THE

CONTEMPORARY
WORLD

DIONISIO D. CATAGA, JR.

INSTRUCTOR

DIONISIO DOMAIL CATAGA, JR.

INSTRUCTOR
 INTRODUCTION

In the past, the world seemingly encompassed only our communities and our country. But it is no
longer the case. We cannot ignore the world beyond our own. The Philippines’ global links continue to
expand, manifested in the 4,018 Filipinos who leave the country every day for jobs practically all over the
world. Filipinos are not just found in Hongkong, Japan, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Rome, Vancouver, or Hawaii.
Some are in Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Denmark, Mexico, and even St. Kitts in the Caribbean. Our
communication with the world has already remarkably increased through businesses like “call centers”.
All these interactions are happening in a process called globalization.

By studying the causes and consequences of globalization, you will be able to understand more
about yourselves as they compare the nation’s experiences with these of other countries, as well as
broaden their knowledge of their status and existence as Filipinos and as global citizens.

The media and the internet are also your windows to the contemporary world. You watch
American movies and can probably sing at least one K-pop song. If a major political event occurs, you
don’t even need to go to CNN.com to find out more details; friends are already posting articles on
Facebook. Your consumption habits are global. You have dined in a McDonald’s, ridden in a Japanese car,
maybe owned a Korean mobile phone, and eaten Australian beef. You are already a citizen of the world
whether you are aware of it or not. Just by living your life, you automatically think about the
Contemporary World. Hence, this will be your guide.

Each lesson begins with learning objectives and ends with a task or activity to measure student’s
comprehension. This module also features short snippets of relevant local experiences. Hopefully through
this module, students will be challenged to transcend the borders of the community and the country, and
think of themselves as global citizens.
MODULE 1

INTRODUCTION TO GLOBALIZATION

1. Defining globalization
2. Metaphors of Globalization
3. Globalization Theories
4. Origins and History of Globalization

In this chapter, different definitions of globalization will be discussed. It will be revealed that the
task of conceptualizing it involves a variety of perspectives. For further understanding of the concept,
different metaphors will be used, such as solid and liquid. These metaphors will also allow an
appreciation of earlier epochs before globalization and the present globalized world. The final lesson in
this module will be devoted to a general discussion of globalization theories. This section will highlight
further differences among scholars in explaining globalization and evaluate the historical factors that
help shape contemporary globalization.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

 Differentiate the competing conceptions of globalization;
 Identify the underlying philosophies of the varying definitions of globalization; and
 Agree on a working definition of globalization for the course.

KEY TERMS

Globalization
Expansion
Intensification
Solidity and Liquidity
Flows
Homogeneity
Heterogeneity
LESSON 1. DEFINING GLOBALIZATION

A. Learning Objectives
At the end of the learning session, the student is able to:
 Discourse on the nature of globalization;
 Discourse the different definitions of globalization;
 Agree on a working definition of globalization for the course; and
 Narrate a personal experience of globalization.

B. Readings

What is GLOBALIZATION?

This question is probably an easy one to answer. However, many scholars gave and continue to
formulate definitions of it. There are disagreements surrounding the concept of globalization. There is
no consensus about its origins: who coined it, and when it first appeared. This resulted to different,
sometimes, contradicting views about the concept.

Over the years, it has gained many connotations pertaining to progress, development, and
integration. On the one hand, it can be said that some view globalization to be positive phenomenon.
For instance, Swedish Journalist Thomas Larsson (2001) saw globalization as “the process of world
shrinkage, of distances getting shorter, things moving closer. It pertains to the increasing ease with
which somebody on one side of the world can interact, to mutual benefit with somebody on the other
side of the world.” On the other hand, some see it as occurring through and with regression, colonialism,
and destabilization. In the mid-1990s, Martin Khor, the former president of Third World Network in
Malaysia, once regarded globalization as colonization.

Defining globalization is shaped by the perspective of the person who defines it. The overview of
definitions implied that globalization is many things to many different people. In a more recent study,
Al-Rhodan (2006) wrote that definitions suggest the perspective of the author on the origins and the
geopolitical implications of globalization. It is a starting point that will guide the rest of any discussions.
In effect, one’s definition and perspective could determine concrete steps in addressing the issues of
globalization. For example, if one sees globalization as positive, the person can say that it is a unifying
force. On the other hand, if it is deemed as creating greater inequalities among nations, globalization is
negatively treated.

