<h5 id="overview">OVERVIEW</h5> <ul> <li>Globalization is a concept that has been discussed in many subjects and chapters of this book.</li> <li>The chapter analyzes the concept, causes, and consequences of globalization.</li> <li>Political, economic, and cultural consequences of globalization are discussed in detail.</li> <li>The impact of globalization on India and how India affects globalization is studied.</li> <li>Resistance to globalization and social movements in India that form part of this resistance are highlighted.</li> </ul> <p>======</p> <h5 id="the-concept-of-globalisation">The Concept of Globalisation</h5> <ul> <li>Globalization is the process of interaction and integration between people, companies, and governments worldwide, facilitated by technology and telecommunications.</li> <li>It involves the global sharing of ideas, capital, and culture, leading to the creation of a ‘worldwide interconnectedness’.</li> <li>The impact of globalization is uneven, affecting some societies and parts of societies more than others.</li> <li>It has political, economic, and cultural manifestations that must be distinguished.</li> <li>Globalization does not necessarily lead to smuggling, but the influx of Chinese goods in India is often due to smuggling activities.</li> </ul> <p>======</p> <h5 id="causes-of-globalisation">Causes of Globalisation</h5> <ul> <li>Globalization is not caused by any single factor, but technology plays a critical role, enabling easier and faster flows of ideas, capital, commodities, and people.</li> <li>The scale and speed of these flows are what make contemporary globalization distinct, with technology having a significant impact on personal and collective lives.</li> <li>Improved communication technologies have made it possible for people in different parts of the world to recognize interconnections, leading to a greater awareness of global events and their impacts.</li> <li>Events such as the Bird flu or a tsunami can have impacts that are not confined to national boundaries, demonstrating the global nature of certain challenges.</li> <li>Economic events can also have far-reaching consequences, affecting regions and countries beyond their immediate local environment, underlining the importance of understanding and engaging with globalization.</li> </ul> <p>======</p> <h5 id="political-consequences">Political Consequences</h5> <ul> <li>Globalization leads to an erosion of state capacity in terms of government’s ability to make decisions independently and perform welfare functions.</li> <li>The market becomes the primary determinant of economic and social priorities, with multinational companies reducing governmental capacity to make decisions.</li> <li>Despite this, the state maintains its essential functions of maintaining law and order, and ensuring national security.</li> <li>In some aspects, state capacity has been enhanced due to globalization, as new technologies enable better information collection about citizens, strengthening state rule.</li> <li>The political community’s primacy remains unchallenged, with states retaining importance and power, as older jealousies and rivalries between countries persist in world politics.</li> </ul> <p>======</p> <h5 id="economic-consequences">Economic Consequences</h5> <ul> <li> <p>Economic globalization is a significant aspect of the debate on globalization, involving international institutions like IMF and WTO, as well as other actors.</p> </li> <li> <p>It involves greater economic flows between countries, including commodities, capital, people, and ideas, with varying degrees of voluntary and forced exchange.</p> </li> <li> <p>Globalization has led to increased trade in commodities, reduced restrictions on capital movement, and flow of ideas, but not as much movement of people, particularly in developed countries.</p> </li> <li> <p>The consequences of globalization can vary greatly, with similar policies leading to different outcomes in different parts of the world, emphasizing the need for specific context consideration.</p> </li> <li> <p>Critics of economic globalization express concerns about state withdrawal, potential benefits for only a small section of the population, and the need for institutional safeguards or ‘social safety nets’.</p> </li> <li> <p>Advocates argue that economic globalization generates greater economic growth and well-being, and is inevitable, promoting inter-dependence and integration between governments, businesses, and individuals.</p> </li> </ul> <p>======</p> <h5 id="cultural-consequences">Cultural Consequences</h5> <ul> <li>Globalization impacts culture leading to the rise of uniform culture, often referred to as the imposition of Western culture on the rest of the world, specifically American culture.</li> <li>This phenomenon is known as the soft power of US hegemony, with the popularity of Western elements like burgers or blue jeans influencing societies worldwide.</li> <li>Cultural consequences of globalization are not solely negative; cultures are not static and accept outside influences. External influences can enlarge choices or modify culture without overwhelming traditional aspects.</li> <li>The clothing combination of a khadikurta worn over jeans is an example of a new combination resulting from outside influence, demonstrating cultural heterogenisation.</li> <li>Working in a call center can provide insights into true American culture, but also highlights negative perceptions and stereotypes, with Americans sometimes perceiving every Indian as one who has denied them their rightful job.</li> </ul> <p>======</p> <h5 id="india-and-globalisation">India and Globalisation</h5> <ul> <li>Globalization, involving movement of capital, commodities, ideas, and people, has been present in Indian history for centuries.</li> <li>During the colonial period, India became a primary goods exporter and finished goods importer due to Britain’s imperial ambitions.</li> <li>Post-independence, India adopted protectionism, focusing on domestic production over imports, leading to some advancements but neglecting critical sectors like health, housing, and primary education.</li> <li>In 1991, India initiated economic reforms to de-regulate sectors like trade and foreign investment, aiming to increase economic growth.</li> <li>The success of these reforms should not be measured solely by growth rates, but also by the distribution of benefits, ensuring they are shared and improving living standards for all.</li> </ul> <p>======</p> <h5 id="resistance-to-globalisation">Resistance To Globalisation</h5> <ul> <li> <p>Critics of globalization come from both the left and right, expressing concerns over economic disparity, political impact, and cultural preservation.</p> </li> <li> <p>Anti-globalization movements, while participating in global networks, often oppose a specific program of globalization, viewing it as a form of imperialism.</p> </li> <li> <p>The World Trade Organization (WTO) has faced protests over alleged unfair trading practices by economically powerful states, leading to the formation of the World Social Forum (WSF) to address neo-liberal globalization concerns.</p> </li> <li> <p>Globalization impacts personal lives by increasing the use of foreign goods, which can negatively affect local small-scale industries.</p> </li> <li> <p>The response to globalization should involve understanding its effects on various stakeholders, fostering debate, and promoting responsible global engagement.</p> </li> </ul> <p>======</p> <h5 id="india-and-resistance-to-globalisation">India And Resistance To Globalisation</h5> <ul> <li>Social movements in India play a significant role in resisting globalization.</li> <li>Left-wing protests against economic liberalization have been voiced through political parties and forums like the Indian Social Forum.</li> <li>Trade unions of industrial workforce and farmers have organized protests against the entry of multinationals.</li> <li>The patenting of certain plants like Neem by American and European firms has generated considerable opposition.</li> <li>Resistance to globalization has also come from the political right, specifically in the form of objections to cultural influences such as foreign TV channels, celebration of Valentine’s Day, and westernization of dress tastes.</li> </ul> <p>======</p>