What is Globalisation?

Sociology Essay Level 2 Introduction What is Globalisation? Economic globalisation is, in a sense, the strengthening of the position of capitalism as the prevailing structure of production in contemporary history According to Walters, globalisation is a 'social process in which the constraints of geography on social and cultural arrangements recede and in which people become increasingly aware that they are receding.' It refers to the increasing integration of economies around the world, particularly through trade and financial flows. The term 'Globalisation' has come into common usage since the 1980s, reflecting technological advances that have made it easier and quicker to complete international transactions-both trade and financial flows. It refers to an extension beyond national borders of the same market forces that have operated for centuries at all levels of human economic activity-village markets, urban industries, or financial centres. There are various forms of Globalisation: As Sir David Henderson explains in one of his most recent publications, "The Changing Fortunes of Economic Liberalism", globalisation in its simplest form can be defined as "free trade and free movement of capital and labour around the world" (Sir David Henderson). Thus broadly speaking, globalisation is the process by which economic barriers are broken down between different geographic

  • Word count: 18676
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Alliance system prior to World War 1

ALLIANCE POLITICS Introduction The period prior to the World War I was one of the most tenuous periods of international relations, starting from the unification of Germany to the outbreak of World War I. The period saw some of the most prolific exercises of Realpolitik, in which alliances were made and broken almost overnight. The alliances forged were security guarantors, but, they were also offensive and aggressive in nature. In the truest sense of the Clausewitzian dictum 'War is the extension of policy by other means', the political elite and the statesmen of the Iberian Peninsula were flexing their political muscle in preparation for a war. This period is also important from an analytical point of view because this period represented the last multi polar state system, in which the five most powerful states in the world at the time vied for strategic control, through alliances and counter alliances. Bismarck likened the setup to a chess board with five pieces on it: nobody wanted to be on the side which had two against three. Thus, this period also shows how alliances were formed, managed and how they fared in a multiple state system, which is starkly different from the bipolar and uni-polar state systems. The scope of this paper would be as follows: . Theoretical Framework of Alliance Politics in a multipolar state system. 2. The Alliances in Europe prior to World

  • Word count: 10312
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

What international factors, with particular reference to the United States, have accounted for the longevity of the Indo-Pakistani conflict over the Jammu-Kashmir region in the post-Cold War era?

What international factors, with particular reference to the United States, have accounted for the longevity of the Indo-Pakistani conflict over the Jammu-Kashmir region in the post-Cold War era? The dispute over the territory of Jammu & Kashmir has been a focal point of Indo-Pakistani antagonism for more than a half century. Indo-Pakistani bilateral relations the Cold War and post-Cold War eras have been deeply affected by the divergent perceptions, goals and interests regarding this persistent trouble spot. A settlement on Kashmir has not been achieved due significantly to the actions of both the Indian and Pakistani States themselves. Both the Indian and Pakistani Governments have conducted relations over Kashmir within a straitjacket of potential gains and losses perceived in zero-sum terms over the disputed territory. These strained bilateral relations have been accompanied with grandiose rhetoric aimed at passionate domestic constituencies who for different reasons on either side of the territory see Jammu & Kashmir as an integral part of their nation. The aim of this essay is to analyse how and why international factors have accounted for the longevity of the Kashmir conflict. Putting Indo-Pakistani bilateral relations to one side allows for discussion of the influences of a range of extra-regional actors. It is argued that extra-regional factors have impacted

  • Word count: 9320
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Today is an era of movement and migration and human uprootedness.

INTRODUCTION Today is an era of movement and migration and human uprootedness. People around the world are in a constant quest to, improve their lives, flee from political repression, and escape from natural and/or man-made disasters (Augie Fleras and Jean L. Elliot, 2002: 242). Immigration is a major social phenomenon that involves more than just a physical relocation, but importantly it is the adaptation to a new environment and, some would agree that, individuals that are more flexible, assertive and those who are better decision makers are more apt to becoming successful migrants. Immigrants vary not only in their individual points of origin and destination, and in the skills they bring, but they also vary in their reasons for migrating. For most migrants the choice to migrate is influenced by economic reasons, which differs from migrant to migrant (J. A. Jackson, 1969: 111), thus economic possibilities appear to be the common thread that instigate migration. Individuals from Third World countries are more prone to violate the terms of their visa to overstay their visits in North America to pursue economic possibilities, which may be generalized as a: * Desire for social advancement, which includes: o Betterment for children and self o Higher learning o Gainful employment o Hope for a new beginning o Upward and social mobility And, this might include owing a

  • Word count: 8555
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Airport Security Improvement Act of 2000.

Amanda Summers Political Science 345 Dr. Randy Hagerty 5 December 2003 Airport Security Improvement Act of 2000 In 2000, Congress submitted a bill to the President detailing a proposal that would outline the procedure of improved security in American airports. At the time, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, a Republican Senator from Texas, and her cosponsors did not realize the issues with airport security that would lie ahead in the next year. However, they were aware of an audit done in 1999 of the airport access controls. This investigation revealed the need for better airport security. Improved security throughout the nation had become a top priority following the bombing of the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania on Friday, August 7, 1998. That added to the tragedies of the Oklahoma City bombing (1995), the Olympic pipe bombing (1996) and the Columbine shootings (1999) and the other catastrophes of the 90's only enhanced Congress's hunger for better national security. Just as Osama bin Laden was added to the FBI's most wanted list, the Department of Transportation (DOT) began a federal campaign for safer and more secure roads, railways, shipways and airlines. In March of 2000 the House Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on aviation security. At that time, DOT's Inspector General and the General Accounting Office (GAO) pointed out weaknesses in the Federal Aviation

