SESSION 2. CONVERGENCE AND DIVERGENCE.
GLOBALIZATION AND SOCIETY
This debate articulates 3 positions:
1. Globalization brings homogenization.
2. Critiques on globalization bringing homogenization.
3. Based on the critiques: development of a synthesis that emphasizes the
fact that hybrid forms bring glocalization and not globalization.
I. HOMOGENIZATION: MCDONALIZATION (RITZER)
The main assumption is that there is an optimal way of doing things (Model:
The Assembly line in industry). Globalization intensifies competition and leads
to convergence toward the optimum.
The McDonald paradigm is used to study these tendencies since it provided a
model that was copied everywhere. It supposes a revolution of how consumers
were provided services and how to be more efficient while saving costs and
time. We are based on the assumption that there is an optimum so everybody
looks after the model that leads to that optimum. Thus, convergence and
homogenization take place. At the end, firms deliver services in the same way.
Examples: from fast-food to the classroom (how to process a maximum number
of students as fast and efficiently as possible) Standardized and Modular
Curricula; ECTS Credit system; shorter programs; campuses; textbooks instead
of books: textbook Q&As, standardized tests. Other examples: The Mall, the
Theme Park, Holiday Packages, Tour Operators.
II. HOMOGENIZATION: WORLD SOCIETY (MEYER)
It also criticizes globalization but under another assumption. Globalization has
come pararel with countless transnational and international organizations. This
proliferation of international and transnational organizations (Political,
Scientific, Professional) has brought World Scripts (i.e. beliefs about how the
world works; prescriptions about how to do things). People attend to meeting of
this organizations where common beliefs are developed. This way, the world
looks little by little similar.
Main Carriers:
- United Nations
- States
- International Civil Society (e.g. Scientific Associations)
- National sub-state actors
