Globalization

Globalization is the idea that the world is completely

interconnected and dependent on each other in regards to

economics, culture, and politics (Birn, Pillay, & Holtz, 2017).

The common idea that weaves itself through globalization is that

larger markets mean increased profits. You may find it helpful

A graphic that shows the complicated ideas
to remember this when learning about globalization. and influences that affect globalization.
http://factmyth.com/neoliberal-
Etymology: globalization-and-protectionism-
Contents: explained/
1.Etymology Globalization is derived from the
2. History
a. 1492-1820 word globalize (Globalization, n.d.). The word globalize began
b.1820-1931
c.1913-1950 to emerge in the 1950’s, in reference to the global economic
d.1950-current
3. Types markets that were developing (James & Steger, 2014). The
a.Ecological
b.Cultural word globalization has a complicated origin story. It doesn’t
c.Communication
d.Economic have an inventor, but rather came about because of a need to
e.Political
4. Health Effects describe the increasing interconnectedness of markets,
a.Negative Effects
I. Direct communication, and politics (James & Steger, 2014).
II. Indirect
b.Positive Effects Globalization was first used in the sense that we know it today

by political scientist George Modelski (James & Steger, 2014).

He used the term globalization to explain “the result of the increasing size, complexity and

sophistication of world society” (Modelski, 1968, p. 389). In recording the genealogy of the

word, James and Steger found that the great minds behind this idea reference the fact that the

press actually used this word before academic minds did (2014, p. 430).

History:
Globalization has been evolving since Christopher Columbus first sailed from Europe to discover

new territories. Globalization has experienced four distinct historical periods.

a. 1492-1820: According to an essay by Williamson (2005), The Voyages of Discovery led

by Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama resulted in the sharing of ideas, plants,

food, technology, animals, and disease. Williamson details that this sharing of knowledge

created a more globalized world, as it connected people from different areas. However,

this did not have an affect on trade and migration. Transportation costs, pirates,

monopolies, and tariffs made it hard to connect the world’s markets which would have

increased trade and migration. (Williamson, 2005).

b. 1820-1913: This period is considered the first period of a truly globalized world

(Williamson, 2005). Williamson (2005) explains that relaxed immigration policies, and

decreasing transportation costs led to an increase in migration, which in turn created a

more globalized world. This increasing migration, and decreasing costs made it easier for

countries to trade, no matter where they were located (Williamson, 2005). This led to

increased growth in overseas markets, and globalization experienced almost a century

long boom (Williamson, 2005).

c. 1913-1950: Globalization was largely considered a force for peace in the world because

it increased the interconnectedness of the worlds markets (Strikwerda, 2014). This is

because countries focus on maintaining good trade relationships which requires respect,

and fairness. When World War I broke out it forced countries to decrease trade, lending,

and investment. Countries became less connected in order to fund their militaries, and

other war-efforts. (Strikwerda, 2014). Immigration barriers were erected, which

decreased migration (WIlliamson, 2005). Countries struggled to import food, which

 resulted in them having to grow it themselves. This would not change after the war, and

caused issues for the countries who wanted to export agriculture to these countries again

(Strickwerda, 2014). This is considered a very anti-global period, and this is largely

credited toward effects of both World War’s that would never be reversed. (Strickwerda,

2014).

d. 1950-current: Globalization has steadily increased since the end of World War II

(Williamson, 2005). However, immigration has decreased, largely due to the US

restricting it. (Williamson, 2005). Trade barriers have decreased (Williamson, 2005).

Globalization is easier for the average citizen to participate in as the ability to travel has

become easier, and cheaper. The internet, and cell phones are ubiquitous and make it easy

to communicate no matter where a person is located. The creation of the World Trade

Organization has also increased globalization by abolishing tariffs, and encouraging

countries to participate in free trade (Profile, 2012). Global recessions have negatively

affected the strength of globalization, but overall it continues to be a driving force in the

world today.

Types:
a. Economic Globalization: This form of globalization is about interconnectedness of

markets, goods, finances, and corporations throughout the world (Chase-Dunn, 1999).

The ease of moving money, and relatively capitalistic world view has increased the

globalization of economies (Chase-Dunn, 1999). Examples of this type of globalization

are all around us. Calling a help-center for support usually results in speaking with

someone in another country, and many of our products are made in other countries.

(Enotes, 2013). This reliance on each other is an example of economic globalization.

b. Political Globalization: People, and organizations that operate on a global level. These

can include bilateral organizations, corporations, non governmental organizations,

foundations and universal states, for example the United Nations (Birn, et al., 2017). The

world does not currently have an international government, but it is becoming

increasingly needed so that global actors can be controlled through laws and sanctions.

(Birn, et al., 2017).

c. Cultural Globalization: This form of globalization is based on the idea that the values

and practices of the Western world have spread to every country on earth (Chase-Dunn,

1999). Cultures have fused, and diffused into each other, all over planet earth, and this is

a function of globalization (Birn et al., 2017). An example of this is music, which travels

through different cultures, regardless of location (Enotes, 2013).

d. Globalization of Communication: Communication costs have greatly decreased, and

this has lead to a more connected society (Chase-Dunn, 1999). Examples of the

globalization of communication include email, cell-phones, and the internet. These tools

make it easier to share new ideas, technology, and finances with relative ease.

e. Ecological Globalization: This form of globalization focuses on the destruction of the

environment on a global scale (Chase-Dunn, 1999). Companies exploit low labor costs,

and a lack of environmental laws in developing countries which leads to destruction of

ecosystems (Ashford, Bluestone, Freeman, McAteer, & Moomaw, 2002). An example of

this is the deforestation of tropical countries for products like palm oil (Medium, 2017).

