Contemporary World
Contemporary World
Contemporary World
A World of Regions
The Global Divides: The North and the South
Understanding Global Stratification
A World of Ideas
Media and Globalization
The Globalization of Religion
Global Citizenship
Global Citizenship
LESSON 1: WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION?
Different scholars have different viewpoints of what globalization is. Some would view
globalization as a positive phenomenon, some would see its detrimental effects on society which
cannot be separated from issues of global economic and cultural imperialism.
OBJECTIVES:
PRE-READING ACTIVITY
Before reading the text below, choose whether to create a poster/collage, compose and perform
a song, or compose poem and deliver spoken poetry which depicts your concept of the world
today. Writing a short paragraph of description of our present world is also an option. Document
your choice and what you did.
READING
Giddens (1990) points out that globalization is the intensification of worldwide social
relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events
occurring many miles and away. In a conference in 2000, Giddens explained, “globalization is not
a single set of processes and does not lead into a single direction. It produces solidarities in some
places and destroys them in others. It has quite different consequences on one side of the world
from the other. In other words, it is a wholly contradictory process. It is not just about
fragmentation. I see it more as a shake-out of institutions in which new forms of unity go along
with new forms of unity go along with new forms of fragmentation.” Wallerstein (1998) believes
that globalization is a reflection of the triumph of a capitalist world economy bonded by a global
division of labour. Khor (1995) in discussing the world politics expressed that globalization has
long been experienced by the Third World called colonization.
One of the most popular definitions of globalization is provided by Steger (2009) which
defined globalization as a set of social processes that appear to transform our present social
condition of weakening nationality into one globality. It is about the unprecedented compression
of time and space as a result of political, economic and cultural change, as well as powerful
technological innovations. Manfred further differentiated globalization, globality and globalism.
While globalization is a process, globality signifies a future social condition characterized by thick
economic, political and cultural interconnections and global flows that make currently existing
political borders and economic barriers irrelevant. On the other hand, globalism means
globalization as an ideology reflecting shared ideas, norms, values accepted as truth. He adds
that there are three kinds of globalism namely:
Economic: ‘The economic dimension of globalization’ explores how the way people have
undertaken economic production has changed. The global economic order emerged after
World War II, when the Bretton Woods Conference laid the foundations for the IMF, World
Bank, and WTO. In the 1980s neoliberalism liberalized financial transactions. However,
this unstable growth led to the Great Financial Crash, where banks traded toxic assets
without regulation. Transnational corporations rival nation-states in economic power, and
have had a profound effect on the structure and function of the global economy. The
Washington Consensus was drafted to reform indebted developing countries, but it has
thus far rarely helped countries develop.
▪ internationalizing of production
▪ globalizing of finance and securities trading
▪ changing international division of labor
▪ vast migratory movements from South to North
▪ competitive environment that accelerates these processes
▪ internationalizing of the state making states into agencies of the globalizing
world
POST READING ACTIVITY
1. Craft your own personal definition of globalization based on how you have experienced it.
Relate your definition to your outputs about depicting the contemporary world.
Holm, Hans-Henrik and Georg Sorensen (1995) “Introduction: What Has Changed?” in Hans-
Henrik Holm and Georg Sorensen, eds., Whose World Order? Uneven Globalization and the
End of the Cold War (Boulder, CO: Westview), 1–17.
Kanter, Rosabeth Moss (1995). World Class: Thriving Locally in the Global Economy (New
York: Simon and Schuster, as cited in J. A. Scholte, “The Globalization of World Politics”, in
J. Baylis and S. Smith (eds.), The Globalization of World Politics, An Introduction to
International Relations. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Khor, Martin (1995). "Address to the International Forum on Globalization," New York City.
Mcgrew, A. (1990). A Global Society: Modernity and its Futures as cited by Brazalote and
Leonardo (2019) The Contemporary World: Outcome-Based Module. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing Inc.
Steger, Manfred. B. (2009). Globalization: A very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Wallerstein, Immanuel (1974). The Modern World-System: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins
of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century. New York: Academic Press.
https://gened.fas.harvard.edu/urgent-problems-enduring-questions
LESSON 2: THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
The Global economy alludes to different financial exercises among various nations with
either negative or beneficial outcomes. The idea of a world economy is identified with regular day
to day existence dependent on the interconnected idea of the different countries around the world.
