Blog Reflection

Globalization describes the process of increasing intensity, pace and scope of economic, political and social interactions throughout the world. – My very first post.

I wrote this definition 4 months ago and if I had to define globalization now, I would probably use the same wording. When we tried to find a collective definition in class however, no one picked my definition as an exceptionally good or precise one. I believe that the definition might well be correct but too broad to explain a complex topic such as globalization. If I rewrote the definition it would be the one stated above simply because I wouldn’t want to use more words.

What HAS changed over the last few months of “Globalization in the classroom” is the fact, that I CAN use more words to describe globalization. The depth and coverage of my understanding has grown.

At the beginning of the semester I basically opposed globalization. This “growing together of the world” tempted people to live their lives in cyberspace. Through the internet (the “thing” that triggered and facilitates globalization) we can befriend people, shop and play without leaving the room. I felt an essential part of “life” was missing. However, the more time I spent online the more I realized that the internet was more than that. Its primary meaning is to provide an environment to freely express opinions, ideas and knowledge that otherwise wouldn’t be as accessible. Everything else must be secondary. Or procrastination.

My second posting involved a little more research but was still pessimistic towards globalization. The interior parts of China were poor, the globalized coastal area wasn’t. ( -> How unfair! Bad globalization!) Well, that changed when I received my very first comment. I had never thought about the fact, that economic globalization (despite having negative effects on the environment, for example) was not the reason for poverty in China. It made the coastal areas richer and that seemed to further impoverish the rest.

The second major perception I made in the first month was that “opposing globalization” was not even an option. It really is like “riding a steam train” (thanks, Hart!): a fact, that we must accept and make the best of in every which way we can. This is the most valuable recognition I am taking from this class. It opens a whole different range to our place in the world. We have to play along and act with – and not against – the evolution of globalization. Of course, this is where the controversies come up between the economists and the environmentalists, the politicians and the individuals. The different opinions are clashing because they are gaining in global importance through globalization.

From there I no longer attacked globalization but wondered about the reason for globalization’s success in a certain area and what had to be done to provide the foundation for success. (Globalization being a means for development, here)

And then, of course, I threw in some personal experience – and I think I have a tendency to relate a lot to a personal experience – hoping that people might realize that one could turn out quite different when growing up in another place.

Well, all in all I think I now understand the blogging. When Prof. Greenlaw told us to define a “blog” at the beginning of the semester I admit I’d never heard of it. Now all my friends have, from me. Although I wasn’t the most diligent in blogging (I’m a bit of a perfectionist when writing – plus it’s in English and not in German) I found putting my ideas up for the world to read really cool. It forces me to organize my thoughts well and to inform myself sufficiently before making a statement. I will definitley keep this blog, and, as Prof. Greenlaw has proposed, will have to change it to something like “Globalization out of the classroom”. And that’s what it is – globalization will accompany us – until we die. And until then we’ll have to play along with it. I hope my collegial guinea pigs of this Freshmen Seminar feel the same and will keep and continue their postings. I’d like to read more of them when I get a chance – because I think there are some really clever kids in that class. (yay- stephen for president!)

~ by anyaka86 on December 8, 2006.