Globalization: Tensions and Trade Offs
DEFINING GLOBALIZATION
Values can play a role in defining globalization. A definition of globalization as "Americanization" or, perhaps, the "McDonaldization," of the world presents globalization as a process driven by American consumer culture that rolls over other cultures. On the other hand, another definition of globalization would highlight its cross-cultural impact, taking into account the nature of globalization as a way cultures interact and learn from each other.
Globalization101.org follows the second approach: viewing globalization as a process of interaction and integration. A focus on the spread of American ideas or products that ignores the counterbalancing impact of the access to the international arena of ideas and products formerly kept out of it, promotes an impoverished and unbalanced understanding of the process. Thus, Globalization101.org defines globalization as follows: Globalization is the acceleration and intensification of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations. This process has effects on human well-being (including health and personal safety), on the environment, on culture (including ideas, religion, and political systems), and on economic development and prosperity of societies across the world. This comprehensive and balanced definition takes into account the many causes and effects of the process, and, most importantly, leaves room for debate and discussion of the values that different people from all over the world bring to the table.
THE THREE TENSIONS OF GLOBALIZATION
Three inherent tensions reveal the conflicting values at stake in the process of globalization as defined above. By examining controversies about globalization through the prism of these three tensions, teachers and students can learn how to think about the positive and negative effects of various aspects of globalization and how to find a balance that reflects their values.
1) The first tension is
Values can play a role in defining globalization. A definition of globalization as "Americanization" or, perhaps, the "McDonaldization," of the world presents globalization as a process driven by American consumer culture that rolls over other cultures. On the other hand, another definition of globalization would highlight its cross-cultural impact, taking into account the nature of globalization as a way cultures interact and learn from each other.
Globalization101.org follows the second approach: viewing globalization as a process of interaction and integration. A focus on the spread of American ideas or products that ignores the counterbalancing impact of the access to the international arena of ideas and products formerly kept out of it, promotes an impoverished and unbalanced understanding of the process. Thus, Globalization101.org defines globalization as follows: Globalization is the acceleration and intensification of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations. This process has effects on human well-being (including health and personal safety), on the environment, on culture (including ideas, religion, and political systems), and on economic development and prosperity of societies across the world. This comprehensive and balanced definition takes into account the many causes and effects of the process, and, most importantly, leaves room for debate and discussion of the values that different people from all over the world bring to the table.
THE THREE TENSIONS OF GLOBALIZATION
Three inherent tensions reveal the conflicting values at stake in the process of globalization as defined above. By examining controversies about globalization through the prism of these three tensions, teachers and students can learn how to think about the positive and negative effects of various aspects of globalization and how to find a balance that reflects their values.
1) The first tension is