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Evolution of Global Politics and Culture

May 24, 2025

UNIT-2 Changing Nature of Global Politics

A. Globalization to De-globalization, and Post-globalization

Introduction

  • Globalization: Term from the 1940s, became significant in the 1990s; reflects interconnected social life.
  • Early literature (Ohmae, Friedman) oversimplified it, emphasizing capitalism and cultural erasure.
  • Intensified post "Global War on Terror."
  • Perceptions changed with debates on US decline, China and India rise.
  • Struggle to grasp globalization as diverse local-global connections.

Definition of Globalization

  • Defined by David Held: transformation in spatial organization of social relations and transactions.
  • Globalization vs Globality: Globality signifies interconnected social conditions.
  • Transition from nationalism to globality; postmodern globality.
  • Emphasizes change in state system, economic, social, cultural, and political lives.
  • Change in consciousness, beyond national identities.

History and Origins of Globalization

  • Origins debated: prehistoric times or later.
  • Manfred Steger: Divides into periods - prehistoric, pre-modern, early modern, modern, contemporary.
    • Pre-Historic: Human dispersion, settled societies.
    • Pre-Modern: Writing, wheel; long-distance communication.
    • Early Modern: European expansion, colonial implications.
    • Modern: European dominance, trade, colonization, tech rise.
    • Contemporary: Neoliberal shifts, tech advancements.

George Ritzer's Perspective

  • Origins in human desires for trade, adventures, conquest.
  • Globalization: long-term cyclical process, historical cycles.
  • Therborn's epochs: Six distinct waves from 4th to 21st century.
  • Events: Roman conquests, religious spread, Middle Ages trade, colonialism.
  • Recent accelerants: US global power, MNCs, end of Cold War.

Examples

  • Silk Road: East-West trade, cultural exchange.
  • European Colonialism: Global influence, integrated economies.
  • Industrial Revolution: Tech, transportation advancements.
  • Information Revolution: Internet rise, digital connectivity.

Globalization and Deglobalization

  • Complexity: Varying meanings of globalization.
  • Framework by Kornprobst and Paul: Focus on interconnectedness in economic, medical, social dimensions.
  • Economic Interconnectedness: National economies integrated via trade, investment, labor, tech.
  • Uneven Impact: Highlights inequalities, need for fair exchanges.
  • Health Dimension: Global disease spread (e.g., COVID-19), need for cooperation.

Deglobalization Processes

  • Recognition despite interconnectedness increase.
  • Historical Epochs by O'Rourke and Williamson: Mercantilist restriction, first global century, retreats.
  • Contemporary Sociology Perspectives: Analytical/normative views, cultural/economic models.
  • Great Recession Impact: Shifts in global economic dynamics.

Neo-Globalization and Post-Globalization

  • Critique of Globalization: Challenges to neoliberal, corporate globalization.
  • Rise of Neo-Globalization: Reforming existing globalization for justice.
  • Global Civil Society: Activism for democracy, challenging nation-states/corporate dominance.
  • Post-Globalization: Potential shift, revaluation of globalization principles.

Conclusion

  • State system role in globalization; examines contemporary crises.
  • Emphasizes nuanced understanding of globalization's complexities, impacts, and need for cooperative governance.

B. Geo-politics, Geo-economics, and Geo-strategy

Geopolitics: Understanding Politics and Geography

Definition and History

  • Explores politics-geography interplay; emerged in late 19th century.
  • Early works by Mackinder, Mahan focused on land/sea power.
  • Post-WWII US strategic thinking by Kennan, Spykman.
  • Critical geopolitics: Challenges state-centric views.

Approaches

  • Classical Geopolitics: State competition, imperialistic policies.
  • Critical Geopolitics: Challenges authoritative narratives.
  • Feminist Geopolitics: Emphasizes complexity, connectivity.

Characteristics

  • Involves human geography, unique places, social connections.
  • Both practice (power actions) and representation (perceptions).
  • Considers geopolitical agents (individuals, countries, corporations).
  • Linked to power: material, relational, ideological aspects.

Contemporary Relevance

  • Resurgence in classical geopolitics (e.g., War on Terror, China's rise).
  • Importance for navigating complex global dynamics.

Geo-Economics: Strategic Economic Tools in Geopolitics

Definition

  • Use of economic tools for geopolitical goals.

Rise Since 1990s

  • Concept by Edward Luttwak; shift from military to economic competition.
  • Scholars explore economic security, non-Western powers, material structures.

Interlinked Strategies

  • Geo-economics and geopolitics combine economic, political, strategic dimensions.
  • States employ both strategies for objectives.

Four Generations of Geo-Economics

  1. Pre-20th Century: Mercantilism.
  2. Early to Mid-20th Century: Economic-geopolitical interplay.
  3. Late 20th Century to Early 21st Century: Economic statecraft.
  4. Early 21st Century Onward: Multipolar world, digital revolution.

Contemporary Examples

  • Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Infrastructure, economic partnerships, influence.

Challenges and Criticisms

  • Critics warn of economic coercion, undermining governance.

C. Territorialization and De-territorialization

Territorialization

  • Foundational for modern states: borders, sovereignty.

Four Sub-Principles

  1. Sovereignty: Supreme state power, evolving concepts.
  2. Integration: Binding force, common values/norms.
  3. Borders: Historical transition, ideological/socio-psychological roles.
  4. Security: Globalization transforms security threats.

De-Territorialization

  • Globalization weakens national territories.
  • Challenges sovereignty, integration, borders, security.

D. Cultural Frames of Global Politics

The Return of Culture and Identity in IR

  • Culture's role shifts in IR theory; historical significance.
  • Current Theorizing: New dimensions of culture considered.
  • Social Construction: Culture as optional membership.

Globalization and the Return of Culture

  • Post-Cold War globalization compresses space/time.
  • Interconnectedness: Real-time global info/events.

Theses on Globalization and Culture

  • Homogenization: Cultural convergence (e.g., McDonald's).
  • Polarization: Stronger identities, conflicts (e.g., Brexit).
  • Hybridization: Cultural exchange hybridization (e.g., Bollywood).

Deconstructing Huntington's Clash of Civilizations

  • Huntington's Theory: Civilizational clash concept.
  • Critiques: Lack historical grounding, stereotyping.

Conclusion

  • Globalization affects state territoriality, sovereignty.
  • Need for revised territoriality concepts in globalization.
  • Culture's resurgence affects global politics.
  • Focus on processes/change in globalization understanding.