“What is globalization?” - 전진이 (Jeon Jin E)

 1) Summary

Rather than providing a clear definition of the question 'What is globalization?' in this article, the authors focus on explaining why this question itself cannot be easily agreed upon. Globalization is not a single phenomenon or a force, but an inherently controversial concept that can be understood differently depending on perspective and position.

Robertson and White argue that globalization should not be reduced to simply strengthening economic connectivity. Of course, the expansion of capital and markets is important, but at the core of globalization is the expansion of 'global consciousness' in which the world is perceived as one whole along with connectivity. In other words, globalization is a process of more physical connections and a change in perception in which people perceive the world as a stage.

The authors also explain globalization as a multidimensional process involving the various dimensions of economy, politics, culture, and society. In this process, subjects of different levels, including the state, individual, and humanity, are simultaneously included in globalization. Particularly impressive is the argument that globalization does not only weaken the nation-state, but also works on the premise of the nation-state itself. Globalization does not replace the state, but proceeds in a way that changes the nature and role of the state.

Finally, the authors emphasize that globalization is not a simple homogenization through the concept of globalization. It explains that globalization is a progressive process that cannot reach a complete state by itself, and globalization is always coordinated and transformed in a regional context.


2) Something new and interesting

The most interesting part was the argument that globalization should be viewed as a 'view point' rather than an 'thing'. I have accepted globalization for granted like the existing reality or structure, and through this article, I was impressed that it is a concept that can look different depending on the framework in which we understand the world. In other words, I thought that globalization was more like 'being interpreted' than 'being'.

Another impressive part is that globalization is not a huge phenomenon that is far from an individual's life, but a process that includes individual identity and daily life. The explicit inclusion of "individual" in the discussion of globalization served as an opportunity to change my view of globalization as an abstract international problem.


3) Problem consciousness, questions, and points of discussion

However, as this article is conceptually very sophisticated, criticism of the problem of inequality in reality felt somewhat indirectly. Although I agree that it is important to understand globalization as a 'controversial concept', I wondered if there was a risk that this approach would be used to relativize the exploitation or inequality caused by globalization.

It also remains a question of whether the expansion of global consciousness necessarily leads to better understanding or solidarity. Recognizing the world as one often creates fear or new conflicts rather than empathy. Therefore, I felt that more discussion was needed on under what conditions global consciousness worked in a positive direction.


Conclusion

Through this article, I came to understand that globalization is not simply an economic integration or a weakening of borders, but a change in the way the world is perceived as a space. Robertson and White's discussion makes it viewed as a complex process that should be critically analyzed, not an object that should be for or against globalization. In the end, I think the question "What is globalization?" is meaningful in that it is the starting point for continuous thinking about how we understand and interpret the world, rather than closing with a single answer.

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