Described as the ‘emerging and homogenizing culture that tends to impact individuals and societies in all parts of the world,’[1] there is little dispute over that fact that globalisation is occurring – just as to whether it is desirable or not. ‘Globalisation’ describes, for example, the product of the felt ‘shrinking’ of the world as a result of developments in technology, the increased ability of multi-national corporations to reach every corner of the earth with their products, and the mass migration and intermingling of people groups in megacities. In the opinion of Max L. Stackhouse ‘the larger reality is that the whole world is becoming one place, an inclusive field of spaces, peoples and activities.’[2] Positive accounts of globalisation view it as producing a feeling that the world is becoming unified – it is available to be explored and experienced quickly and without much effort. The freeing of markets allows for consumers and sellers to transcend national boundaries. ‘God is in globalisation’, writes Stackhouse;[3] in fact, he suggests that it is a side effect of the missionary genius of Christianity. Could it be that the epoch of globalisation represents a gathering of the nations in unity on a scale about which the Bible only prophesies? Is this finally a genuine achievement of human fraternity and catholicity - a salvation of humanity, perhaps?
[1] Kurien, “Globalization: An Economist's Perspective,” p. 197.
[2] Max L. Stackhouse, “Public Theology and Political Economy in the Globalising Era,” in Public Theology for the 21st Century: Essays in Honour of Duncan B. Forrester, ed. Duncan B. Forrester, William Storrar, and Andrew Morton (London; New York: T&T Clark, 2004), p. 179.
[3] Ibid. I mean of course he is if you believe in providence: but, is it a blessing or a curse? A Babel or a Pentecost?
15 comments:
Economically, globalisation causes higher economic growth over the long term but painful readjustment over the short term. I believe it's worth it though.
Yes it is a blessing that God will use to show his (non-saving) grace to the world, and it is also an "event" that will shape the life of the church.
It reminds me of all the people in the world gathering on the plane and declaring that they will make a name for themselves by constructing a tower up to heaven...
I have to say I am skeptical as to whether or not it is just another form of colonialism. Just how much do the developing worlds benefit from the widely available Western products. To what extent are people groups in the developing world actually being dealt with fairly in terms of trade?
Well, India and China seem to be managing quite well...
The problem is that the word "Globalisation" is big and can mask important detail. No one can dispute that globalisation is occurring, and so we won't bother to think about what exactly it is that is occurring. Are we talking about the breaking down of national barriers for companies, or for people? Are we talking about the shrinking of the globe in the minds of the few Westerners who have access to the internet, or for everyone?
The same is true in relation to the comment about "India and China" "Managing quite well." Which groups within these countries are doing well? Are there segments of society that are suffering as a result. Viewed on mass these countries are improving economically; but the disparity between rich and poor is also increasing.
Is it? Got any figures for that? My impression was that in these societies the middle class was burgeoning.
...and they own mobile phones and PCs. And drink Coke. Now, this doesn't make everything groovy, but it does mean that the economics of the planet is more complicated than we think.
The Anglican communion troubles are in a way the result of globalisation: the Nigerian bishops are able to respond in an instant to the latest US Episcopal
brouhaha, and they are aware of it.
For every single Westernised Indian or Chinaman there must be at least three or four others who are no better off - if not actually worse - as a result of the countries developing economies
The middle classes are well represented in the western media because it suits the interests of industrialists that sponsor them.
statistics? Facts? How do you know cyberp?
or have you been reading the New International?
I am not saying it is peachy to be poor in China or India lately. But it is certainly true that more people are better off than previously...
I'll let you get back to your fairtrade coffee... ;-)
--Could it be that the epoch of globalisation represents a gathering of the nations in unity on a scale about which the Bible only prophesies? Is this finally a genuine achievement of human fraternity and catholicity - a salvation of humanity, perhaps?--
To some extent, but we shouldn't regard this as completely set in stone. Hilaire Belloc remarked ("The Gap" / Selected essays. - Harmondsworth (Midx.): Penguin, 1958. p. 198) passim that the onset of various events since c. 1912 rendered it unlikely for him to get a chance of seeing the Caucasus.
I should hasten to add that I was shocked by Stackhouse's optimism, which I don't in fact share... I will return to normal gloomy prognostications shortly.
According to that great repository of information - the CIA world factbook - India's GDP per capita is $3700. This is obviously quite small, but is higher than Vietnam, Honduras, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe, Myanmar and most African nations. India's GINI rating is 32.5 while Australia's is 35.2 and America's is 45.0.
(Explanation - GINI is a method of measuring wealth distribution. The lower the number, the more equal the wealth; the higher the number, the more unequal the wealth. A GINI of 0 implies everyone owning all wealth equally while a GINI of 100 implies one person owning all the wealth)
Well, if not the CIA, then wikipedia surely!
So, India is more egalitarian than Australia...
Globalisation is an unsustainable passing fad of mixed results enabled by a brief era of cheap energy. That's my 2c.
So: communications technology doesn't have anything to do with it?
Have a look at my recently published book "The Globalisation of God: Celtic Christianity's Nemesis". It argues that monotheism facilitates globalisation because the one god oversees the whole planet. If we still had polytheism, gods and goddesses would be living here on earth among us in the surrounding natural environment, so globalisation would not be possible. Globalisation is made possible by monotheism and Roman Christianity became the first global multinational corporation, creating the template for all others. www.aislingpublications.com. Dara Molloy.
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