Contemporary Globalization - Essay Example

Topic: Contemporary Globalization Affiliation: Introduction Globalization is a process that has been on-going for a long time now. Dated back centuries ago, the time continues to take more meanings as the world evolves. In a general meaning, the term globalization is used to define the process by which the world continues to be converted into a global village. In other words, social, economic and political systems are converging to take a universal position, closely relating all components of world economies. Globalization trends have been different at various times of its evolution, allowing the observation of remarkable phases of evolution over time. The consideration of globalization process over the years, and the evaluation and assessment of the defining factors of globalization allow for the examination of past, present and future trends in globalization. Contemporary globalization takes a diverse and dynamic position, encompassing cultural, social, economic, political, technological and communication aspects. Origins of Contemporary Globalization Contemporary globalization is founded in human and social evolution, dating back to many centuries ago (Jain, 2011, p.10). The origin of modern time globalization can be traced by considering history of globalization throughout the years. The process can be said to have started right with the evolution of human societies. The multiplication and migration of human ancestors started between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago. At the time, hunting and gathering was the main survival practice. The multiplication of human life spread across the globe, aided by migration and settlement in new regions. Over the years to around 5,000 years ago, cultivation began and farming activities were evident in many natural environments around the world. Villages started developing and towns were being set up as a result. After the last ice age, agricultural revolution was experienced, marking a significant change in people’s life at the time (Jain, 2011, p.16). Need for exchange emerged, and trade resulted around 3,000 years ago. Tradable goods that included but not limited to artifacts and raw materials were exchanged. Global population growth was significantly rising, reaching one million people by this time. As a result, cultural, social and religious systems began to be realized. As high activity in all aspects of human life continued to be experienced, regional organizations were being realized. Growth and development of empires like Mesopotamia, Samarra, and Uruk emerged, and by 1AD, the entire world’s population approached 150 million people (Jain, 2011, p.19). With this increase in population, need for trade exacerbated. May social settings were not self-sufficient, leading to a scenario of interdependence among societies. Need for trade resulted in the establishment of trade routes around the world. 100 years after, major cities were emerging as trade centres, characterized by relatively high population in comparison to other settlement areas. Fifteenth Century marked a significant position for the current world phenomenon. This is the time that saw the development of the printing press in relatively developed societies of the world. A new world was therefore born, and global population hit 300 million people by this time. This and other major developmental aspects characterized the world until the 18th Century, when industrial revolution took place. Cultural, social, economic and political drivers influenced the world, especially after the second revolution in agriculture. The global population was approaching a billion people. In the late 19th Century and early 20th Century (1880-1914), European empires had been fully integrated into the region’s set up, and world trade patterns were being re-organized and extended to integrate uncovered areas. By this time, the world population stood at approximately 1.6 billion people, with significant events in the 20th Century being World War I, Great depression, World War II, Cold War, massive development, growth and innovation (Jain, 2011, p.22). During this time, growth, development and innovation has characterized almost every aspect of human life. This is the century that marks modernization and therefore marks the beginning of contemporary globalization. The 21st Century marks the persistence of contemporary globalization. The vibrant process of globalization is seen from 5,000 years ago to date. However, acceleration of globalization has been realized in the recent past with the unionization of many global practices, for example economic integrations, operations of multinational corporations and the establishment of regional based unions like European Union and global bodies like the World Trade Organization among others. Today, human population in the world is approximately 7 billion, characterized by increasing growth rate every year. Also, technological advancement especially in communication is a primary driver of contemporary globalization. Therefore, contemporary globalization is the result of a process that has taken place throughout the world’s history. Phases of Globalization Germinal Phase Globalization trends depict observable phase over time, allowing for close and critical evaluation and assessment of these trends across various periods of time. This phase is dated between the years 1400 and 1750. The defining factors of this phase are diverse and dynamic prior to this period. State emergence around the world is one of the primary pillars of