Globalization And Conflict

The process of globalization has made nation-states and peoples of the world increasingly interdependent and integrated. There is positive and negatives for social, economic and environmental dimensions in this process. On one hand the increased integration and interdependence reduces the chances of conflict and war between states. This is has been proven by a study done by John. R. Oneal and Bruce Russett (2009:20) from the universities of Alabama and Yale. Deducing that, economic agents are not indifferent to risk and the maximization of profit, this is because conflict is costly therefore, trade reduces interstate violence. Otherwise, national leaders would be behaving irrationally, as they are not insensitive to economic loss and the preferences

With the globalisation process, borders have become more fluid with the impact of electronic and other flows such as money transfers, satellite communications, and internet and merchandise trade. Therefore, contemporary state is unable to control phenomena such as global companies, global production and trading. States can no longer even control and operate their financial markets and economies autonomously anymore. State sovereignty and control has been affected through multilateral arrangements in the global economy such as IMF, GATT, and G 7. Their authority and control is hampered by MNCs threats of transfer pricing and relocation of production facilities (Goksel; 2012; 10-12).An example of this lessening control and authority of the state is the Arab Spring and how the internet was used to ensure global communication. This resulted in the spread of the message from various groups involved in the Arab Spring, as well as greater awareness and support for the cause. In the end the process of globalization continues to develop but the world is still divided into territories and each territory is a state that has its own interests to advance and

Another contradictory claim is that the due to globalization, society is becoming homogenous. Resulting in cultural homogenization, where a dominant culture has invaded local culture eliminating or overpowering the local culture. Therefore, everyone conforms to western ideal, resulting in a loss of individual culture and religions (Moore). examples of this is the could be the spread of American culture, in TV shows like American Idol that have been re-made into south African, West African or Australian versions. Indirectly spreading the contemporary American dream; of coming from nothing to making yourself into the nation’s sweetheart. However, there is a problem with this process as it is based on the assumption that as people we do not have agency and American culture is passively imposed upon people. On the other hand, there is the process of cultural heterogenization occurring where regional culture is widely disseminated and accepted by other societies and cultures and ensuring the enhancement of cultural diversity in local society (Moore). Examples of this would be. Similarly to the schools of thought there is a middle ground to this, believed by Roland Robertson. Unifying the concepts of homogeneity and heterogeneity, as local culture gives meaning to global culture. The global culture is consumer by the locals but according to that locals cultures taste, needs