Political Science: How Is Globalization Impacting Citizenship - Essay Example

Political Science: How is Globalization Impacting Citizenship? Political science is the field which concerns the theory and practice of politics as well as the description and analysis of both political systems and political behavior. There are many different topics which are considered as being included within the realm of the political science field, and this includes that of the following: political theory and philosophy, political systems, political concepts, ideology, game theory, electoral-voting systems, geopolitics, political geography, political economy, comparative politics, military alliances, international political systems, supranationalism, peace studies, conflict analysis, strategic studies, public administration, political psychology, socialization studies, legislative processes, public law, and more. The issue of how globalization is impacting citizenship is one of great significance within the field of political science, and it is as well one which is highly relevant to the world today. In order to be able to understand about globalization and how it is affecting citizenship today, not only must each separate issue be discussed, but as well any and all other key issues must be addressed and thoroughly examined. By doing this, we will be able to gain a more informed and knowledgeable understanding on the subject matter at hand, and as well we will be able to attain the information which will answer the question of how globalization is affecting citizenship. This is what will be dissertated in the following. Globalization is a term which refers to a process that involves the increasing of global connectivity and the integration between organizations, and it is really an umbrella term which covers a variety of different ideals. Recent emerging literature and studies on the quality of democracy have suggested the fact that economic globalization greatly affects the quality of citizenship, and there are three particular of facets of globalization which must then be discussed here, as well as two facets of social citizenship. The three globalization facets are trade level, trade liberalization and debt ratio; the three social citizenship facets are social spending and employment quality. Globalization is a process which is considered to be able to create many new and positive opportunities, particularly for cooperation on an international scale. *** The problems that are considered to exist between globalization and citizenship are not considered as being new, as in fact there have been many steps that have been taken in the past, particularly over more recent years, in order to try and create solutions for these specific problems. For instance, in December, 1996, UNRISD (United Nations Research Institute for Social Development) sponsored an international conference on the issue of globalization and citizenship, which had a primary purpose to deal with the issue of how globalization was affecting citizenship. The changing political economy of the international system is by far one of the most critical and significant parts of the problems that globalization has had on citizenship, and the impact of globalization on people’s rights and on the enforcement on international standards is also very significant in this discussion. There are many other issues that are considered as being involved here as well, however these are by far the most primary, and thus must be taken the most fully into discussion and consideration. There are many factors in regards to both issues – globalization and citizenship – which need to be taken into consideration when discussing an issue such as this. Citizenship derives from the existence of a community of people, of a polity, which is embedded in that of a geographically bounded nation state which is recognized by other nations and as well with boundaries, and all the laws within here must be upheld properly, if necessary, with force. Then there is globalization, which is a quite opposite issue, as it is basically considered to be a ‘phenomenon’. Globalization has several different dimensions in particular which are involved within it, including political, economic, socio-cultural, and technological dimensions in particular. The current globalization that exists in the world today is considered as largely resulting from that of the global spread of capitalism, as well as by the internationalism of functions of production and by any and all changes that have taken place in communications technology. Although there are many different views and perspectives that are taken on the issue of globalization in general, the basics still tend to remain the same within each view, and this is particularly so in regards to the matter of how globalization has impacted and affected citizenship. There are two aspects in particular which have implications on citizenship: “First, the movement of people across national boundaries to live and work calls into question issues of national identity and belonging, of membership in a polity, and of the rights that accrue to that membership. Second, a hallmark of globalization is the existence of transnational and multinational organizations that are overlays on national sovereignty. These exist in parallel with the nation state and both complicate and diffuse the rights and privileges that accrue to citizenship”. (Torres, 2002). Globalization itself is in no way a new issue in the world, however the implications that it has had on the matter of citizenship are, for the most part, new, and this includes three aspects in particular. The first is in regards to travel, and how “travel has become more rapid and relatively inexpensive, making movement around the globe individuals, goods, capital, and groups easier and more widespread than ever, intensifying globalization” (Heineman, 1995). Then there is also the issue of computer and telecommunications technology, of which facilitate capital flows around the world, and as well increase the interconnectedness of individuals, ideas, and culture, to really an unprecedented event. Although there are certainly negatives that globalization has had on the issue of citizenship, there are also certain benefits that have come from it, and for instance, as well having to do with the matter of computer and telecommunications technology, is the fact of how this technology works to increase the interconnectedness of individuals, and as well of ideas and culture. What this results in – or at least, part of what this results in – is that of the affect it has on foreign-born citizens and their new citizenship, as it helps them to adapt incredibly well. For instance, they are able to keep close contact with their home countries of origin, they are thus able to straddle two different cultures for lengthy periods of time, and this straddling issue is something which has become incredibly easier for immigrants over time, in more recent years in particular. From this review we are able to conclude many different things, namely the fact that globalization has greatly affected and impacted citizenship in the past, and as well on how it is continuing to impact citizenship today. We have learned about the issues of globalization and citizenship separately, as well as how they influence one another, the importance of all of this, as well as the significance of the key and related issues in regards to all of this. There are both positive and negative ways in which globalization has affected – and is affecting – citizenship, and as we have seen from this review, it is important it is important to take both the positive and negative into consideration in order to be able to understand the entire subject matter at hand better in general. It should also be known, however, that there are absolutely more positive things that can be done in the future in order for globalization to more beneficially impact citizenship, and therefore solutions need to be taken as soon as possible in order for this to take place. Works Cited Heineman, Robert A (1995). Political Science. Whitby, ON: McGraw-Hill. Torres, Carlos Alberto (2002). ‘Globalization, Education, and Citizenship: Solidarity Versus Markets?’ American Educational Research Journal, 39 (2), 363-78. Read More