Introduction

Globalization is a major challenge for developing nations. Doubtless, the process will have positive and negative cultural and economic consequences, perhaps unknown as of yet. The following is a brief review of different perspectives and views on the subject expressed in the press and in academic circles.

Analysis

Globalization as Changing Structure of International Relations

According to some international and political specialists, globalization of the economy, culture and politics in the result of the changing structure of international relations. They believe that the former structure in international relations, based on the Center-peripheral theories, is being replaced by the new structure of Participation in Production. The old structure of international relations in politics, based on the Two-camp theory, is changing to the new one called "Multicentralism". Culturally, the old system of modernism is being changed to Multi-Cultural system.

This group believes that we are witnessing three major theories in the path of changing international structures. First, the players are changing, the non-governmental organizations play more important roles than governments now. Second, rules of the game are changing; that is, the game is not closed anymore. Third, the game itself is changing. The goal of the game in international arena is no longer the elimination and competition. Hence, in the process of globalization, losers have the opportunity to enter the game again.

The opposing group believes that in globalization government are not the major international players, but as the result of the direct and indirect actions of national governments, private and multi-national companies who play significant roles in this process are supported. In fact, the main point of this group is that the quality of the intervention of national governments has become different and more strategic than before and that the presence of governments has weakened. The first perspective believes in the decline of the role of national governments as the main players in international community and the second view holds that new concepts of national governments and governance will be exhibited.

New information technology is one of the reasons for the decreasing role of governments. Information technologies have moved economic transactions and interchanges from physical locations to the electronic network, thus lessening national governments control over their financial systems.

Another issue in globalization is a serious confrontation between those who look at power and those who consider human beings and their attitudes to be important factors impacting globalization. In this confrontation the rules of the game are changing in favor of man. On the opposite side, there are those who look at globalization pessimistically.

Globalization has both positive and negative consequences for developing nations. Post modernism and globalization have led to plural ethical criteria. There are renewed interests in cultural diversity and spiritualism that can be very attractive in today’s world.

Globalization as Westernization

Some believe that the globalization concept is not serious and in fact is the continuation of ideas of Durkheim, Weber and others about society. In other words, it is the continuation of modernization and Westernization of the world. Now, however, there is a proliferation of mass communication and other technologies along with a myriad of social and political self-awareness that has contributed to the phenomenon of globalization.

Globalization as Americanization

There are some who say that globalization means Americanization. There was a time when European intellectuals looked down at the American culture and cultural works including film, theater, and music. This view about American culture has changed. Generally, it now seems that the pitiful look at Europeans on that Americans has vanished completely.

At the present time Americans are serious exporters of works of art in the world. Industrial and consumer products do not carry culture with them but artworks do. American refrigerators do not have culture with it but American films, music, and novels do. In sum, in many countries of the world, the American folk life has penetrated the lives of individuals and societies and this trend continues.

This view believes that the second attribute of globalization is democracy that gives it an American orientation. If we look at the trend of democracy in the world today, we see it every where, even institutionalized, except in some parts of Africa. The reason why democracy has gained popularity is the collapse of the Two – camp System.

Globalization as Changing Concepts

This view holds that globalization is going on parallel to the phenomenon of regional convergence and disintegration. Disintegration is the opposite of globalization. The idea of universality dates back to the thinking of "Ravaghiyoon", an eastern school of philosophy which advocated universal ideas, the French Revolution and the thinking of Marxists who believed in some form of international socialism.

There are two forces shaping convergence. First, convergence is worth considering within the framework of commerce and to some extent political changes. Economically, trade has taken a global status. The relation between trade, investment, and technology is a strong and non-breakable one. These three ideas have special roles within the global system. An important point is the these phenomena have taken place through multi or transnational companies. These institutions are somewhat political, they do not follow any standards, and are not accountable to any international institution.

The second force shaping globalization is related to such ideas as human rights, environmental protection, sustainable growth and the law, especially criminal law. Advocates of this perspective believe that we witnessed conventions on anti – personal mines in 1997, on international criminal law in 1998, on torture, status of women, eradication of discrimination and the like because of globalization and universal regime.

There are two forms of international responsibilities as the result of globalization, while in the past there was only one. If individuals or governments committed a crime in the past they had to pay compensation for the damages and injuries only. But today, if an individual or a government commits a crime they will be put on trial, prosecuted and sentenced.

In sum, globalization has some negative consequence that may become very destructive if not checked. Globalization also covers the human side of the matter in areas such as human rights and the environment whose developments are due to the logical exigencies of the human society. It appears that a more serious effort is required and that non-governmental institutions are very active in this area.

