The Differences between Globalization and Modernization - Essay Example

College: Globalization versus modernization and factors causing migration all over the world Introduction Globalization refers to the international integration of the economic, political and cultural systems due to increased cross-border and global trade, integration of the financial systems, advancements in transport and telecommunication technology and global converge of the world cultures (He 239). Globalization has led to increased economic activity, high foreign direct investments, and democratic freedom in many countries. On the other hand, modernization refers to the progressive transition from the indigenous or ‘traditional’ society to a ‘modern’ society through adapting to modern social and cultural practices (He 241). According to He, the modern societies are considered healthier and wealthy and people in the non-developed countries are willing to adapt western culture and lifestyles since it is considered modern (p 242). It is evident that societies that are considered modern have a higher quality of life due to efficient transport infrastructure, higher income levels, quality healthcare and better education systems (He 244). Differences between globalization and modernization Globalization and modernization differ in many aspects since globalization is mainly spearheaded by global economic integration while modernization is spearheaded by social development of the society. Globalization influences the international division of labor, allocation of capital, and national power thus leading to inequalities among the nations. In this case, modernization is a global process while globalization is just one of the phenomenon of modernization, but the two have no direct connections (He 240). Globalization has been influenced by the deregulation of national economies, formation of international trade and finance organizations, and intensity of competition in domestic markets that has forced the firms to expand to foreign markets. On the other hand, modernization is driven by the desire to attain higher standards of living, social-cultural shifts towards information and technology and higher education levels (He 245). Globalization is a deliberate process that is undertaken by the national governments through trade agreements and political agreements while modernization is a transition process that takes place due to technologies discoveries that forces society to move from agricultural to industry society and finally to a risky society that is characterized by diversity and individualistic culture (He 247). The transition to a modern society will lead to changes in perceptions on family, religion, politics and economy since modern societies are regarded as democratic and liberal in terms of family values (He 255). Unlike modernization that aims at ensuring higher quality of life, globalization has led to disparities in income levels in the society and differences in the level of economic advancements between developed and developing countries due to the imbalance in the trade flows (He 258). However, both globalization and modernization has led to positive outcomes in the society since globalization has facilitated technology and knowledge transfer while modernization has facilitated the adoption of advanced technologies in areas such as food production, disaster protection and medicine (He 261). Globalization of trade, technology and culture has led to modernization since there is evidence of increasing homogenization of human societies across the world regardless of the historical origins in countries that have deregulated their economies and allowed for international trade. Accordingly, all countries that have undergone economic and cultural modernization have replaced the traditions social organization basis such as sect, tribe and family with more rational forms of social organization such as career, function, sporting activities, hobbies and economic activity. Although globalization is facilitated by transition to modern societies, modernization enables the countries to attain political, military, technology and economic advantages if the nation welcomes the modernization process. Thus, modernization thus encompasses the framework that is utilized in understanding the advantages and drawbacks of globalization of the onging migration from agrarian societies to technically advanced and industrialized societies. Reasons why people migrate all over the world Numerous pull and push factors that have caused people to migrate all over the world. Ferro asserts that the push factors entail the negative home conditions that compel the decision to migrate such as war, overcrowding, lack of employment while the pull factors entail the positive attributes that exist in the new location and include better paying jobs, conducive political environment, and better climate (p 17). According to neo-classical economic theory, the leading cause of migration is the wage-differential between the geographical countries while dual labor market theory postulates that pull factors in developed economies such as demand for low-skilled workers is leading cause of migration. However, the modern labor economic theory outlines that both economic incentives and social factors such as higher standards of living influence the migration patterns (Ferro 19). Economic factors Several factors have forced people to migrate all over the world. The first factor that is driving increase in global migration is economic reasons that have resulted from deregulation of the global economic environment and increase in business opportunities. Lack of jobs and poor living conditions is a push factor that has forced people to migrate in other parts of the world in order to search for better economic opportunities (Ferro 21). Accordingly, the growth in population puts pressure on the available social services thus leading to a decline in the living standards and slow economic growth thus forcing some people to migrate (Chamie 236). Chamie outlines that mprovements in transport infrastructure and lenient migration laws have made developed countries more accessible thus increasing the migration rates (Chamie 242). In addition, the aging populations and low birth rate in industrialized economies has created higher demand for low-skilled jobs and service industries thus increasing the flow of documented immigrants to those countries. Social changes Social reasons is another leading cause of current migration all over the world since certain religious groups are fleeing from religious persecution due to their religious faiths. From instance, some Jewish groups recently migrated from Middle East countries in order to escape religious prosecution. Political factors Political factors is another cause of the current global migration since ethnic conflicts, wars, and citizens’ rights has forced people to migrate to other countries in order to seek political asylum or enjoy greater political freedoms and human rights. For instance, US invasion of Afghanistan witnessed high migration of the citizens to Pakistan and the neighboring countries. The Geneva convention requires the host countries not to return the refugees in countries where they may face persecution for reasons of their nationality, race, religious faith and political affiliations (Chamie 238). The Civil War that erupted in Syria in 2011 is a classic example of internal violence that has forced citizens to migrate all over the world due to differences in political affiliations and human right atrocities that eventually led to more than one million Syrians migrating to the neighboring countries. Environmental factors Recently, environmental factors have become a major cause of migration across the world due to alarming climate change. The changes in climate has led to unprecedented amount of catastrophes such as bushfires, earthquakes, floods and crop failures that have forced the affected people to migrate to areas with better climatic conditions (Ferro 22). However, the leading cause of migration all over the world is economic factors since most citizens from developing countries desire to migrate to developed economies in order to seek for employment and better living conditions (Ferro 34). For instance, most of the Haitian and South American nationals flee from their countries to the US due to widespread economic hardships and impoverishment rather than political strife or social factors that affect the countries (Chamie 245). Conclusion Globalization is reflected in the integration and interdependence of the national economies due to free trade, advancements in communication technologies and migration. Modernization is evidenced by the transition from an agricultural society to an industrialized society that has higher living standards and democratic ideals that are inherent in societies that are considered ‘modern’. Modernization will lead to higher productivity due to industrialization and improvement in the quality of life in the society, but globalization will enhance the interdependence of the international economic system and improve the overall global productivity, but all create inequalities due to trade imbalances. Some positive outcomes of globalization include higher foreign direct investments, free movement of labor and capital, excellent global transport and telecommunication infrastructure and integrated political systems. Accordingly, some benefits of modernization include industrialization, urbanization, democratization, welfare policies, better government edcuatioin and secular ideals in the society. Migration all over the world is cause by economic, social and political factors, but economic factors are the leading cause of global migration due to globalization. Works cited: Chamie, Joseph. International migration and the global community: a forum of the report of the global commission on international migration. New York: Center for Migration Studies. 2005. Ferro, Katarina. Migration happens, reasons, effects and opportunities of migration in the South Pacific. Muchen: GRIN Verlag. 2006. He, Chuanqi. Modernization science: the principles and methods of national advancement. New York: Springer. 2012. Read More