Exchange interrelations are noteworthy pointers of the worldwide economy. Thus, the growth of
globalization of the world's economies to a great extent is dependent on the advancement of
science and technology. Notwithstanding the drawbacks, globalization is still changing the world.
Socially, it has encouraged the trading of thoughts and societies, adding to a world view wherein
individuals are progressively open and lenient of each other.
OBJECTIVES:
HELPFUL POINTS
Economic Globalization
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) regards “economic globalization’ as a historical
process representing the result of human innovation and technological progress. It is
characterized by the increasing integration of economies around the world through the movement
of goods, services, and capital across borders. These changes are the products of people,
organizations, institutions, and technologies. As with all other processes of globalization, there is
a qualitative and subjective element to this definition.
According to the United Nations (as cited by Shangquan, 2000), economic globalization
refers to the increasing interdependence of world economies as a result of the growing scale of
cross-border trade of commodities and services, flow of international capital and wide and rapid
spread of technologies. It reflects the continuing expansion and mutual integration of market
frontiers, and is an irreversible trend for the economic development in the whole world at the turn
of the millennium.
International Trade
The conclusion of World War ll signaled the beginning of trade facilitation around the
globe. Economies set rules and guidelines for international trade which led to the formation of
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). These trade rules were developed through
series of rounds or meetings of member ‘economies.
International Trade (IT) is the process and system when goods, commodities, services
cross national economy, and boundaries in exchange for money or goods of another country
(Balaam and Veseth, 2008). Global trade has grown dramatically since the post-cold war era as
a result of increasing demand of goods and services of countries. This global norm is a reflection
of growing practice of internationalizing and globalizing local products and services.
Trade Theories
There are two types of trade theories explaining international trade.
• Descriptive Theory. It deals with the natural order and movement of trade. it describes
the pattern of trade under the idea of laissez faire, a French term which means "leave
alone". It refers to the notion that individuals are the best economic agents to solve the
problems through invisible hand rather than the government ‘policies. Descriptive theory
addresses the questions of which product to trade, how much product to offer and
produce, and which country to trade in the absence of government restrictions.
• Prescriptive Theory. This prescribes whether government, an important economic
institution, should interfere and restrict with the movement of goods and services. This
theory views government to have participation in deciding which countries to alter the
amount, composition and direction of goods. The pressing question describing descriptive
theory is “Should the government control trade?”
• Economic Liberals
David Ricardo and Adam Smith were known critics of late-eighteenth century on the abuses of
mercantilism in England. Their liberal ideas and contribution in understanding global trade are still
relevant until today. For Ricardo, his influential work Law of Comparative Advantage explains that
free trade efficiency is attainable if two countries can produce more goods and trade products
separately. The advantage of this theory in international trade is deriving from the principle of
specialization and division of labor (Nau, 2009). Countries have different resources and talents;
they are better in performing in that economic activity than other economic activities
• Mercantilism
An economic theory emerged from about 1500-1800. This period was the emerging eras of
nations-states and the formation of more central governments. This system flourished due to the
following reasons:
▪ Higher export than import.
▪ Export less high valued product and import less high valued product
▪ The benefits of colonial powers.
• Structuralists
The earliest wave of mercantilism was described as classical imperialism. The drive of European
countries to explore and colonize underdeveloped countries originated from the aggressive
mercantilist behavior of European economies. This idea was extended to the practice of modern
capitalist-imperialist approach by countries and economies that have the immense resource
through the use of hard power over developing and less developed countries.
The Modern World System (MWS) theory deveIoped by Immanuel Wallerstein, explains the
contact of economies between core, semi peripheral, and peripheral countries in the world. The
core states have the absolute advantage over the other through unequal exchange and extraction
of raw materials from periphery and semi-periphery.
Thus, the economic globalization and market integration of the 21 st century are extensions of the
same economic motives of imperial powers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (Balaam
and Veseth, 2008)
ACTIVITY
Globalization allows for a worldwide exchange of most of the commodities that we consume.
This activity will allow you to investigate the origin and spread of the products and services sold
in our country. You will also be able to know the countries involved in the production,
distribution, and consumption of the products being sold and consumed in the country. The
following are the steps to accomplish this activity:
2. List down the main ingredients or raw materials in manufacturing the chosen product. Identify
the corresponding country from which each ingredient or raw material came from.
