Theories of Globalization

• Globalizing trends not new • Scholars have struggled to understand them –

Modernization

( sociologists ) –

World Capitalism

( sociologists and economists ) –

Transnational Connections

( political scientists ) –

Global Village

( communication theorists ) –

Culture of Capitalism

( anthropologists )

Perspectives from Sociology

• Focus on transformative forces that transcend state boundaries • Major theorists – Emil Durkheim (specialization) – Max Weber (rationalization) – Karl Marx (capitalist commodification)

Durkheim

• Common conscience of traditional society gives way to differentiation and specialization in industrial society • Specialization (through work) is globalizing force • Cause - industrialization • Industrialization > specialization > integration across states and societies

Modernization Theory

• Builds on Durkheim’s ideas • Industrialization produces wealth so it spreads • Leads to specialization (by occupation) • Promotes integration • Also transforms societies down common evolutionary path > modernization – bureaucracies, markets, money, democracy • Globalization = integration & convergence

Weber

• Focuses on sources of authority in society • Rational/legal authority only workable mode for modern complex society – people desire rationality and rule by law – very efficient • All societies converge on rational model • Rationalization is key globalizing force

Marx

• Globalization results as capitalism spreads in search of markets • Capitalism disequilibrium system – long-term trend of falling rate of profit – overcapacity and underconsumption – capitalism spreads to survive – expands for cheap labor, markets, and cheap raw materials • Result - global economic system and global consumption patterns

World Capitalist Theories

• Vladimir Lenin – capitalist system imposed on globe – imperialist system of domination – societies become stratified • Andre Gunder-Frank – capital exported abroad but profits returned to center – produces “dependent development” – dependency theory

Sociology Summary

• For Durkheim and Weber, industrialization causes globalization – Durkheim - changes in work patterns change society – Weber - produces belief that we can rationally control our environment – leads to convergence in how societies are organized, and to integration • Ideas fleshed out in modernization theory

Sociology Summary (cont.)

• For Marx, “link-maker” is capitalist mode of production which must spread to survive • Globalization is process of integration that is exploitative • Does not produce convergence across societies • Ideas about way capitalism integrates world fleshed out in world capitalist theory

Perspectives from Political Science

• Dualistic view of globalization – Economic and cultural integration develops alongside states – But relations between states still privileged • Major approaches – world society theory – transnationalism – hegemonic stability theory

World Society Theory

• Early approach to globalization • World society created by networks that transcend state boundaries – “effective” distance replaces “geographic” distance • Hedley Bull – system of states vs. society of states – world society requires common interests, values, rules

Transnationalism

• James Rosenau • Relations between states supplemented by relations among govts., IGOs and NGOs • Technology is driving force • Leads to interdependence among states and disintegration of states • Multi-centric and state-centric worlds exist side by side; turbulence

Hegemonic Stability Theory

• Robert Gilpin • Globalization linked to capitalist expansion • But states affect direction and pace of economic integration • Economic integration depends on political stability and presence of liberal hegemon • Two periods of liberal hegemony – 19th century Britain & 1945-70 America

Political Science Summary

• Recognize emergence of world economic system • But states still important • States regulate and shape globalization • Dualistic approach

Global Village

• Communications theory • Focus on culture, not economics • Culture/values determined by mode of communication • Industrial era communications reduce attachment to local/tribe • Information era communications restore culture of tribalism, but on global scale • Creates “global village”

Culture of Capitalism

• Anthropological perspective • Distinctive way of viewing world has emerged called “culture of capitalism” • Belief in commodity consumption as source of well-being • Luxuries transformed into necessities via: – marketing, changes in social institutions, and changes in values • Culture exported globally; unites world

Theory Summary

• Industrialization and capitalism are major globalizing forces – industrialization integrates (due to specialization) and leads to convergence (down path of modernization) – capitalism integrates (as spreads to survive) but integration is uneven and exploitative • States cannot control globalization but they affect its speed and success

Theory Summary (cont.)

• Inter-state relations co-exist alongside transnational linkages • Technological developments may be producing cultural shift in globalized direction - “global village” • Capitalism may also be producing a global “culture of capitalism” that exists alongside local culture