  • Word count: 8051
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Role of Airpower in Humanitarian and Counter Terrorist Operations

Introduction Air power is a relatively modern addition to the arsenals of the armies and defense forces of the World. The first powered, controlled and sustained human flight in a 'heavier than air craft' was made in 1903 by the Wright brothers1. Though barely a century old, this new addition has transformed the nature of warfare, much like the advent of gun powder, or the domestication of the horse by the nomadic steppe dwellers2, and may well constitute the only evolution in military affairs since the invention of gun powder and the rifle. The first record of the use of a powered air craft for military purposes was during the World War I3. Since then, the nature of warfare and the role of the air craft have under gone several changes. But the most radical changes have been in the aircrafts themselves. They are no longer cumbersome creatures. They are maneuverable, easily deployable machines. They are lean, mean fighting machines. They are likes the predatory birds of the sky. But they are not always the instruments of death and mayhem. They are being used extensively in many humanitarian and philanthropic operations. They have become an indispensable part of the modern day battle space. They form the main thrust of the initial attack, they provide security to the next wave of land attack, and they support and maintain the LOC and troops ahead. This essay focuses on two

  • Word count: 7856
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

An initial statement on your choice of case study: Why have you chosen that particular case study? What questions are you particularly interested in?

* An initial statement on your choice of case study: Why have you chosen that particular case study? What questions are you particularly interested in? I have decided to start my portfolio with a famous story from French revolution. King of France Louis XVI observed the protests in the streets of Paris in 1789, he turned to his friend, the due de La Rochefoucauld, and exclaimed, 'My God! It's a revolt!' 'No, Sire,' La Rochefoucauld is said to have replied. "That is a revolution" (Kimmel, 1990). I suppose, I have chosen this story because it represents the lack of government understanding about what is happening within the country, within its structure or even incoherence what the masses need. Revolution was defined by Goodwin as a social movement with a minimum goal of coup d'état. But Conteh-Morgan would strongly disagree with this statement. There were many examples where many soldiers described their overthrow of a government as a revolution, but often the takeover is not profound enough to be called a revolution. He would say that revolution is something profound, dramatic, and intense with regards to its impact in countries status quo. To add on, Revolutions involve changes and alterations of the following: values or the myths of the society; the social structure; institutions; and elite leadership or class composition. These alterations always combine with illegal

  • Word count: 7706
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

The EU and democracy promotion in Central Asia

Winter Semester 2007 UBC The European Union and Democracy Promotion in Central Asia The collapse of the Soviet Union fundamentally altered International geopolitics, and opened up Central Asia to powerful elements of change. The loosely defined region was transformed into a strategic priority arena for a multitude of international states, pursuing a multitude of strategies. The Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were artificially created products of Marxist economic and social development theory.1 They exhibited initial enthusiasm and support for democracy, market economy reforms, secularism and a normalization of international relations. 2 This initial enthusiasm for democratic advancement has however faded. Almost all independently run elections have had dubious legitimacy and the emergence of independent mass media has been hindered; in short, substantive democracy is either absent or 'falls short of the mark,' as Freedom House states. 3 Overall, Central Asia as a region has shown little conformity with respected democratic norms. Why? This essay will attempt to answer that question, focusing on the role of the European Union as an emerging international actor pursuing concrete foreign policy goals. The first section will examine the present state of democracy in Central Asia. The second section will describe

  • Word count: 7470
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Argentina's Dirty War

Argentina's Dirty War ? Veronica Diaz-Reinhagen Liberal Studies Graduate Program Professor Yale Ferguson Independent Study Fall 2002 ? Argentina's Dirty War Introduction At the Eleventh Conference of Latin American Armies, in October of 1975, Argentina's commander in chief of the military forces, Jorge Rafael Videla, pointed out to reporters inquiring about the fight against subversion: "In order to guarantee the security of the state, all necessary people will die". When another journalist asked for clarification on the meaning of "subversive", he replied, "Anyone who opposes the Argentine way of life".1 A few months following this declaration, on March 24, 1976, the military seized control of the nation; overthrowing the constitutional government, then lead by Isabel Peron. General Videla, Admiral Massera and Brigadier Agosti became the newest leaders in a sequence of military coups. Although this trio would go down in history as the bloodiest one of them all, a series of four more military juntas also followed. In 1981, General Viola, Army Chief of Staff, succeeded Videla upon the conclusion of his term. Although barely assuaging, Viola attempted to reopen conversations with the political parties which were still banned. The even more intransigent General Galtieri replaced him months later. Finally, in 1982, General Bignone was set up to manage the process

  • Word count: 7467
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in late 1991, the geopolitical scene in the center of the Eurasian continent has altered fundamentally

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in late 1991, the geopolitical scene in the center of the Eurasian continent has altered fundamentally. The independence of five Soviet Central Asian republics, and the enduring weakness of these states created a political vacuum that external powers have ever since competed to fill. Soon after this ground-breaking development, a paradigm evolved defining Russia, Turkey and Iran as major players in the entire 'southern tier' of the former Soviet Union, that is the Caucasus and Central Asia. Russia was correctly identified as a retreating hegemonic power, whereas Turkey and Iran were seen as competitors for influence in especially the six Muslim states that gained independence, that is the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan. This paradigm, which accorded little importance to other international or regional actors, has to a large extent survived in media as well as academia.i[1] However, almost ten years after the Soviet collapse, viewing Central Asia through the prism of a Turkish-Iranian-Russian triangle offers at best highly limited guidance to understanding the security and geopolitics of that region. In the analysis of international security, the state has generally been center of analysis, with focus on the defense of territory. The result of this thinking has been an understanding that the state is the ultimate arbiter in

  • Word count: 6958
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay