Over the past few centuries, the world has changed dramatically. A communication for interconnectedness and integration now reaches the peak of needs and demands of humanity. From the basic to the most complicated things, people, places, events or job, there is a necessity of deeper connections. Media and technology have become the means of addressing these needs instantaneously among the people.
Without realizing it, our consumption becomes global. We become global citizens. Whether we like it or not; or are aware of it or not, we are automatically part of some force that makes the world go round. Seemingly, people are affected by this unseen force called global flows. But before finally be whooped, there must be a need for us to understand how it is essential to become part of the changing world, what might be the challenges given by these so-called global flows, what it means to be connected with the world and in which extent we are deeply involved in the complex phenomenon known as globalization?
Globalization is a phenomenon with interweaving and intricate dimensions. Manfred Steger defines globalization as a complex process. He said that it is a process of “expansion and intensification of social relations and consciousness across world-time and world-space.” Accordingly, expansion is meant to be the creation of new social networks and multiplication of existing connections that narrows down and breaks the barriers on traditional political, economic, cultural and geographical boundaries. These levels he explained occur at multiple levels.
Today, world time and world space are changing. Everything is fast-paced, and maybe one day, we will wake up realizing we are left behind. As part of the global community, whether we like it or not, the unseen forces of globalization will continue to flow and will affect us in a way that may either help or break us. The shrinking of the world may be very exciting. But, this consolidation may not be as impressive to other people. As time goes, abuses such as prostitution have entered the world of the cyberspace. Sexual exploitation has been made possible online and can easily be accessed. The entrance of multinational corporations may also not be helpful to those small and medium enterprises especially in the countries where an economic process is still on the stage of struggle for development.
Thus, there is a need for us to become equipped with the knowledge that will help us sift what must be done and what must not be done because we are now part of the global process willy-nilly. Understanding globalization as a multifaceted phenomenon will help us view the world more prudently and will constantly remind us that the world is changing and we can do nothing but adapt to these changes for us to survive and flourish.
By Jalexa Pollyana
Email address: [email protected]
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