A Theoretical Discussion of Globalization

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Sociology - Economy and Industry, grade: 7,0, Maastricht University, language: English, abstract: Globalization is a term so frequently used that one tends to assume that everyone knows what globalization stands for. In one way this is true, since everybody pictures something different when using the word 'globalization'. The aim of this paper is to clarify the term 'globalization' by discussing different authors. Yet, the paper does not aim at giving 'THE definition' of globalization, rather it is attempting to show the different ways globalization can and is to be seen. Since there has been a massive amount of theoretical discussion of the term globalization, one needs to narrow down the field. Thus, this paper is mainly going to focus on the cultural dimension of globalization with a small outlook to other fields. Through the direct comparison of different authors certain shortcomings or advantages of their views might be easier noticed, as it would be the case when studying the authors separate from each other. At the same time, certain similarities or build - ups of theories can be detected as well. Following authors have been discussed: Anthony Giddens, Roland Robertson, Doreen Massey, Arjun Appadurai, Jan Nederveen Pieterse and Manuell Castells.