Globalization and Sociology Sociology, or Essay

For Giddens, the globalization of these abstract systems offers individuals opportunities and crises in which they must continually rebuild their own lives and identities. From his perspective, the increasing integration of systems does not necessarily signify greater worldwide social integration. In fact, the crises that arise from contradictions between the different abstract systems can actually lead to greater problems of social integration.

Regardless of whether one looks at globalization from a uni- or multidimensional perspective or an economic or cultural one, it appears that global social integration will remain problematic in the years to come. Globalization is a relatively new phenomenon. The word "globalization," itself, in fact, was not even used much more than over a decade ago. Thus, the sociology of globalization is only in its infancy, and the theories noted here are just a few examples of others that will be argued. More and more, human societies worldwide are establishing progressively closer interaction, with the pace most recently having significantly increased. Air travel, multimedia, the Internet, computerized telephone service, instantaneous capital flow, and electronic communication are making the world more interconnected than ever. In this "flat" world, multinational corporations manufacture products in several countries and sell them to consumers globally. Technology, money, and raw materials move ever more quickly across one national border to the next. Along with products, services and finances, comes the ever-widening spread of ideas and cultures. As a result, law, economics, and social ideas are being established and accepted worldwide at record speed. Although many see this increased globalization as a fait accompli and, on the whole, a positive and welcomed trend, sociologists continue to dispute over globalization's meaning and its future impact on traditional ways of life and on populations with varying degrees of power. Whether or not globalization will be more or less responsive to the well being of the world's varied populations is yet to be seen.

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