"Globalization is a social process in which the constraints of geography on social and cultural arrangements recede and in which people become increasingly aware that they are receding." (Waters, 1995 : 3)
What's missing from this definition of globalisation? Well, a lot, but not, at the same time. As a whole this quotation from Waters is rather specific in terms of a specific aspect of globalisation - one that is much broader in a sense.
From this, I mean to suggest that an influx of McDonalds around the world can be an example of globalisation, and how this corporation's presence changes property value, traffic through the area, and so forth is another 'specific' example.
Waters is correct in his point, the only part that challenges my mind in the deciding factor to whether it works as a definition on a whole to define globalisation is; "in which people become increasingly aware that they are receding". I don't know if that can be a certainty. As a majority, I think that we have generated this idea of accepting and taking them for granted, without noticing what's actually occurring, and cemented it into our social/cultural mentality.
Bringing it back to the McDonalds example, people aren't going to see the McDonalds near to the house they are going to buy or rent as a negative (where land/business value may decrease over time), they will see it as a positive and take it for granted that there is the option of fast, efficient (not necessarily healthy ... or ever healthy) food there at their disposable.
I agree that the geographical constraints that we know do begin to blur or recede but i think it requires a portion of academic sense to notice what the hell is going on!
Over and Out!
Hey Chris, I think you made some great points in this post about what is missing from waters definition of globalisation. This is a theoretical definition of globalisation and as a result neglects some of the factors that actually occur in practice. Gotta love having the McDonalds down the road and how this changes traffic and the value of your property. You definitely need academic sense to see what’s going on. Too many people just accept things at face value. Good work!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Chris. I agree with you that people (as a majority) just accept that these "boundaries" are receding. When you say we have generated a mentality that accepts it as is, do you think that globalisation can be controlled, but we choose not to? You've got some great points.
ReplyDeleteLoving the tone of the blog! Funny and thought provoking.
Hey Chris, I really like the way you connect Water's statement in with the processes of McDonalds are a obvious example of globalisation. I particularly agree with you when you talk about how society's blinkers are onwhen it comes to the issue that we are in fact being 'globalised' and absorb these mentalities into our everyday life unknowingly.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Sarah