Globalization and

Conclusion

Lecture 24: Thursday, 6 May 2010

J A Morrison

Lec 24: Globalization &

Conclusion
I. Globalization
II. Study International Politics!
III.Lessons Learned
IV.Learning More
V. Evaluations
2

Lec 24: Globalization &

Conclusion
I. Globalization
II. Study International Politics!
III.Lessons Learned
IV.Learning More
V. Evaluations
3

I. GLOBALIZATION
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is Globalization?
Globalization in Context
Implications of Globalization
The Fragility of Globalization
4

So, what is this phenomenon

globalization?

The literal meaning of globalization is

rendering things global. (OED)
A more precise formulation would run:
fundamental changes in the spatial
and temporal contours of social
existence, according to which the
significance of space or territory
undergoes shifts in the face of a no
less dramatic acceleration in the
temporal structure of crucial forms of
human activity. (Stanford Encycl. of
Philosophy)

Globalization, then, is really about

the minimization of the (potential)
significance of differences across
space and the changes in life that
follow as a result.

Barriers to Globalization
Natural Barriers
Transportation and Communication Costs
Historical Legacies (e.g. trade networks)

Contrived Barriers
Linguistic and Cultural Barriers
Politically-Imposed Restrictions (tariffs, &c.)
These limits may be increased or decreased

The level of these limits determines the potential

level of globalization, the extent of differences across
space.

If the level of globalization may

fluctuate, how has the level of
globalization changed over time?

I. GLOBALIZATION
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is Globalization?
Globalization in Context
Implications of Globalization
The Fragility of Globalization
10

Globalization encompasses more

than just economic
phenomena
But we typically use economic
measures to determine the level
of globalization.
Specifically, we look at the amount
of movement of: people, goods &
services, and capital.
11

Two Eras of Globalization

Two Eras
1st Age: Mid-19th Century to 1914
2nd Age: 1945 to Present

Similar Causes
Revolutions in transportation &
communication
Commitment by states to decrease
impediments

12

When was globalization the

greatest?

It depends on the
measure!
13

When was globalization

greatest?
Trade: Share of Exports in World Output
Peaked in 1913
Surpassed in 1970; much greater today

Migration: Share of population living

abroad
Greater before WWI than today

Capital: Flows relative to National

Income
Greater before WWI than today
Grieco & Ikenberry. State Power & World Markets. pp 5, 217.

14

I. GLOBALIZATION
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is Globalization?
Globalization in Context
Implications of Globalization
The Fragility of Globalization
15

Globalization has
implications for social,
political, and economic
outcomes.

16

The Social Implications

The Division of Labor in
Society (1893)
Globalization affects social
organization
Mechanical Solidarity: bonds
forced by proximity
E.g. members of same tribes

Organic Solidarity: bonds

developed by interdependence
E.g. individuals with similar
internal characteristics

mile Durkheim

17

Political Implications
Reorganization of the International
System
Non-state actors (MNCs, NGOs, &c)
become major players in IP
Changes in distribution of power

Changes in Accountability
States respond to different groups than
do MNCs or NGOs

18

Economic Implications
Development: Does globalization
make the pie bigger?
Distribution: Who enjoys the gains
brought by globalization?
Developed countries?
Developing countries?
MNCs?
Consumers?
19

I. GLOBALIZATION
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is Globalization?
Globalization in Context
Implications of Globalization
The Fragility of Globalization
20

In The Economic Consequences of

the Peace (1919), Keynes reflected
on the fragility of the prewar era
of globalization

21

What an extraordinary
episode in the
economic progress of
man that age was
which came to an end
in August, 1914!

22

sipping his morning tea in bed, the various products

of the whole earthand reasonably expect their
early delivery upon his doorstep; he could
adventure his wealth in the natural resources and
new enterprises of any quarter of the worldor he
could decide to couple the security of his fortunes
with the good faith of the townspeople of any
substantial municipality in any continent that fancy
or information might recommend. He could
secure..cheap and comfortable means of transit to
any country or climate without passport or other
formalityand could then proceed abroad to foreign
quarters, without knowledge of their religion,
language, or customs, bearing coined wealth upon
his person, and would consider himself greatly
aggrieved and much surprised at the least
interference.
23

But, most important of all, he regarded this

state of affairs as normal, certain, and
permanent, except in the direction of further
improvement, and any deviation from it as
aberrant, scandalous, and avoidable. The
projects and politics of militarism and
imperialism, of racial and cultural rivalries,
of monopolies, restrictions, and exclusion,
which were to play the serpent to this
paradise, were little more than the
amusements of his daily newspaper, and
appeared to exercise almost no influence at
all on the ordinary course of social and
economic life, the internationalization of
which was nearly complete in practice.
-- Keynes, Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1919.