Globalization is a reality. It is changing as human society develops. Overall, globalization is a

concept that is not easy to define because in reality, defining globalization has a shifting nature. It is
complex, multifaceted, and can be influenced by the people who define it. Moreover, the issues and
concerns involving globalization have a wide range from the individual to society; from small
communities to nations and states; and from the benefits we can gain from it to the costs it could carry.
Views in Globalization:

a. Common view
- Most accounts view globalization as primarily an economic process.
- Nationalists resist Globalization. They are “anti-globalization” movement of the 1990’s.
They resist the trade deals among countries facilitated and promoted by global
organizations like the World Trade Organization.
b. Academics’ view
- They differ from journalists and political activists. They see globalization in broader terms.
- They see the globalization in interdisciplinary approach. Interdisciplinary approach is
viewing the process through various lenses that consider multiple theories and perspectives.
(In a comprehensive study of 114 definitions by the Geneva Center for Security Policy in
2006, 67 of them refer to economic dimension. These definitions include political and social
dimensions as well.)

*Best Scholarly description of Globalization by Manfred Steger:

Globalization – the process of expansion and intensification of social relations and
consciousness across world-time and across world-space.
a. Expansion – refers to “both the creation of new social networks and multiplication of
existing connections that cut across traditional political, economic, cultural, and geographic
boundaries (e.g. Social media, NGO or International groups).
b. Intensification – refers to the expansion, stretching, and acceleration of these networks.
c. The final attribute of this definition relates to the way people perceive time and space.
- Steger notes that “globalization processes do not occur merely at an objective, material
level but they also involve the subjective plane of human consciousness”.
In other words, people begin to feel that the world has become a smaller place and
distance has collapsed from thousands of miles to just a mouse-click away (e.g. email and
TV).
(Perceive distance as less consequential and has greater sense of what is happening in other
places).

- Steger posits that his definition of globalization must be differentiated with an ideology he
calls globalism. If globalization represents the many processes that allow for the expansion
and intensification of global connections, globalism is different.
Globalism – is a widespread belief among powerful people that the global integration of
economic markets is beneficial for everyone, since it spreads freedom and democracy
across the world.
When activists and journalists criticize “globalization”, they are, more often than not,
criticizing some manifestations of globalism.
Relevance of this course:

Why study this course? Why is it required for all students in higher education?
First, studying the outside is a cure to parochialism or an outlook that is limited to one’s
immediate community. A person who is concerned only with his/her family, village, or even country is
parochial. The parochial person is, thus, close-minded. By teaching you about the world, this course
aims to stretch the limits of your imagination and outlook. We will share with your unfamiliar ideas and
cultures that may spark new interests and concerns. Not everything in this module will excite you, and
that is fine.

Different people encounter globalization in a variety of ways, it is deemed useful to ask simple
questions like: “Is globalization good or bad? Is it beneficial or detrimental?” The discussion begins with
two premises. First, globalization is a complex phenomenon that occurs at multiple levels. Second, it is
an uneven process that affects people differently.

C. Process Questions
(15 points)

1. What is globalization?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. What is the difference between globalization and globalism?

___________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________

3. How have you experienced globalization?

___________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________

D. Activities
(45 points)

1. Explore your house! How globalized is it?

Go to the different parts of your house (e.g. living room, kitchen/dining area, bedroom, and
toilet). Inventory the things you see and list at least 3 things in each part.
 Organize your inventory into two types: first, “things” that are made in the Philippines and,
second, those that are foreign brands. List the countries of origin of your foreign-brand items. Do the
same thing for the kitchen and the living room. These should include appliances.

MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES FOREIGN BRAND ITEM

A. Living Room
_________________________ _______________________
_________________________ _______________________
_________________________ _______________________

B. Dining Room / Kitchen

_________________________ _______________________
_________________________ _______________________
_________________________ _______________________

C. Bedroom
_________________________ _______________________
_________________________ _______________________
_________________________ _______________________
D. Toilet
_________________________ _______________________
_________________________ _______________________
_________________________ _______________________

In the process, determine which countries make the most household and personal needs you
and your families have. Why is it so?

