Mark Dixon - Murdoch University

Conventional Representations of Modern Globalisation

In the 21st century, globalisation seems to have been widely accepted as a major feature of life. Alongside it's obvious economic implications, the global market influences people in a range of cultural, social and political ways. A significant feature of modern economic structures is the inherent disadvantages experienced by many as a result of highly competitive market forces. Political Economy Discourses of Globalisation and Feminist Politics, by Suzanne Bergeron, aids in the critique of traditional views on globalisation while providing suggestions for methods of rectifying the resulting gender inequities. Bergeron explains that, when it comes to globalisation and the modern capitalist market, there are a number of dominant positions which frame the discourses of social, cultural and economic analysis. Most of these perspectives, however, further the marginalisation of groups along gender boundaries and continue systems of patriarchal hierarchical domination. By questioning a number of views implicit within conventional positions on the global economy, such as assumptions about power structures and gender roles within the market, she is able to break down these arguments in favour of a modern feminist alternative.

September 10, 2010

Mark Dixon - Murdoch University

As Bergeron explains, the two major viewpoints with regards to political economy, particularly with respect to implicit gender subjectivity, are the global imperative and the national management approaches (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 984). The main problem present with any critique or assessment of these perspectives lies in the surprisingly ambiguous line drawn between the two; while each side has clear lines of argument and equally valid theoretical bases for belief, there remains no distinct, identifiable boundary between each. Nevertheless, the major difference between these approaches involves the role of the nation-state as a potential resistor to the forces of globalisation. The global imperative approach asserts that the success of capitalism can only result in a truly globalised economic, social and political world that can by only countered by non-governmental, global bodies of resistance. The national management approach, however, argues that the nation-state retains a degree of power in a globalised world, with its main role that of protection of respective national interests. Proponents of the global imperative approach argue that the diminishing role of the nation state is an inevitable part of economic development in a highly capitalistic world market. A truly integrated worldwide market can indeed only be achieved, it is argued, by the full removal of the notion of any state being involved in market actions. Further, integration itself or in many cases, further integration is promoted as the solution to any problem that the global market may face, rather than any intervention from a nation state (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 987).

September 10, 2010

Mark Dixon - Murdoch University

On the other hand, those who support the ideals of the national management approach assert that a degree of intervention and regulation by nation states and similar bodies would benefit people both economically and culturally by supporting collective common interests. While few would argue for complete state control of the market, an ideal hybrid (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 989) model featuring a mostly free market tempered by selective state regulation and protective mechanisms for its citizens is generally supported by this position. The protection of national interests remains the dominant focus of the national management approach, acknowledging the negative aspects of globalisation but arguing that, rather than further integrating both regions and markets, the solution can be found through government intervention defending the nation from these negative aspects. These traditional approaches to globalisation and political economy tend to focus primarily on the economic implications of policies that both enforce and promote globalised economic trends, while marginalising the social and cultural implications of such trends. As Bergeron highlights, while many consider the main impact of globalisation to be economic changes, few treat the resulting social and cultural changes with equal importance (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 985). Indeed, the restructuring of identity that can occur in regions experiencing change as a result of globalisation is one of the most important points of contention in the debate. While some argue that economic homogenisation results in the blending of cultural signifiers, beliefs and values in some areas, others contend that a nation, as a site of collective identity (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 986) can be unified by the apparent competing forces of

September 10, 2010

Mark Dixon - Murdoch University

external economic and national groups. In any examination of the wider social and cultural trends, the impact of the forces of globalisation upon women cannot be overlooked. Both of the main positions on political economy as outlined above place significant, if perhaps undue, emphasis upon the main bodies involved in the global market. These groups include predominantly multinational businesses, financial bodies, and of course nation state while implicitly overlooking groups that are either currently uninvolved or only minimally involved in the free market mechanism. In this way, gender-based groups, women in particular, are marginalised by the dominant worldviews associated with political economy and globalisation. Bergeron provides alternatives to these positions in order to temper such conventional representations of globalisation with the feminist views of political economy. The changes to feminist labour trends during the 20th centurys periods of intense globalisation were significant, with such trends continuing into a number of developing countries even now. The realignment of a number of economies entering the globalised free market has meant that a significant number of nation states have reduced the focus upon welfare support and state-sponsored social services. As the traditionally less powerful people in the labour market suffer as a result of the lack of state support, and are forced into the paid labour market to earn more in substitute, this cycle of disadvantage impacts upon a huge number of women. Additionally, Bergeron points out that studies and organisations aiming to rectify some of these issues, such as the World Banks structural adjustment models, simply accept a number of assumptions about women in unconscious support of an inherently

