IR 203 Global Economy &

International Relations Lecture

Notes
Dr. Bezen Coskun, bezencoskun@zirve.edu.tr
This week we will learn...
1. Key Concepts
2. Definition of Globalization
3. Dimensions of Globalization
4. History of Globalization
5. Theories of International Relations and Globalization
6. Anti-Globalization Movement
Key Concepts
Capitalism- An economic system based on private ownership of capital
and the means of production (standing wealth and other forms of
property).
Cold War- The hostile relations between the two superpowers, the
United States of America and the former Soviet Union.
G-8- Group of Eight.
Global- covering or affecting the whole world.
Global Politics- the state will no longer be at the centre of attention-
but neither will it be marginalized.
Globalization- increasing integration of the world in terms of
communications, culture, and economics.

IMF- International Monetary Fund.
IPE- International Political Economy.
Sovereignty- A states right, at least in principle, to do whatever it
wants within its own territory.
WB- World Bank.
WTO- World Trade Organization.
Definition of Globalization
In general terms globalization is an economic, political,
technological, and socio-cultural process where the
importance of state boundaries decreases and the countries
and their people live in an integrated global system.
The term has become particularly popular in International
Political Economy and in cultural studies.
Dimensions of Globalization
Three main dimensions of globalization:
i. Economic Dimensions of Globalization
ii. Socio-cultural Dimensions of Globalization
iii. Political Dimensions of Globalization
Economic Dimensions of
Globalization

Economic globalization is one of the most frequently
used in discussions of development, trade, and IPE.
It is a process by which the economies of the world
become increasingly integrated, leading to global
economy and, increasingly, global economic
policymaking, for example, through international
agencies such as WTO, IMF, and WB.
Socio-cultural Dimensions of
Globalization
Social globalization means processes whereby many
social relations become relatively delinked from territorial
geography, so that human lives are increasingly played out in
the world as a single place.
Cultural globalization refers to an emerging global
culture, in which people more often consume similar goods
and services across countries and use of common language.
Examples: Coco-Cola, Mc Donald and use of English.
Political Dimensions of
Globalization
In political studies globalization ideas have been
significant in thinking about ideology and in
political behaviour in terms of issue areas such
as ecopolitics and human rights.
In terms of the environment and human rights clear
evidence of the need for global codes of conduct.
In terms of ideology writers like Hungtington and
Fukuyama have pointed to the globalization of
liberalism following the end of the Cold War.
History of Globalization
It is hard to determine a specific moment when globalization started or
to describe exact stages of its historical development.
History shows no obvious time on which everyone will agree.
Although considerable groundwork for globalization was laid in earlier
times, the noun globalization entered a dictionary for the first time in
1961.

History of Globalization
Generally speaking, commentators have linked globalization:
- to the rise of the information society,
- the beginning of late capitalism,
- the end of communism, and even the end of history.
Theories of International Relations
Realism Liberalism Marxism
Analytic
Units
Sovereign States in an
Anarchic International
System
State, Sub-State
Actors(firms,
NGOs), International
Organizations
States, Classes, Societies,
Nonstate actors as part of
Capitalist World System
View of Actors
States as Unitary
Actors
Domestic actors and
processes of decision
making matter
Determined by the historical
and economic
circumstances
Behavioural
Dynamics
Concern about the potential
use of force. Maximize
national security:diplomacy,
deterrence,allying,war
Interests are broadly
defined(legitimacy,economic,s
ecurity). Bargaining is central
means.
States and groups act
within patterns of
dominance
Issues
National
Security,Conflict,Pe
ace
Broad Agenda
Economic issues
(dependency)
Realism and Globalization
For realists, states hold sovereignty, and globalization does
not cause obsolete the struggle for political power between
states.
Globalization does not weaken the importance of the threat of
the use of force.
Liberalism and Globalization

Liberalism focuses on a much wider set of
interactions between states and non-state actors.
For liberals, globalization is the end point of the
transformation of world politics.
Liberals are particularly interested in the revolution
in technology and communications represented by
globalization.
Marxism and Globalization
Marxists seen globalization as a negative process.
For Marxists, globalization is not new process, and it is the
latest stage in the development of international capitalism by
West.
Globalization further deepens the existing divide between the
rich and poor countries.
Anti-Globalization
Movement
The anti-globalization
movement developed in
the late 20
th
century to fight
the globalization of
corporate economic activity
and the free trade with
developing nations that
might result from such
activity.
Anti-Globalization
Movement
Members of the anti-globalization movement
generally advocate anarchist, nationalist, socialist,
social democratic or environmentalist alternatives.
Although supporters of the movement often work
together, the movement itself is diverse.
Demonstrations: the Seattle (Washington-USA)
WTO meeting of 1999, Genoa (Italy)G8 summit in
2001.