The Reformist Approach - Essay Example

?Introduction Globalization has become one of the most common buzzwords covering a variety of cultural, political and economic trends in the contemporary world. It can be described as the relationship between people, corporations and different countries. It is driven by investment and trade and facilitated by information technology. Globalization impacts on societies in the cultural, political and environmental systems (Held et al. 2005). It also affects economic growth and development of nations worldwide. The concept is not new since over the years, people and companies have been trading for long distances. Globalization is at times controversial with the amount of criticisms being almost at par with its merits. However, supporters of each side of the argument have valid reasons to justify their stand (Held et al. 2005). The following discussion analyses the key aspects of the sceptics approach and the reformist approach to globalization. The sceptics approach The sceptics approach is in opposition to making general claims concerning the totalizing effect of globalization. Held and McGrew (2003) argue that current global market is more regionalized. Sceptics argue that the height of globalization took place in the nineteenth century and current developments confirm a considerable level of regionalization. It can be noted that the degree of trade as a fraction of national earnings was higher before the World War I than it is currently (Hirst and Thomson 1999). Sceptics claim that international trade and FDI operations are mostly practised in Europe, North America and Asia. Therefore, what is referred to as globalization is actually regionalization (Murray 2006). The emerging economies are becoming increasingly marginalized as they are not drawn in the world economy (Jones 2010). Other perspectives put emphasis on the growth of global capitalism. However, the sceptics view international capitalism as a falsehood. Multinationals are important components of globalization but their benefits are mainly reaped by their countries and hence do not profit the regions in which they operate. The idea of growth of global governance is questionable and sceptics argue that it is only a hidden neo-liberal ploy to benefit the West (Oxfam, 2002). Most of the assumptions by the reformist approach have been rejected by the sceptics who claim that globalization is a disguise of regionalization in the world. They state that the global economy is divided into three regional alliances in which national governments remain dominant (Held and McGrew 2002). Sceptics support their arguments by conducting experimental testing of the strong globalization theory. This is achieved by applying two methodological models. The primary approach is founded on constructing conceptual models of the global economy and culture and identifying the extent to which trends in the contemporary world match the ideal standards. Hirst and Thomson (1999) used the same method of analysing the theory and formulated two ideal forms which are authentically global economy and international economy whereby there exists a thin line between them. Sceptics argue that globalization should represent the expansion of fresh economic organizations not just theoretical developments towards increased global trade and investments (Hirst and Thomson 1999). Sceptics continue to argue that globalization has lost its meaning. This is due to the fact that most countries are left out of global progression which applies to the Middle East, Africa, parts of Asia and Latin America. This further expounds on the claim that what exists today is simply regionalization. The other important approach compares the trends in the past with current trends. By comparing the modern trends and those in the past, sceptics have reached a conclusion that the point of the current internalization is not traditionally unmatched (Hirst and Thomson 1999). This can be attributed to migration in the nineteenth century. The ratios of trade liberalization have increases over time and though the total capital flows have increased the actual net flows have remained the same (Held et al. 2005). This leads to the conclusion that the world was more integrated in the past. The above discussion states some of the key aspects in the sceptics approach. The Reformist Approach The reformist perspective on globalization differs hugely with the other approaches (Held and McGrew 2003). This is from the point of view that the results on processes of globalization cannot be established and there is no single foundation behind globalization. This approach is less certain about the historical path of globalisation developments and less restrictive on factors affecting globalization. Reformists view the nature of nationalized governments as changing but an account of this change is simply increasing. Held and McGrew (2003), state that this perspective has a less determinate comprehension of the concept of globalization. The perspective places an emphasis on a wide range of factors affecting globalization and the results are more uncertain. The reformist approach leans more towards the globalist perspective as it supports the existence of globalization as a reality in the contemporary world. According to Held and McGrew (2003) reformists detach themselves from sceptics by arguing that sceptics are against a false model type and that globalization is a course of action. Additionally, they argue that globalization needs to be expressed as multifaceted and uncertain as demonstrated in the past. Recent studies have come up with models that capture globalization from this viewpoint (Held and McGrew2003). This approach justifies globalization by formulating its modified version. Held et al. (2005) focus on political aspects of globalization while Hirst and Thomson (1999) concentrate on the economic perspective. However, the two concur on various areas on the reformist approach. Reformists argue that sceptics use statistical data to qualify any globalization theory which should not be entirely the case. International trade, exchange of products and movement of people have been increasing over the years