3rd Blog Assignment: Political Globalization

Third Blog Assignment 

Political Globalization 

(by Gerard Delanty and Chris Rumford)


1) Summary of content

The essay "Political Globalization", written by Gerard Delanty and Chris Rumford, discusses the three dimensions of Political Globalization that include global geopolitics, global normative culture and polycentric networks.

First paragraph (Introduction):

According to the authors, political globalization can be viewed as multifaceted because it includes the three complex fields of global geopolitics, global normative culture and polycentric networks. The whole world is more and more (with the exception of China) striving for a democratic government after the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, this rise has led to the proliferation of different ideologies.

Furthermore, political communication has become the basis of a global normative culture, e.g. human rights have evolved through it. Meyer argues that this global culture has developed as a reference for all societies.

In contrast to global normative culture, polycentric networks generate nonterritorial politics that originate from multiple locales and cannot be attributed to a single center.

All of these dimensions can’t exist separately from each other but are products of globalization and interrelated.

Second paragraph (The Transformation of the Nation-State, Nationality and Citizenship):

Delanty and Rumford explain that in the age of globalization, the nature of nation-states are changing. In response to the globalized society, they started to disappear. Important aspects include the decoupling of nationality from citizenship, European integration, and economic globalization. With rare exceptions, the majority of nation-states worldwide continue to be important. The authors highlight how this transition has resulted in a growing conflict between nationhood and statehood as well as the emergence of subnational politics.

Third paragraph (The Transformation of the Public Sphere and Communication):

This paragraph explains the role of communication, which is historically centered around national systems. Nowadays this communication takes place mostly through advertising and lobbying.

Originally based on national contexts, the idea of the public sphere has evolved to embrace a cosmopolitan perspective that recognizes public spheres and conversation on a worldwide scale. 

Global political discussions include human rights, environment, health and security.

Fourth paragraph (The Centrality of Civil Society):

The authors discuss the relationship between the state, society and individuals. Furthermore, they highlight the rise of global communities and networks driven by civil society.

The global civil society emerges from the existence of political globalization, from which there is a strong tension between it and national societies (rooted in different political traditions).

Fifth paragraph (The Transformation of Spaces and Border):

There's a paradox between the "borderless world" coexisting with the challenges of a nation-state. Here, two spatial dynamics are being focused on: Castells' idea of the "space of flows" vs. the "space of places" and Beck's explanation of "cosmopolitanization".

In general, it's about borders and how they can be perceived both positively and negatively by society.

Sixth paragraph (Conclusion):

In conclusion, there are three dilemmas that affect political autonomy globally: 

Globalization of the nation-state (relationship between globalization, nation-states and democracy (fundamental mistrust) is seen as critical),

Global normative culture (on one hand this process can lead to individualization and fragmentation, but on the other hand it gives rise to cosmopolitan communities that place humanity's needs above democracy) and 

Polycentric networks (some actors in global society may not support peace and freedom (democracy), raising concerns about their independence and potential exploitation by criminals).


2) Interesting aspect

Personally, I enjoyed reading this essay: It was informative and exciting to consider this new side of Globalization. Political Globalization is just as important as the topics already discussed in the other Readings.

What I found most interesting was the idea of the sociologist Castell: "space of flows vs. space of places" mentioned in the essay. "space of flows" stands for the global, interconnected, and dynamic spaces created by the flow of information across the world, whereas the "space of places" refers more to the more traditional and territorially defined spaces (physical locations such as cities).

These two terms coexist in today's society and stand in strong conflict to each other.


3) Discussion

I wonder whether the coexistence of the "space of flows" and "space of places" can develop into a harmonious way (as already explained, the two are currently in a major conflict) or will the two remain as they are now?

Can individuals participate in the "global space flows" while keeping their strong sense of connection to their "local space of places"?

What do you generally think about Castell's idea? Is there something you'd like to add or criticize?


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