Trafford Publishing Presents: 'Globalization from Genesis to Geneva'

Trafford Publishing Presents: 'Globalization from Genesis to Geneva' -- GENEVA, Jan. 5 

The opening quote of of this article I think speaks a lot about the current issues in globalization.

"...arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity." - Kofi Annan

More effort needs to be put into understanding globalization and using its forces for the greater good instead of hopelessly trying to resist. Ray Woodcock's new book "Globalization from Genesis to Geneva: A Confluence of Humanity" acknowledges this. In fact, our current globalization is actually considered a period of "new globalization." We observe the changes in technology around us a rapidly revolutionizing our world. However, the period just prior to WWI had the most rapid period of globalization ever seen.



Early 20th Century Globalization

1) Trade: During this time period, there was a gold standard, effectively serving as an international currency. Also, trade restrictions were much lower during this time period than today.

2) Immigration: The movement of people, particularly into the United States, was much higher, meaning cultures were coming into contact and living together, or at least at a faster rate.

3) Communication: Surely the innovations of the internet (like this blog!) have radically transformed the way we communicate. In matters of the speed, not at all. The spread of the telephone allowed people to communicate thousands of times times faster, where messages used to be delivered by post. As telephone wires spread, communication across countries became much easier. The radio also brought about the first for of mass communication.

4) Transportation: The rapid spread of railroads, facilitated by government programs in all countries except for Britain, made mass transportation between cities and even countries easier and faster than ever. This is only to be trumped by the invention of the airplane, completely revolutionizing international travel as the world knew it.

It's because of these reasons, just as Woodcock argues, that globalization is not a new trend but an inevitable force. I couldn't help but be disappointed with the comments of Yukio Hatoyama, president of the Democratic Party of Japan, this last August.

Yukio expresses a desire to "shake-off US-style globalization." One particular paragraph emphasizes this concern

"The recent worldwide economic crisis resulted from a way of thinking based on the principle that American-style free-market economics represents a universal and ideal economic order – and that all countries should modify the traditions and regulations governing their own economy in order to reform the structure of their economic society in line with global standards (or rather American standards)."

I ended up commenting- "There is (whether you like it or not) a diminishing distinction between “Western culture” and “global culture.” The homogenization that globalization entails is primarily driven by the West." As this blog hopes to prove, I would like to see Japan, an thriving example of a country who was able to adapt their own culture with industrialization to become a global power. "Nippon!" is about how the rising nations of Asia can take this example and enter the world scene.

Thankfully, I think I can boil this down to the rhetoric of a Japanese politician. As blogger Shisaku wrote," It seems that the Christian Science Monitor did not read the memorandum explaining the rule that one never, ever, ever, ever, ever translates an article a Japanese politician has published in a domestic monthly magazine -- because to do so would reveal the glib, facile, repetitive, overgeneralized, vote-begging pablum even the most aristocratic members of the political classes will peddle as close approximations of their way of thinking upon a matter of any importance." As the article points out, Yukio had also previously argued for a free-trade agreement with the U.S. If Japan can begin to set an international standard for globalization, other countries can hopefully begin to understand the forces of globalization and apply them to their own benefit while still protecting their cultures.