Exploring Dynamics of Giddens'Globalization

摘要

The dynamic complexity of the social phenomena that characterize 'globalization' accentuates a divisive public discourse with strong arguments for and against the globalization process and its effects. To help unearth the dynamic processes underlying globalization, this paper makes three contributions. First, it shows the recursive relations among technology, institutional structures, beliefs and social behaviour, which sociologist Giddens has posited on globalization. It incorporates not only favourable conditions, such as the development of telecommunications and global economic integration, but also political transformations and transnational corporation growth. Second, selected Giddens' globalization concerns about unemployment and welfare outline the components of a system dynamics modelling example. The model analysis reveals the dynamic complexity of the phenomenon and, most importantly, it shows how welfare-support can fail in the long run. Third, the paper calls for a wider adoption of dynamic simulation modelling in the analysis of the globalization process and its effects.