What is Globalization? GUANRUI

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. Globalization places us in multiple cultural worlds simultaneously.

This leads to one of the most interesting findings: globalization has a dual nature. On the one hand, it expands access to knowledge, improves education and technology, and encourages innovation. Countries can learn from each other's experiences and progress together. On the other hand, the benefits of globalization are unevenly distributed. Wealthy nations and multinational corporations tend to gain greater influence, while impoverished regions may become dependent or even exploited.

Another key characteristic of globalization is visibility. When news of climate disasters, human rights abuses, or social movements spreads rapidly, the world becomes more aware of the existence of inequality and injustice.

These issues are crucial because globalization is more than just a network of trade routes or online platforms; it is a transformation of human life. It challenges us to rethink the meaning of "community," as our daily lives are intertwined with people we may never meet. It makes us consider whether diversity can thrive in today's increasingly integrated world. It also reminds us that interdependence does not necessarily guarantee fairness.

As we continue this discussion in the classroom, I hope we can consider how to make globalization more inclusive: it is not just a global market, but a global dialogue. If globalization is the story of our generation, then we should participate in writing its next chapter—ensuring it embodies respect, fairness, and shared responsibility, not just efficiency and profit.

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