Prosecuting international actors for harming the

environment is difficult as there is no global

governing body (Ashford et al., 2002).

Health Effects:
a. Negative Effects: Most globalization advocates
believe that the benefits of increasing trade, and
Deforestation commitments in tropical countries.
https://medium.com/@NYDFAssessment/eliminating
-deforestation-from-agricultural-commodity-supply-
chains-3477041bfa5e

foreign investment are shared across

societies.However, the Textbook of Global Health explains “most countries have

experienced a marked deterioration in public social services” (384). With the increased

movement of people and products caused by globalization, we see specific health risks

appear. There are two kinds of health effects brought on by globalization. They are direct,

and indirect.
 i. Direct: Direct health effects act directly to cause illness and diseases (Huynen,

Martens, & Hilderink, 2005). The tobacco industry is a good example of direct

health effects related to globalization. As companies expand across the globe,

they have an increasingly large market to advertise to.

Countries like the U.S. and the E.U.have worked to ban

cigarette company advertisements (Pang & Guindon,

2004). Developing countries largely have not banned

these advertisements. According to Pang & Guindon,

“the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that

the death toll from tobacco abuse alone will reach 10

million a year over the next two decades” (pg. 1). Many
Woman smoking tobacco
of these deaths will occur in developing countries because of pipe

the negative health effects of tobacco, and the large amount of advertising

reaching them (Pang & Guindon, 2004). Large, transnational companies see these

untapped markets as a way to expand across the globe, and increase profits. The

deaths, and illnesses caused by tobacco across the world are directly related to

globalization (Pang & Guindon, 2004).

ii. Indirect: Indirect health effects act because of intermediary causes like the

economy, water supply, and education (Pang & Guindon, 2004). An example of

an indirect health effect impacted by globalization is climate change (Huynen et

al., 2005). Climate change may cause extreme damage to earth, and all of

humanity (Huynen et al., 2005). Deforestation is directly related to trade, and

developing countries are destroying trees at a profound rate (Ashford et al., 2002).
 This as well as mineral mining, species extinction, and energy production all have

negative effects on the environment, and are related to global forces (Ashford et

al., 2002).

b. Positive Effects: As communicating with other people became easier, so did the transfer of

knowledge. Globalization has made it possible to quickly share medical discoveries (Pang &

Guidon, 2004). This saves lives by increasing cooperation among scientists, and improving the

delivery of healthcare (Pang & Guidon, 2004). The cooperation of scientists is incredibly

important and leads to many other benefits like improving regulatory practices, and research

methodology (Pang & Guidon, 2004).

 References

Ashford, N. A., Bluestone, B., Freeman, P., McAteer, J. D., & Moomaw, W. R. (2002).

Globalization and the Environment. Journal of Public Health Policy, 23(2), 225-238.

Birn, A.E., Pillay, Y. & Holtz, T.H. (2017). Textbook of global health. New York:

Oxford University Press.

Chase-Dunn, C. (1999). Globalization: a world-systems perspective. Journal of World-

Systems Research, 5(2), 188.

Enotes. (2013, November 12). Name three examples of diplomatic globalization,

economic globalization, and cultural globalization. Retrieved from

https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/name-3-examples-diplomatic-globalization-

economic-463309

[Factors of Globalisation image] (2018). Retrieved from http://factmyth.com/neoliberal-

globalization-and-protectionism-explained/

Globalization. (n.d.). In Online Etymology Dictonary. Retrieved from

https://www.etymonline.com/word/globalize?ref=etymonline_crossreference
 Huynen, M. M., Martens, P., & Hilderink, H. B. (2005). The health impacts of

globalisation: a conceptual framework. Globalization and health, 1(1), 14.

James, P., & Steger, M. B. (2014). A genealogy of ‘globalization’: The career of a

concept.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14747731.2014.951186?needAccess=true

Medium Corporation. (2017, January 18). Amsterdam Declaration 'Towards Eliminating

Deforestation from Agricultural Commodity Chains with European Countries'. Retrieved

from https://medium.com/@NYDFAssessment/eliminating-deforestation-from-

agricultural-commodity-supply-chains-3477041bfa5e

Modelski, G. (1968). Communism and the Globalization of Politics. International Studies

Quarterly, 12(4), 380-393.

Pang, T., & Guindon, G. E. (2004). Globalization and risks to health. EMBO reports,

5(1S), S11-S16.

Profile: World trade organization. (2012, February 15). Retrieved from

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/2429503.stm

Strikwerda, C. (2014). The first world war in the history of globalization. Legacy of

World War I Conference. Elizabethtown, PA.

Williamson, J. G. (2005). Winners and losers over two centuries of globalization. In

Wider perspectives on global development (pp. 136-174). Palgrave Macmillan, London.

[Woman smoking a pipe] (2018). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_and_smoking
The types of definition strategies I used were etymology, which is on the first page. The second

strategy I used was examples, which I provide specifically in the health effects section.