this phase. This scenario was aided by the establishment and organization of communities and the emergence of strong religious practices like the universal church, currently known as the Catholic Church. In this phase, humanity is still developing and there are numerous generalizations about human and social evolution. Remarkable activities of this phase include but not limited to European exploration of Africa, Asia and the Americas, colonialism and individualism (Ahsan and Anabelle, 2008, p.132). The exploration revealed, social and economic differences between and among states, leading to a scenario where organized states exploited less organized and “weak” states. Colonialism therefore emerged, driven by individual or stat-based interests. In the globalization context, these activities were relating different regions, nations and states in one way or another, influencing the cultural, social and economic patterns of interaction around the world. Individual interests also emerged, with those who perceived themselves as stronger than others, creating exploitative grounds. This phenomenon provided the basis upon which rights and freedoms in a social set up were to be pursued. Incipient Phase Nation-state emergence is marked by this phase, with convergence of regional activities being experienced. Diplomacy was practiced at a formal level, relating states across the world. This meant that individuals and households could now identify themselves with citizenship. Passports were also issued to allow foreign people in countries other than their own. This phase was also characterized by cross border exhibitions, and countries entered into treaties and other agreements in a bid to foster their relationship. Within the same period (1750-1875), internationalism and universalism was embraced, and this came with the conceptualization of the world in terms of the four globalizing reference points: the nation-state, the individual, a single international society and a single (masculine) humanity (Ahsan and Anabelle, 2008, p.143). Take-off Phase In this phase (1875-1925), almost every aspect of human aspect is interlinked among world nations. Communication is internationalized, and a universal calendar is developed. In this phase, the First World War is also experienced, prior to the already established international ties among different states. This phase was characterized by enormous human migration across borders, although there were significant barriers and restrictions to this activity. International states converge to establish bodies and unions that foster international ties and collaborations. Struggle-for-hegemony Phase This phase of globalization took place between the years 1925 and 1969. The major event characteristic of this phase is the Second World War. However, other events like the operationalization of the United Nations are realized. Humanity rights and advocacy against crime take toll, as threats of atomic bombs cause chaos across affected nations. Within this phase, growth and development differentiates states and their economies, leading to the emergence of third world countries. Phase of Uncertainty The years between 1969 and 1992 marked a phase of globalization that depicted high uncertainty across the world. The need to know therefore led to the start of space exploration. This phase was basically the search for the unknown information in a bid to reduce uncertainty levels around the world. Sexual preferences, gender, ethnicity and race persistently became critical defining factors of world communities, leading to the realization of complex and fluid international relations (Ahsan and Anabelle, 2008, p.167). It is in this phase that environmental problems are integrated into globalization issues. Space technology and global mass media advancement become the shaping factors of contemporary globalization from these series of events, right from the first phase above. Contemporary globalization is the result of the transition of the uncertainty phase. Implications for the Future Globalization is a continuous process with diverse and dynamic factors. Drivers of globalization 5,000 years ago are not necessarily the same today. Based on the defining factors and drivers of globalization over time, the future implication of globalization can be examined and determined. Today, the gap between the poor and rich economies in the world continues to fall, depicting a trend that is likely to alleviate this gap altogether in the future. As a result, the general poverty levels in the world are expected to fall. This means that the world’s standard of living is and continues to rise as globalization persists. Countries are also opening culturally, socially, economically, politically, as well in technology and communication aspects. The world’s growth in all the mentioned aspects is therefore likely to maintain an increasing margin. Population increase with exacerbating globalization practices is not inevitable in future. The world’s population has always been on the rise, with projections showing that the population might hit 9 billion people by 2050 (Ahsan and Anabelle, 2008, p.184). Globalization is therefore set to lead to a worldwide open economic system in future. This will be characterized by the universality of global brands and structures, as the world persistently becomes a global village. References Ahsan, U, and Anabelle, B, (2008), Contemporary Globalization, London: VDM Verlag. Jain, J, (2011), Tracing the Origin and Exploring the Causes and Consequences of Globalization, London: GRIN Verlag. Read More