Understanding Globalisation

Introducing Globalisation

In this course, Dr Zaki Nahaboo (Birmingham City University) explores globalisation. In the first lecture, we think about globalisation and how it relates to the 20th century formation of nation states. In the second lecture, we think about international society in the context of globalisation as the development of nation states in a post-colonial era. Next, we think about the globalisation of rights, with a focus on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Refugee Convention. In the fourth and final lecture, we think about neoliberal economic growth from the 1970s, which fed into a globalised economy.

Understanding Globalisation

In this lecture, we think about globalisation and how it relates to the 20th century formation of nation states, focusing in particular on: (i) understanding globalisation as a narrative of the connections between and movement of people, rather than seeking a singular definition; (ii) understanding the narrative of globalisation to define its meaning; (iii) narrating globalisation as the idea that certain nation states hosting ‘native peoples’ have their prosperity threatened by other states, people and/or corporations; (iv) narrating globalisation as a cooperative venture of joining states and people to solve worldwide issues; (v) the transition from empire states to nation states after the second world war, in post-colonial times, as the way to organise international relations; (vi) Anthony Giddens’ typology of three aspects of globalisation, the hyperglobalists, sceptics and transformationalists; (vii) the hyperglobalist position, which posits that transnational corporation economies are no longer tied to the economies of specific nation states; (viii) the sceptic position, which posits that the nation state is still important for deciding policies which shape local economies and regimes; (ix) the transformationalist position, which posits that states and new globalist economies are mutually shaped; (x) Milton Friedman, David Harvey, Walter Rodney and David Held as thinkers and speakers on these positions; (xi) the role of civil society organisations to inform nation states on the treatment of their citizens; (xii) how individuals can play a role in influencing nation state actions, transcending their own citizenship.