recent decades, globalization and the scientific and technological revolution (responsible for the automation of production) have been the main causes of the increase in unemployment. The critical authors of globalization also maintain that it favors the loss of traditional cultural identities in favor of a idea of global culture, imposed by the influence of the great powers on the rest of the world.

Economic globalization

Economic globalization consists of creating a world market that does not contemplate tariff barriers to allow the free movement of capital, whether financial, commercial or productive.

The emergence of economic blocks, that is, countries that associate to promote trade relations, as is the case of Mercosur or the European Union, is the result of this economic process.

In the 21st century, economic globalization intensified further, achieving an impact on the labor market and international trade.

Political globalization

Globalization has encouraged the creation and development of different mechanisms to respond and solve endless problems that have become global and that affects us all, for example, climate change, poverty rates, use of natural resources, among others.

For this reason, international institutions and organizations have been created, for example, the United Nations (UN), in order to face these problems and provide the best possible solution.

Technological globalization

Technological globalization encompasses access to information, the Internet and the media, as well as various technological and scientific advances in the industrial and health area.

We live in an interconnected world, information is shared at a greater speed and distance, people are more informed about what is happening in their country and around the world through the various communication channels that exist.

The means of transport have also benefited from technological and scientific advances, for example, mechanisms have been developed to reduce fuel consumption and pollution levels, vehicles have greater security systems, among others.

Cultural globalization

Cultural globalization has been generated as a consequence of international relations derived from the exchange of information, technology, economy, tourism, among others.

Expanding consumer markets and the exchange of cultural goods and services have produced important connections between countries and communities through cinema, television, literature, music, gastronomy, fashion, theater, museums, among others.

This has various positive and negative aspects. Some highlight the dissemination of universal values, greater access to information and cultural exchange.

However, smaller social groups are affected by the consumption of more far-reaching cultural products and even the loss of certain values of their own.

Social globalization

Social globalization is characterized by the defense of equality and justice for all human beings. Taking this meaning into account, it can be affirmed that a globalized world, in the social sphere, is one in which all human beings are considered equal regardless of their social class, religious beliefs or cultures.