MANAGING GLOBALIZATION It has been established that globalization is unquestionable, that non-state actors are integral parts of the world system and that states still remain the primary actors. In light of these three notions, it is advantageous to examine globalization for what it is: hyper-capitalism, as capitalism is and always has been an international affair. Both Strange’s and Gilpin’s interpretations strengthen this argument. In Karl Marx and Friedrich Engel’s Communist Manifesto, they describe capitalism as a system that not only transcends borders but also benefits from the state’s existence. It must “nestle everywhere, settle everywhere, establish connections everywhere” in order to truly take advantage of the global markets. Capitalist
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Although Arrighi aggrandizes that the global system will become stateless, his mention of John Ruggie’s “‘postmodern hyperspace’” is useful. Ruggie states, “‘transnationalized microeconomic links…have created a non-territorial ‘region’ in the world economy.’” While Arrighi’s vision of a non-territorial world system might be exaggerated, Ruggie’s assessment of the globalized economy is spot-on. For instance, refer to the hegemony of the US. The US exports many items: technology, agricultural goods and natural resources, to name a few. However, its main export is culture. American movies, television, music and fashion settle, nestle and establish connections in all corners of the globe. For further confirmation, one does not have to look farther than their nearest McDonald’s. McDonald’s is the true embodiment of an MNC; it possesses upwards of 30,000 restaurants in 119 countries that serve roughly forty-seven million customers daily. McDonald’s has become so widespread and prevalent that theories have been written about it. For instance, Thomas Friedman’s “Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention” suggests that countries that host McDonald’s do not go to war with each other, echoing capitalist peace theory. While this is an optimistic outlook of globalization, George Ritzer presents a more dismal outlook in his book, The McDonaldization of Society: An Investigation into the Changing Character of Social Life. McDonald’s embodies efficiency and division of labor––it is the mass production guided by assembly lines that Marx and Engels feared. The culture of McDonald’s is one of homogenization: the same golden arches, the same Big Macs, the same ordering process, the same jingles, and the same red and yellow color schemes, regardless if you’re in New York, Shanghai or Rio de
Although Arrighi aggrandizes that the global system will become stateless, his mention of John Ruggie’s “‘postmodern hyperspace’” is useful. Ruggie states, “‘transnationalized microeconomic links…have created a non-territorial ‘region’ in the world economy.’” While Arrighi’s vision of a non-territorial world system might be exaggerated, Ruggie’s assessment of the globalized economy is spot-on. For instance, refer to the hegemony of the US. The US exports many items: technology, agricultural goods and natural resources, to name a few. However, its main export is culture. American movies, television, music and fashion settle, nestle and establish connections in all corners of the globe. For further confirmation, one does not have to look farther than their nearest McDonald’s. McDonald’s is the true embodiment of an MNC; it possesses upwards of 30,000 restaurants in 119 countries that serve roughly forty-seven million customers daily. McDonald’s has become so widespread and prevalent that theories have been written about it. For instance, Thomas Friedman’s “Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention” suggests that countries that host McDonald’s do not go to war with each other, echoing capitalist peace theory. While this is an optimistic outlook of globalization, George Ritzer presents a more dismal outlook in his book, The McDonaldization of Society: An Investigation into the Changing Character of Social Life. McDonald’s embodies efficiency and division of labor––it is the mass production guided by assembly lines that Marx and Engels feared. The culture of McDonald’s is one of homogenization: the same golden arches, the same Big Macs, the same ordering process, the same jingles, and the same red and yellow color schemes, regardless if you’re in New York, Shanghai or Rio de