3. Identify the countries involved in the manufacturing of the chosen product. Indicate the
corresponding service the country does for the product (e.g., Costa Rica planting of coffee
beans).
4. Aside from the Philippines, list other countries where the product is being sold. Cite the kinds
of technology that made the creation of the product possible. Consider communications and
transportation.
5. Write one to three statements about the creation of the product and answer the following
questions:
• How do economic trading institutions influence global economic activity?
• How does it affect the Philippine economy?
• Does the position of rich countries as giants in the economic chain threaten the status of
less developed countries in the global market?
REFERENCES
Balaam, D and Vesseth, M. (2008), Introduction to International Political Economy, 4th ed.
Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Education, Inc.
De Ocampo, F., Ramos, B., Llomora, R.,Macaraeg, A., David, M.A. (2018), Introduction to
Contemporary World. St. Andrew Publishing House.
Claudio, L., Abinales, P. (2018), The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc.,
OBJECTIVES:
HELPFUL POINTS
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization
(WTO)
According to Feet (2003), global trade and finance was greatly affected by the Bretton
Woods system. One of the systems born out of Bretton Woods was the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that was established in 1947 [Goldstein et al., 2007). GATT was a forum
for the meeting of representatives from 23 member countries. It focused on trade goods through
multinational trade agreements conducted in many rounds of negotiation. However, “it was out of
the Uruguay Round (1986-1993) that an agreement was reached to create the World Trade
Organization (WTO)” (Ritzer, 2015).
The WTO headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland with 152 member states as of
2008 (Trachtman, 2007). Unlike GATT, WTO is an independent multilateral organization that
became responsible for trade in services, non-tarriff-related barriers to trade, and other broader
areas of trade liberalization, an example cited by Ritzer (2015) was that of the “differences
between nations in relation to regulations on items as manufactured goods or food. A given nation
can be taken to task for such regulations if they are deemed to be an unfair restraint on the trade
in such items”.
ACTIVITY
b. Research the origin and history of the institution you have chosen;
Boughton, J. (2007) Bretton Woods System. In Scholte, J.A & Robertson, R. (eds.) Encyclopedia
of Globalization. New York: MTM Publishing
Claudio, L., Abinales, P. (2018), The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc., Goldstein,
J.L., Rivers, D.& Tomz, M. (2007). Institutions in international relations: Understanding the
effects of the GATT and the WTO. International Organization.
This lesson will begin with a short narration of some events that occurred 400 years ago
and the challenges that most governments face amid globalization. It will also tackle the different
institutions that govern international relations in order to facilitate connections among nation-
states.
OBJECTIVES:
HELPFUL POINTS
The origins of the present-day concept of Sovereignty can be traced back to the Treaty of
Westphalia, which was a set of agreements signed in 1648 to end the thirty years’ war between
the major continental powers of Europe. The Westphalian system provided stability for the nations
of Europe, until it faced its major challenge by Napoleon Bonaparte. The latter believed in
spreading the principles of the French Revolution - liberty, equality and fraternity to the rest of
Europe. Despite the challenge of Napoleon to the Westphalian system and the eventual collapse
of the Concert of Europe after World War I, present-day international system has traces of this
history.
One of the key aspects of state sovereignty is the government. It is a group of people who
have the ultimate authority to act on behalf of a state. Each state has its own right to self-
determination and that other country should not intervene in the affairs of that state unless there
are extraordinary reasons to do so. Globalization has, in a way reshaped the role and functions
of nation-states as governing bodies in their particular territories.
• First, globalization is seen to impose a forced choice upon nation-states. Either they
conform to the neo-liberal ideas and free-market principles of deregulation,
privatization, and free trade or run the risk of being left behind in terms of development.
Of course, nation-states, in this contemporary age, are forced to submit themselves to
the demands of globally accepted free-market principles.
• Second is the establishment of economic and political integrations. One good example
is the European Union (EU) and the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
EU has a single currency and monetary system, parliament with legislative powers,
with common citizens’ rights to live, work, vote and run for office. The statehood of the
members is not dissolved, what has changed is only how the nation-states function, in
terms of economy and politics, as part of a whole.