___________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________
2. Let us know how globalized is your music!

a. Enumerate at least three of the most recent songs you have listened to. Identify the
nationality of the creator and/or artist for each music.
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

b. What gadgets/devices do you usually use to listen to music?

___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

c. Where are these gadgets/devices made? Where is the company based?

___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

d. How did you access these music? Do you purchase them online or listen to them through
YouTube, Spotify, and other music channels?
___________________________________________________________________________
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LESSON 2. METAPHORS OF GLOBALIZATION

A. Learning Objectives
At the end of the learning session, the student is able to:
 Identify different metaphors of globalization;
 Differentiate each metaphor from one another; and
 Discourse the importance of metaphors in the study of globalization.

B. Readings

In order for us to better understand the concept of globalization, we will utilize metaphors.
Metaphors make use of one term to help us better understand another term. In our case, the states of
matter – solid and liquid – will be used. In addition, other related concepts that are included in the
definition such as structures and flows will be elaborated.

Solid and Liquid

The epochs that preceded today’s globalization paved way for people, things, information, and
places to harden over time. Consequently, they have limited mobility (Ritzer 2015). The social
relationships and objects remained where they were created. Solidity also refers to barriers that prevent
or make difficult the movement of things. Furthermore, solids can either be natural or man-made.
Examples of natural solids are landforms and bodies of water. Man-made barriers include the Great Wall
of China and the Berlin Wall. Imaginary lines such as the Nine-Dash Line being used by the People’s
Republic of China in their claim to the West Philippine Sea is an example of modern man-made solid.
This created limited access of Filipino fishermen to the West Philippine Sea. Obviously, these examples
still exist. However, they have the tendency to melt. This should not be taken literally being like an
iceberg melting. Instead, this process involves how we can describe what is happening to today’s global
world. It is becoming increasingly liquid.

Liquid, as a state of matter, takes the shape of its container. Moreover, liquids are not fixed.
Liquidity, therefore, refers to the increasing ease of movement of people, things, information, and
places in the contemporary world. Zygmunt Bauman’s (2000) ideas were the ones that have very much
to say about the characteristic of liquidity. First, today’s liquid phenomena change quickly and its
aspects, spatial and temporal, are in continuous fluctuation. This means that space and time are crucial
elements of globalization. In global finance, for instance, changes in the stock market are a matter of
seconds. Another characteristic of liquid phenomena is that their movement is difficult to stop. For
example, the video being uploaded on Youtube or Facebook are hard to halt once they become viral.
The so-called internet sensations become famous not just in their homeland but to the entire world as
well. Finally, the forces (the liquid ones) made political boundaries more permeable to the flow of
people and things (Cartier 2001).
 Liquidity and solidity is in constant interaction. Liquidity is the one increasing and proliferating
today. Therefore, the metaphor which could best describe globalization is liquidity. Liquids do flow and
this idea of flow (Appadurai 1996; Rey and Ritzer 2010) will be the focus of the next discussion. Also, it
should be expected that this concept will appear in the succeeding lessons. The literature on
globalization makes us of the concept of flows.

Flows
The discussion above described the melting process of solid phenomena followed by the
increase in liquidity. It is logical, that flows liquid phenomena be discussed next. Flows are the
movement of people, things, places, and information brought by the growing “porosity” of global
limitations (Ritzer 2015). Think of the different foreign cuisines being patronized and consumed by the
Filipinos. Aside from local dishes, many of us are fond of eating sushi, ramen, hamburger, and French
fries – foods introduced to us by foreign cultures. Clearly, foods are being globalized. Another example
of flows is global financial crisis. As Landler (2008:C1) put it: In global financial system, national borders
are porous”. This means that a financial crisis in a given country can bring ramifications to other regions
of the world. An example of which is the spread of the effects of American financial crisis to Europe in
2008. The following are other kinds of flows that can be observed today: poor illegal migrants flooding
many parts of the world (Moses 2006), the virtual flow of legal and illegal information such as blogs and
child pornography, respectively, and immigrants recreating ethnic enclaves in host countries. Concrete
examples are the Filipino communities abroad and Chinese communities in the Philippines.