therefore the qualitative aspect in relation to culture, politics and economies could be greater than what the sceptics claim. According to this approach, reformists argue that globalization is a historical process with cotemporary forms. This can be proven by international trade and migration for example between cities in Europe, Asia and the Middle East (United Nations Habitat 2008). It can be noted that political and technological changes after the World War II have led to development in global political organizations and economic interdependency among countries. Globalization involves reforms and is the drive behind transforming the world. Over the years, countries have become transnational through interdependency in form of multinationals and capital mobility. Even if countries have remained sovereign, their authority and operations are subject to international law in various aspects. Held et al. (2005) explain that many countries have however become more aggressive in maintaining their sovereignty in order to avoid dictation from the international laws. The governments’ approach to globalization includes neo-liberalism and more external strategies founded on global regulation (Held and McGrew 2002). Reformists explain that there is a global system that countries are part of where they come together to form one society. Countries and regions share common networks but this does not imply that they take up homogeneity. The future trends in globalization could take various directions based on enhanced state intervention, economic liberalization, global crises and governance. This leads to the conclusion that globalization exists and that it has evolved over the years to a more complex form. Differences between each approach The approaches differ on various platforms starting with the definition, sceptics’ focus on internalization and reformists’ emphasize on transformation (Held and McGrew 2006). As earlier stated sceptics argue that globalization does not exist and they assume a model of “if it would exist”. On the other hand, Held et al. (2005) support their perspective by using the hyper globalist position. Based on this, the best grounds to show the disparities between the two approaches is through global transformation and internalization. To begin with, Held et al. (2005) state that globalization is not historically justified but goes ahead to state that there are pre-modern types of globalization. This position is contradictory, but is confirms that globalization is growing at a faster rate presently. Reformists argue that globalization was more intense in the past than it is now (Hirst and Thomson 1999). Sceptics claim that there is no apparent difference between globalization processes and local ones. They view local economies as being globalized in relation to investment, finance and trade. The reformist approach differs from this view stating that only processes between countries can be labelled as being global. According to Held et al. (2005), economies have become increasingly transnational but this is a radical stance than that held by the sceptics as boundaries are still mandatory in the contemporary world. Sceptics argue that globalization diminishes the sovereignty of nations. However, reformists argue that reformists state that nations develop activist organizations to maintain their self-governance. Reformists take a qualitative perspective rather than a quantitative one while sceptics take an experiential approach. According to sceptics, economies are protectionist, regional and unequal while the reformists view the global economy as globalized, stratified and requiring transformation. Reformists explain that countries are politically transformed sharing reconstructed independence while sceptics state that the global political economy is characterized by inequality and regional blocs. Sceptics argue that culture in the modern world is marred by nationalisation, cultural clashes and differentiation. Reformists on the other hand claim that culture is regarded as transformed, complex and hybrid. Historically, sceptics have argued that internalisation is an old concept while reformists claim that globalisation is old but the current trends are unprecedented. Reformists assert that future is uncertain and could take any dimension (Martell 2010). For sceptics, the future is characterized by inequalities among states and conflicts. These are outstanding differences between the two approaches as elaborated above. Conclusion Reformists try to formulate a complex globalisation thesis than the ones in the past. Sceptics on the other hand argue that the present period of internalization is the best option rather than a new international view. However, a modified globalization would be the best for the current situation in the international environment. Reformists share many uncertainties of the sceptics’ ideas and as such consider them in their analysis but detach from them when dealing with globalist decisions. These approaches are important in global politics. When the reformists base the normative globalist suggestions on studies which involve the sceptics’ perspective, it is unlikely to arrive at a consensus. This notwithstanding, inequalities, varying political interests, regional blocs and conflicts that are supported by the sceptics’ perspective do not appear to be practical. The world is fast becoming a global unit and the reformists’ approach describes the current situation better. References Held, D & McGrew, A 2002, Governing globalization, Polity Press. Held, D & McGrew, A 2003, The global transformations reader, Polity Press. Held, D et al. 2005, Debating globalization, Polity Press. Hirst, P & Thompson, G 1999, Globalization in question, 2nd edn, Polity Press. Jones, A 2010, Globalisation: Key thinkers, Polity Press. Martell, L 2010, The sociology of globalization, Polity Press. Murray, WE 2006, Geographies of globalization, Routledge. Oxfam 2002, Mugged: Poverty in your coffee cup. Business and Economics. Stiglitz, J 2006, Making globalization work: The next steps to global justice, Allen Lane. United Nations Habitat 2008, State of the world’s cities 2008/2009: Harmonious cities. Read More