Cold War Tensions and the Rise of Globalization

Cold War: Tension Between East and West

The Cold War was a period of tension between state powers and blocs in which each party adopted policies aimed at strengthening itself at the expense of its opponent. The Western Bloc was capitalist, while the Eastern Bloc was communist.

• Capitalist Politics (USA): Representation of democracy and freedom.
• Communist Politics (USSR): Representation of social justice and the solution to social problems.

Globalization: A New World Order

Globalization is a phenomenon of economic, social, political, and cultural interconnection generated by technological advances in communication and the global expansion of multinational corporations. It is a process of significant change and transformation of the organization of social life and the world order, which connects companies worldwide, facilitating links and overcoming gaps.

Techno-Economic Level

At the level of companies and employees, globalization is a complex and rapidly evolving phenomenon. It promotes the global integration of financial markets. New techniques for production processes, such as dematerialization, are introduced.

Socio-Economic Level

With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, the formation of economic blocs began in earnest: the USA, the EU, and Southeast Asia.

Advantages of Globalization

• Global sharing of natural resources.
• Greater rapprochement between cultures due to the development of communication technologies.
• Greater awareness of global events.

Risks of Globalization

• Marginalization of the poorest.
• Homogenization of cultures.
• Deepening of nationalism as a form of opposition.

Features of Globalization

• Close ties are established between global social groups, but differences are also highlighted.
• Economic growth exerts pressure on the use of natural resources and ecological systems.
• There is a marked disparity between industrialized countries and those that have not achieved sustained economic development.

Opportunities of Globalization

• It drives more and more interactions between the inhabitants of the planet, thus requiring even greater respect for diversity and a stronger commitment to unity.
• It reinforces the vision of a world without borders.
• It leads to the growth of international trade and higher production rates.