C. Process Questions: (20 points)

1. Do you agree with the idea that the contemporary world is characterized by high liquidity? Why
or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

2. What’s the difference between solidity and liquidity?

______________________________________________________________________________
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LESSON 3. GLOBALIZATION THEORIES

A. Learning Objectives
At the end of the learning session, the student is able to:
 Identify different theories of globalization;
 Differentiate each theory from one another; and
 Discourse the importance of theories in the study of globalization.

B. Readings

We have established the many definitions of and issues in defining globalization and the
metaphors that we can use to easily understand the concept. This section gives a glimpse of the
important theories on globalization. We will analyze globalization culturally, economically, and
politically in this module as reflected in the succeeding lessons. In the meantime, it would be helpful to
say that the theories see globalization as a process that increases either homogeneity or heterogeneity.

Homogeneity refers to the increasing sameness in the world as cultural inputs, economic
factors, and political orientations of societies expand to create common practices, same economies, and
similar forms of government. Homogeneity in culture is often linked to cultural imperialism. This means,
a given culture influences other cultures. For example, the dominant religion in our country is
Christianity which was brought to us by the Spaniards. Another example is Americanization which was
defined by Richard Kuisel (1993:96) as “the import by non-Americans of products, images, technologies,
practices, and behavior that are closely associated with America/Americans.” In terms of the economy,
there is recognition of the spread of neoliberalism, capitalism, and the market economy in the world
(Antonio 2007). Global economic crises are also products of homogeneity in economic globalization.
Joseph Stiglitz (2002), for instance, blamed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its “one-size-fits
all” approach which treats every country in the world as the same. In the end, rich countries become
advantageous in the world economy at the expense of poor countries; leading to increased inequality
among nations. The political realm also suffers homogenization if one takes into account the emerging
similar models of governance in the world. Benjamin Barber (1995) said that “McWorld” is existing. It
means only one political orientation is growing in today’s societies.

On the other hand, is the process of heterogeneity. This pertains to the creation of various
cultural practices, new economies, and political groups because of the interaction of elements from
different societies in the world. Heterogeneity refers to the differences because of either lasting
differences or of the hybrids or combinations of cultures which can be produces through the different
transplanetary processes. Contrary to cultural imperialism, heterogeneity in culture is associated with
cultural hybridization. A more specific concept is “glocalization” coined by Roland Robertson (1992). To
him, as global forces interact with local factors or a specific geographic area, the “glocal” is being
produced. Economic issues are not exempted from heterogeneity. The commodification of cultures and
“glocal” markets are examples of differentiation happening in many economies around the world. The
same goes with political institutions. Barber (1995) also provided the alternate of “McWorld” – the
“Jihad”. As Ritzer (2008:576) mentioned, it refers to the political groups that are engaged in an
“intensification of nationalism and that lead to greater political heterogeneity throughout the world.

Although homogeneity and heterogeneity gave us an idea about the effects of globalization, the
picture is not yet complete. The theories about globalization will be clarified as we look closer at each of
them in the succeeding chapters.

C. Process Question: (20 points)

1. What’s the difference between Homogeneity and Heterogeneity?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

2. Are societies in the world becoming more similar (homogenous) or more different
(heterogeneous)?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
LESSON 4: ORIGINS AND HISTORY OF GLOBALIZATION

A. Learning Objectives
At the end of the learning session, the student is able to:
 Identify different perspectives of the beginning of globalization; and
 Discourse the importance of learning the history of globalization.

B. Readings

The previous discussions answered the question, “What is globalization?”. The next question,
“Where did it start?” is not easy to answer as well because there are different views about this. The
book, “The Contemporary World” by Prince Kennex Aldama, generally adheres to the perspective that
the major points of the beginnings of globalization started after the Second World War. Nevertheless, it
would mean no harm to look at the five different perspectives regarding the origins of globalization.

1. Hardwired
According to Nayan Chanda (2007), it is our basic human need to make our lives better that
made globalization possible. Therefore, one can trace the beginning of globalization from our Ancestors
in Africa who walked out from the said continent in the late Ice Age. This long journey finally led them to
all-known continents today, roughly after 50,000 years.
Chanda mentioned that commerce, religion, politics, and warfare are the “urges” of people
toward a better life. These are respectively connected to four aspects of globalization and they can be
traced all throughout history: trade, missionary work, adventures, and conquest.

