Download Models of Globalisation - School

Models of Globalisation
World Systems Theory (Wallerstein)
Globalisation of Culture Model (Featherstone et al)
Sociology of the Global System (Sklair)
World Systems Theory (Wallerstein)
In order to understand Wallerstein’s theories we must first visit Waters’s
(1995) three possible types of world system:
1.
World-empires
2.
World-economies
3.
World-socialism
Wallerstein concentrates on the emergence of the
European world-system and traces it from the
sixteenth century to the present day. This
corresponds to Waters’ world-economy model.
World-empires
A multiplicity of cultures are unified
under the domination of a single
government; there have been many
instances of world-empires, e.g. Ancient
Egypt, Ancient Rome, Ancient China,
Mogul India, Feudal Russia, Ottoman
Turkey.
World-economies
A multiplicity of political states, each
typically focusing on a single culture
(nation-states), are integrated by a
common economic system; there has
been only one stable instance of a
world-economy, the modern worldsystem, integrated by a single capitalist
economy (which includes state socialist
societies)
World-socialism
Both the nation-state and capitalism
disappear in favour of a single, unified
political and economic system which
integrates a multiplicity of cultures;
there is no instance of world-socialism
and it remains a utopian construct.
World Systems Theory (Wallerstein)
Within the capitalist world-economy, an
international division of labour has
developed in which different countries find
themselves in one of three possible states:
1.
Core-states
2.
Semi-periphery
3.
Periphery
Core-states
These states are developed, rich and
dominant within the system and are
made up of the most industrialized
countries in the late twentieth century
(e.g. Western Europe, USA, Japan)
Semi-periphery
These states are closely linked to core
countries by various kinds of dependent
trading relationships. These states
could be emerging from the periphery
or were possibly core states that are
now in decline.
Periphery
These are poorer states and therefore
somewhat economically dependent on
the core states.
World Systems Theory (Wallerstein)
Central to Wallerstein’s argument is that you can map
out the development of the world economy and see
clearly that the core states have established a
position where they can exploit resources of the
countries in the peripheral areas.
However Wallerstein’s model is based mainly on
economic and political factors, without considering
cultural factors. Wallerstein did offer an adjustment
to his original ideas in a paper entitled ‘Culture as the
Ideological Battleground of the Modern World
System’ (1995). Most sociologists remain unconvinced
that the world-system model can deal with cultural
issues adequately.
The (New) International Division
of Labour
Old International Division of Labour = Colonies produced
raw materials that were then exported and processed
in colonial power’s industrial centres
Froebel et al (1980) postulated that this was breaking
down to be replaced by a system in which firms in the
developed world move labour-intensive production to
the developing world in order to exploit lower wage
costs. The result has been the decline of traditional
manufacturing sectors & employment in the developed
world. Also TNC’s have emerged as globally powerful
organisations that ruthlessly switch production &
supply to maximise profits.
Evidence of NIDL
Evidence of N.I.D.L.
•
•
•
•
Fastest growing economies in the world found in East Asia, particularly
Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. 1974-1993 East Asian
economic growth = 7.5%, developed world = 2.9% (NB recent relative
decline in East Asia due to regional economic difficulties).
1960 core industrial regions of Europe & N America produced 71% of
world products & 78%. By 1981 these figures had fallen to 60% and
59% respectively (Harris 1987).
World Bank estimates that the share of world output taken by
developing countries will reach 60% by 2020, with developed world’s
share down to 35%.
During the Industrial Revolution in 1780 it took Britain 58 years to
double output. From 1839 the USA took 47 years, from 1885 Japan
took 35 years. From 1966 South Korea took 11 years.
All of the above represent serious challenges to workers in the developed
world. The 1970/80’s saw significant impacts on the
secondary/manufacturing sector. Today we are seeing signs that the
most developed economies of the developing world (China/India) are
competing with the tertiary/service sector.
Globalisation of Culture Model
A number of writers are associated with these ideas
including:
• Mike Featherstone
• Roland Robertson
• Bryan S. Turner
• J. Urry
Certain common themes run through their writings on the
globalisation of culture:
 They are all interested in the question of how
individual and national identity can survive in a ‘global
culture’
 They tend to emphasise the cultural over the political
and/or the economic
Globalisation of Culture Model
Some writers have talked of a global culture being eclectic,
universal, timeless and technical. This is why it poses real
problems in terms of the individual and national identity.
National Identity can be summarised as:
• A sense of continuity between the experiences of
succeeding generations of the unit of population
• Shared memories of specific events and personages which
have been turning-points of a collective history
• A sense of common destiny on the part of those
collectively sharing experiences
A collective cultural identity can be linked to nationhood and
has some link with the past, whereas a global culture is
essentially memory-less. It is therefore difficult to
construct a global cultural identity, because at any point in
time it will be historically specific, being based on shared
memories.
Sociology of the Global System
Sklair (1991) attempts to move away from an analysis of global
society that focuses on the Nation-State and to look at a model
that uses transnational practices ( practices that originate with
non-state actions and their cross-state borders). Sklair places
these actions in three spheres: (Economic, Political,
Cultural/Ideological)
Sklair states the following tenants:
• TNC’s are the most important institutions for economic
transnational practices.
• The transnational Capitalist Class (TCC) is the most important
institution for political transnational practices.
• The culture/ideology of consumerism is the most important
institution for transnational cultural ideological practices.
Sociology of the Global System
• With this model, Sklair directs attention away from the nationstate and towards transnational capitalists. According to Sklair:
– “The research agenda of the flobal system is concerned with how
TNC’s, TCC’s and the cultural/ideology of consumerism operate
systematically to transform the world in terms of the global
capitalist project. The TCC includes the following groups of people:
•
•
•
•
TNC Executives and their local affiliates
Globalizing state bureaucrats
Capitalist-inspired politicians and professionals
Consumer elites (merchants, media)
This class sees its mission as organizing the conditions under
which its interests and the interests of the system (which
usually, but not always coincide) can be furthered within the
context of particular countries and regions.”
Ritzer & MacDonaldization
Sklair emphasises a single dominant global system in which
capitalism is dominant, this dominance comes from economic,
political and military strength, but also importantly from the
appeal of the ‘ideology of consumerism’.
The wide scale spread of Western advertising and products around
the world reflects this idea.
Ritzer identifies what he calls a process of ‘MacDonaldization’.
“The process by which the principles of the fast-food
restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of
American society, as well as the rest of the world”
MacDonaldization
The principles of the process of MacDonaldization are as
follows:
Efficiency: MacDonaldization compresses the time-span and the effort
expended between a want and its satisfaction.
Calculability: It encourages calculations of costs of money, time and
effort as the key principles of value on the part of the consumer,
displacing estimations of quality.
Predictability: It standardizes products so that consumers are
encouraged not to seek alternatives.
Control: Of human beings by the use of material technology. This involves
not only de-skilling of workers, but control of consumers.
According to Waters MacDonaldization represents: “a rendering of
consumption as well as production; a rationalization of previously
informal & domestic practices, that pushes the world in the direction of
greater conformity” (Waters 1995)