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From Globalization to Globality - Merging Non - Western (Post) Colonial and Western Societies Into a Global Modernity

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From Globalization to Globality - Merging Non - Western (Post) Colonial and Western Societies Into a Global Modernity (IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education Vol. 2, No.2, 2014. FROM GLOBALIZATION TO GLOBALITY - MERGING NON - WESTERN (POST) COLONIAL AND WESTERN SOCIETIES INTO A GLOBAL MODERNITY Angela Barakoska, MA, Aarhus University, Denmark E-mail: [email protected] Received: September, 05. 2014. Accepted: October, 31.2014. Review Articles UDK 316.323.83 325.81(100:1-15) 316.722:316.75(100-15) Abstract. Modernity stands as a widely used term refers to “all these processes by which people for social change as it involves modification in many of the world are integrated into a single world forms in the society and the way people develop with dif- society, global society” (Albrow, 1990:9). We ferent ideologies and movements. Standing on the other are all aware that globalization processes are side of the traditional and historical, modernity brings changing the picture of the contemporary rela- new forms of development, communication and con- tions amongst states, regions and the world nectedness. In this paper, it would be discussed whether overall. With the expansion and opening of the globalization processes are leading to merge by the the new horizons of freedom, democracy societies and raising a global modernity. Hence the influ- and world evolution, the processes of domi- ence of the West and the pilgrimages drawn from the other nation, hierarchy and authority have with- societies would be examined. Change is just an unavoid- out any doubt increased as well. There is no able part of the society seen as a reform, reaction or revo- unique definition of what globalization is but lution. However, the historical processes of integration, we can say for sure that it represents multifac- innovation and development bring different questions and eted interaction of forces that can result with theories. In this paper, it would be referred on the integra- producing sometimes contradictory, fluctuat- tive inclinations for merging societies, the understanding ing effects of integration and disintegration, of modernity and globalization processes that emerge cooperation and conflict, order and disorder, from the historical development and social change. peace and conflicts as we may notice (Wiebel- Keywords: Modernity, Globalization, Post colo- haus-Brahm:1). There are also perspectives nialism, Social change, Westernization. saying that globalization is an antihumanism, and it is against the fundamental postulates of human life and society. The approaches will 1. INTRODUCTION be always divided, but then, how and which position and attitude should we take towards I would like to begin this essay explain- globalization? In continuation, there is the ing and defining the key concepts globaliza- subsequent form of globalization, globality. tion, modernity, and globality while having This term could be understood as something the basic idea of preserving the scientific prin- that follows after the globalization processes. ciple, going from general to more specific and Some may also argue that is a historic phenom- concrete. Even though the term globalization enon (Weaver, 2003:1). In addition, moder- is one of the most utilized and discussed topics nity is the major concept or idea that reflects in this modern world, I still find it challenging in the globalization in the societies. In this to explain it, because of its complex nature. essay I will start out by explaining the mean- We can see evidence of globalization at every ing and concept of globalization, globality turn, at home, in the workplace, in large stores, and modernity, afterwards I will try to explain newspapers and business journals, the monthly some historical processes through the prism of government statistics, or in the academic lit- modernity that are leading towards globaliza- erature. Globalization according to Albrow tion, globality and merging of many countries, cultures, the influence of the West the positive Corresponding Author and negative sides of the interconnectedness. Angela Barakoska, MA, Aarhus University, Norway E-mail: [email protected] www.ijcrsee.com (IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education Vol. 2, No.2, 2014. 