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Globalization: Debunking the Myths
Now in a fully revised and updated edition, this balanced and clearly written text explores globalization and its impact from economic, political, social, environmental, and cultural perspectives. Providing a framework and platform for student learning, the book gives readers the tools to unravel the complexities of globalization in all its facets. Lui Hebron and John Stack note that as a hot-button term, globalization is used to describe any number of changes within, among, and between societies and states. Their goal is to reduce the noise engulfing debates and interpretations of one of the most dynamic, contested, applauded, and disparaged phenomena of the twenty-first century.
Arguing that current assessments—both positive and negative—of globalization are overblown, the authors treat the dramatically changing landscapes of world politics as less a revolution than an evolution of already established structures and patterns of transnational relations. They trace how globalization has affected individuals, societies, states, and intergovernmental and supranational organizations. Making sense of a world seemingly smaller and incomprehensibly larger, simultaneously centralizing and fragmenting, Globalization: Debunking the Myths offers both an indispensable introduction for undergraduates and a concise review for more advanced students.
Arguing that current assessments—both positive and negative—of globalization are overblown, the authors treat the dramatically changing landscapes of world politics as less a revolution than an evolution of already established structures and patterns of transnational relations. They trace how globalization has affected individuals, societies, states, and intergovernmental and supranational organizations. Making sense of a world seemingly smaller and incomprehensibly larger, simultaneously centralizing and fragmenting, Globalization: Debunking the Myths offers both an indispensable introduction for undergraduates and a concise review for more advanced students.
222 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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April 29, 2012
Aside from the primary author Dr. Hebron being a professor at my Alma Mater California Maritime Academy, I must set aside a personal bias and be as objective as possible. I actually found this very short book to be a concise and excellently researched thesis of globalization and its pros and cons. Dr. Hebron provided the pros and cons and then concluded with his opinion whether either or was correct and to what degree. Opponents argue that globalization is leaving a larger segment of global population behind than it benefits, which is true in some instances but is a result more of the closed markets and political turmoil in some developing countries. Essentially it really has to do with access and if individuals do not have the access, then they do not benefit. However the author argues that if the individual has access and their respective country provides it to them, they gain from globalization. Furthermore, the author does point out that multinationals should strive to provide this access via education, philanthropy and customization - also recognizing that local cultures, values and norms differ.
Other points of globalization opponents draw and discussed here are the loss of sovereignty, culture and environment. While true that in Europe, nation state lines are blurring, there are more nation states created in the last 20 years then the previous 50, so this is not correct and highlights one can argues that due to globalization, hence access to knowledge and information via the internet is essentially formulating opportunities for certain cultures to mandate their sovereignty (look at the slave states, scots, welsh, quebecians as examples). Furthermore as globalization is dominated by Americans, that there is a feeling that culture is being lost and the world is becoming Americanized. For example of the 75 largest and most recognized global brands, 42 of them are American. However well argued by the author is that it isn't so much that American hegemony creates this, but rather Americans stand for identity, optimism, individuality and hope so a number of individuals globally gravitate to these brands which provide what they seemingly have lacked because of lack of access and individuality. Another pointed example is the English language as the global language and how that is harming local culture. Well said by the author is the adaptation of English into variations that suit the local culture such as Singlish (singapore), Taglish (phillipines), spanglish (mexico and mexican-americans), and Chinglish (china). So the author doesn't argue against anti-globalists, but rather through pragmatism, incorporates much of what they say to create a cohesive point of view that globalization is ultimately good for the world but must not ignore poverty, politics, culture and the environment. If ignored, those that feel left behind and ignored lash out (radicalism).
Other points of globalization opponents draw and discussed here are the loss of sovereignty, culture and environment. While true that in Europe, nation state lines are blurring, there are more nation states created in the last 20 years then the previous 50, so this is not correct and highlights one can argues that due to globalization, hence access to knowledge and information via the internet is essentially formulating opportunities for certain cultures to mandate their sovereignty (look at the slave states, scots, welsh, quebecians as examples). Furthermore as globalization is dominated by Americans, that there is a feeling that culture is being lost and the world is becoming Americanized. For example of the 75 largest and most recognized global brands, 42 of them are American. However well argued by the author is that it isn't so much that American hegemony creates this, but rather Americans stand for identity, optimism, individuality and hope so a number of individuals globally gravitate to these brands which provide what they seemingly have lacked because of lack of access and individuality. Another pointed example is the English language as the global language and how that is harming local culture. Well said by the author is the adaptation of English into variations that suit the local culture such as Singlish (singapore), Taglish (phillipines), spanglish (mexico and mexican-americans), and Chinglish (china). So the author doesn't argue against anti-globalists, but rather through pragmatism, incorporates much of what they say to create a cohesive point of view that globalization is ultimately good for the world but must not ignore poverty, politics, culture and the environment. If ignored, those that feel left behind and ignored lash out (radicalism).
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