September 10, 2010

Mark Dixon - Murdoch University

patriarchal system (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 991). A number of gendered assumptions and effects (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 991), as well as assumptions based on the conventional ideas of economic hegemony, underpin the dominant discourses of globalisation and need to be deconstructed in order to properly critique such pervasive views. The conventional representations of globalisation rely upon traditional hierarchical notions of male domination in their views of the globalised world. Bergeron places emphasis on the fact that the process and condition of economic globalisation is symbolic of the normative patriarchal structures present in society. Women often find themselves subject to predetermined outcomes and identities without the option of a self-created individual or collective identity. Most feminist alternatives to the major positions on the political economy simply acknowledge and accept the gender-based dichotomy present in globalised economies, often aiding in the reinforcement of essentially feminine ways of being (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 997). Additionally, the acceptance of conventional power structures as the norm, including assumptions relating to the apparent might of multinational organisations and their place in the market, must be questioned. By deconstructing the notion of a global market, one can view the globalised economic situation as more of a network of smaller interconnected economic networks, rather than a single global market dominated by multinational organisations and other seemingly hegemonic groups. Further, by analysing the potential for restrictions and weaknesses even within such

September 10, 2010

Mark Dixon - Murdoch University

organisations, there is the potential for feminist action that may utilise such deficiencies. Once the traditional power structures have been questioned in favour of a more all-encompassing view emphasising the importance of regional factors and networks, and reducing the perceived significance of transnational groups, Bergeron argues that there is indeed a place for women to aid in the redistribution of wealth and resources. She emphasises the importance of womens organisations and associations at the local level (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 998) and provides a number of examples of the implementation of collective initiatives in support of womens communities. These groups must, Bergeron asserts, utilise a variety of different economic techniques to encourage power distribution among disadvantaged women, depending on the individual economic situations of each locality or region of influence. By viewing the globalised economy in terms of potential localised impact of feminist action, not only would such groups increase the likelihood of positive influence upon the women in their area, but also be able to demonstrate to other regions the success of specified initiatives. The importance of (recognising) the different articulations of economic processes and areas of common concern and intervention in the transnational area (Bergeron, 2001, p. 1000) must also be recognised, though only whilst maintaining a level of respect for both similarities and differences behind the collective feminist movements in such areas.

September 10, 2010

Mark Dixon - Murdoch University

Economic conditions are not the only oppressive social structures influencing women, with a number of social and cultural conditions also aiding in conventional patriarchal norms. While it is clear that the amendment of simply one aspect of social, cultural, or economic gender binaries would not itself result in a more equitable distribution of power amongst the sexes, the encouragement of female economic self-determination could only benefit the complex process of gender equity. Bergeron, by explaining the conventional views on political economy, allows the deconstruction of such views along both gender- and power-based lines in order to provide examples of how women may utilise economic restructuring to their advantage. The maintenance of a combined local and global perspective in womens associations and organisations worldwide, in addition to collective action based upon assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of conventional economic powers, would aid in the achievement of global economic restructuring with respect to feminist ideals. While we may agree that global capitalism is here to stay (Bergeron, 2001, pp. 983), collective action based on critical analysis of globalisation could potentially eradicate a great amount of its inherent feminist subjectivity, to the benefit of so many worldwide.

September 10, 2010

Mark Dixon - Murdoch University

Reference List
Bergeron, S. (2001) Political Economy Discourses of Globalisation and Feminist Politics Signs 26 (4): 983-1006

September 10, 2010