Blogging through Media Trends and Globalization (2023)

In our everyday conversations, globalization is often described as a world controlled by huge companies that do business everywhere. Peter Dicken’s reading shows that this idea is not completely wrong, but it is definitely not the full story. Corporations are very important in economic globalization, but they are not all-powerful and they do not fully escape the influence of their home countries. In this blog, I will summarize the key ideas from the reading, explain what I found interesting, and raise one question for further discussion. To start with, Dicken explains what transnational corporations (TNCs) are. These are companies that manage production or services in more than one country. They have become extremely important in the global economy. According to UNCTAD’s data in the reading, thousands of TNCs together make up about one-tenth of the world’s total economic output and one-third of world exports. However, the really surprising point is that the top 100 companies control ...

Globalization refers to an increasingly interconnected network that links people, companies, information, and daily life across national borders. While intersociety has existed for centuries, the globalization we speak of today is unprecedented in its speed, scale, and intensity. When we think of globalization, we often think of economic activity: multinational corporations, global supply chains, and international trade. For example, a smartphone might be designed in California, manufactured in Shenzhen, and then sold in Seoul. This interdependence creates growth opportunities and new markets. But globalization is more than just what we buy. It influences our thinking, how we communicate, and even our identity. Through social media and streaming platforms, people are exposed to languages, values, and creative expressions from around the world. In South Korea, a student can experience American TV shows, Latin pop music, Parisian fashion trends, and Japanese anime culture all in one week...

Culture is everything that shapes how people live, think, communicate, and imagine the world. Globalization is a process that allows ideas, people, products, and values ​​to cross borders at an unprecedented speed and scope. Globalization changes culture, and culture drives globalization. Globalization connects societies through technology, media, and travel. Because of this connection, cultural products become highly mobile: music spreads instantly through Spotify, food crosses oceans via TikTok trends, and fashion spreads on Instagram before it even hits a physical store. Furthermore, globalization is not just economic or technological; it also encompasses cultural aspects. Immigrants bring their cultural habits and beliefs to new cities. Businesses employ cultural strategies to attract international customers when competing globally. People constantly exchange cultural expressions such as slang, emojis, and aesthetics when communicating online. Therefore, the relationship between cu...

 My experience in an English class at a Korean university has been very positive. In contrast, when I was taking Korean courses, I often felt a sense of helplessness. No matter how hard I tried, I always felt that I could never match the native Korean speakers. The language advantage of native Korean speakers made me feel that my efforts couldn't bridge the gap, which sometimes left me feeling frustrated. However, in the English class, the situation was completely different. English is neither the native language of Korean students nor mine, and in this shared experience of learning a foreign language, the gap between us seemed to vanish. In the classroom, we were all facing the challenge of learning a non-native language, and we shared a common identity. It felt as if, with enough effort, progress was not only possible but also rewarding. This shift in mindset made my experience in the English class more fulfilling and motivated. The English class became a place where I could se...

 Since the reform and opening-up, China has rapidly integrated into the global economy, becoming a key player in global manufacturing and trade. By joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), China deepened its connections with the global market, boosting exports and accelerating the growth of its manufacturing industry. China has also promoted global infrastructure construction and economic cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative, further strengthening its economic ties with other countries. However, despite China's significant economic achievements in the process of globalization, its performance in cultural globalization lags behind that of other Asian countries like South Korea and Japan. While China actively promotes the Chinese language and culture through institutions like Confucius Institutes, increasing its cultural soft power, its influence in global pop culture—especially in fields such as film, music, and fashion—remains limited compared to South Korea and Jap...

The economy and globalization are closely interconnected, driving global development through mutual reinforcement. Globalization enables the flow of goods, capital, technology, and labor across borders, forming interdependent economic networks. Economic growth, in turn, fuels globalization by expanding markets and increasing demand for resources, trade, and investment, further integrating the global economy. Globalization promotes economic growth by enhancing resource allocation, fostering international specialization, and encouraging innovation. Trade liberalization allows countries to access goods and services previously unavailable, improving living standards. Meanwhile, multinational investments and technology transfers provide developing countries with opportunities for industrial development and infrastructure improvement, accelerating global progress. However, globalization also brings challenges such as widening income inequality, environmental degradation, and economic insta...