Tucked away at the far end of the campus in the faculty center,
a group gathered to listen in on the impact of the growing
interconnectedness of economic and social growth in the world.
On Monday, a public lecture on the state of globalization was
given by Lord Anthony Giddens, renowned author, professor and
adviser to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The iron-hot topic attracted over 125 students and faculty to
engage in a discussion on the current state of the debate.
Globalization, as defined by Giddens, is the heightened
worldwide social relations that are linked in different localities.
In other words, local happenings are shaped or affected by events
occurring at other places worldwide, and vice versa.
Giddens called globalization “the most significant debate
in the social sciences and beyond.”
Giddens has authored 35 books in over 30 languages, co-founded
the publishing house Polity Press, and is a former director of the
London School of Economics and Political Science.
Erin Kimura, a graduate student in the UCLA School of Education
and Information Studies, said she decided to attend the event
because Giddens is such a distinguished guest.
“I’m interested in knowing what the British
perspective on globalization is, especially on
neo-liberalism,” Kimura said.
Giddens described the history of the term
“globalization” as a process of three stages. In its
first stage, the term was primarily used in education. In the
second stage, the term was more readily used outside academia,
while it stirred some resentment from those opposed to the concept
of universal economic interdependence.
The third stage began when those who resented the force saw its
impact as an outlet for social justice.
In simpler terms, those in economic distress would affect those
in economic prosperity, creating a push for economic advancement on
all sides.
Among those present, Suzanne Pelka, a postdoctoral fellow at the
UCLA Center for Society and Genetics, said she was most intrigued
by Giddens’ three-stage history of globalization.
“It was encouraging that the whole rhetoric of
globalization began in the academia and that the work we do really
does disseminate into larger political systems,” she
said.
Giddens stressed that globalization does not mean the end of the
nation-state, that rather it encourages local nationalism. However,
Giddens said it does affect the sovereignty of nations.
“Nations are in an identity crisis. Many nations are
asking themselves, “˜Who are we? Where are we headed?’
… The answers are ambiguous because of the constant shifting
nature of sovereignty” as determined by the impacts of
globalization, Giddens said.
He also mentioned the success of some of the nations where there
has been massive change because of increases in education and
communication.
On the topic of global awareness, cooperation and
interdependence, Giddens applauds active involvement as a means for
global social justice and universal progression.
“It was a realistic talk, but it was also hopeful. He
encourages not just massive critique on social systems, but really
to share what we think is a better solution in favor of social
justice,” Pelka said.
Nga Scott, the coordinator of international affairs for the
school of public affairs, helped spearhead the event.
Scott said she was not surprised at the large turnout the event
produced, because this forum in particular resonated the enthusiasm
of students with Giddens’ standpoint on globalization.