The Globalisation Debate: Arguments and Consequences
The Globalisation Debate: Arguments and Consequences
Globalisation has been a hot topic for academic and political debate for decades now. There is often disagreement on many aspects of globalisations from its conceptualisation to whether or not its effects are positive or negative. For the purpose of this essay, the debate concerning the issue of historical continuity or distinct change is examined. Accounts of globalisation differ tremendously in regards to whether globalisation is considered a novel or a reoccurring phenomenon (McGrew, 1998). There are three dominant positions with regards to this debate. Firstly are the globalists who define globalisation as a new epoch in society that signifies the end of the nation state and the beginning of the global economy (Ohmae, 1995; Wriston, 1992, Guehenno, 1995). Secondly is the sceptics which dismiss globalisation as a new phenomenon and instead regard it as just a continuation of internationalism (Hirst & Thompson, 1996). Finally are the transformationalists who take an apparent halfway perspective between the globalists and the sceptics. While they see globalisation as the critical driving force behind the social, political and economic changes which are currently reshaping today’s society, they still believe that the nation-state will play a significant role (McGrew, 1998; Giddens, 1990; Scholte, 1993; Castells, 1996)). It is important to try not to look at this globalisation debate as being black or white. We cannot think of the world as being entirely globalized or internationalized but rather contain aspects of both under different circumstances. What is best to do is understand the complex relationships so as to provide organisations with a proper understanding of the future market.
For many people the terms globalisation and internationalisation are used interchangeably. However it is important to distinguish between these two terms as it will allow for a better understanding of how events are playing out
Globalisation has been a hot topic for academic and political debate for decades now. There is often disagreement on many aspects of globalisations from its conceptualisation to whether or not its effects are positive or negative. For the purpose of this essay, the debate concerning the issue of historical continuity or distinct change is examined. Accounts of globalisation differ tremendously in regards to whether globalisation is considered a novel or a reoccurring phenomenon (McGrew, 1998). There are three dominant positions with regards to this debate. Firstly are the globalists who define globalisation as a new epoch in society that signifies the end of the nation state and the beginning of the global economy (Ohmae, 1995; Wriston, 1992, Guehenno, 1995). Secondly is the sceptics which dismiss globalisation as a new phenomenon and instead regard it as just a continuation of internationalism (Hirst & Thompson, 1996). Finally are the transformationalists who take an apparent halfway perspective between the globalists and the sceptics. While they see globalisation as the critical driving force behind the social, political and economic changes which are currently reshaping today’s society, they still believe that the nation-state will play a significant role (McGrew, 1998; Giddens, 1990; Scholte, 1993; Castells, 1996)). It is important to try not to look at this globalisation debate as being black or white. We cannot think of the world as being entirely globalized or internationalized but rather contain aspects of both under different circumstances. What is best to do is understand the complex relationships so as to provide organisations with a proper understanding of the future market.
For many people the terms globalisation and internationalisation are used interchangeably. However it is important to distinguish between these two terms as it will allow for a better understanding of how events are playing out
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