Sociology
Globalisation and the digital
social world
Notes
Introduction: What is globalisation?
The much used term is interpreted in a number of different ways by different groups
The process has been going on for a very long time, starting with early humans moving out of
Africa around 1.8 million years ago
Developments in communication and transportation have connected more and more people
The creation of the internet in 1983 made instant communication possible without the need of
close physical proximity
The compression of time and distance
As a result of globalisation, people have become part of a global society, national boundaries
have become less significant, businesses operate internationally and the economy has a global
dimension
Why are sociologists interested in globalisation?
Sociologists are interested in social change
They want to ensure their explanations of the world encompass the causes and effects of the
process
They have become increasingly interested due to rapid advances in technology which have
meant that the rate of globalisation has accelerated rapidly over recent years.
Problems with trying to define globalisation
Type of change: is it social, economic, political…?
Pace of change: is change happening in a uniform way everywhere for everyone?
,Definitions
The emergence of a global economic and cultural system which is incorporating the people of
the world into a single global society (Cochrane and Pain, 2000)
A series of transformations of the world, including changes in the concept of time and space,
interdependent economies, increasing cultural interaction and increasingly shared problems
(Cohen and Kennedy, 2000)
Globalisation can be defined as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link
distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles
away and vice versa (Giddens, 1990)
Problems with defining globalisation
- The definition may assume that globalisation is a positive process
- The definition may assume that globalisation occurs everywhere at an even pace
- The definition may assume that globalisation results in cultural homogenisation
- The definition may assume that globalisation is only an economic or political or cultural
process
- The definition assumes that globalisation all results in social change towards
postmodern characteristics such as individualism and choice
Developments in digital forms of communication in a global society
What is ‘the digital revolution’?
The massive and rapid advances in technology over the past few decades with a shift from
analogue, mechanical and electronic technology to digital technology and communication
New forms of digital communication are known as ‘new media’
TYPES
, 1. Extension and development of existing forms of media
- Online newspapers
- Satellite transmission of television and radio
2. Entirely new forms of media which did not exist before which enable people to communicate
more easily and in more dynamic ways
- Mobile phones
- Laptops/Tablets
- Podcasts
- Apps
The global village and ‘virtual communities’
Global village
Digital communication has increased the volume of communication that does not involve face
to face contact. Time and distance has shrunk, leading to the idea that the world is becoming
smaller…more of a ‘village’
In the ‘global village’ people can easily make contact with others who have similar interests and
create online ‘communities’
Globalisation and the digital
social world
Notes
Introduction: What is globalisation?
The much used term is interpreted in a number of different ways by different groups
The process has been going on for a very long time, starting with early humans moving out of
Africa around 1.8 million years ago
Developments in communication and transportation have connected more and more people
The creation of the internet in 1983 made instant communication possible without the need of
close physical proximity
The compression of time and distance
As a result of globalisation, people have become part of a global society, national boundaries
have become less significant, businesses operate internationally and the economy has a global
dimension
Why are sociologists interested in globalisation?
Sociologists are interested in social change
They want to ensure their explanations of the world encompass the causes and effects of the
process
They have become increasingly interested due to rapid advances in technology which have
meant that the rate of globalisation has accelerated rapidly over recent years.
Problems with trying to define globalisation
Type of change: is it social, economic, political…?
Pace of change: is change happening in a uniform way everywhere for everyone?
,Definitions
The emergence of a global economic and cultural system which is incorporating the people of
the world into a single global society (Cochrane and Pain, 2000)
A series of transformations of the world, including changes in the concept of time and space,
interdependent economies, increasing cultural interaction and increasingly shared problems
(Cohen and Kennedy, 2000)
Globalisation can be defined as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link
distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles
away and vice versa (Giddens, 1990)
Problems with defining globalisation
- The definition may assume that globalisation is a positive process
- The definition may assume that globalisation occurs everywhere at an even pace
- The definition may assume that globalisation results in cultural homogenisation
- The definition may assume that globalisation is only an economic or political or cultural
process
- The definition assumes that globalisation all results in social change towards
postmodern characteristics such as individualism and choice
Developments in digital forms of communication in a global society
What is ‘the digital revolution’?
The massive and rapid advances in technology over the past few decades with a shift from
analogue, mechanical and electronic technology to digital technology and communication
New forms of digital communication are known as ‘new media’
TYPES
, 1. Extension and development of existing forms of media
- Online newspapers
- Satellite transmission of television and radio
2. Entirely new forms of media which did not exist before which enable people to communicate
more easily and in more dynamic ways
- Mobile phones
- Laptops/Tablets
- Podcasts
- Apps
The global village and ‘virtual communities’
Global village
Digital communication has increased the volume of communication that does not involve face
to face contact. Time and distance has shrunk, leading to the idea that the world is becoming
smaller…more of a ‘village’
In the ‘global village’ people can easily make contact with others who have similar interests and
create online ‘communities’
