“We don’t know what globalization is, but we have to act.” This sentence, from a peasant activist in North East Thailand interviewed in Bangkok on 10 June 2002, makes clear why ‘globalization’ is still one of the most contested concepts in recent international political economy. Global media has raised people’s awareness of the fact that ‘the world is moving faster than ever’. Reduced formal barriers to commerce (e.g. import tariffs) have helped world trade to grow faster than output and foreign direct investments faster than trade . Multi-national corporations with a global target market have entailed the threat of off-shoring and outsourcing, which exerts a constant downward pressure on wages in developed countries. The information and communication technology revolution as well as the decreased transportation costs due to the airplane and containerization have accelerated a new division of labour. Moreover non-economic issues as the change of the nation-state role and the growing importance of transnational institutions are feeding the talks about globalization. Yet, just as the interviewed peasant above, nobody really knows what the exact topic is.
Table of Contents
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. THE MAIN SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
- 2.1 HYPERGLOBALISTS
- 2.2 SCEPTICS AND INTERGOVERNMENTALISTS
- 2.3 OPEN REGIONALISTS AND TRANSFORMATIONALISTS
- 2.4 NEW INSTITUTIONALISTS
- 2.5 IDEATIONALISTS
- 2.6 SCHOLTE'S SUPRATERRITORIALITY
- 3. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ROLE OF THE NATION-STATE
- 4. GENERAL REMARKS AND CONCLUSIONS
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to explore the contested nature of the concept of "globalization," analyzing its analytical and normative dimensions. It examines the various schools of thought surrounding globalization, highlighting their differing perspectives and implications for the role of the nation-state.
- The definition and contested nature of globalization
- Differing schools of thought on globalization
- The impact of globalization on the nation-state
- The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the globalization debate
- The influence of economic and political events on perceptions of globalization
Chapter Summaries
1. INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter establishes the central problem of the essay: the contested nature of the term "globalization." It highlights the lack of a clear definition and the resulting disagreements among experts and the public. The chapter uses an anecdote from a peasant activist to illustrate the widespread confusion surrounding the concept and connects this confusion to major events such as anti-globalization protests in Seattle and Genoa, as well as the differing opinions of economists on the issue. The introductory chapter sets the stage by pointing out the complexity and multifaceted nature of globalization, leaving the reader wanting to learn more about the various theoretical approaches that exist to understand this complex phenomenon.
2. THE MAIN SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT: This chapter provides an overview of the main schools of thought regarding globalization. It sets the context by explaining the mood shift which transformed globalization from a neo-liberal concept into a highly contested one. This shift involved several key events such as the failure of the OECD to reach a multilateral agreement on investment, the East Asian financial crises, and the protests in Seattle and Genoa. The chapter does not delve into the details of each school of thought; it merely lays the groundwork for a more in-depth analysis in subsequent chapters (which are not included here to avoid spoilers).
Keywords
Globalization, nation-state, hyperglobalists, sceptics, intergovernmentalists, open regionalists, transformationalists, new institutionalists, ideationalists, supranationality, NGOs, neo-liberalism, Washington Consensus, economic development, international political economy.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the overall purpose of this text?
This text serves as a comprehensive preview of a longer work, providing a detailed overview of its content. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, allowing readers to understand the scope and focus of the main text before engaging with it fully. The text focuses on exploring the contested nature of "globalization," analyzing its analytical and normative dimensions, and examining different schools of thought surrounding it.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents outlines the following sections: An Introduction, a section detailing the Main Schools of Thought on Globalization (including Hyperglobalists, Sceptics and Intergovernmentalists, Open Regionalists and Transformationalists, New Institutionalists, Ideationalists, and Scholte's Supraterritoriality), Implications for the Role of the Nation-State, and General Remarks and Conclusions.
What are the main objectives and key themes of the text?
The main objective is to explore the contested nature of the concept of "globalization," analyzing both its analytical and normative aspects. Key themes include: the definition and contested nature of globalization itself; differing schools of thought on globalization; the impact of globalization on the nation-state; the role of NGOs in the globalization debate; and the influence of economic and political events on perceptions of globalization.
What does the Introduction chapter cover?
The Introduction establishes the central problem: the lack of a clear definition of globalization and the resulting disagreements among experts and the public. It uses an anecdote to illustrate the widespread confusion and connects this to major events like anti-globalization protests. It sets the stage by highlighting the complexity of globalization, prompting the reader to explore the various theoretical approaches to understanding it.
What does the chapter on "The Main Schools of Thought" cover?
This chapter provides an overview of the main schools of thought on globalization, explaining the shift from a neo-liberal concept to a highly contested one. It contextualizes this shift by referencing key events like the failure of the OECD to reach investment agreements, the East Asian financial crises, and the protests in Seattle and Genoa. The chapter provides a foundational understanding of these schools of thought, preparing the reader for a deeper analysis (found in the full text).
What keywords are associated with this text?
Keywords include: Globalization, nation-state, hyperglobalists, sceptics, intergovernmentalists, open regionalists, transformationalists, new institutionalists, ideationalists, supranationality, NGOs, neo-liberalism, Washington Consensus, economic development, and international political economy.
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The intended audience is likely academics and students interested in the study of globalization, international relations, and political economy. The structured and professional manner of presentation, including the use of specific terminology, suggests a focus on scholarly engagement.
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The tone is academic and analytical, aiming for a structured and professional presentation of information. The style is concise and informative, providing a clear and accessible overview of the main text's content without delving into excessive detail.
- Citation du texte
- Arturo Minet (Auteur), 2007, Globalization: A contested concept, both analytically and normatively, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/77366
