WHAT IS GLOBALISATION Integration Connectivity Global effects Factors

WHAT IS GLOBALISATION Integration Connectivity Global effects

Factors Contributing to Globalisation THE NEW WORLD ORDER: • Political Changes • Economic Changes • Spread of Information Technology

GLOBALISATION: What it means for the world at large Globalisation

Globalisation: Competing Definitions

Essential Questions … • What are the benefits of globalisation and how do we meet the challenges of globalisation? • Can we be safe from what happens in other countries? • Are some countries being shortchanged in the process of globalisation?

Lecture Outline “Does Globalisation bring the world together or drive it further apart? ” Social Cultural

“ The world is coming together” i. Increased Connectivity ii. Democratisation of Ideas People from all over the world can now share ideas and knowledge to be brought closer together

“ The world is coming together” iii. Increased Global Outlook - Reorientation of thinking - Increased identification with global phenomena Growing global identity & responsibility

“ The world is coming together” iv. Enjoyment of global wealth - Improved standard of living Increased choice for individuals Increased life expectancy

“The world is being driven further apart” i. Rise of Individualism -Ability to construct an anonymous identity -Changes in work patterns - Changes in family structure “The strongest man in the world is he who stands alone” Henrik Ibsen

“The world is being driven further apart” ii. New causes for social problems Fluid movement of resources and ideas (capital) – control becomes more difficult and could result in political and economic implications

“The world is being driven further apart” iii. Increasing richpoor divide - Exacerbation of wealth and health related issues due to uneven access

Lecture Outline “Does Globalisation bring the world together or drive it further apart? ” Social Cultural

Context…

Soft Power … Refers to the global perception of what a country represents and the influence a nation acquires by the attractiveness of its culture and ideas. The American Dream

American Quality

“ The world is coming together” Creation of a global village - Global compression Global consumption

“ The world is coming together” i. Creation of a Consumerist Culture - Lacking in national identity and individuality

“ The world is coming together” ii. Cultural imperialism – Neocolonialism – Cocacolonization

“The world is being driven further apart” Increased homogenization provokes reaction and protest e. g. The Amish & Reactionary Movements (French & Chinese)

“The world is being driven further apart” Heterogenization • Reassertion of local identity due to perceived threat from globalisation • Globalisation spurs the reinforcement of local cultures

“ The world is coming together” Hybridisation • • • The ongoing blending of cultures Glocalisation: mixture of global and local cultures Religion, food, music, language etc

“Does Globalisation bring the world together or drive it further apart? ”

What Globalisation Promises • Greater understanding and cooperation among nations • More opportunities and bigger stage for talents to shine • More sharing of information • More concerted efforts in fighting global problems (Diseases, terrorism, environmental problems, etc)

However… • Globalisation is multi-faceted and demands customised solutions. These solutions should fulfil the needs of the countries concerned. • Culture is constantly evolving – Notions of cultural categories keep shifting – Globalization impacts the evolution/development of culture

“We must ensure that the global market is embedded in broadly shared values and practices that reflect global social needs and that all the world’s people share the benefits of globalization. ” – Kofi Annan

Reflection Question How should we meet the social and cultural challenges of globalisation in Singapore?