"An Introduction to the Global" (Lecture B)

Lecture #2b: “An Introduction to the Global”
Jan Aart Scholte

Opening note: Today we will discuss analytical theories that explain the development of globalization. These explanations are controversial thus we will discuss a number of perspectives and how to choose between them.

Theoretical Explanations of Globalization
- Liberalism(s)
- Political Realism(s)
- Marxism(s)
- Constructivism(s)
- Poststructuralism(s)
- Feminism(s)

Metatheoretical Issues
- The goal is to identify different positions on core theories. We will do this by comparing and contrasting five metatheoretical issues underlying each theoretical explanation.
o Central issue- What issue is considered most important to each theoretical explanation of globalization?
o Material vs. Ideational- Is the theory derived from something tangible, ie. material, or something intangible, ie. ideational?
o Key Actors- Who is involved in the process of globalization?
o Social Structures- What patterns of social relations determine globalization?
o Historical Process- Are there patterns of social development over time that determine globalization?

- If you are going to understand the consequences of globalization, you need to understand the forces behind globalization.

- Note: Each theory has logical coherence. That is, it makes sense in its own terms.

Liberalism(s)
- Central Issue(s)→ Globalization is a progression towards economic welfare and political liberty.
- Material vs. Ideational→ Material in the form of technology and market forces
- Key Actor(s) → Liberals take a multi-actor view of social reality and contend that all of the following play a role: firms, civil society, governance bodies, mass media, etc.
- Social Structure(s) → Rules and regulatory institutions such as the UN and ICANN enable globalization.
- Historical Process(es) → Human society will progress towards greater modernization/development.

Political Realism(s)
- Central Issue(s)→ Globalization is the result of interstate struggles for power.
- Material vs. Ideational→ Material resources are deployed in power struggles.
- Key Actor(s) → Territorially sovereign states
- Social Structure(s) → Polarities
o Bipolarity- occurred during the Cold War, U.S. and Soviet Union
o Unipolarity- post Cold War, U.S. dominance
o Multipolarity- occurring today
- Historical Process(es) → Balance of power

Marxism(s)
- Central Issue(s)→ Globalization is determined by the mode of production and its transformation.
- Material vs. Ideational→ Material. This is a theory of political economy
- Key Actor(s) → Firms, corporations, governments, social movements
- Social Structure(s) → Capitalism and the struggle against it
- Historical Process(es) → Class struggle which leads to the transformation of the modes of production

Constructivism(s)
- Central Issue(s)→ Globalization is the product of the ways people communicate with each and talk about the world. These communications determine being, becoming and belonging in society. For example, diasporas communicate with each other to construct an identity.
- Material vs. Ideational→ Ideational. Ideas have a reality and causal significance and are not just a reflection of material relationships.
- Key Actor(s) → Individuals
- Social Structure(s) → Norms and identities
- Historical Process(es) → Inter-subjective communication or self discovery

Poststructuralism(s)
- Central Issue(s)→ Globalization is the assertions and suppression of life-worlds including values and perceived realities.
- Material vs. Ideational→ Ideational dynamics are key and include discourse and knowledge.
- Key Actor(s) → Disciplinary agents such as governments, corporations, bosses, professors and resistance groups such as environmentalists, religious revivalists and indigenous peoples.
- Social Structure(s) → Secularism, techno-scientific rationalism, anthropocentrism, instrumentalism (aka imperial social forces)
- Historical Process(es) → Discipline and subversion

Feminism(s)
- Central Issue(s)→ Globalization is a manifestation of gender relations.
- Material vs. Ideational→ Both, depending on who you talk to
- Key Actor(s) → Men and women
- Social Structure(s) → Patriarchy, masculinism
- Historical Process(es) → The emancipation of women