Globalism can be categorized into four main types, namely: economic, environmental, military and social/cultural (Steger, 2004:6). Each dimension of globalism plays a pivotal role in explaining the speed at which globalisation is occurring as there may be variations in the rates of globalisation between the various dimensions of globalism, for example, economic globalism at any given time may be occurring faster than environmental globalism or vice versa.
Economic globalism refers to the long-distance flow of goods, capital and services as well as the information and perceptions that accompany market exchange. One example of economic globalization is low-wage production of goods in Asia for overseas markets such as the US or Europe. Environmental globalism is associated with the ‘long-distance transport of materials in the atmosphere or oceans or of biological substances such as pathogens or genetic materials that affect human health and well-being’ (Held, 2003:12). Examples of environmental globalization include the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer as a result of the emission of various ozone depleting chemicals.
Military globalism is associated with the long-distance networks in which force, and the threat or promise of force, are deployed (Nye, 2000:4). A well-known example of military globalism was the "balance of terror" and strategic interdependence that existed between the United States and the USSR during the Cold War. The fourth dimension of globalism is cultural globalism which involves the global movement of ideas, information, images and people.
Contemporary globalisation encompasses many neoliberalist ideas which include; heightened integration in the world economy, an emphasis on free markets and competition as well as the promotion of individualism, consumerism and efficiency. The concept of neoliberal globalisation has been said to be the most effective way of maximizing prosperity and making the world a freer and more peaceful place (Steger, 2004:7). According to neoliberalists, globalisation is beneficial as it reduces the income gap between the industrial core and the developing periphery; the emphasis on free and liberalized trade is also beneficial in bringing about a greater global flow of goods as well as the promotion of competition and the establishment of wider markets (Steger, 2004:7). The more internationalized the world economy the greater the flow of goods, ideas and knowledge which therefore raises global productivity levels. The link between globalism and neoliberalism is very evident. Neoliberalism has been presented as the generator of material well-being and productivity and as a solution to social illnesses, this is achieved through the opening of markets and complete liberalisation (Steger, 2004:17). Neoliberalist values are at the core of the main dimensions of globalism, therefore, neoliberalism is the vector through which globalisation is facilitated. The implementation of Neoliberalist policies such as privatisation, trade liberalisation and minimal state regulation has been instrumental in the creation of many rapidly growing, market orientated, profit driven economies that have generated sufficient employment and taxes throughout much of the globe (Peet, 2005:14). Global cooperation Institutions such as the World Bank and IMF are examples of neoliberalist organizations that have established major features of developed world supremacy abroad. Through the implementation of policies such as structural adjustment programmes, such organizations have successfully implemented ideas of free trade and helped forge the ‘Washington consensus’ which is a framework that revolves around the reorganization of economies and societies to adopt neoliberal principles (Steger, 2004:18).
The neoliberal ideology has thus in recent years been viewed as the most effective mode for initiating and enticing development. Neoliberalism supports global economic integration and emphasizes the benefits of such integration in promoting sustainable economic growth and development all of which form part of the ideologies of globalism (Charbonnaeu, 2008:85).
Globalisation as a result of neoliberal policies has resulted in the development and growth of a huge gap between the affluent countries of the developed world and the poorer countries of the developing world. The concept of ‘global liberal governance’ encompasses neoliberal organisations such as the World Bank, IMF, WTO and many NGO’s which have many objectives, one of which is the alleviation and eradication of poverty through the ‘unqualified and comprehensive modernization and transformation of traditional societies’ into more Western and neoliberalist societies (Charbonneau, 2008:86). This is another example of how neoliberalism legitimizes globalism as it is the neoliberalist principles that provide the mechanism through which globalism functions. Another example can be seen by analyzing the effects of neoliberalist principles on environmental globalism, the continual growth and spreading of multinational cooperation’s around the globe based on the ideas of liberal and free trade and the disintegration of borders and boundaries has had huge repercussions for environmental sustainability. The spread of diseases such as HIV AIDS and the other viruses such as SARS has been attributed to the interconnectedness of the planet and the speed at which people can travel around the world as a result of neoliberal globalisation.
Bibliography
Charbonneau, B. (2008). France and the new imperialism: security policy in Sub Saharan Africa. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
Chomsky, N. (1999). Profit over people: neoliberalism and global order. Seven Stories Press, 1999.
Held, D. (2003). The global transformations reader: an introduction to the globalized debate. Wiley-Blackwell, 2003.
Nye, J. (2000). Governance in a globalizing world. Brooking Institution Press.
Peet, R. (2005). Unholy Trinity: The IMF, World Bank and WTO. Zed Books, 2005.
Steger, M. (2004). Rethinking Globalism. Rowman and Littlefield, 2004.
