SYP 2450 Lecture 1: Global_Society_jan16-18
28 Apr 2018
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I. Changing concepts of space and time !
A. compression of the world (Ronald Robertson) !
B. Therefore radical shift in our understanding of place and time !
1. Premodern societies:!
a) movement difficult and dangerous !
b) war, famine, and pestilence made life unpredictable !
c) It was safer to remain where they were (does not mean there was not travel, just
that travel was relatively speaking limited).!
2. Implications !
a) time and distance have dwindled in significance!
b) we can accomplish far more at even greater speeds!
(1) The world does not only appear to be shrinking but in a sense is shrinking!
c) territory has lost its salience !
d) Reminder: changes not experienced equally!
3. Commonality of problems!
a) we all live in a global risk society !
(1) Increasingly aware that people across the world believe that the world is
constantly under assault from:!
(a) natural disasters!
(b) violence !
(2) Reminded of our vulnerability !
(3) material reasons:!
(a) our actions affect others far away!
(b) global problems require global solutions!
II. Transnational Actors and Organizations!
A. TNC’s (Transnational Organizations)-Most powerful non-state transnational agents!
1. transnational “Institution, organization, group, manner of thinking involving going
beyond national borders and interests !
2. Ex. Mcdonalds!
B. International governmental organizations INGO’s!
1. Ex. United Nations/Greenpeace!
C. Global Social movements !
1. informal solve global movements, focus on human rights, peace, environmental,
women’s rights!
D. Diasporas !
1. Formed by force or voluntary dispersion of peoples to a number of countries!
2. Political/religious persecution/neglect compel some to leave or seek asylum in other
countries !
E. Others!
1. Migrants!
2. International Tourists (1.2 billion in 2016)!
3. Professionals, lawyers, journalists, architects, scientists!
a) Cosmopolitanism that helps them feel “at home” anywhere in the world!
4. Corporate Personnel (business consultants)!
5. Misc. students, airline pilots, drug dealers, diplomats, au pairs, etc.!
III. Globality !
A. Globality: the manner in which we have internalized the changes associated with
globalization so they are incorporated into our emotions and our ways of thinking about
everyday life!
B. Four Aspects:!
1. Thinking of ourselves collectively while identifying with all humanity!
2. End of one-way flows and the growth of multicultural awareness !
3. Empowerment of self-aware actors!
