Discourses of Globalization

TLDR

Globalization is a contested term with many meanings, most commonly linked to market expansion, and while its economistic interpretation has gained recent acceptance, the term has a longer sociological history. The article aims to reject reductionist, particularistic discourses while acknowledging their significance. It discusses four main discourses—regional, disciplinary, ideological and political, and gender‑specific.

Abstract

It is argued that the word `globalization' has become so fuzzy and used with such a variety of different meanings that a general theory of globalization must acknowledge and incorporate various discourses. The most prominent current usage of the term `globalization' is undoubtedly associated with the global expansion of the market form of economy. There are specific reasons why the economistic understanding of globalization has, at least in the short run, gained widespread acceptance. This has occurred in spite of the much longer employment of the term in sociological discussion. The main discourses which are discussed in this article are regional; disciplinary; ideological and political; and gender specific. The general thrust of the article is to reject the reductionism of particularistic discourses, while recognizing their significance.