What is Globalization ?

Globalization

     For years we have been hearing about world wide meetings and protests of meetings on globalization. I have put off defining the word for myself, thinking that a general understanding was sufficient.  Now, as I continue my study of Capitalism, a general definition could use a little more work. So here goes.....

     Globalization: "The process of reducing barriers to exchange".

     Through time people have developed methods of relating and working with one another. This has included languages, cultural practices, standards of behavior, national boundaries and systems of trade to name a representative few.

     From the time we are born, we begin a process of learning and defining for ourselves the "rules" of living in our world. We tend to firm up, harden, our attitudes and definitions as we age, begin to defend our positions and resist being changed. We set up boundaries whether they be cultural, geographic or national in nature.

     These boundaries then become part of the way people, nations and businesses deal with each other. Thus the "exchange" of words , ideas, culture and things of value (business) become more difficult as each party resists being changed or losing something of value to them. This resistance to loss takes the form of creating "barriers" to protect our positions and values.

     Globalization on the other hand is the process of reducing barriers to exchange. It is the process of negotiating and coming to agreements on how these exchanges will occur. Various segments of a society may consider the elimination or change in the  same barrier as a gain or a loss.

     The term "globalization" is most commonly used in reference to trade expanding to all countries of the world from a few large economy countries . Although this is the more common usage, I would like to add additional factors to consider that contribute to the process and usage of the word.

     Communications
     Computerization
     Common Language
     Usage of common currency
     Movies , Common culturalization
     Economic Schools of Thought
     Governmental Structure
     Migration
     Technologic advancements
     Resource Utilization
     Educational Advances
     On Air Analysts / Experts
     Transportation Economics

Each of the above factors and how they express themselves in an exchange can contribute to one's perspective of globalization.