What is 'Globalization'?

The basis of this week's studies have focused on the basic concepts and foundations of what is globalization.

It became very apparent,very quickly, that the term 'globalization' is very difficult to define, because as times change, so do its features and functions. 

To me, I believe, as stated by Rantenan (2005), that globalization is a compression of time and space which is becoming increasingly mediated over time. Meaning that certain knowledge, information, cultures and behaviours are no longer separated by physical distance, and the sharing of these aspects can be instantaneous through the use of various technologies; such as the internet, and media outlets; such as news reports.   

However it should be noted that the sharing of media and information is not the only 'flow' that globalization is limited to. It also includes the physical flow, of people, or goods etc; the cultural flow, of performance, fashion and food; or capital flows, in the forms of multinational and international corporations or organizations and currency exchange. The final flow is probably most important in terms of the definitions of nation states and sovereignty in the way that it becomes extremely difficult to define and control certain rules or regulations in one country when they are passing boundaries, which are perhaps not even physical entities that can be restrained as they take technological and mediated forms.

I have included two videos from YouTube in this post because I believe they show different aspects of what globalization is.

I included the first video as it demonstrates the growth of knowledge and information across the globe through the use of modern technology. It looks at the way that these technologies have changed in the last few decades and how these have allowed for exponential growth in the sharing and production of new knowledge, as well as the growth of social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter, and the interconnectedness that these facilitate around the globe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmwwrGV_aiE

The second I include as it touches on the cause and effect of globalization 

as well as 'Capital Flow.'

It demonstrates the cheap production of goods, supply and demand, the interests of big international organizations and companies, the effects it has on smaller communities, and the conflicts and effects that may follow and our ability to transport and communicate such wants and needs via various resources.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeXvtz0_Ex0

References: Rantanen, T (2005), ‘Theorizing media and globalization’, Media and globalization 2005, Sage Publications, London, pp. 1-18

My name is Andrea Cusack.
This blog is intended for my 'Globalization and the Media' course.
I'm a second year Arts student at Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, majoring in Anthropology and Sociology.

I really enjoy learning and studying people, and how and why we do what we do. Different cultures, lifestyles, myths and rituals fascinate me.The weirder and more gruesome the better, haha.

My family heritage is Lithuanian (eastern Europe) and I spend a lot of time being part of the community, in particular the dance group. In 2009 we went to Lithuania to dance at a festival which celebrated 1000 years of Lithuanian Independence. There were dance groups from all over the world, and we performed to an audience of over 20,000 as well as live TV. We travelled all over Lithuania and it definitely sparked my love of travel and foreign lands.

In 2011 I spent my gap year in Krakow, Poland, teaching English to the blind and partially sighted. It definitely was not easy but was very rewarding. This was my view every day.

This trip allowed me to travel all around Poland and to other parts of Europe as well, including London and Amsterdam.

A part from that my other love is roller-hockey. I've been playing for about 7 years and would play every day if I could afford it, haha.

That is my basic introduction about me,
so until next time when I begin to introduce my ideas and thoughts around globalisation,
Take care!