Globalization Through the Ages

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Thesis Proposal
Literature Review
The New Globalization of the twenty-first Century
Conclusion

Introduction

The world today is abuzz with the word ‘globalization. Some are all for it and others curse it, hate it, or like it, one cannot just ignore it. It has come to such a stage that almost everyone has been affected by globalization one way or the other. But it is interesting to know that the word ‘globalize’ first appeared in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary only in 1944. Globalize means “to make global; especially: to make worldwide in scope or application”. (Globalized, Merriam Webster Online). This paper deals with the globalization in World History from the 1500s to the present age.

Thesis Proposal

The purpose of this research is to analyze and discuss the true meaning of the word and trace it back in history to see when globalization actually started. Ever since known history, there have been instances of expansion. But it has to be seen whether expansion and globalization are the same. The research will show that globalization actually began with the Age of Exploration and continued with the Age of Imperialism. It will highlight some winners and losers in the process and will move onto the present age of information and technology where globalization happens not by the physical conquering of a land or country.

Literature Review

An analysis of the Merriam-Webster definition of the word is crucial in this context. The two important words ‘global’ and ‘worldwide’ will highlight the fact that mere expansion will not be enough to fit the definition. There are many examples of this expansion and a few are given to highlight to show the difference between expansion and globalization. The expansion of Buddhism from India into China started in the year 2 BCE when two missionaries visited Chinese Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty and later expanded to Cambodia and Vietnam. “Buddhism established in Cambodia 100 C.E and in Vietnam 150 C.E”. (Timeline of Buddhist History, Buddhist Studies, Buddha Dharma Education Association & BuddhaNet). The rise of Genghis Khan into Asia and some parts of Europe which was made overland and not by sea is another example of expansion. “It is probable that Genghis Khan started his invasion of China with 60 -70,000 men”. (The Rapacious Barbarians at China’s Northern Frontier, Leo De Hartog, Page 63, Genghis Khan Conqueror of the World, Published by I.B.Taurius Publishers).

The rise of the Ottoman Empire from Europe to North Africa and the Middle East, again not by sea but overland is another instance of expansion. So, throughout the ages Countries and empires have been increasing in size and power since ancient times. The Asian Empires battled for land within the continent of Asia while the Europeans battled each other to intensify their own country. While countries have been interacting with each other, the idea of globalization did not really apply because they were expanding, but only within their neighboring states. Globalization is the expansion of an empire, a country, or an idea from one part of the world to another. It was not until the Age of Exploration that empires began to travel to different corners of the world to increase their supremacy and spread their beliefs. Continuing into the Age of Imperialism, the design of globalization is dominated by whichever country achieves the most of the eras.

Age of Exploration

In reality, all the instances given above were mere expansions since none of the ‘conquests’ involved travel by sea. It was after 1500 that the true age of exploration began when Portuguese and Spanish adventurers set out on their voyage of discovery and conquering led by persons like Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus. They were soon followed by Britain, France, and the Dutch. “This feat, together with the equally decisive Spanish Exploits of Cortes and the Pizarro brothers, forever linked Europe with Asia and the Americas”. (Preconditions to an Asian Empire, Bailey Wallys Diffie, and George Davison Windus, Page 195, Foundations of the Portuguese Empire, 1415-1580, Published by University of Minnesota Press)

Portugal

The Portuguese had expanded their territory to regions as far apart as Africa and Asia. They were up to a point of time ahead of Spain and the other countries in their globalization attempts. After establishing its supremacy in the countries of Brazil, Mozambique, and Zanzibar, Portugal looked towards Asia. It managed to find a foothold in India and had strong bases in Southern India. “The Portuguese developed a world maritime empire while maintaining commercial supremacy through the first half of the sixteenth century.” (The Developing Portuguese Empire, Introduction, Allen Pikerman, The Iberian Golden Age).

Spain

The expansion of Spain overseas began after the unification of the Iberian empire due to the marriage between Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragón in the late 1400s. one of the main reasons was to counter the threat of Muslim threat coming from North Africa. Spain also wanted to have an upper hand over Portugal who was much ahead in terms of global expansion at that time. The main areas where Spain had control were many parts of South America including Mexico and Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina, and Cuba. It had also under its control the Caribbean Islands. Its most valued achievement was the discovery of the United States and it held control over areas stretching from Alaska to the western parts of the US. Spain also had territories in Africa and Asia. “Within two years, he (Cortes) had captured and destroyed its capital city, Tenochtitlan, and gained control of its substantial resources, human, mineral and territorial”. (The Conquistadores, Page 44, T A Morris, Europe, and England in the Sixteenth Century, Published by Routledge)