24

The interwar collapse deepened

Keynes sense of the
precariousness of international
order.
In 1938with war in Europe
looming once againhe reflected
further on his prewar
assumptions
25

In short, we repudiated all versions of the

doctrine of original sin, of there being insane
and irrational springs of wickedness in most
men. We were not aware that civilisation
was a thin and precarious crust erected by
the personality and the will of a very few,
and only maintained by rules and
conventions skilfully put across and
guilefully preserved.
-- Keynes, My Early Beliefs, 1938.

26

We tend to believe that our time is

special

that our challenges are new.

and that our solutions are final.

27

But history teaches a different

lesson

28

Integration is not inevitable.

Progress is not permanent.

Civilization can collapse.

29

Lec 24: Globalization &

Conclusion
I. Globalization
II. Study International Politics!
III.Lessons Learned
IV.Learning More
V. Evaluations
30

We began the course with a

polemic: why bother
studying IP?

31

Youll remember, of course,

that I used the case of JM
Keynes to suggest that the
stakes of international
politics are extremely high.

32

International politics can

33

Can abet slavery

inflict inconceivable
suffering
and annihilate our species.
34

Or, international politics

can

35

Advance the cause of

liberty
lift continents out of
poverty
and ensure the persistence
of our species.
36

I think that studying

international politics will
make a difference
regardless of whether you
become a policymaker or
just an informed citizen.
37

But how ought we to study

international politics?

38

Lec 24: Globalization &

Conclusion
I. Globalization
II. Study International Politics!
III.Lessons Learned
IV.Learning More
V. Evaluations
39

Keynes offered some

guidance here as well.
Consider his chastisement
of Woodrow Wilson

40

Woodrow Wilson had the

moral authority, the best
intentions, and a larger
share of the political and
economic power than any
previous world leader.
In modern terms, Wilson
had both hard and soft
power.
41

But he had the wrong

ideas

42

He had almost no empirical

knowledge of the
Europeans particular
situations, their identities,
or their histories.

43

And he relied on a
simplistic, narrow
theoretical base that
perilously filtered his
perspective and
undermined his objectives.
44

This gives rise to three

lessons Keynes would hope
to impart on every student
of international politics

45

(1) The student of

international politics needs
both empirics and theory.

46

One must know the

empiricsthe facts on the
ground.
And one must also rely on
theory to explain and
interpret those facts.
47

But it is not enough to

simply be up to date.
International politics can be
and has been organized
in a variety of ways.
48

(2) The student of

international politics must
pursue a rich appreciation
of the facts and the theories
afforded by history.

49

A study of the history of opinion

is a necessary preliminary to the
emancipation of the mind. I do not
know which makes a man more
conservativeto know nothing but
the present, or nothing but the
past. (Keynes 1924)

50

This knowledge must be deep

historically, but it must also be
broad topically.

51

(3) The facets of international

politicseconomy, security, and
organizationare inextricably
linked. The student of
international politics cannot study
any one in isolation from the
others.

52

Lec 24: Globalization &

Conclusion
I. Globalization
II. Study International Politics!
III.Lessons Learned
IV.Learning More
V. Evaluations
53

In this course, weve covered a

tremendous amount of ground
a broad range of approaches
& theories, issues, and
empirical material.

54

I hope that Ive provided a

good introduction to the study
of international politics.
And I hope that youll use this
course as a jumping off point
for future coursework.
55

Beyond fulfilling requirements,

there are several things to
keep in mind when picking
classes

56

Choosing Classes
Substantive issues: IPE, security,
organization
Regional focus
Approach: realist, liberal,
constructivist
Method: formal, applied, historical
Chemistry with instructor
57

Lec 24: Globalization &

Conclusion
I. Globalization
II. Study International Politics!
III.Lessons Learned
IV.Learning More
V. Evaluations
58

Evaluations
Fill in circle completely
Use blue or black ink
Please share your
thoughts!

Thank you!
59