• The third effect of globalization is the establishment of international laws and
principles. This is observable in the establishment of the UN that operates as a forum
for nation-states to air their differences and try to resolve them.
• The fourth effect is the rise of transnational activism (TNA). Such happens when
activist groups of nation-states connect with their counterparts in other states. For
example, an advocacy-based organization in the Philippines may connect itself with
and get support from other human rights groups in Europe to pressure the Philippine
government to realign its stance and actions in upholding human rights.
There are several international organizations that governments of countries around the world and
individuals participate in. In order to facilitate connections among nation-states, intergovernmental
organizations (IGOs) were established. Their aim is to foster strong economic, political, cultural,
educational, and technical intergovernmental relationships. There are also nongovernmental
organizations promoting social and economic growth. Let us look at them one by one.
ACTIVITY
Write a position paper on the Philippines’ territorial and economic relations with China. After
conducting extensive research on the topic, the position paper should be easy to write.
Brazalote, T., Leonardo, R. (2018) The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc., ©2019
Claudio, L., Abinales, P. (2018), The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc. Goldstein, J.L.,
Rivers
United Nations. (2011). Basic facts about the United Nations. New York, USA: United Nations
Department of Public Information. Retrieved from
http://munkiconference.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/4/2/15422056/basic-facts-about-the-
un.pdf on May 13, 2020
Lesson 5: CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
The world has no global government and global authority. There are however, political
and economic bodies operating worldwide that not all people are aware of. Thus what the world
has is the idea of global governance. This term refers to domestic institutions and governments
on how large-scale problems and public-policy issues are being resolved on a global level. It
involves a range of actors including states, national and regional bodies that have the eagerness
and commitment to deal with a particular challenge. This lesson will focus primarily on the United
Nations (UN) as the most prominent intergovernmental organization today as well as the
challenges of the twenty-first century governance.
OBJECTIVES:
KEY POINTS
Today, global governance makes world affairs systematic, secured and formulaic. Weiss
& Thakur (2014) describe global governance as the totality of norms, laws, policies, and bodies
that define, comprise, and facilitate transnational relations between citizens, states, cultures,
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Rules and norms put everything in order.
Though global governance is rule-based, it has no central authority. However, there are systems
for international relationships that bind the states, people and society together. Since the United
Nations (UN) has the most number of members among the established global systems, this
section discusses its organs, roles and functions.
• General Assembly is the central deliberative and the only organ where all member-states
have equal representation in discussion and consideration, and policymaking
• Security Council is the organ which has the commitment to preserve peace and security.
• Economic and Social Council is the main organ for cooperation, policy reviews, policy
dialogue, and advice on social, economic and environmental issues.
• Trusteeship Council is the organ tasked to administer international oversight for 11 trust
territories and to make sure that adequate procedures are taken for independence and
self-government.
• International Court of Justice is UN’s prime judicial organ.
• Secretariat is the organ tasked to execute the daily activities as assigned by the other
organs.
The Millennium Development Goals was set to promote sustainable development. In 2015,
this was changed into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are the
blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. This collection of 17 global goals
covers social and economic issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, global warming,
gender equality, water sanitation, energy urbanization, environment and social justice.
Weiss and Thakur (2014), in their article titles, The United Nations Meets the Twenty-first
Century: Confronting the Challenges of Global Governance, identify challenges confronting UN
based on knowledge, norms, policy, institutions and compliance:
Despite the establishment of global norms and international laws that nation-states should
follow, the nation-states are still relevant for there will be no intergovernmental organization
without them. Also, international and multinational agreements are designed by the states and
propelled by the initiatives that they undertake. To conclude, contemporary global governance
defines political scope of globalization. Cooperation among nation-states is the only way to reform
and advance the roles and functions of interstate relationships despite real challenges being faced
by United Nations.
POST READING ACTIVITY
Create a creative and colorful poster that depicts the participation of the Philippines in the global
community. Then write at least five sentences to explain your poster. You may use a long-sized
bond paper, a recycled paper or calendar for this activity.
REFERENCES
Brazalote, T., Leonardo, R. (2018) The Contemporary World Outcome Based Module. C & E
Publishing, Inc., 2019
Weiss, T., Thakur, R. (2014) The United Nations Meets the Twenty-First Century: Confronting the
Challenges of Global Governance. The SAGE Handbook of Globalization
UN Logo: www.wikimedia.com
Lesson 6: THE GLOBAL DIVIDES: THE NORTH AND SOUTH
The world has been divided in different ways. Because of historical factors,
countries have been categorized as first world, second world and third world. In
recent times, nation states have been identified either as the Global North or
Global South. Most often they are defined based on their wealth and development.
2. Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
• Examine the term Global North and Global South
• Identify examples of countries which are categorized as Global North
and Global South
Skills
• Distinguish the characteristics of the Global North and Global South
Attitude
• React to the world order as divided into South and North
3. Pre-Assessment
List 10 countries which belong to the Global North and Global South.
4. Activities or Tasks
Make a Collage showing the differences between rich and poor countries.
Submit your output in a pdf file.
5. Focus Points/Highlights
Prior to the division of world as Global North and Global South, it was
divided into three world country (Gorman, 2003):
• The “First World” are countries which are aligned with the United States
adhering to capitalism as their economic and political system.
• The “Second World” are countries aligned with the now-defunct Soviet Union
adhering to the principles of communism
• The “Third World” of non-aligned (and generally poor) nations. People use the
term “third world” to refer to poor nations in general, but many people are not
certain of its origin.
With the end of the cold war, the term second world was not used anymore.
Cold War is the term used to describe the rivalry between the United States and
the Soviet Union and their respective allies after World War II. The Cold war centered on
major political and economic propaganda and not necessarily on recourse to weapons. It
was George Owell, an English writer who first used this term in 1945 to refer to what he
predicted would be a nuclear stalemate between “two or three monstrous super-states,
each possessed of a weapon by which millions of people can be wiped out in a few
seconds.” (Britannica Encyclopedia)
The Global North are developed European, North American, Australian
societies. It also includes South Africa and Israel (Odeh, 2010). Among the characteristics
of countries belonging to the global north are:
• established democracy
• wealth
• technological advancement
• political stability
• aging population
• zero population growth
• dominance of world trade and politics
On the contrary, the global South are societies with agrarian economies like
Africa, India, China, Latin America and others which do not have stable economy and
politics compared to the global North. These countries experience turmoil, war, conflict,
poverty, anarchy and tyranny (Odeh, 2010).
The Global north is most often associated with first world countries where
powerful countries like the Group of Eight (G8) –Germany, Canada, France, Italy,
United Kingdom, Russia, Japan and the United States of America is located. On the
other hand, third world countries are now termed as the Global South.
The Brandt line as shown below was proposed by Willy Brandt in 1980. It is an
imaginary line dividing the world into two regions based on their GDP per capita.
Image source: Royal Geographical Society
The map shows that generally rich countries are found in the northern hemisphere
and poor countries are in the southern hemisphere with the exception of Australia and
New Zealand. Nevertheless, this global partition has become blurry and less useful
since the economies of many countries have changed overtime.
For additional information on the Global North and Global South, kindly access the
link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18-lqE8DSL3ToObAHAdAxb3gSFLk9Wc-u/view?pli=1
6. Post-Assessment
• Make a two-column table showing 10 major differences of the global north and
global south RUBRICS FOR ESSAY
CATEGORY PROFICIENT AVERAGE NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
(8-10) (5-7) (0-4)
INTRODUCTION Very well stated and Well stated and provides clear Poorly stated and provides
(25%) provides very clear direction for essay unclear direction for essay
direction for essay
• Make an essay identifying the characteristics of the Global South in relation to the
social conditions of the Philippines.
7. Feedback
• Scheduled a synchronous meeting to discuss the output of the students
based on the rubrics provided
• Discuss comments through chat rooms
8. Homework
Make 5 statements stating your thoughts/opinion why a country is rich or
poor.
9. Rubric
CATEGORY 4 3 2 0
Creativity All of the graphics Most of the graphics Only a few None of the graphics or
or objects used in or objects used in graphics or objects objects reflect student’s
the collage reflect a the collage reflect reflect student creativity.
degree of student student creativity in creativity, but the
creativity in his/her their display ideas were typical
display. rather than creative
Design Graphics are cut to 1-2 graphics are 3-4 graphics are Graphics are not an
an appropriate size, lacking in design or lacking in design or appropriate size shape.
shape and are placement. placement. Too Most of the background
arranged neatly. Placement of pictures much background is is showing. It appears
Care has been are not balanced. showing. little attention was given
taken to balance the . to designing the
pictures across the collage.
area.
