What is globalization?

Roland Robertson and Kathleen White’s article “What is Globalization?” emphasizes that globalization is not just an economic phenomenon but a multi-dimensional process. It covers economics, politics, culture, and even the way people think about their identity in the world. Globalization can be understood as the compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole. This means that globalization brings societies closer together, while also making people increasingly aware of their interconnectedness.

The lecture added another important dimension: globalization is not new. Historical examples such as the Silk Road, the spread of world religions, and the global circulation of scientific knowledge show that human societies have always been connected. What distinguishes the current stage is the speed and intensity—driven by technology, digital communication, and mass migration. In this sense, globalization is both an ancient process and a distinctly modern one.

2. What I Found Interesting

What I found most interesting is the idea that globalization is not a single, uniform force, but a set of overlapping and sometimes contradictory processes. For example, cultural globalization allows us to access Hollywood movies, Japanese anime, and K-pop almost instantly. This creates new hybrid cultures. At the same time, there are strong reactions against globalization, such as nationalism, cultural protectionism, or policies designed to limit migration.

Another concept that stood out was “glocalization"? the idea that local societies adapt global influences in their own way. This shows that globalization is not only about global dominance but also about local creativity and resistance. For instance, Korean fried chicken has become popular worldwide, but the taste and style are very different depending on the country. This illustrates how global and local elements mix in surprising ways.

This point made me reflect on my own experience traveling abroad. Last year, I visited Denmark. Before my trip, I assumed that a European country like Denmark would represent the height of globalization, full of diversity and cultural openness. Yet what I encountered was the opposite. I learned about the government’s so-called “ghetto policy,” which aims to reduce the concentration of immigrant communities by dispersing them or even demolishing their housing. During my stay, I heard stories of long-time immigrant families being forced out of their neighborhoods. Far from celebrating diversity, the state was actively limiting it.

For me, this was shocking. In South Korea, globalization is visible in everyday life—from diverse restaurants in Seoul to the popularity of foreign media. But in Denmark, a country I thought would be more multicultural, diversity felt restricted. I even heard that for some non-European immigrants, particularly Asians, marrying a Danish citizen might be the only realistic way to obtain long-term residency. This revealed how difficult it is for outsiders to truly settle in Denmark.

What struck me is that globalization does not necessarily mean the same thing everywhere. In Korea, it often means more openness to foreign culture and trade. In Denmark, globalization seemed to be perceived as a threat to national identity and social cohesion. This contrast challenged my assumption that globalization always leads to more diversity and inclusion.

3. Questions and Reflections

My experience in Denmark raised deeper questions about globalization. If globalization is supposed to connect people and cultures, why does it sometimes result in exclusionary policies? The reading suggests that globalization compresses the world, but it also creates anxiety about losing control. Governments may respond with defensive strategies, such as immigration restrictions or nationalist rhetoric.

This makes me wonder: does globalization inevitably increase inequality? On one hand, technology and communication make it easier for people to connect across borders. On the other hand, the benefits are not evenly shared. Wealthier nations set the rules, while immigrants and marginalized groups often bear the cost. In Denmark, I saw how immigrants were treated as outsiders, even after years of living there. Globalization, in that sense, seemed to reproduce global hierarchies within national borders.

Another reflection is whether globalization can be reversed. Some argue that rising nationalism, protectionism, or even wars could lead to “deglobalization.” But based on the lecture, I think globalization cannot be undone. It may change form—sometimes accelerating cultural exchange, sometimes provoking local resistance—but it continues to shape the modern world.

For me personally, globalization is no longer just an abstract theory. It is something I have experienced directly. Watching Denmark’s policies, I realized that globalization is not just about the free flow of goods and culture. It is also about power: who is allowed to move, who is included, and who is excluded. This makes globalization not only a process of connection but also a process of negotiation and conflict.

Ultimately, I believe globalization is best understood as a paradox. It connects people across borders, but it also highlights divisions. It creates opportunities for cultural exchange, but it can also fuel fears of cultural loss. My trip to Denmark taught me that globalization is not always about celebrating diversity. Sometimes it is about managing, restricting, or even reducing it.

This leaves me with a final question! Is globalization truly making the world more open, or is it simply making differences more visible?

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