Blog 11

This week in class we discussed the concept of globalization. Globalization is defined as a set of social processes that appear to transform our present social condition of conventional nationality into one of globality. One of the largest examples of globalization that I could think of was simple trade. Throughout the course of history different forms of trading have become more and more popularized with the creation of various kind of technology. In the beginning it was just goods that could be carried across land or by ship, but as time carried on new modes of transportation were created and larger and more different items could be interchanged throughout the world. The idea of trade isn't limited only by tangible goods either, it can be extended to simple knowledge and ideas. This can be seen with our current society and the internet. Globalization is advancing at an incredibly fast rate due to the fact that information can be shared across the world instantaneously. These ideas can be seen through the Modernization Theory. The modernization theory is a process that is Western in origin, global, total, homogenizing, irreversible, and progressive. According to the modernization theory, once a country moves forward, it is nearly impossible for them to move backward. While I agree that the world is in a state of innovation and advancement, I don't necessarily believe that what is happening is irreversible. Using the film Solar Mamas as an example, there are poverty stricken countries and communities that are used as guinea pigs for new technology and new ideas. If the technology or trial run of this situation falls through, there is very little chance that the poor country would be able to maintain or continue using the technology by themselves. The only thing that can't be taken away is the change that was made in the lives of the people the technology touched. They've been introduced to something new and exciting, which means that they will hopefully work and strive to reach that same level again.

While globalization has the opportunity create great things and to push boundaries that haven't been pushed before, there are still a number of negative aspects.

http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_17/b3678003.htm

This article by business week discusses some of the pros and cons behind globalization.