Globalization is an emerging trend in the world whose effects are felt on a large scale. Characterized by the interrelationships of social systems, globalization is defined as the global processes that result in the integration of systems (Sheffield, Korotayev & Grinin, 2013). The political, cultural, social and economic aspects are integrated to form a world system that favors the collaboration of different countries. Globalization has increased over the recent past with both positive and negative effects. Some scholars have argued that globalization has done more harm than good. Negative economic impacts of globalization have been associated with less developed countries, as will be discussed below. The following is an analysis of globalization, its importance in the urban world as well as its social, political, cultural and economic effects.
Globalization is important because it promotes cohesion among states. Social globalization facilitates the development of peaceful coexistence among people from different backgrounds. Political globalization favors international trade through various policies, (Sheffield, Korotayev & Grinin, 2013) while economic globalization seeks to facilitate economic growth of different countries. Cultural globalization has led to cultural integration whereby different cultures have been recognized and accepted worldwide. Cultural sharing has also promoted the maintenance of cultural heritage as well as learning different cultures. Globalization has turned the world into a global village.
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Economic globalization is defined as the flow of goods, services, capital, technology and knowledge across countries (Samimi & Jenatabadi, 2014). This globalization is associated with the absence of trade barriers to enhance trade relations as well as the flow of capital. Economic globalization has promoted foreign investments and foreign trade. Foreign investments facilitate the spread of technology to less technologically-advanced countries. Technology is a crucial aspect of promoting economic growth.
The effects of economic globalization vary from one country to the other depending on resources and finances (Samimi & Jenatabadi, 2014). Economic globalization positively affects countries that have adequate human resources and proper financial management. These effects are as a result of efforts made to advance the countries’ economies. Developed and developing countries mostly feel the effects as they get to benefit from each other’s economies. On the contrary, less developed countries are negatively affected by globalization, with instances of poverty, inequality and slow economic growth being witnessed. Therefore, economic growth as a result of globalization is dependent on the countries’ levels of income (Samimi & Jenatabadi, 2014). Countries with high levels of income enjoy economic growth due to globalization, while low-income level countries struggle with the dire consequences of globalization.
Additionally, economic globalization is effective when financial systems are improved to suit it better. Developing countries are encouraged to strengthen their financial systems through providing better community education (Samimi & Jenatabadi, 2014). Quality education provides adequate knowledge that equips locals with skills to improve the economy. Therefore, the effects of globalization are influenced by the quality of education and financial systems.
Furthermore, social systems are affected by globalization. The most dominant consequence of social globalization is the increased depth of social stratification (Flanagan, 2010). Previously, social stratification was confined to local societies. Globalization has changed the narrative with stratification being popularized in developed countries. Social stratification in a globalized world is dependent on the international economic system. The living conditions of people in less developed countries have been accorded relevance in attaining stratification. Wealthy nations have achieved a higher social position as compared to weak states.
Global culture has been developed due to cultural globalization. Contemporary forms of communication have further advanced cultural globalization by making it easier for people from different cultures to interact (Flanagan, 2010). Social media is one of the platforms used to improve the global culture. The global culture is defined as the urban culture because public sources and art forms inform its ways. However, globalization has promoted westernization whereby people from across the world continue to adopt the western culture, seeing as it widespread through movies, music and other forms of art (Flanagan, 2010). Westernization is seen as an adverse effect as people tend to neglect their culture in a bid to adopt the western culture.
Political globalization is also another aspect of globalization that is dominant in the world today. Seeing as globalization has turned the world into a global village, there is need to develop policies that govern interaction in the village (Flanagan, 2010). Politics play a significant role in global trade and trade relations. Politics facilitate the formation of policies and trade unions that favor international trade. These policies have eradicated trade barriers to ease international trade. Furthermore, globalization has affected urbanization which has seen the increase of both migrants and immigrants in urban centers in search of greener pastures (Flanagan, 2010). The influx of urban centers necessitates the need for adequate policies to prevent strains on affected governments.
In conclusion, globalization is an essential aspect of the world today. It has prompted changes in social, political, cultural and economic spheres across the globe. Economic growth is among the most significant effects of globalization, whose results vary depending on the levels of income of countries. Social globalization has also led to social stratification while cultural globalization has led to the development of a global culture. Communication further supports this culture. Cultural globalization has led to increased westernization because of the popularity of art that spreads the culture. Politics affects trade policies to enhance both trade relations and international trade. Globalization is an emerging trend that has more good to offer than bad.
References
Flanagan, W. (2010). Urban sociology (5th Ed.). Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.
Samimi, P., & Jenatabadi, H. (2014). Globalization and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence on the Role of Complementarities. Plos ONE , 9 (4), e87824. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087824
Sheffield, J., Korotayev, A., & Grinin, L. (2013). Globalization . Litchfield Park, AZ: Emergent Publishers.
