Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
consciousness. Basically, globalization allows for states to share experiences and to adapt
international culture and localize it, instead of one culture being forced and simulated by others.
MICKLETHWAIT AND WOOLDBRIDGE
the various improvements globalization has made to both science and technology, using India
and China as specific examples. Though his argument is similar to Micklethwait and Woolbridge,
Sen differs slightly on the inequality of globalization. According to Sen, the inequality is in the
distribution of the benefits gained, whereas Micklethwait and Wooldbridge argue that some
benefits are not gained at all.
Overall, Sen doesnt believe the question and/or debate of globalization is not whether
the poor are getting poorer. Instead, Sen says the question to ask would be if the poor are getting
their share of the benefits. Like the other authors, Sen acknowledges the arguments made by the
opposing side of the globalization debate, as well as, noting the importance that globalization has
on culture as well. If a blind resistance towards globalization is held, Sen warns, then cultures
will be hindered while others advance.
BARBER
Barbers passage seems to stand out above the rest in the fact that he almost seems to
argue against globalization. Though some of his arguments are valid, he still fails to successfully
argue towards his thesis. Furthermore, his thesis isnt detailed very clearly, leaving us to almost
guess what exactly it is. Instead of presenting convincing evidence towards his overall argument,
Barber just seems to write a laundry list of everything he dislikes about Western civilization and
civilization as whole. The topic of trying to clarify the dichotomy that is Jihad vs. McWorld is
relevant, despite the articles date and had the potential to be more enlightening than it actually
was. Thus, my overall opinion of Barbers writing is, like his opinion of the rest of the world,
cynical at best.
HUNTINGTON
Huntingtons writing argues that the post-cold war would be marked by civilizational
conflict. Something, that since the article is dated, is more of a prediction on current affairs.
According to Huntington, the world is divided culturally, creating barriers with differing sets of
values. He draws attention specifically to the conflict globalization would create between
western civilization and Islamic civilization. Primarily interesting is that Huntington seems to
foresee the ideals held by Barber. The Islamic worlds views, according to Huntington would
clash with the general suppositions held by western society. He notes that Islamic allegiance lies
more toward their religion than it does the nation-state- makin Islamic society more like
vehemently oppose liberal ideals like individuality, pluralism; and democracy.
As previously noted, I find it interesting how Huntingtons writing prophesizes the
current state of affairs in globalizations cultural divide. His article doesnt seem to dote on
economics and try to define globalism like the articles prior, something that Barber doesnt do
either.
My opinions regarding the readings are mixed. I feel as though I gained insight on the
debate over globalization- even though that I feel that the insight gained is lacking. I feel as
though the readings were dated- which in some ways is important, and gives a good foundation;
but fails to explain things as they currently are. Overall, most of the readings offered a proglobalization stance, stating what seemed to be fairly obvious, which is that globalization is far
more complicated than it seems. Conclusively, though, again, the readings proved to be
somewhat insightful, to be honest they gave me a headache.