What does globalisation mean? Why sociologists find it difficult to define

Globalisation is a key idea in Cambridge OCR A Level Sociology H583. But before sociologists can explain its effects, they have to decide what it means.

Globalisation is often used to describe a world in which people, organisations and countries are increasingly connected. That sounds straightforward, but there is no single definition that every sociologist accepts. The process includes different kinds of change, and those changes do not affect everyone in the same way.

OCR’s H583 specification asks students to consider definitions of globalisation and the problems with defining it, including social, economic and political factors. It appears in Component 03, Debates in contemporary society, alongside the study of globalisation and digital forms of communication. ocr.org.uk

Some sociological definitions

One useful starting point is Anthony Giddens’ definition of globalisation as the intensification of worldwide social relations, linking distant places so that events in one place can affect people and communities elsewhere (Giddens, 1990). For example, a decision made by a multinational company in one country might affect workers, suppliers and consumers in several others.

David Held and his colleagues describe globalisation as a process that links and expands human activity across regions and continents (Held et al., 1999). This definition draws attention to connections that cross national borders, including economic, political and cultural links.

Jan Aart Scholte argues that globalisation involves the spread of transplanetary connections: relationships and activities that extend across the planet, sometimes with less dependence on physical distance or national territory (Scholte, 2008). Digital communication offers a clear example: people in different countries can share information almost instantly.

These definitions overlap, but each puts the emphasis somewhere different: on social relationships, cross-border activity or connections that operate across distance. Scholte also warns that globalisation should not simply be treated as another word for international trade, free markets or Western influence. Wiley Online Library

Why is globalisation difficult to define?

1. It has social, economic and political dimensions

Globalisation is not just about businesses trading across borders. It can include:

• Social change: migration, changing identities and contact between people from different societies.
• Economic change: international trade, investment and the production of goods across several countries.
• Political change: agreements and decisions involving national governments and international organisations.

These dimensions overlap, but they are not identical. A definition focused mainly on trade might miss how migration changes communities. A definition focused on culture might overlook who controls investment or makes political decisions.

2. Global connections are uneven

The word global can make it sound as if everyone is connected to the same extent. In practice, people and places have unequal access to the benefits and influence that come with global connections.

For example, some workers may gain jobs linked to international trade, while others may face insecure work or job losses when production moves elsewhere. Some people can use digital technology to build networks across countries; others may lack reliable internet access, suitable devices or the skills to use them.

This means that globalisation may increase connections while also reinforcing inequalities. A definition needs to make room for both processes.

3. It can suggest that the world is becoming more alike

Global connections can spread products, media and ideas across countries. This may lead to claims that societies are becoming culturally similar, sometimes described as cultural homogenisation.

However, shared global products do not necessarily mean everyone uses or interprets them in the same way. People may adapt global influences to local traditions, creating new mixtures of cultural ideas. Sociologists therefore need to ask whether globalisation produces similarity, difference, or both.

4. It is difficult to separate globalisation from other changes

When a society changes, globalisation may be one explanation, but it may not be the only one. Changes could also be linked to government policy, technological development, migration, local economic conditions or changing social attitudes.

This raises a research question: How can sociologists tell which changes are caused by globalisation, and which are caused by other factors? Definitions that are too broad can make it difficult to identify what evidence would support or challenge an explanation.

5. It raises questions about political power

Globalisation can involve decisions made beyond the nation-state, such as international agreements or economic decisions by organisations and companies that operate in many countries. But national governments still make important decisions, and their power varies.

So, does globalisation reduce the power of the nation-state, or does it change how that power is used? And who has the greatest influence: national governments, international organisations, multinational companies, or ordinary people acting together? Different answers lead sociologists to define globalisation differently.

How to use this in your Cambridge OCR answers

A strong answer should do more than list definitions. Explain why definitions differ and show what each one helps us notice.

For example:

Giddens’ definition highlights how events in distant places can shape local lives. However, global connections are uneven, so the definition may give the impression that everyone is linked to global processes in the same way. A more complete account should consider differences in economic power, political influence and access to social networks.

The central point is that globalisation is a contested concept: sociologists disagree about what it includes, what causes it and how widely its effects are experienced. Being precise about your definition helps you build a clearer argument about the digital social world.

References

• Giddens, A. (1990) The Consequences of Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press.
• Held, D., McGrew, A., Goldblatt, D. and Perraton, J. (1999) Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture. Cambridge: Polity Press.
• Scholte, J.A. (2008) ‘Defining Globalisation’, The World Economy, 31(11), pp. 1471–1502.
• Cambridge OCR, A Level Sociology H583 Specification, Component 03, Section A: Globalisation and the digital social world.

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Sort the Factors of Globalisation Activity

Globalisation affects societies in social, cultural, economic and political ways. These dimensions are connected, but sorting examples into categories can help you identify the different processes involved. Read each factor and decide which dimension it mainly illustrates. Some examples may overlap, so be ready to explain your choices and consider how the categories might connect.

This activity will help you build the knowledge and vocabulary needed to explain why globalisation can be difficult to define in Cambridge OCR A Level Sociology.

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