Number of Items The collage includes The collage includes The collage includes The collage contains
10 or more items, 7 different items 5different items. fewer than 5 different
each different. Missing some items. items. Missing many
items
Texts, Labels and The title is catchy A title is provided Title, texts and No title or explanation.
Explanation and creative and that relates to the labels are
related to the collage. collage. The texts incomplete and
The texts and labels and labels describe partially relate to the
are correct and the collage
provides insight to purpose and
the purpose/meaning process of creating
and design of the the collage.
collage purpose/
meaning and design
of the collage
10. References
There are several perspectives that explains why global inequality and global stratification
exists. Three theories-- are (1) Modernization Theory, (2) Dependency Theory and (3) World
System Theory — offer different explanations why nations are either poor or rich. Each theory
has different arguments in making us understand the unequal distribution of world’s resources.
2. Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
• Differentiate the meaning of global stratification and global inequality.
• Analyze the main arguments of the theories of global stratification.
Skill
• Apply the theories of global stratification to the Philippine situation
Attitude
• Take a stand on the causes of social inequality in the Philippines
3. Pre-Assessment
Complete the following statement:
1. The United States is rich because___________________________
2. Japan is a developed country because________________________
3. The Philippines is poor because_____________________________
4. Hunger exists in Somalia, Africa because______________________
5. Australia is a wealthy country because________________________
6. Singapore is more developed than Thailand because_____________
7. Many Filipinos wants to migrate in Canada because______________
8. Luxembourg is the richest country in Europe because______________
9. Bangladesh is challenged by poverty because___________________
10. Haiti has a very low GDP because ____________________________
Include in the pre-assessment the answers of students to their previous
homework on Global Divides
4. Activities or Tasks
Countries around the world are hierarchically arranged based on their resources,
status and power. These arrangement of nations on a global scale is called Global
Stratification. Conversely, global inequality is the unequal distribution of resources, status
and power. It is the result of stratification.
There are several viewpoints why global stratification exists. Among the theories
explaining global stratification are (1) Modernization Theory, (2) Dependency Theory
and (3) World System Theory.
Modernization theory
Dependency Theory
From the point of view of the world system theory, countries are divided into either
core, semi-peripheral, and peripheral countries based on their position and relationship in
the global economy. The core countries like the United States, Japan, Australia, Germany
characterized by high level of industrialization and capitalism. On the other hand,
semiperipheral countries are less developed compared to the core countries. Taiwan,
South Korea, India, some countries in South America are examples. Haiti, Cape Verde
and Honduras are countries with very little industrialization. They are examples of
peripheral nations which are dependent on core countries for capital.
As an example of global stratification and global inequality read the case of Haiti
in:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YmJE5w0_XKYfwRxYUzpAcLEProFsZe-
b/view?usp=sharing
6. Post-Assessment
Quiz:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g0rHN-H0QYSAMUPF-
y0PcOomxp6BpDGw/view?usp=sharing
7. Feedback
• Schedule a synchronous meeting to discuss the output of the students based on
the rubrics provided
• Discuss comments through chat rooms
8. Homework
Watch the video, Would you eat recycled landfill meat?” - BBC News:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7gDBVmgIRA&t=72s to have a glimpse on the
situation of poverty in the Philippines. Make a short reaction/reflection paper about the
video clip and discuss your thoughts on how can the country mitigate poverty.
9. Rubrics
RUBRICS FOR ESSAY
INTRODUCTION Very well stated and Well stated and provides Poorly stated and provides
(25%) provides very clear clear direction for essay unclear direction for essay
direction for essay
10. References
Barkan, Steven E., "Sociology, Understanding and Changing the Social World"
(2011). Faculty and Staff Monograph Publications. 2.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/fac_monographs/2
This lesson looks at the mechanism of unique integration of the world’s biggest land
mass and population – the Asian region and how nation-states approach contemporary
challenges.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
Preliminaries
Trigger question: What problems do developing countries face today, and how
can individuals contribute to solutions rather than awaiting the generosity of the state or
other actors?
Today we shall look closely at the unique integration mechanism of the Asian region and
how nation-states therein approach the contemporary challenges and facets of world
homogenization, division, and pandemic. The lesson will conclude on the level of reflective
students’ personalization.
