globalization
gloh-buhl-ih-ZAY-shun
/ˌɡloʊbələˈzeɪʃən/
The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
In sociology, it refers to the increasing interconnectedness of cultures, economies, and populations across the world.
The story behind the word. The word 'global' has been around since the 17th century, but 'globalization' only entered common usage in the 1980s to describe the rapid integration of the world economy.
Word relationships
- internationalization: Focuses on the interaction between nations, while globalization suggests a more integrated, borderless system.
- integration: A more general term for the act of combining parts into a whole.
- isolationism: A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups or countries.
- protectionism: The theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition.
Commonly confused with
- westernization: Westernization is the spread of Western culture specifically, while globalization is a multi-directional exchange.
Word family
- global (adjective): relating to the whole world
- globalize (verb): to make global
Collocations
- economic globalization
- cultural globalization
- forces of globalization
- anti-globalization
Example sentences
- "Globalization can thus be defined as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities." Sociological definition of the term. (Anthony Giddens, The Consequences of Modernity)
- "The globalization of the supply chain means that a single smartphone might contain parts from dozens of countries." Economic impact.
Memory hook
Think of the 'Globe' becoming one giant 'Station' where everyone is connected. The world as one station.
When not to use
Avoid using it only for 'trade'; it also encompasses the spread of ideas, technology, and culture.
Fun facts
- The term was popularized by Theodore Levitt in a 1983 Harvard Business Review article.
- Some historians argue that globalization began with the Silk Road or the voyages of Columbus.
Related words
Explore more words
interconnectedness, glocalization, standardize, transnational, supply chain, homogenization
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