The Key Differences between Europeanization and Globalization - Term Paper Example

Identify and explain key difference between Europeanization and Globalization Instructions Thesis ment Europeanization propagatesmany global principles and values, but transforms them in accordance with local (European) trends; influence is more tangible in activity of political institutions, cohesion policy of EU state-members and socio-cultural sphere. Main Concepts Europeanization and Globalization can be conceptualized and differentiated within the levels of micro- and macro-integration. Diverse approach (Ladi 2007; Iankova 2007) implies minor impact of Europeanization economic sphere; for example, telecommunications, or railway systems. At the same time, centre-local governments, localized political processes, cultural values, protection of human rights are primary spheres for Europeanization. According to neo-liberal approach (Ladi 2007; Held 1999), Europeanization converts principles of Western liberal democracy, European identity and cooperation with regional organizations. The paper contains research and comparative analysis of two above phenomena in such spheres as regionalization, governance institutions, public sector reforms and Eastern European enlargement. Literature Review Discovering differences of two above phenomena, it is necessary to define them as independent integral processes. For instance, Held and Iankova (Held 1999; Iankova 2007) claim that globalization weakens state structure and promotes overall policy change. Deregulation policy in mass media or any other economic sphere occurs parallel to political liberalization. On the one hand, it could become a source of efficient innovative modes of governance and statehood weakening. In this case, globalization is “a process in progress, where a large number of governmental and non-governmental agents plays an important role within the system of global governance.” (Ladi 2007, p. 4) It promotes regional integration and modification of governmental institutions in the EU. There is a widespread standpoint that Europeanization is a subsystem of globalization (Einhorn and Logue 2004). For example, economic globalization predetermines flourishing of economic models of the EU member-states. It results into deregulation, simplified taxation, goods transportation and broadening of national labor markets in Scandinavian countries. The authors analyze mechanisms of globalization within domestic environment. As Scandinavian countries have a mixed economic model with limited state ownership (Einhorn et al. 2004), governmental intervention into economic life of local communities has decreased. “Even public sector debt to GDP ratios and fiscal policy are explicitly impacted by the Maastricht economic policy convergence criteria for EU members.” (Einhorn et al. 2004, p. 504) Thus, influence of Globalization and Europeanization overlaps on the regional level. According to Przemyslaw Grudzinski (1999), Europeanization exerts influence on social, economic and political spheres differently. “Europeanization is thus perceived essentially as a protective strategy, one devised to guard Europe against the onslaught of forces that threaten its uniqueness, its identity and the independence of its constituent states.” (Grudzinski 1999, p. 82) Within the EU all member-states are stronger and have available tools to renew priority of political power. They are centre-local government, election campaigns, social organizations, financial control institutions etc. Introduction of the Euro and monetary policy are the result of global macro-integration, that’s why they unify and strengthen political power on overall European and national levels of the EU members. Discussion of Arguments in Details At present globalization and Europeanization are regarded as integral processes. They are tightly connected with each, because they affect socio-economic, political and cultural spheres of life. These large-scale and multi-dimensional processes characterize current stage of the EU development. Institutional change and stability (Ladi 2007) are two main indicators of institutional development in the EU. Structure of governmental authorities of all EU member-states follows generally accepted principles of jural state, i.e. efficient legislative system, separation of powers. European Parliament and its Committees regulate financial, socio-cultural and political aspects, but do not touch national specificity of power structure in Latvia, the Netherlands or France. For example, political system of Spain differs from Great Britain historically. Democracy and rights protection were approved in Great Britain in the medieval period (the Magna Charta, parliamentarianism). On the contrary from England, Spanish kingdom always was conservative and Franco’s dictatorship (1939 - 1975) also impacted its current policy legacy. This is the contribution of Europeanization. In this case, Europeanization and endogenous factors prevail, because they filter global tendencies and select proper ones in accordance with national needs. They are not limited within particular state or separated region, because for realization they involve international and regional organizations, global trends, international law and power (Held 1999). European Union represents an example of functioning global and Europeanized tendencies within one geographic region. At present pension reform lays foundation of public sector transformation throughout the whole EU. Aging of nations hampers national economic flourishing and broadening of the EU. “The trend has spread in the Scandinavian countries, in Germany and France and more recently in the South of Europe. Welfare state institutions are also in a process of reform … to maintain international competitiveness of the state…” (Ladi 2007) Although this reform is conditioned with aging and economic crisis, governments of each EU member proceed from particular national priorities, economic and demographic indices. To justify these transformations, the governments rely on European Social Model (ESM) and experience of neighboring members. ESM increases role social foundations and political influence of definite countries on the European market. ESM is a Europeanized model, because it is a protective measure against British neo-liberal model (Iankova 2007) and covers only a restricted region, i.e. the EU member-states. This is the market of equal opportunities for all social categories, full employment, social protection and justice. It will be intended for different labor force, including elderly and low-qualified employees. Within 2010 population of France and Greece protests against the above pension reform, because they do not believe in future welfare state. The most important global values are cosmopolitan citizenship and liberal democracy. Cosmopolitan citizenship stipulates general human values such as civil rights, global social justice, supremacy of law and democracy. European value system, formulated by European elite, is more specific than global values system and guarantees EU citizens cultural autonomy, multiple identities, just language policy, equal human/civil/political rights and social opportunities. The Eastern European Expansion of the EU is not conditioned exclusively with an increased market access (globalization), but with spreading European values and impact on the neighboring countries. Nevertheless, common identity among the EU citizens is quite low. “In 2000 according to the Eurobarometer only 22% of EU member-states citizens expressed the feeling of European identity”. (Ladi 2007, p. 7) Feeling of European identity is still low among citizens of Latvia, Estonia or Poland, new members of the EU. Conclusion Europeanization significantly differs from Globalization in causes, purposes and outcomes. Europeanization touches economy, socio-political surrounding and cross-cultural exchange, that’s why in some degree impact all levels of governance. Political and public sectors are primary spheres of influence. Social and economic structure of the EU and its advantages impact worldview neighboring states is an instance of regulated way of life. Economic cooperation and military force (the Balkans, Kosovo) are not the only instruments of influence. Both Globalization and Europeanization are based upon liberal principles, which might modify state foundations and predetermine internationalization of state authorities. The Draft Treaty of the European Constitution is latest socio-political and legal embodiment of European values. These processes have been compared in aspects of regionalization, public sector reforms, governance institutions and Eastern European enlargement. Cohesion policy strengthens positions socio-political relations inside the EU. Bibliography 1. Einhorn, Eric S. and Logue, John. “Can the Scandinavian Model Adapt to Globalization?” Scandinavian Studies, 76.4 (2004): 501 - 515. 2. Grudzinski, Przemyslaw. “Affluence and Influence.” The National Interest 12.1 (1999): 81 - 92. 3. Held, David. Global Transformations: Politic, Economies, and Culture. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1999. 4. Iankova, A. Elena. “Europeanization of Social Partnership in EU-acceding Countries.” Journal for East European Management Studies 12.4 (2007): 297 - 308. 5. Ladi, Stella. “Globalization and Europeanization: Analysis Change”. (December 2006). IBEI Working Paper No. 2006/4. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=960767 Read More