We explain the most important characteristics of globalization in the political, economic, technological, social and cultural fields, with examples.
What are the characteristics of globalization?
The main characteristics of globalization are the worldwide expansion of free trade, the formation of a global financial system, the internationalization of production, the proliferation of information and communication technologies (ICT), the progressive overcoming of national borders. , migrations and other forms of population mobility, the dissemination of new knowledge and technologies, and a trend towards the configuration of a global culture.
Globalization is a process of global integration of markets and coordination and economic, political, social, technological and cultural exchange l. It was largely possible thanks to the economic and technological transformations introduced by the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries.
However, Its main impulse took place at the end of the Second World War (1939-1945) and especially after the end of the Cold War in 1991 when market capitalism took hold worldwide and new technologies such as computing, the Internet and mobile telephony were developed. The main characteristics of globalization are detailed below.
See also: Causes and consequences of globalization
1. Liberalization of world trade
The signing of free trade agreements between countries and the existence of organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) promote the reduction or elimination of tariffs and import barriers which enables the international integration of markets. This is favored by information and communication technologies (such as the Internet) and by lower transportation costs. The result is economic globalization characterized by the constant movement of goods and capital on a global scale.
2. Global financial system
International agreements and the rapid exchange of information through new technologies facilitate capital movements from one country to another and the investment of companies in generally less developed regions. On the other hand, governments can resort to loans or financial assistance from international institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), which often increases the external debt levels of many countries.
3. Productive internationalization
The economic growth of the most developed countries led to the formation of large multinational companies, which set up subsidiaries and stores in various countries around the world. This allows them to expand their markets and concentrate wealth, which often harms small local businesses, which have difficulty competing.
On the other hand, sometimes Multinational companies establish their factories in less developed countries to reduce labor costs a process known as relocation of production. Together with capital investments, this generates jobs and often favors the economic growth of less developed countries, although it also usually entails low wages and job insecurity.
4. Information and communication technologies (ICT)
Advances in information and communication technologies, which accelerated from the end of the 20th century with the development of computing, Internet and mobile telephony contributed decisively to the world integration that characterizes globalization. Its use allows you to carry out operations of almost any type over long distances and practically immediately.
In this way, innovations such as electronic commerce, virtual banks, technology blockchainonline work or study platforms, social networks, among many others. Added to this is the lowering of transportation costs and its greater speed, thanks to advances in the air, land and naval industries and the use of large containers for the flow of goods.
See also: Technological globalization
5. Overcoming national borders
The end of the Second World War in 1945 and the fall of the Soviet Union (USSR) that ended the Cold War in 1991 favored a reorganization of the world and a tendency to overcome national borders (although not eliminate them). In addition to the generalization of free trade, this implied the emergence of international institutions that bring together most of the countries in the world, such as the United Nations (UN).
It also encouraged the periodic holding of international forums and conferences to coordinate policies of global interest, such as the Conference of the Parties (COP) on climate change and the Group of Twenty (G20) on financial stability and sustainable development.
In many areas, regional organizations, such as the Organization of American States (OAS), were formed and In Europe, a supranational community was formed: the European Union. These intergovernmental relationships combine with the activity of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote attention to human rights and democracy globally.
See also: Political globalization
6. Migrations and other forms of mobility
Global interconnection facilitates the transfer of people for tourist, work or study reasons which often involves long stays in foreign countries or even permanent changes of residence. Many migratory movements are due to the search for better job opportunities and quality of life, especially of people from less developed countries who move to nations with more favorable economic conditions.
Also frequent are migrations for humanitarian reasons or seeking political asylum and at a global level there are organizations such as the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), which is responsible for safeguarding the rights and well-being of people who find themselves in this situation.
See also: Social globalization
7. Diffusion of technology and knowledge
Globalization implies the widespread dissemination of knowledge and technology for example in the areas of computing and communications, but also in science, industrial machinery and household appliances. This allows greater access to information and goods and services from various countries which in some cases increases people's standard of living.
8. Trend towards a global culture
The interaction between people from different countries through travel, the use of social networks and the consumption of the same cultural products (entertainment, gastronomy, fashion, art) promote a trend towards the formation of a global culture.
Cultural exchanges and the internationalization of brands and companies imply the reduction of cultural diversity and sometimes they impose the consumption patterns of economically dominant countries (as happens with American Hollywood cinema or multinational gastronomic chains). However, also give rise to hybrid cultural forms or fusions.
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References
- Hashemi-Pour, C and Lutkevich, B. (2023). Globalization. TechTarget. https://www.techtarget.com/
- Morales A., F. (2000). Globalization: concepts, characteristics and contradictions. Education Magazine, 24(1), 7-12. https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/
- Osterhammel, J and Petersson, N. (2019). Brief history of globalization. From 1500 to the present day. 21st century.
- Steger, M. B. (2020). Globalization. A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
- Volle, A. (2024). Globalization. Britannica Money. https://www.britannica.com/
