What is the relation between politics and globalization?— YU JIE(여결)
1. Summary
Globalization has strengthened economic, cultural, and social connections across countries through technological advancements and increased international interactions. In this context, politics is no longer confined to domestic governance. Many political issues now transcend national borders, creating global challenges such as climate change, international migration, and transnational economic regulation. Therefore, globalization pushes political power to extend beyond the nation-state to broader global systems.
At the same time, globalization has transformed the power structure within the political sphere. Traditional state sovereignty is increasingly challenged by transnational corporations, international organizations, and non-governmental actors, leading to a more polycentric configuration of political authority. Political decision-making often requires international negotiations and collective participation, as global rules and institutions play a growing role in governance. As a result, states are no longer the sole producers of political power.
Nevertheless, the state remains a central actor in political systems. Facing global competition and cross-border issues, governments strengthen their influence through international cooperation and regional alliances. Politics and globalization interact with one another: politics shapes the institutional processes of globalization, while globalization forces political systems to adjust to new environments and power relations. Together, they reshape contemporary global governance and the future political landscape.
2. Something New and Interesting
Globalization has not caused the collapse of nation-states but has reshaped how they function. States increasingly rely on international and regional cooperation to address issues they cannot handle alone, making them key actors in transnational governance networks. Sovereignty becomes redistributed rather than diminished, showing that globalization transforms rather than replaces the role of the state.
At the same time, globalization creates new types of political conflict and participation beyond borders. Identity, human rights, and global risks have become major political concerns, while global civil society allows wider involvement but also introduces challenges such as accountability and the spread of transnational crime. As a result, politics becomes more interconnected, complex, and unpredictable in a globalized world.
3. Questions and Discussions
Globalization has changed the power and governance of states, raising many questions. Can states remain truly independent when they lose part of their sovereignty through international cooperation and global governance? Global civil society allows more people to participate in politics, but its lack of oversight can create risks or be exploited by criminal organizations. Individual rights and identity politics are strengthened, but society may become more divided.
The focus of political conflicts has also shifted, moving beyond class or interstate struggles to issues of identity, culture, global risks, and governance legitimacy. Does globalization strengthen democracy and freedom, or does it create new instability? Can politics adapt to globalization while remaining effective? These are key questions for further discussion.
This article's analysis of the relationship between politics and globalization is quite profound, with clear structure and insight. The author not only accurately summarizes the reshaping of political power by globalization, but also points out the counterintuitive phenomenon of "redistribution rather than weakening" of sovereignty, showing keen observation. The discussion on the duality of global civil society is particularly exciting, not only seeing the expansion of participation, but also warning of the risk of lack of supervision. The questions raised directly refer to the dilemma of contemporary governance, leaving room for in-depth discussion. On the whole, this is a balanced, thorough and inspiring analysis.
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