New thinking for the globalization era

As Anthony Giddens argues, "the increasing prosperity of an urban area in Singapore might be causally related, via a complicated network of global economic ties, to the impoverishment of a neighborhood in Pittsburgh whose local products are uncompetitive in world markets." His portrayal of the 'inverse' phenomenon brought by modernization has become a vivid portrayal of globalization, making us consider what kind of change globalization has brought to the people of the world.

The change is that we have been brought into the "globalization era." Though Western countries still enjoy dominance in the process of globalization, as they still have greater advantages in human resources, capital, knowledge and technology, as non-Western countries modernize, and nation-state boundaries becomes less rigid with the rise of the Internet, multinationals and world cities, the unequal model of "the East subject to the West" in international relations is nearing an end. A dynamic pattern between peoples from different regions which is synchronic and heterogeneous, diverse and interdependent has been formed.

Sociologist Roland Robertson believes that the traditional concept of modernization has given way to globalization characterized by relativization, complexity and uncertainty. With the rapid development of science and technology and means of communication, modern societies are now multicultural, encompassing a multitude of varying ways of life and lifestyles. Meanwhile, environmental pollution has developed to a very serious degree. Therefore, Robertson specifies a model, termed the "global field," for conceptualizing history and the contemporary character of globalization. This field has four components: nation-states, individuals, a global system of societies and humankind. If we change the four components into individuals, communities, human society and natural ecology, it is easier to understand and will allow us to cope better with the new global era.

Human society and natural ecology are the two most significant dimensions in the contemporary world. Humankind, once a relatively abstract concept, has now become a common phrase, requiring people to go beyond their own nation and promote fairness and justice for all mankind. As the people of the world are increasingly becoming integrated, beggar-thy-neighbor policies almost always backfire in the end. The Earth, with its limited resources and living space, requires people to move away from their selfishness and material demands and establish a "community of common destiny."

The individual and the community are the two dimensions in human society. On closer inspection we find that free and equal citizenship is a global issue. Only by respecting natural differences and cultural diversity, and by forming communities based on cultural identity, moral beliefs, scientific research, artistic creation and hobbies, can the right to choose a way of life and harmonious relations between man and nature be possible,.

In the era of globalization, we must learn from Western and other advanced civilizations. We should gradually shape a new point of view in this era that values innovation. From a philosophical point of view, the era of globalization neither demands holism nor progressivism. By recognizing differences and respecting diversity, we can change the polarity of the world and drive a virtuous cycle that pushes society forward. It is high time that we look into the future and win back control of our own destiny.

The author is a professor at the School of Philosophy and Sociology, Beijing Normal University

This article was translated by Li Huiru. Its original unabridged version was published in Chinese.