Abschnittsübersicht

  • Initially, the course is focused on the problems of globalization in contemporary world.


    The focus will be on the gobal problems and threats as suggested by Center Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and a Pew Research Center:

    - immigration

    - security threats and cyberthreats

    - economic divide (North-South)

    - environmental problems

    - rise of disinformation and fake news

    - pandemie


    Further it will be introduced that the course will be aimed at defining the phenomenon and at tackling advantages and disadvantages of it while focusing on its following five dimensions:

    -          political,

    -          economical,

    -          technological,

    -          media,  

    -          environmental,

    Most importantly, the definition of globalisation will be sought and its origin, development and periodization as viewed by different authors will be also introduced in the lecture.

    Recommended literature:
    I. Global issues:
    1) "Global Issues". In: United Nations. Peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet. Online: https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/.
    2) "5 Global Issues to Watch in 2021. " In: United Nations Foundation. Online: https://unfoundation.org/blog/post/five-global-issues-to-watch-in-2021/.
    3) "What are the 10 biggest global challenges?" In: World Economic Forum. Online: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/what-are-the-10-biggest-global-challenges/
    4) Our Global Challenges. In: Center Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Online: https://www.csis.org/programs/former-programs/our-global-challenges.
    5) Fagan, Moira - Haung, Christine (2020): "Many globally are as concerned about climate change as about the spread of infectious diseases". In: Pew Research Center. Online: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/10/16/many-globally-are-as-concerned-about-climate-change-as-about-the-spread-of-infectious-diseases/.
    II. Definition of globalization:
    1) "Globalization" (2018). In: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2018. Online: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/globalization/.
    2) Reich, Simon (1998): "What is Globalization? Four Possible Answers." In: Working Paper #261 - Dec 1998. The Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Online: https://kellogg.nd.edu/sites/default/files/old_files/documents/261.pdf. 
    3) Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan (2006): "Definitions of Globalization: A Comprehensive Overview and a Proposed Definition". Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), 19.6.2006. Online: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.472.4772&rep=rep1&type=pdf. 
    III. When the globalization started and how it has developed?
    1) Baylis, John - Smith, Steve - Owens, Patricia (2020): The Globalization of World Politics. An Introduction to International Relations (8th edition).
    2) Zakaria, Fareed ():
    3) Friedman, Thomas L. (): The World is Flat.
    4) Kevin O’Rourke - Jeffrey Williamson (2000): "When did Globalization Begin?" In: Working Paper 7632. Online: https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w7632/w7632.pdf.
    5) Giddens, Anthony (1991): "The Consequences of Modernity". Polity Press: Cambridge.
    6) Beck, Ulrich (2002): "What is Globalization?" In: Polity Press: Cambridge.

    Questions for students related to the lecture:

    A) Global issues:
    1) Can you count around 10 global major issues? 
    2) What kind of international/global institutions care for global issues?
    3) What is the difference in viewing global issues among citizens of different countries?

    B) Definition of globalization:
    1) How can you define globalization?
    2) Why globalization can be viewed from many major dimensions - political, economical, technological, media and environmental?

    C) Periodization of Globalization - when and why and how?
    Explain why some authors argue that globalization:
    i) always existed,
    ii) started in modern period,
    iii) started around y. 1800 (industrial revolution),
    iv) started around second half of 20th century,
    v) started during the fall of communism after 1989,
    vi) never existed.