Blog Assignment 3: What is the relation between politics and globalization? - YUERONG WANG

 Summary

This article delves into three key dynamics of political globalization: the evolution of nationality and citizenship, the transformation of the public sphere and political communication, the emergence of civil society, and the diverse changes in space and boundaries.

Regarding nationality and citizenship, the article notes that national sovereignty is being eroded, and the rise of the global market challenges state power. Nationality and citizenship no longer fully reflect state rights, and the influence of international law allows immigrants to directly appeal to it. In Europe, the emergence of new nationalist movements reflects resistance to globalization, while in other regions, nation-states continue to dominate the political landscape. This illustrates the varied impact of globalization on different regions, strengthening some countries while posing challenges to others.

In the realm of the public sphere and political communication, the article emphasizes the central role of communication in politics. Traditional nation-states were built on centralized communication systems, including education, media, and national commemorative activities, to compile, replicate, and legitimize national narratives and collective identities. However, language standardization, the centralization of political parties, and the rise of commercial media have changed the landscape of the public sphere. Despite the decline of the public sphere due to the rise of commercial media, new social theories expand the scope of the public sphere to the global level, emphasizing the existence of a global public sphere. The global public sphere is not only a space but also a manifestation of filtered communication in the global environment. The global public plays a crucial role in political communication and public discourse, especially on issues involving global problems. Therefore, the evolution of political communication and the public sphere is influenced by globalization, global normative culture, and the global public.

Regarding civil society, the article argues that political globalization shapes a new global civil society. This concept signifies the "civilization" of politics, transforming the traditional divide between state and society through transnational mechanisms and coordinated governance practices of social movements. Global civil society manifests as politically active movements led by non-governmental organizations, transborder social movements, and transnational propaganda networks, dedicated to addressing global issues and challenging state hegemony and global capitalism. The tension in different political theory traditions reflects the redefinition and role of civil society in the era of globalization. This development has profound implications for political globalization, global normative culture, and the global public, highlighting a new landscape in the public sphere of the globalization era.

Finally, in the transformation of space and boundaries, the article describes the diverse and interdependent characteristics of spatial dynamics in the context of globalization. The fluidity and networked nature of globalization lead to the emergence of new political spaces, intertwining local, regional, national, supranational, and global forms. This is reflected in the concepts of the "network society" and "globalization of internal and external relations," highlighting the dynamic relationship between mobility and locality. Boundaries are no longer confined to territorial borders but permeate within and outside societies and between politics, forming integrated border zones. The process of rebordering highlights new security issues and fluidity regulation, redefining the relationship between global space and nation-states. This spatial shift challenges traditional territorial centrism, presenting a complex panorama of a "borderless world."

Interesting point

The article points out that the influence of international law allows immigrants to directly resort to international law, marking a unique change. This may trigger a reconsideration of global citizenship and how international law shapes the relationship between individuals and states.

Discussion

With the impact of international law, the ability of immigrants to directly appeal to international law raises the question of whether we need to reconsider the concept of global citizenship. What influence does international law have on the rights and responsibilities of individuals on a global scale?