2. Cycles
For some, globalization is a long-term cyclical process and thus, finding its origin will be a
daunting task. What is important, are the cycles globalization has gone through (Scholte 2005).
Subscribing to this view will suggest adherence to the idea that other global ages have appeared. There
is also the notion to suspect that this point of globalization will soon disappear and reappear.

3. Epoch
Ritzer (2015) cited Therborn’s (2000) six great epochs of globalization. These are also called
“waves” and each has its own origin. Today’s globalization is not unique if this is the case. The difference
of this view from the second view (cycles) is that it does not treat epochs as returning. The following are
the sequential occurrence of the epochs:
1. Globalization of religion (4th-7th Centuries)
2. European colonial conquests (late 15th Century)
 3. Intra-European wars (late 18th – early 19th Centuries)
4. Heyday of European imperialism (mid-19th Century to 1918)
5. Post-World War II period
6. Post-Cold War period

4. Events
Specific events are also considered as part of the fourth view in explaining the origin of
globalization. If this is the case, then several points can be treated as the start of globalization. Gibbon
(1998), for example, argued that Roman conquests centuries before Christ are its origin. In an issue of
the magazine the Economist (2006, January 12), it considered the rampage of the armies of Genghis
Khan into Eastern Europe in the thirteenth century. Rosenthal (2007) gave premium to voyages of
discovery Christopher Columbus’s discovery of America in 1942, Vasco Da Gama in Cape of Good Hope
in 1498 and Ferdinand Magellan’s completed circumnavigation of the globe in 1522.
The recent years could also be regarded as the beginnings of globalization with reference to
specific technological advances in transportation and communication. Some examples include the first
transatlantic telephone cable (1956), the first transatlantic television broadcasts (1962), the founding of
the modern internet in 1988, and the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York (2001). Certainly,
with this view, more and more specific events will characterize not just the origins of globalization but
more of its history.

5. Broader, More Recent Changes

Recent changes comprised the fifth view. These broad changes happened in the last half of the
twentieth century. Scholars today point to these three notable changes as the origin of globalization
that we know today. They are as follows:
1. The emergence of the United States as the global power (Post-World War II)
2. The emergence of multinational corporations (MNCs)
3. The demise of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War

Through its dominant military and economic power after WWII, the US was able to outrun
Germany and Japan in terms of industry. Both Axis powers and Allies fall behind economically as
compared to the new global power. Because of this, the US soon began to progress in different aspects
like in diplomacy, media, film (as in the Hollywood), and many more.
Before MNCs came into being, their roots are from their countries of origin during the
eighteenth to early nineteenth centuries. The US, Germany, and Great Britain had in their homeland
great corporations which the world knows today. However, they did not remain there as far as their
production and market are concerned. For example, Ford and General Motors originated in the US but
in the twentieth century they exported more automobiles and opened factories to other countries.
More recent than the first two would be the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. This event led to
the opening of the major parts of the world for the first time since the early twentieth century. Many
global processes – immigration, tourism, media, diplomacy, and MNCs- spread throughout the planet.
This paved way for the so-called “free” world. China, even though the government remains communist,
is on its way to becoming a major force in global capitalism (Fishman 2006). Moreover, China is also
globalizing in terms of other aspects such as their hosting of the Olympics in 2008.
 C. Process Questions (20 points)

1. Which of the aforementioned views on the history of globalization you find most appealing?
Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

REFERENCES

A. Books
 Claudio, Lisandro E. & Abinales, Patricio N. The Contemporary World. C &E Publishing,
Inc., 2018.

 Aldama, Prince Kennex R. The Contemporary World. REX Book Store, Inc., 2018.

 Fernandez, Richard & Quiñanola, Alan. The Contemporary World and Globalization.
University of San Jose Recoletos Press, Inc., 2018.

 Steger, Manfred B.. Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press
Inc., New York, 2003.

B. Website

 https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-globalization-definition-benefits-
effects-examples/

 https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/whatis_e.htm

 https://www.academia.edu/14306351/The_Liquidity_and_Solidity_of_Contemporary_S
ocial_Reality_the_Example_of_Social_Inclusion_Policies
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