Introduction
The century follows a pattern where globalization was at play, and it was a significant element in shaping societies across all frontiers. Through this system, there was an unlimited social and political network as well as the production sphere, which the nations could not have imagined before. This essay examines globalization’s refined induced impacts using insights from “Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: Chapter 20 Globalization-Globalization, 1970-2000” and related primary sources.
Definition and Occurrence of Globalization
Globalization, a product of technological advancement and the breakdown of trade barriers, is one of the four aspects described in “Worlds Together, Worlds Apart”, which revolves around enhanced interaction among all countries (Pollard et al., 2015). The cited book says, ” During this period, e-commerce experienced a unique high degree of development with global trading activities expanding unimaginably including services and goods.” (Pollard et al., 2015). Reflecting on the personal impact, an individual from East Germany in “Tidal Pull of the West: Of course, a writer can not brush aside describing the effect of the Western countries on the Eastern part after all, it seems like it attracted everyone, and it was so compelling that it is on everyone’s minds and altered their way of life. These insights give us a better understanding that globalization has been driven mostly by technological development and the social changes following World War II; this interconnection of the nations reflects the creation of a new world order.
Unintended Consequences of Globalism
International integration, which was the objective of globalization, can indeed have positive effects, but it is also one of the causes of negative impact. The textbook also draws attention to these drawbacks, which are summed up in the statement given below: ‘The speedy global integration can be simultaneously a source of good and evil because while it has been a cause of economic growth, it has also resulted in serious social dislocation,’ (Pollard et al., 2015). The sentence expresses this opinion, “Global forces march in our lands, and they are a kind of process that out the wish of people all over the world in the name of progress” a sentence from (Pollard et al., 2015). These sources demonstrate the intricacies of the globalized world, where the improvement of economic conditions can be coupled with the loss of cultural heritage and worsening social imbalances.
Challenge to National Identity and Nation-States
The world has experienced huge cultural and institutional changes brought on by globalization. This includes the breaking of traditional notions of national identity and the loss of power of nation-states. According to “Worlds Together, Worlds Apart” by Pollard et al. (2015), globalization challenges the competence of boundaries, whether territorial or cultural, which defines the limits of nation-states. The textbook states that “national boundaries have become insignificant with growing global interactions, thereby causing a reinterpretation of identity and boundaries of the statehood” (Pollard et al., 2015). This transformative impact is further highlighted in “Education and Equality: In the article “Why Gender Matters”, it is stated that global educational projects are built to challenge and change national identities by promoting universal values that can go against local traditions. (Pollard et al.2015, p. 809). Where a nation’s shape adapts to tensions and rivalry but also enhances foreign trade.
Conclusion
Summarizing the events of the 20th century, globalization is the main reason for the decisive worldwide expansion in terms of global relationships and goes together with many challenges at the same time. The academic and narrative accounts mentioned in “Worlds Together, Worlds Apart” and their direct sources justify the notion that the concerns arising from globalization are too complex to be described fully. They are diversified in connecting with economic foundations, cultural identities, and national authorities. These effects have to be accepted, and they are important for looking ahead and how the current changes are impacting the generations.
References
Pollard, E., Rosenberg, C., & Tignor, R. (2015). Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: Globalization, 1970-2000. W.W. Norton & Company.
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