China: If Portugal and Spain were the countries that enjoyed the fruits of early globalization, it was countries like China that bore the brunt of such expansion. A long period of peace called pax Sinica or peace in China existed in China after the conquest of the land by the Manchus. This period ultimately resulted in the land being corrupt and its military spirit being eroded. A major event was the opium war between China and Britain which was essentially a war between ancient China and modern Britain. Conflicts again rose with China on one side and Britain and France on the other. This situation resulted in internal revolts and squabbles which were put down with Western assistance. The European domination becomes continued long after this event. “After a brief period of “cooperation” in the 1860s, foreign powers renewed their assault on China, reacting to widespread antiforeign violence”. (19th Century Invasions and rebellions, Chinese Cultural Studies: Concise Political History of China).

The Age of Imperialism: The age of imperialism began in the late 1880’s when many European Governments began to frantically look for territories overseas to conquer and rule. This movement was dominated by Great Britain who had colonized many parts of the world. This period also witnessed investments in railways, ports, plantations mines factories, and other public utilities in conquered territories by the conquerors. This was mainly done to exploit the resources in those countries. Such investments must have been the forerunner of the globalization model that is seen today. “Despite a century of European rule, India had not become industrialized as Marx had predicted, nor had any non-western country except Japan”. (Imperialism, Technology, and Tropical Economies, Daniel R Headrick, Page 4, The Tentacles of Progress: Technology Transfer in the Age of Imperialism, Published by Oxford University Press).

The most talked-about period of this area was the colonization of India by Great Britain and the words “The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire’ became famous throughout the world. Reasons for such imperialistic expansion had to do much more with commerce than with religion and other security matters which marked the age of expansion. Like China, India too bore the brunt of British rule and to a lesser extent, French and Portuguese rule. It is not very well known that India had a major share of exports in the world market. The country had an astounding share of 25% of the world market in 1770 which fell to 2% at the turn of the twentieth century. This was a period of British domination of India and the availability of cheaper goods that were the result of the industrial revolution brought about a fall in India’s capability to compete effectively. “The more popular of the two hypotheses being considered here is the one associated with what economists would now call globalization shocks”. (The Globalization-Shock Hypothesis, David Clingingsmith and Jeffrey G. Williamson, 2004, INDIA’S DE-INDUSTRIALIZATION UNDER BRITISH RULE: NEW IDEAS, NEW EVIDENCE).

The New Globalization of the twenty-first Century

The modern era of globalization is a marked change from the method followed by Spain and Portugal during the age of exploration and by Great Britain during the age of imperialism. Even though expansion abroad is still the key agenda, the difference felt is that there is a distinct shift towards cooperation than aggression. “Globalization – the growing integration of economies and societies around the world – has been one of the most hotly-debated topics in international economics over the past few years.”. (Globalization, The World Bank Group). This is evident from the growth of traditionally underdeveloped or developing economies of India and China. Why these two countries have been taken up for special mention is that, along with Russia and Brazil, these four economies have been given the name BRIC countries by Goldman Sachs. The firm predicts that the combined economies of these four nations will be bigger than that of the G6 countries within the next 50 years. “In fact, as we near the end of 2007, their combined weight is already 15% of the global economy”. (Introduction: BRIC’s and Beyond, Goldman Sachs).

Such success has been the result of globalization that is opening up boundaries and changing the economic equations of countries around the world. The main reason was that all the countries who have been able to tap the benefits of globalization had good infrastructure and qualified workforce willing to work for a fraction of pay found in advanced economies. This situation was eagerly made use of multinational companies, the leaders of globalization. When countries with the above mentioned capabilities began opening up their markets in the 1980’s many companies operating in the west and the US invested heavily to get all the advantages of cheap and qualified labor. But even today there are countries in Africa and the middle east who have been unable to make use of this huge opportunity. A traditional mindset, closed or protected markets, lack of infrastructure and qualified labor has brought a situation where by such countries are bearing the brunt of modern globalization without getting benefits in any way.

Conclusion

From 1500’s to 2008, globalization has come a long way and changed the world in many ways both positively and negatively. From the early days till colonialism began to disappear in the middle of the twentieth century, benefits of globalization was enjoyed by the conquering country. The methods used were brute force and physical conquer of the host nation. Nowadays the methods used are in a way similar, but more subtle. Military power is replaced by economic power. What a nation needs to meet the challenges of globalization and to reap its benefits are vision, infrastructure and a qualified and disciplined work force.

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