What is Globalization?
The word “globalisation,” which describes the emergence of an international network as part of an economic and social system, is derived from the English language. The term “globalisation,” as it is now known, was first used to describe an overview of the human experience in education in a 1930 publication titled Towards New Education.
Globalization is a complex process that involves the integration and interaction of economies, societies, and cultures on a global scale. It refers to the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of countries and regions around the world as a result of advances in technology, transportation, communication, and trade.
In the economic sense, globalization involves the liberalization of trade and investment policies, leading to an increase in cross-border flows of goods, services, capital, and labour. It has facilitated the growth of multinational corporations, which have become key players in the global economy.
Globalization has also had significant social and cultural impacts, as it has facilitated the spread of ideas, values, and beliefs across borders. This has led to greater cultural exchange and hybridization, as well as increased awareness of global issues and challenges.
Globalization is a process of increasing interdependence, interconnectedness and integration of economies and societies to such an extent that an event in one part of the globe affects people in other parts of the world.
In the domain of Sociology, it can be noted that the term “Globalization” has received extensive treatment in the hands of many sociologists. The sociologists perceive that though economical in origin, the term has enormous social implications.
Definition of Globalization
According to George Ritzer, “Globalization refers to the rapidly increasing worldwide integration and interdependence of societies and cultures.”
According to Scholte, “Globalization as de-territorialization or the growth of „supra-territorial‟ relations between people. Globalization refers to a far-reaching change in the nature of “social space.”
According to Albrow, “Globalization includes all those processes by which the peoples of the world are incorporated into a single society, global society.”
According to Ronald Robertson, “Globalization as a concept refers both to the compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole.”
According to Anthony Giddens, “Globalization can thus be defined as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa.”
According to Water, “Globalization is a social process in which the constraints of geography on economic, political, social and cultural arrangements recede, in which people become increasingly aware that they are receding and in which people act accordingly.”
According to Held et al, “Globalization can be thought of a process (or set of processes) which embodies a transformation in the spatial organization of social relations and transactions – assessed in terms of their extensity, intensity, velocity and impact – generating transcontinental or interregional flows and networks of activity, interaction, and the exercise of power.”
Collins Dictionary of Sociology, “Globalization of production refers to the integration of economic activities by units of private capital on awaked scale.”
S.K. Misra and V.K. Pury, “In simple terms Globalization means integrating economy of a country with the world economy.”
In simple words “globalization is refers to a process of increasing economic integration and growing economic interdependence between countries in the world economy.”
The social impact of globalization on Indian society
India is a diverse country. India belongs to 16% of the world’s population. According to the 2011 census, 19,569 people were counted as speaking their mother tongue. Nonetheless, 96.71% of Indians speak one of the 22 languages that have been set aside as official. Different types of lifestyles and cultures are possible due to regional, topographical, and climate variations. India is rapidly urbanising, with more than 225 cities with a population of over 100,000 and at least ten cities alone with a population of over a million people, despite the fact that roughly 70% of the population still lives in rural areas.
Globalization has long had an impact on India. If you believe that, you are ignoring a long-standing, diverse and pluralistic civilization that was influenced by a wide range of “invading” (globalising) cultures to become what is now known as India. The Aryans, Greeks, Turks, Afghans, and Muslims were some of India’s earlier globalizers, as were the Portuguese, French, Dutch, and finally, the English. Globalizers that are less violent but still powerful are replacing the former ones that were brought in by invading armies.
Society:
The social hierarchy in traditional Indian culture is comparatively rigid. Children are taught about their social responsibilities and places at a young age. Religion is one difference that divides cultures. The traditional Hindu division between non-polluting and polluting occupations, however, is much more potent. These groups have been governed by rigid social taboos for countless years. India has one of the lowest rates of geographic and occupational mobility among developing nations. People typically stay in the same line of work as their parents and hardly ever relocate within the social structure.
Family:
Joint family culture is the foundation of Indian families. With nuclear families proliferating like mushrooms after a rainstorm, the joint families have become a strange surprise to Indians, especially to those living in metropolitan areas. We no longer have the patience to raise the next generation in the presence of their grandparents while integrating them into a blended family and instilling the elders’ values in them. Grandparents are now being treated more like guests or visitors by children, and this upbringing is one of the main causes of the growth of nursing homes for the elderly because these kids see their own parents as a burden when they are adults.
