Globalization
ˌɡloʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən
Definitions
The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
ˌɡloʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən
The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.
Globalization has changed the way we live and work.
💡 Simply: Imagine the world becoming one big marketplace where people, ideas, and goods travel easily between countries. Like, your favorite food might come from a place far away because of globalization!
👶 For kids: It's when the whole world starts to act like one big neighborhood!
More Examples
The impact of globalization on developing countries is complex.
Debates about globalization often focus on its economic and social consequences.
How It's Used
"Globalization has led to increased international trade and investment."
"The rise of globalization has shifted political power."
"Cultural globalization spreads ideas around the world"
Idioms & expressions
The global village
A world interconnected by electronic media, especially the Internet, creating a sense of community.
"With the internet, we now live in a global village, where information is shared instantly."
Race to the bottom
Competition among businesses, industries, or countries that leads to a decline in wages, working conditions, and environmental standards as companies seek to cut costs.
"Critics argue that globalization can lead to a 'race to the bottom' as companies move production to countries with lower labor costs."
From the adjective 'global' (relating to the whole world) + '-ization' (forming nouns indicating action or process). The term gained prominence in the late 20th century, reflecting increased interconnectedness and interdependence among nations.
The term 'globalization' started to gain traction in the 1980s, and its use became widespread throughout the 1990s with the end of the Cold War and increasing international trade and communication.
Memory tip
Think of a globe spinning, connecting different countries and cultures.
Word Origin
"sphere, ball, globe"