Introduction: History of Globalization


How did historical globalization and imperialism shape today's world?

Perspective on Globalization and Identity



John Stuart Mill, 19th Century British philosopher and economist, used the following quote to describe the benefits of Britain's global empire for the many different people that made up the fabric of the empire.

"It is hardly possible to overrate the value, for the improvement of human beings, of things which bring them into contact with persons dissimilar to themselves and with modes of thought and action unlike those with which they are familiar...It is indispensable to be perpetually comparing [one's] own notions and customs with the experience and example of persons in different circumstances from [oneself]; and there is no nation which does not need to borrow from others."

John Stuart Mill


Turkish Court at Istanbul

During Mill's time, people were trying to come to terms with new realities in their world created by new discoveries and new theories about humans and their relationships with the world around them. Imperialists defended the belief that their culture was the best with new theories about the nature of human existence. However, gradually more and more people began to question this ethnocentric thinking. John Stuart Mill had been educated at home and was widely read in the works of many philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, who had explored the nature of humans and their government, and Adam Smith, who had written about new ways of economic growth. Gradually Mill would become an advocate of equality for all which led him to explore ways of creating equality. In his works, he championed the rights of people from all lands.

In many ways, the issues of interaction between diverse cultures, created by the search for new markets or for a sense of adventure, has been and still is being discussed.

We know that global interconnections have various positive, negative, and unexpected effects on all human interactions.

Globalization in its many forms has spread science, religion, philosophy, and technology around the world. It has exposed people to new and better ways of doing things. It has spread wealth and allowed people to learn about one another. It has also destroyed cultures, environments, and peoples. The consequences of globalization throughout history are felt today.



To understand the issue question, you need to know the difference between historical globalization and imperialism. You need to explore how Canadian society developed because of imperialism and to understand the impact that had not only on Canadian society, but also on Canada's First Nations, Inuit people and those who immigrated to Canada from other lands. This unit will look at how imperialism shaped today's world, and the next unit considers the topic in more depth.

You will need to think about the "how" question. Important issues are complex issues. To consider these issues deeply, you need to realize that our world did not just happen by accident, but rather by the deliberate actions of individuals, corporations, and governments. The actions of the past led to the society we live in today. Some of these actions had both negative and positive effects on individuals, cultures, and nations. Only by trying to understand the past can we forge a better future.

That's a lot to think about! No one can form a defensible position on an issue without knowing something about it.