Direction: Find the key ideas and details in the following excerpts:
While regionalism is often seen as a political and economic phenomenon, the term actually
encompasses a broader area. It can be examined in relation to identities, ethics, religion,
ecological sustainability, and health. Regionalism is also a process, and must be treated as an
“emergent, socially constituted phenomenon.” It means that regions are not natural or given;
rather, they are constructed and defined by policymakers, economic actors, and even social
movements.
Edward D. Mansfield and Helen V. Milner state that economic and political definitions of
regions vary, but there are certain basic features that everyone can agree on. First, regions are
“a group of countries located in the same geographically specified area” or are “an amalgamation
of two regions [or] a combination of more than two regions” organized to regulate and “oversee
flows and policy choices.” Second, the words regionalization and regionalism should not be
interchanged, as the former refers to the “regional concentration of economic flows” while the
latter is “a political process characterized by economic policy cooperation and coordination among
countries.”
Countries form regional associations for several reasons. One is for military defense.
Countries also form regional organizations to pool their resources, get better returns for their
exports, as well expand their leverage against trading partners. Moreover, there are countries that
form regional blocks to protect their independence from the pressures of superpower politics.
Finally, economic crisis compels countries to come together.
Official regional associations now cover vast swaths of the world. The population of the
countries that joined the Asia Pacific Economic Council (APEC) alone comprised 37 percent of
the world’s population in 2007. These countries are also part of the “smaller” organizations that
include the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the
North American Free Trade Agreement, the Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, and the Union
of South American Nations. Even “isolationist” North Korea is part of the Regional Forum, which
discusses security issues in the region. (Lisandro E. Claudio and Patricio N. Abinales)
Globalization and regionalization are the same for they refer to integration. Their difference
lies on the scope. Globalization is worldwide while regionalization focuses on a specific
geographical region. As a response to world homogenization and division, regionalism that comes
in various forms of regional alternatives to globalization spawned within and among regions in
Asia. Asian integration did not happen based on one historical event for there were different
factors that led to this alliance.
ASEAN has also partnered with three EAST Asian countries – China, Japan, and South
Korea. It is called the ASEAN + 3. Its goal is to address the 1997 Asian financial crisis and help
each other cope with the crisis. In this context, ASEAN has concretized regionalism in the Asian
region.
There are some aspects that led to a greater Asian integration. First, integration has been
market-driven. Within Asia, there are a variety of systems, institutions, procedures, social
relations, and infrastructures that are put in place for countries to engage in exchange. Second,
formal institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were established. Conceived in
the 1960a, ADB promotes social and economic development in Asia. Third, economic grants and
overseas development assistance are made available by better Asian economies. For example,
the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to work on human security and
quality growth. Fourth, production networks have expanded. Economies are mainly on
comparative advantage through the regional division of labor. Fifth, cooperation among the
ASEAN and East Asian countries ensued the ASEAN + 3 Financial Ministers’ Process that
established two economic structures – the Chiang Mai Initiative and the Asian Bond Markets
Initiative. The process aims to strengthen policy dialogue, coordination, and collaboration on
common financial, monetary, and fiscal issues. (Tumoroh C. Brazalote, Ryan M. Leonardo, and
Bernardino C. Ofalia)
Further Reading More detailed explanations on the above points are found in:
Post Reading
Engaged Discussion:
• Differentiate regionalization from globalization.
• What are the factors that lead to a greater integration of Asian regions? Give examples
for each.
• How do Asian states confront the contemporary challenges of globalization,
regionalization, and pandemic?
Essay Writing:
• Identify the strengths of the Philippines that may contribute to a sustainable ASEAN
integration in meeting the COVID-19 challenge.
1. The (3) three things that I significantly learned from the assigned reading are …
2. The (3) three things that are still unclear to me are …
4. The three (3) questions that I want to ask about the reading are …
References
Tumoroh C. Brazalote, Ryan M. Leonardo, and Bernardino C. Ofalia. 2019. The
Contemporary World Outcome-Based Module.
Lisandro E. Claudio and Patricio N. Abinales. 2018. The Contemporary World. C & E
Publishing, Inc. Quezon City Philippines.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jaenfo/jnaa019
https://gened.fas.harvard.edu/urgent-problems-enduring-questions