What Is Globalization

International Relations
Political Science

A look at what dimensions of change are identified by those who argue that globalization and interdependence are transforming world politics.

1,600 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2004 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper addresses shifts in the balance of power and in security rather than how psychological and social changes are affecting politics. The paper looks at how globalization and interdependence weaken sovereignty. It then outlines the rising power of non-state actors, such as NGOs and transnational corporations. The writer also discusses the nationalist, and often disintegrative, forces that exist as part of the globalized world. It ends by describing the effect that globalization has upon security.

From the Paper:

"The weakening of state sovereignty is often part of the definition of globalization. Sovereignty is being eroded in several ways. A global society is developing in which people share similar experiences and values and feel connected to people in other states. In the global society, personal allegiance to the state may be not be as strong as allegiance to substate or international groups. In addition, the lack of hot war between great powers after WWII has meant that the great powers are less able to wield their national symbols effectively and inspire devotion to the state. This lessens the state's power over its citizens in crucial situations, such as when a state wishes to go to war. I will discuss that situation further in later in the paper. In the global society, people feel bound by common humanity and are therefore sensitive to human rights violations. Globalization has not stopped human rights violations but the actions have become publicized through recently improved communications networks and human rights abuses are likely to be censured. Human rights violations may even result in humanitarian intervention, which will be discussed later. The qualifications for sovereignty have changed. Legitimate state authority is now "linked, in moral and legal terms, with the maintenance of human rights, values, and democratic standards." State sovereignty is frequently violated by intervention and undercut by the allegiances of the state's own citizens."