Globalization has galvanized the world. Because of the globalization trend, countries of the world collaborate and cooperate in the fields of communications, trade, education, and cultural exchange. But what is globalization, though? It is the method in which the world has been connected and calibrated to create mutual interests and benefits among its citizens. Today’s globalization has evolved from various civilizations and technological innovations; it has evolved from technological advancements that transpired in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries ( the 19th century began on January 1, 1801, and ended on 31 December 1900; the 20th century started on January 1, 1901, and ended on 31 December 2000.) Before those times, countries and regions on the same continent could not contact one another, let alone other countries falling on different continents. For instance, Africa could not access Europe easily; likewise, Europe could access Africa. Everything was difficult as transportation and communication were cumbersome endeavours. With time, travel and communication became less cumbersome after steamships and some communication technologies had been invented, enabling people to exchange information and commodities, albeit sluggishly.
Some communication professionals had foreseen a globalized world where its residents would easily interact and exchange services and expertise. The communications specialists had predicted globalization and its effects long before it became a reality. Of those communication theorists was Marshall McLuhan, a Canadian communications guru, who foretold a world where information, services, and commodities would flow seamlessly and rapidly. Globalization has taken advantage of various communication technological systems and platforms that have facilitated swift communication modes and tools among the world’s countries. These technological advancements have become globalized and connected the world in every mentionable avenue. The internet has played a pivotal role in globalizing the world and enabling its residents to engage with one another and work together in various fields of mutual benefits and impacts. Like previous eras, communication barriers do not exist because the internet has eliminated all traditional, communication barriers that once existed. And, of course, this globalized communication has been driven by international trade and continuous travel among nations.
Travel times have been shortened. Modern airplanes with comfortable services are abundant and all over the place. They transport people from one country to another, enabling them to run their errands promptly. This is to say, someone can fly from the farthest corner of the world— say, for example, North America, Canada more specifically to East Africa— in less than forty-eight hours. The credit goes to the swift, global transportation systems, as they did not exist in the erstwhile centuries. Also, goods quickly flow between countries. There are whole airlines dedicated to carrying freight from one continent to another. There is a fleet of planes designed to carrying goods from one country to another, or from one continent to another continent, for that matter. These faster modes of transportation have increased trading transactions in the world. The globalization trend has increased the flow of commodities among countries and enabled consumers to select from different markets, even though developed countries have been able to maximize the benefits of the global economy. Driven by smooth and swift movements of goods and services, countries of the world have created both physical and virtual markets where they exchange trade and skills to sell to and buy from one another.
Globalization propels a globalized education. With the aid of communication technology, obtaining education online has become easier and available around the clock. For instance, people living in one continent can graduate from universities located on other continents, simply because they study online and eventually earn certificates, diplomas or even degrees. While learning online, students can engage in interactive courses that allow them to participate in online discussion forums of varied forms. Global learning has become a phenomenal phenomenon which has transcended national boundaries and enabled people to acquire knowledge and concrete skills while living amidst their countries and communities. Educational collaborations and virtual exchanges have enabled students and educators to collaborate on educational perspectives and expand on inspirational discussions. This Globalized education has been made possible by the interconnectedness of the world.
Also, for better or worse, cultural globalization is another occurrence permeating the world. Globalization has opened up cultures to each other, enabling them to influence one another or learn from each other, for that matter. While countries of the world have some cultural aspects in common, they differ in other aspects. Countries with the most advanced communication technologies usually tout their cultures and norms and impart them to other nations with fewer resources. In other words, western countries have been able to impart their values and lifestyle to less developed countries. As a result, they have emulated western countries and adopted their modes of entertainment and outfits. On the other hand, though, eastern cultures, including Islam, have impacted on Western countries and changed their peoples’ viewpoints about life.
Globalization is an unprecedented phenomenon that has placed the world’s population on the same mat. Globalization has made the world smaller and closer through constant communication, travel, trade, education, and cultural exchange. Empowered by varied technological systems, the world is interconnected, and its residents are metaphorically living side by side. Also, globalization has displayed the world’s resources and urged its citizens to extract them, but only powerful and better-equipped countries can utilize those resources.