4.5 Technology


Although economics has been the main driving force that has pushed the world toward globalization, technology has made it possible. As you read in the unit on imperialism, developments in new technology during the Industrial Revolution led to increased productivity and increased interaction among nations. Because nations could communicate with each other and transport goods more easily, they were able to establish colonies and build international relationships.
Technology continues to allow corporations to move their goods from their source to their market. Because of specialization, the components of many manufactured goods can come from various places, be assembled in other locations, shipped to a central depot, and then shipped all over the world. This form of production, either through off-shoring or outsourcing that requires chains of networked producers and consumers, is called a supply chain.

For example, Del Monte has operations throughout Central America. It hires local workers and employs transportation and refrigeration technology to grow, harvest, and ship bananas throughout the Americas.

Size and scale are other factors in the expansion of globalization. Large corporations can operate with economies of scale; that is, because they sell larger quantities of products, they can sell them for lower prices.

One of the great contributors to the expansion of globalization was the invention of communication media that crossed borders. Telephones, telegraphs, and radio broadcasts began in the 1800s, allowing people greater access to communication. Satellite television, cell phones, and the Internet allow information to flow freely among nations. This is one of the factors leading to the recent popular uprisings in various countries, because people there were able to learn what was happening in the remainder of the world. The repressed people in these countries realized very quickly that people in other countries had far more freedom to express themselves in music, television, film, and print. Messages of resistance to the old regimes passed quickly to other people in other nations. This same free-flow of information has shown everyone what is happening when a disaster strikes, and it keeps everyone aware of the latest trends.

The instant communication made possible by satellites and the Internet has caused countries and international organizations throughout the world to react more quickly, and sometimes more honestly. Governments could easily hide what was happening in another part of the world, but such information control is increasingly difficult. A government can attempt to block certain sites on the Internet or outlaw them completely, but that is very difficult and impractical. If citizens are intent on discovering what is happening outside their borders, a government can do very little to stop them.

When people can see world events happen in front of their eyes, people and places far away become much more real. People can feel more deeply connected to other people and their problems. By being more aware of world events, they can become more politically active and more dedicated to change.