Marriage Values:
Marriages have also lost their value in a similar way. The rising number of divorce cases and the occasional reports of extramarital affairs are very clear indicators. Nowadays, marriage is more like a professional bond or a so-called commitment to share life without compromising self-interests than it once was. Marriage was once thought of as a bonding of the souls that would remain connected even after death. Another effect of globalisation on Indian youth is the ego.
Religion:
Religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism all originated in India. India has some of the most intensely religious societies and cultures in the world, making it one of the most religiously diverse countries. The majority of its citizens still place a significant emphasis on religion in their daily lives. Atheism and agnosticism, along with a self-described tolerance for other faiths, also have a noticeable influence in Indian society despite the importance of religion there.
The rest of British or Western culture thought, and customs came with the rise of Christianity, as well as the gradual abolition of traditional ways of life. This led to the gradual subversion or eradication of our traditional religions and cultures. The newly converted Indians to Christianity were urged to renounce both their traditional religion and their culture, which frequently had spiritual or religious overtones. An honourable Indian Christian convert would behave and dress in an Englishman’s manners. As a result, Hindus in India who became Christians were urged to think, act, and live like Englishmen.
Culture:
The mindset and mentality of the residing citizens serve as the foundation for any nation’s culture, which extends beyond the region and language of the region. Indian culture is exceptionally rich in terms of its history and resources, but more so because of how hospitable its people are. India is a bouquet of flowers with different religions, dialects, foods, traditions, customs, music, art, and architecture, among other things, all bundled into one cohesive and patriotic whole. The mindset of the Indian people, which welcomes, greets, and celebrates in unison with great affection and togetherness, is what unites all these differences. This is the richness of Indian culture, which has drawn many visitors to stay and take part in its enduring fragrance.
Food, Clothing and Dialect:
Indian food, clothing, and languages change depending on the state. While food has a variety of tastes, each one has a unique nutritional worth, and each location is unique and rich in its own medical preparations and natural treatments. Even the dress varies in various states, which is highly important in upholding a woman’s dignity. Although diverse cuisines from across the world have their own flavours to offer, the food elements that have gained the most popularity are junk food products, which have led to an increase in health problems in the nation. Again, attire, such as suits for men, is improper for the environment in India. Once more, the female attire serves to divert twisted minds.
Even Indians do not strongly support the promotion of either our national language or their native tongue. Instead, using Hindi as a first language is frowned upon by young people. We place more value on Indian languages than foreign ones, as seen by the manner that foreign languages like French, German, and Spanish are becoming more common in India, starting at the school level.
Greeting:
Namaste, Namaskar or Namaskaram is a commonly spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards in front of the chest.
Festivals:
India, being a multi-cultural and multi-religious society, celebrates holidays and festivals of various religions. The 3 National holidays in India are Independence Day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti, Popular religious festivals include the Hindu festivals of Diwali, Durga puja, Holi, Rakshabandhan, Dussehra, Ramzaan, Christmas etc. American festivals like Valentine’s day, Friendship day etc., are spreading across India.
Social Values:
We have the incorporated values of treating the guests as God, warm-hearted welcoming, greeting elders with due respect and celebrating every small festival with the great colour of enjoyment and togetherness. Such a comprehensive gathering with full hue and light can hardly be seen today. People have highly restricted themselves in social interaction. The interaction in the present generation is highly diplomatic, considering the financial status and wealth. We have lost our social values and cheerful blessing of togetherness. The present generations are more happily celebrating Valentine's Day rather than Holi and Diwali.
Rural Poor:
Farmers in rural areas are generally unaware of the world economy. The majority of food crops are also grown as cash crops. Banks and multinational corporations provide advance loans to sugar cane producers. They used to offer fertilisers, hybrid seedlings, and cutting-edge machinery. The number of workers was lowered by this piece of equipment. As a result, rural residents are relocating from one location to another in search of work to support their families. Artificial fertilisers have taken the role of natural manure. Food costs increased as export crops began to replace subsistence crops, making it impossible for the poor to purchase with their small income. The same pattern persisted in apparel, housing, transportation, health, and other areas. They had to consume less of everything, even essentials.
