What is globalization--Kim younggyun

 1) Summarize

From what I understand, globalization is not merely an economic trend. It is a broad concept in which the world becomes increasingly interconnected on cultural, social, political, and even individual levels. Because globalization is such an all-encompassing idea, it is only natural that debates continue over its definition. This is exactly what made studying the concept of globalization difficult for me. That is why, like Robertson and White, I tried to understand globalization mainly through the two dimensions of increasing connectivity and growing consciousness.

I find their approach persuasive. When internet, transportation, and trade expand, the connections between countries grow stronger, and naturally, people begin to perceive the world as a “single place.”

2) Interesting point

What I found particularly interesting while studying globalization is that it does not simply lead to “one-sided homogenization.” I used to think of globalization only as the expansion of a hegemonic nation’s influence across the globe. However, I learned that globalization can also work to reinforce diversity and difference, as seen in the concept of “glocalization.” A good example is when a global brand like McDonald’s entered Korea and launched localized items such as the Bulgogi Burger.

One topic that was also covered in class, which I found worth briefly introducing here, is the “measurement of globalization.” This can be understood as an attempt to quantify the degree to which globalization has advanced. Since there is no single indicator that directly reflects globalization, and since globalization itself is so broad, we have to rely on various economic and cultural indicators to infer its extent indirectly.

3) Concern and Discussion

I also want to share a personal concern. Looking at the international situation in 2025, I sometimes feel that globalization might be coming to an end. Far-right parties are gaining support in some European countries, and the United States seems to have stepped back from its role as the world’s police while enforcing anti-immigration policies. Perhaps we are at a turning point, shifting away from globalization back toward isolationism.

There is a saying that history repeats itself. Humanity already knows what happens when nationalism rises, differences are rejected, and economic growth stagnates. It worries me that the history of human warfare might soon be rewritten.

Finally, I would like to pose a question about globalization. To me, the concept of “globalization” still seems to be heavily shaped by a Western-centered perspective. The lecture materials I read were also written from the standpoint of Western scholars. In keeping with the very meaning of globalization, wouldn’t it be interesting to revisit the concept from a decolonial, non-Western perspective and have a discussion about it?

4) References

 Ronald Robertson, Kathleen E.White, "What is Globalization" in The Blackwell Companion to Globalization, edited by George Ritzer, 54-66. USA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2007.

5) Using Ai

I received gpt-5's help when translating writing in Korean into English. Other than simple translation , I did activities such as writing and composing paragraphs on my own.