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207 views4 pagesComprehensive Analysis of Eurocentric Globalisation
Eurocentric globalisation emphasizes Western experiences and values, often marginalizing non-Western contributions and perspectives. Historically rooted in European expansion and reinforced by U.S.-led institutions, this narrative overlooks significant non-Western influences, such as the Islamic Golden Age and the rise of BRICS countries. Despite the recent focus on technological advancements and market liberalization, a more inclusive understanding of globalisation is needed to address its Eurocentric biases.
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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
207 views4 pagesComprehensive Analysis of Eurocentric Globalisation
Eurocentric globalisation emphasizes Western experiences and values, often marginalizing non-Western contributions and perspectives. Historically rooted in European expansion and reinforced by U.S.-led institutions, this narrative overlooks significant non-Western influences, such as the Islamic Golden Age and the rise of BRICS countries. Despite the recent focus on technological advancements and market liberalization, a more inclusive understanding of globalisation is needed to address its Eurocentric biases.
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Manikanta RamakrishnaCopyright
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COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF
EUROCENTRIC GLOBALISATION
Defining Eurocentric Globalisation
Eurocentric globalisation refers to the perspective that views globalisation
primarily through the lens of Western (European and North American)
experiences, values, and interests. This perspective might marginalize or ignore
the contributions, experiences, and perspectives of non-Western regions.
Globalisation itself is the process of increasing interconnectedness and
interdependence among people, societies, and economies across the world,
involving the exchange of goods, services, information, and ideas, facilitated by
advancements in technology, transportation, and communication.
Geographical Centering On The West
Research suggests that globalisation has historically been centered on the West,
with its modern form traceable to the European Age of Exploration in the 15th
and 16th centuries. During this period, European powers like Spain, Portugal,
England, and France expanded their influence through colonization and trade,
establishing global trade networks with Europe at the center. The Industrial
Revolution, beginning in Europe in the 18th century, further propelled
globalisation by increasing the demand for raw materials from colonies and
enabling mass production and distribution of goods.
In the 20th century, the United States emerged as a dominant economic and
political power, especially after World War II. The U.S. played a key role in shaping
the post-war global order, including the establishment of international institutions
like the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, all
headquartered in Western countries. For instance, the World Bank and IMF are
based in Washington, D.C., and the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland. These
institutions have been instrumental in promoting a form of globalisation that
emphasizes free trade, market liberalization, and democratic governance, values
often associated with the West.
However, globalisation is not exclusively a Western phenomenon. Other regions,
such as Asia, have also been significant players in global trade and cultural
exchange throughout history. The Silk Road, for example, facilitated extensive
trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa for centuries before the modern era, as
detailed in Janet Abu-Lughod’s book "Before European Hegemony: The World
System AD 1250-1350". Today, countries like China are increasingly influencing
the global economy, with initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative aiming to
enhance connectivity and trade across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Despite these contributions, the narrative of globalisation is often framed from a
Western perspective, with Western theories and models dominating academic
and policy discussions. This is evident in the dominance of the English language
in international communication, with English being the primary language of
business and diplomacy. According to the British Council, over 1.5 billion people
speak English globally, reflecting its Western origins. Additionally, Western
cultural products, such as American films and music, are prevalent in global
markets, with Hollywood accounting for a significant share of global box office
revenue, estimated at $11.4 billion in 2019 by the Motion Picture Association.
Scholars like Samir Amin, in his book "Eurocentrism: Modernity, religion, and
democracy: A critique of Eurocentrism and culturalism," argue that globalisation
is a form of "Eurocentric universalism," where Western values and institutions are
imposed on the rest of the world, often to the detriment of local cultures and
economies. John M. Hobson, in "The Eurocentric Conception of World Politics:
Western international theory, 1760-2010," critiques the mainstream International
Relations theory for its Eurocentric biases, which overlook the contributions of
non-Western civilizations to global order.
Preoccupation With Recent History
The evidence leans toward globalisation discussions often focusing on recent
history, particularly since the late 20th century. The term "globalisation" gained
widespread usage in the 1980s and 1990s, coinciding with the end of the Cold
War, the proliferation of the internet, and the expansion of multinational
corporations. This recent phase is characterized by the liberalization of trade and
investment, the integration of financial markets, the spread of digital
technologies, and increased mobility of people and ideas.
For example, the number of internet users worldwide has grown from about 16
million in 1995 to over 4.9 billion in 2021, according to the International
Telecommunication Union, highlighting the rapid technological advancements
driving globalisation. Foreign direct investment (FDI), a key indicator of economic
globalisation, has seen significant growth since the 1980s, with global FDI flows
reaching a peak of $1.9 trillion in 2007, dropping during the financial crisis, and
recovering to $1.5 trillion in 2019, as reported by the UN Conference on Trade and
Development.
However, globalisation has a long history that predates these developments.
Trade and cultural exchange have been occurring for thousands of years, with
historical events like the Opium Wars between Britain and China (1839-1842 and
1856-1860) illustrating early forms of global trade and geopolitical interests. The
Suez Canal, opened in 1869, significantly reduced travel time between Europe and
Asia, enhancing global trade, as noted in historical analyses by Kevin H. O’Rourke
and Jeffrey G. Williamson in "Globalization and History: The evolution of a
nineteenth-century Atlantic economy".
The focus on recent history can be attributed to the rapid pace of change, the
visibility provided by media and technology, and the economic interests tied to
contemporary globalisation trends. Anthony Giddens, in "The Consequences of
Modernity," defines globalisation as the intensification of worldwide social
relations, which link distant localities in such a way that local events are shaped
by events occurring miles away and vice versa, noting both historical and
contemporary dimensions. David Held and Anthony McGrew, in
"Globalization/Anti-Globalization: Beyond the great divide," argue that
globalisation is a multi-dimensional process that includes economic, political,
cultural, and environmental dimensions, with both historical and contemporary
aspects.
Non-Western Contributions & Challenges To
Eurocentrism
An unexpected detail is the significant non-Western influence on globalisation,
often overlooked in Eurocentric narratives. For instance, the Islamic Golden Age
saw significant advancements in science, mathematics, and medicine, which
influenced European thought during the Renaissance, as discussed in Arjun
Appadurai’s "Modernity at Large: Cultural dimensions of globalization". The
Confucian work ethic is credited with contributing to the economic success of East
Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, challenging Western-centric
explanations of economic development.
The role of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) in
challenging the dominance of Western institutions and promoting a more
multipolar world order is another example. China’s Belt and Road Initiative,
launched in 2013, aims to enhance connectivity and trade across Asia, Europe,
and Africa, with investments estimated at over $1 trillion by 2027, according to
the World Bank, illustrating a shift away from Western-centric globalisation.
Conclusion
Eurocentric globalisation, as explored through the lens of the politics of
globalisation, reveals a persistent Western dominance rooted in historical
European expansion and reinforced by U.S.-led institutions like the World Bank
and IMF post-World War II. This geographical centering on the West is evident in
the global influence of English and Hollywood’s cultural exports, alongside
economic policies favoring Western interests. The preoccupation with recent
history, particularly since the 1980s, is driven by rapid technological advances and
market liberalization, overshadowing earlier global interactions like the Silk Road
or the Opium Wars. Despite non-Western contributions, such as China’s Belt and
Road Initiative and historical Islamic advancements, the narrative remains skewed
toward a Western perspective. Scholars like Samir Amin and John Hobson critique
this bias, advocating for a more inclusive understanding, yet the structures and
focus of globalisation continue to reflect Eurocentric priorities until today.