2. WHAT IS MODERNITY? side it has its negative features too (Gid- dens, 1990:2). We can take the African con- In several important observations to glo- tinent as an example, and give an explanation balization was understood as the outcome of how countries were colonized and linked. modernity. Nowadays, many perspectives and The basic argument of modernization in this conceptualizations are interrelated, becoming context, as some authors would say, is that more and more synchronized and standard- Africa is a modern construct. “This is based ized, that is why globalization can be under- on the principle that the awareness of an Afri- stood as the flexible combination of several can cultural identity that can lay claims to a disciplinary approaches (Giddens, 1990:46). single political and economic destiny was the Globalization, if we take it in a comprehen- result of a discursive and practical confronta- sive way of perception, forms a world -wide tion with existential conditions brought to the historical field where global ideas and expe- continent by its forced integration into Euro- riences are shared (Giddens, 1990:52). It was pean historicity” (Cooper, 2005:92-103). In written in one article on a very simplified other words, it was in the process of coming way that modernization, as well as globaliza- to terms with slavery and colonialism that a tion, is a process that happens straightaway, specific kind of African identity was created. in this moment indeed. It is assumed that Africans produce their own social reality in “modernity can be understood as an imma- dialogue with modernity as they move from nent condition that structures social action in colonialism into a world defined by them- manners that is significantly different from selves and by what they make in their every- previous epochs” (Macamo, 2005:3). It is day life (Cooper, 2005:92-103). We can say noted by Witrock that: … “Modernity may that modernity and globalization start with the be understood as culturally constituted and movement of people and exchange of goods, institutionally entrenched. However, these as we mentioned previously. references points not only become argu- ments in ideational confrontations; but also provide shaping principles behind the forma- tion of new institutions” (Witrock, 2000:38). 2.2. One or multiple modernities? The Reformation, the Enlightenment, and How it is perceived? the French Revolution are the main events in history as some may say, that created the standpoints of modernity. As can be viewed, “Modernities are everywhere, at pre- a spatial-temporal structure is following. In cisely the time modernity as the epochal dis- addition, other cultural processes are usually course of the West appears to be on its last legs. added to this sequence as well, from the Ital- This is one of the more paradoxical features of ian Renaissance and the German Reformation the globe.” The sense that modernity is at a to the Enlightenment (Tuma et all, 2000:469). turning point, comes from its inclusive, trans- In “Consequences of Modernity”, the cultural, and mixed character. Globalization author Anthony Giddens, argues that: “Moder- can be described by the diversity of its moder- nity refers to ways of social life or organiza- nities. The post-colonial theory provides a way tion that emerged in Europe from about the to understand why this is so (Ashcroft, 2009:1). seventeenth century onwards and subse- Looking back in historic processes and quently became more or less worldwide in its happenings, we can realize that the world has influence. This links modernity with a time always been somehow interconnected, no period and an initial geographical location, but matter if the purpose was war, colonization, for the moment leaves its major characteristics exploitation or conquering new territories. safely stowed away in a black box” (Giddens, There are connections on different levels, in 1990:1). culture, economy, tradition and so on. Africa can be seen as a key player in the studies of capitalism, because of the options that Africa 2.1. How can modernity be offered. For example, the slave trade was understood? understood in different ways, it meant external relations and interconnections, exchange of resources and it had different consequences. It is also perceived that modernity has However, the interconnectedness of different two sides. Undoubtedly, modernity has cre- parts all around the world was crucial to the ated benefits for everyone, but on the other histories of those places, starting from slave www.ijcrsee.com (IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education Vol. 2, No.2, 2014. trade in the eighteenth century and ending defined as the perspective or worldview of with emancipation in the nineteenth. those who believe that it is possible to under- stand today’s world only by foregrounding the history of colonialism—defined in a very 3. MERGING SOCIETIES preliminary way as the domination of certain societies and peoples by others—over the If we start elaborating on how global- past five centuries”(Krishna, 2009:3). Also, ization connected (post) colonial countries modernity has its role as a concept. Its realiza- with the ones that are more developed or, the tion is somehow blocked by the colonialism “Western” part of the world, we can surely and socialism. Some may say that globaliza- start by explaining the states, briefly mention- tion and post colonialism became interest- ing their sovereignty and the ideologies that ing and present in our surroundings these reigned. Wallerstein explains that every state past two decades, but I oppose by saying that has its sovereignty or state power, supremacy these processes or terms exist much longer. (Wallertsain, 2004:53-59). It is also a fact that Undoubtedly, the decisive moment was the all states are sovereign but only the stronger French Revolution.
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