Political Globalization GUANRUI

 Political globalization means that politics is no longer only something inside each country, but something that connects the world together. The reading explains that political power today is shared by more actors, not only governments. After the Cold War, democracy became a global idea, and many countries started to follow it, but this did not solve every political conflict. Instead, new kinds of political cultures appeared around the world. Another important part of political globalization is the rise of global norms, such as human rights and environmental protection. These ideas spread through international organizations and the media, and sometimes they even pressure governments to change. Because of this, states do not have full control over politics anymore. There are also many networks that work across borders, such as NGOs, global social movements, and activist groups. They try to influence big issues like climate change, refugees, and justice, and this creates something called global civil society. All these changes show that political globalization does not mean the world is becoming one super-country. Instead, it makes politics more complex and messy, because there are more voices, more opinions, and more conflicts. Power is no longer only in one place. It moves through communication, markets, international laws, and even online communities. Borders still exist, but they are changing. Sometimes borders become weaker, like when ideas and information travel easily. Sometimes borders become stronger, like when governments try to control immigration or security.

Before reading this, I thought globalization was mainly about economics or technology. But now I understand politics is also deeply global. I learned that democracy is something countries use partly because it is seen as a global standard. I also learned that global civil society is not always positive. Some groups fight for freedom, but others may spread hate or violence. So political globalization is not only about cooperation. It can also bring tension. I found it interesting that politics now happens in many new ways. People can protest online, share ideas on social media, or join movements in other countries. In this sense, the public space becomes global. However, even if people are connected, they do not always agree. That is why the world can feel more united and more divided at the same time. States are still important, but they must deal with pressure from global actors and global values every day.

This reading made me think about a big question. If political globalization gives more chances for democracy and human rights, why do we also see nationalism, border control, and political conflict growing stronger? When a country’s choice is different from global rules, which one should win? Who has the right to decide what is “correct” for everyone in the world? Political globalization seems to bring hope but also confusion. It creates more freedom, but also more arguments. I wonder if the future will be more cooperative or more divided. Maybe political globalization can make democracy stronger, but only if different countries and groups learn how to trust and listen to each other.