Deaton (2003) opines that more than one-fourth of the World’s poor live in India. India’s economic liberalization in the early 1990s resulted in high rates of growth, whether it reduced the numbers of poor or benefitted only the increasingly wealthy urban elite is a question. Because of growing inequality, consumption by the poor couldn’t rise as fast as average consumption and poverty reduction were only about two-thirds of what it would have been had the distribution and consumption remained unchanged. The gap between rural and urban areas widened because of the vast differences in the levels of literacy availability of living facilities such as water, drainage, housing, power, lighting, food and transport etc.
Aged People:
With the influence of industrialization, urbanisation, and globalisation, Indian society is undergoing a fast shift. Although intergenerational links were a defining characteristic of the traditional family, they are eroding and changing as a result of conventional beliefs and institutions. Simple family manufacturing units have been supplanted by factories and large production as a result of industrialization. Nowadays, economic transactions only occur between people. Income disparities within the family are a result of individual employment and income. Young people move, particularly from rural to urban regions, due to pull and push forces like population pressure, broader economic possibilities, and contemporary communication.
The care of the old has become a significant concern in India due to the quickly rising senior population, joint family breakdown, rapidly growing effect of modernisation, and changing living patterns. In India, where blended families were the norm, caring for the elderly has never been an issue. Yet, the vulnerability of the elderly is fast rising due to a growing trend towards nuclear families, as well as increased education, urbanisation, and industry. The coping mechanisms of the younger and older family members are now being tested by a variety of conditions, leading to the neglect and abuse of the elderly in many different contexts, both inside and beyond the family.
Cultural Globalization
Cultural globalization refers to the spread of cultural elements such as beliefs, values, customs, languages, and behaviours across national and geographic borders. This process is facilitated by advances in communication technologies, transportation, and trade, as well as by the increasing interconnectedness of economies and societies.
Cultural globalization has been characterized by the increasing homogenization of cultural practices, as well as the emergence of hybrid cultural forms that blend local and global elements. Some critics argue that cultural globalization can lead to the loss of traditional cultural practices and the dominance of Western cultural values, while others argue that it can promote cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding.
Examples of cultural globalization include the spread of popular culture through media such as television, music, and movies, the adoption of global fashion trends, the diffusion of cuisines from different parts of the world, and the proliferation of international tourism.
Factors contributing to the process of cultural globalization
Cultural globalization is the spread and exchange of cultural beliefs, values, and practices around the world. Here are some factors that contribute to the process of cultural globalization:
Technological advances:
Advances in communication technology have enabled people from different parts of the world to connect and interact with each other easily. Social media platforms, online gaming, video conferencing, and streaming services have all contributed to the global exchange of cultural content.
Migration and mobility:
The movement of people from one place to another has brought about the mixing and blending of cultures. As people relocate to new places, they bring their cultural practices and traditions with them, which then interact with the local culture and contribute to the formation of new cultural forms.
Global tourism:
Tourism has played a significant role in cultural globalization. As more people travel around the world, they are exposed to different cultures and ways of life. This exposure has led to the spread of cultural practices, such as cuisine, fashion, and music, across borders.
Global trade:
The exchange of goods and services across borders has led to the spread of cultural products such as music, films, and fashion. As products are marketed globally, they create a shared cultural experience that transcends national borders.
Cultural diplomacy:
Governments and cultural organizations have used cultural exchange programs to promote their own cultures and to foster cultural understanding and dialogue. These programs have helped to create a global community that appreciates and respects the diversity of cultures around the world.
Globalization of media:
The globalization of media has enabled the spread of popular culture across borders. Global media giants such as Disney, Warner Brothers, and Netflix have created a global market for movies, TV shows, and music, which has contributed to the spread of cultural products and practices.
All these factors have contributed to the process of cultural globalization by breaking down barriers and facilitating the exchange and mixing of cultural ideas, practices, and products.
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