Globalization in its literal sense is the process of globalizing, transformation of some things or phenomena into global

ones. It can be described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society and function
together. This process is a combination of economic technological, sociocultural and political forces (Croucher 2004).
It refers to the increasing interconnectedness, integration, and interdependence of countries and societies worldwide in
terms of economic, political, cultural, and social dimensions. It is a multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses the
exchange of goods, services, information, technology, capital, and ideas across national boundaries. Globalization is
facilitated by advancements in transportation, communication, and information technologies, which have significantly
reduced the barriers to cross-border interactions.eg bullet trains air travels. Bilateral trade has also increased connectivity
eg BRI connecting 80 countries
Globalization has transformed the world into a global village, where events and decisions in one part of the world can
have far-reaching consequences on other regions. World has been shrunken. It has resulted in the emergence of a global
economy, where trade, investment, and financial flows transcend national borders, and multinational corporations operate
across multiple countries. Globalization has also fostered the diffusion of ideas, values, and cultural practices, leading to
increased cultural exchange and diversity.
Globalization is very often used to refer to economic globalization that is integration of national economies into the
international economy through trade, foreign direct investment, capital flows, migration, and the spread of technology.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), globalization is defined as "the increasing integration of economies
around the world, particularly through trade and financial flows."
Firstly, globalization as internationalization. Here, globalization is viewed as 'simply another adjective to describe
cross-border relations between countries'. It describes the growth in international exchange and interdependence. With
growing flows of trade and capital investment there is the possibility of moving beyond an international economy (where
'the principle entities are national economies') to a 'stronger' version - the globalized economy in which, 'distinct national
economies are subsumed and rearticulated into the system by international processes and transactions' (Hirst and
Thompson 1996, 3). Secondly, globalization as liberalization. In this broad set of definitions, 'globalization' refers to 'a
process of removing government-imposed restrictions on movements between countries in order to create an "open",
"borderless" world economy' (Scholte 2000, 16). Those who have argued with some success for the abolition of
regulatory trade barriers and capital controls have sometimes clothed this in the mantle of 'globalization'. Thirdly,
globalization as universalization. In this use, 'global' is used in the sense of being 'worldwide' and 'globalization' is 'the
process of spreading various objects and experiences to people at all corners of the earth'. A classic example of this would
be the spread of computing, television, etc. Fourthly, globalization as westernization or modernization (especially in
an 'Americanized' form). Here, 'globalization' is understood as a dynamic, 'whereby the social structures of modernity
(capitalism, rationalism, industrialism, bureaucratism, etc.) are spread the world over, normally destroying pre-existent
cultures and local self-determination in the process. Fifthly, globalization as deterritorialization (or as the spread of
supraterritoriality). Here, 'globalization' entails a 'reconfiguration of geography, so that social space is no longer wholly
mapped in terms of territorial places, territorial distances and territorial borders.
Process of globalization has caused a change in the international relations that is the divergent of players and the
appearance of global players. With regard to the process of globalization the international players will change. During
the previous centuries the states were the only players at first, and then they became the most important international
players. In the process of globalization the new players are being activated which are called as non-state actors
Nonstate actors play a significant role in globalization, influencing economic, political, and cultural aspects of this
process. These actors include multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international
organizations, and social movements.

1. Economic Role:
- Multinational corporations (MNCs): MNCs are major players in the global economy, driving cross-border trade,
investment, and production. For instance, companies like Apple, Toyota, and Samsung have established global supply
chains, sourcing components from various countries and selling their products worldwide. These MNCs contribute to
economic growth, job creation, and technology diffusion. They also shape global trade patterns and can influence national
economic policies through their investments and operations.

- NGOs: Some NGOs, such as Oxfam and Greenpeace, actively engage in economic issues related to globalization. For
example, Oxfam advocates for fair trade practices and campaigns against poverty and inequality. Greenpeace focuses on
environmental sustainability and raises awareness about the ecological impact of globalization. These NGOs exert
pressure on governments, corporations, and international organizations to adopt more equitable and environmentally
responsible economic practices.

2. Political Role:
- NGOs: Nonstate actors, particularly NGOs, play a significant role in shaping global governance and policies. Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch, for instance, work to protect human rights and influence political decision-
making. They conduct investigations, document abuses, and advocate for policy changes at national and international
levels. These organizations bring attention to issues that may not receive adequate focus from governments or traditional
international institutions.

- Social Movements: Social movements like the global justice movement, environmental movements, and women's
rights movements have challenged the political dimensions of globalization. Examples include the protests against the
World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings in Seattle in 1999, the worldwide climate strikes organized by youth-led
movement Fridays for Future, and the #MeToo movement that brought attention to gender-based violence and
harassment. These movements use collective action and advocacy to influence political discourse, policies, and decision-
making.

3. Cultural Role:
 - NGOs: Cultural NGOs such as UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and
cultural preservation organizations like the Indigenous Peoples' Cultural Foundation play a crucial role in preserving and
promoting cultural diversity in the face of globalization. UNESCO supports initiatives to safeguard intangible cultural
heritage and promotes intercultural dialogue. These organizations foster mutual understanding and respect for different
cultural traditions.

- Social Movements: Social movements with cultural dimensions challenge the dominant cultural trends associated with
globalization. For example, the Slow Food movement advocates for the preservation of local culinary traditions and
sustainable food production. Movements promoting indigenous rights, language revitalization, and traditional knowledge
also resist cultural homogenization and strive to maintain cultural identities.
The concept of globalization has both supporters and critics. Proponents argue that it has contributed to economic
growth, increased living standards, and poverty reduction by creating new opportunities for trade and investment. They
emphasize the potential for cooperation, knowledge sharing, and the spread of democratic values. Critics, on the other
hand, raise concerns about the negative consequences of globalization, such as job displacement, inequality,
environmental degradation, and the erosion of local cultures and identities. It is destabilizing and chaotic in nature as it
transcends state boundaries and challenge state sovereignty.
One view sees globalization as the fruition of liberal economic principles A global marketplace has brought growth and
prosperity (not to all coun tries but to those most integrated with the global market). This economic process has made
traditional states obsolete as economic units. States are thus losing authority to supranational institutions such as the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union (EU), and to transnational actors such as MNCs and NGOs.
The values of technocrats and elite, educated citizens in liberal democracies are becoming global values, reflecting an
emerging global civilization. The old North-South division is seen as less important, because the global South is moving
in divergent directions depending on countries’ and regions’ integration with world markets. Some sees globalization as
more profound than the skeptics believe, yet more uncertain than the view of supporters of liberal economics. These
“transformationalists” see state sovereignty as being eroded by the EU, the WTO, and other new institutions, so that
sovereignty is no longer an absolute but just one of a spectrum of bargaining leverages held by states. The bargaining
itself increasingly involves nonstate actors. Thus globalization diffuses authority. State power is not so much
strengthened or weakened by globalization, but transformed to operate in new contexts with new tools.
While scholars debate these conceptions of globalization, popular debates focus on the growing power of large
corporations operating globally, the disruptive costs associated with joining world markets (for example, job loss and
environmental impacts), the perception of growing disparities between the rich and the poor, and the collusion of national
governments in these wrongs through their participation in IOs such as the WTO and the IMF.