The Dynamics and Definitions of Global Interconnectedness
Key Definitions of Globalization
Globalization Defined
Globalization is the current process of intensification, on a global scale and in almost all fields, of relationships between individuals, human groups, and nations.
Related Concepts and Terminology
Global
Occurring or given at the scale of the entire globe, at a planetary level.Postindustrial Society
A type of society based less on manufacturing production and more on the production of services and knowledge.Informational Society
A type of post-industrial society that organizes its activities through modern means of information processing.Modernization
The transformation of a traditional society into a modern, technologically developed society with a high level of material welfare.Transnational Corporations (TNCs)
Companies that develop their products in several countries and seek to sell their goods and services in the global market.Liberalization
The diminution of government controls on economic activities, allowing them to move within a framework of free competition.Cosmopolitan Attitude
The attitude of citizens who feel connected to the world and are willing to accept cultural differences that are good, even if different from their own.Traditional Culture
The culture that is inherited from previous generations and transmitted to new generations within the family and community.Dominant Culture
The culture that, because of its greater power and prestige, has more influence in a given society.International Community
Formed not only by governments but also by other agents such as international organizations, NGOs, and global public opinion organizations.The Origins of Globalization
Until a few centuries ago, different countries of the Earth, and their related economies, lived almost isolated from each other. It is true that some places had large empires, like the Roman or Chinese, but the links between different regions of the planet were tenuous or nonexistent.
This situation changed rapidly and irreversibly in the late fourteenth century when Portugal, Spain, and other European countries began the "Age of Discovery," which opened the way to the modern world.
The Causes of Globalization
The current process of globalization is driven by several key factors:
- Economic Field: The capitalist system was deeply renovated and now organizes its activities on a genuinely global scale.
- Technological Field: The decisive factor is the development of new information and communication technologies, with the Internet being the most comprehensive and influential example.
Agents of the Globalization Process
The process of global interconnectedness is propelled by various actors:
- Transnational Corporations (TNCs).
- Liberalization and the opening of economies seeking faster development.
- International organizations, such as the UN.
- Great leaders of opinion.
- The Cosmopolitan Attitude of citizens.