Globalization as Homogeneity of Civilizations

This view believes that culture and civilization were intertwined and their developments were not very sudden in the past. Because of new technology civilizations and cultures go through sudden changes and such developments have gained momentum. We are moving toward the realization of a world civilization, a child of technological and communication revolution.

Since the ideas of globalization in the modern era first appeared in advance countries of the West it has elements of traditional values of capitalism, dominance and the like nurtured there. If various cultures in the world were used logically it would give new emerging civilization a dynamic side.

Globalization as New Colonialism

Practically, globalization is new colonialism, according to the view of another groups. This type of globalization has political, cultural and economic dimensions with negative consequences for many countries. Countries of the world have to use their capabilities to combat the negative political, economic and social aspects of globalization.

Globalization as World Capitalism

This view holds that globalization is not a new and sudden phenomenon. It is rather a point on the path of the historical development of capitalism.

Globalization as Homogeneity of the World

This view, centered in the U.S., says that globalization is an integrating force that will make the world community more homogeneous. On one hand, this is an economic phenomenon covering the flow of capital, technology transfer, and trade of goods and services. On the other, it has a non- economic nature related to the expansion of views, beliefs, norms and values.

None of the items mentioned above are new in the contemporary world. What is new and unique is technology, communication and weakening of political boundaries. At country level this has resulted in the spread of nationalistic interests and power.

Another noteworthy point is that globalization should be distinguished from Americanization or Westernization since it is not particular to any nation or group. The engine for globalization is the change in technologies. Of course, the plan of each country in the process of globalization should include an assessment of political and economic damages.

Proponents and opponents of globalization differ on how countries look at these damages. Proponents emphasize its macro economic benefits and the opponents refer to its heavy social and economic costs. Proponents look at the bright economic horizons, while opponents focus on the increasing external pressures that will shake the foundation of traditional beliefs and institutions. Statistics show that with the expansion of globalization the gap between the rich and poor nations widens. Individuals and nations have to be very creative to forecast probable damages of globalization and find ways to minimize them.

At the international level it is necessary to come up with some type of global control or supervision to solve world problems. At an individual level, it is to be recognized that the problems associated with globalization are highly correlated with education.

At a State the country level, governments are under pressure by the outside for more coordination with global norms and from the inside to meet local demands for more domestic support. The political elite is forced to approach globalization in such as way as to prevent chaos. Countries are able to regulated the speed of globalization to fit their special circumstances. Still others believe that in order to succeed it is necessary to accept globalization as fast as possible.

Globalization is Non-homogeneity of the World

In fact, civilization dialogue has been designed to prevent cultures from becoming similar in the process of globalization. Diverse cultures can be used to enrich the human civilization. This plan recognizes all cultural identities, including the Western culture, and calls for nations to stop their efforts to make their own culture dominate and eliminate other cultures. The purpose of the dialogue between Islam and the West is the prevention of cultures on the part to globalization.

To escape globalization is to ignore reality. Philosophers’ say that whoever denies reality in fact denies himself. If globalization means cultural dominance, one value system, one economic model, and one political system in the world, it is a good example of imperialism. It want to deceit, tempt and bring nations around it to submission by using promising cloaks. This should not happen and we should not be in harmony with this type of globalization. Submitting to it is a great historical error.

Globalization is viewed in three different perspectives: (1) The attitude of those who favor globalization enthusiastically, (2) The attitude of opponents of globalization, and (3) The attitude of those who believe in change and say that globalization should be looked at as a change and a development. There are three forces in globalization:

Multi-national corporations that want developing and non-developing nations to accept globalization.

Powerful governments, that is, Western countries, who want other countries to accept globalization.

Governments and nations of developing countries that resist the trend of globalization or accept it conditionally.

Globalization as a Positive Force for the World People

Globalization is a positive force for all the people of the world is a view expressed by the Iranian President, Khatami, at the UN third Millenium conference. This perspective says that it is not possible to push any nation to the margin on the basis culture, economic, and political system and the world belongs to all people and no schism is acceptable between national and international criteria.

It is time to call upon the people and government of the world to a discourse based not on power but love and spiritualism. The UN needs to show its authority and efficiency in the process of globalization and guarantee that it is a positive force in the lives of people. The UN can accomplish this by accepting and advocating the sovereignty principle of all nations in the face of globalization and promote mutual respect among cultures, civilizations and spiritual traditions. We should not allow globalization to establish larger markets and integrate national cultures into the dominant world culture. It is necessary to try and make the UN move toward a more equitable participation by all the nations and civilization in the management of the future world.