Reading 3: “What is the relation between politics and globalization?” - JIA YUAN

      The relationship between politics and globalization is mainly reflected in how globalization affects national sovereignty, global governance and changes in civil society. Globalization is not only an economic and cultural process, it has also profoundly reshaped the global political order. At the heart of global politics is the question of how globalization can enhance political autonomy on the one hand and lead to fragmentation and the transfer of power on the other. The relationship between globalization and politics is analysed in several ways:

     First, one of the defining features of globalization is the change in global geopolitics. Globalization has brought closer ties between countries, but it has also weakened the independence of traditional countries. In the past, national sovereignty had dominated national territory, and globalization was changing that pattern. Competition between countries is no longer just a territorial contest, but more about the control of transnational corporations and the flow of international capital. The rise of global markets has forced the state to share sovereignty with other forces in the global capitalist system. In Europe in particular, the emergence of transnational organizations, such as the European Union, has further undermined national autonomy in certain areas. This shift means that global politics is no longer dominated by a single state, but rather a multi-centred network of power.

     Second, globalization has also contributed to the rise of a global normative culture. This culture transcends traditional national frameworks and emphasizes issues such as human rights, environmental protection and global justice. With the advancement of global communications technology, global political discussions and movements are no longer confined to national borders. Human rights issues are at the heart of global politics, and national sovereignty is gradually giving way to global individual rights. International non-governmental organizations (e.g., Greenpeace, MSF, etc.) have contributed to the development of these global issues through global action. This global normative culture is both supportive of global geopolitics and, in some cases, challenging it. It not only influences public policy on a global scale, but also reshapes the way global political engagement takes place.

    The globalization of civil society is another area in which globalization has far-reaching political implications. Global civil society includes transnational non-governmental organizations, social movements and various international advocacy networks. Through these networks, people around the world can collaborate and mobilize on issues of common concern. This form of inter-State cooperation strengthens citizens' voice in global politics and weakens the State's monopoly on the political process. Global civil society is not only an important part of global governance, but also often confronts the global capitalist system. The globalization of civil society has enhanced the monitoring and checks and balances of State behaviour and promoted the establishment of transparency and accountability mechanisms.

    The transformation of national identity and citizenship is also an important aspect of the political impact of globalization. Globalization poses a challenge to national sovereignty, particularly with regard to the relationship between the State and citizenship. In the past, citizenship was often closely linked to national sovereignty, but the concept of citizenship has changed as global migration and international law have evolved. Individuals on a global scale can increasingly resort to international law, blurring the lines between States and citizenship. In Europe, in particular, the gradual integration of international law into national legal systems, with groups such as immigrants seeking help directly from international tribunals, further undermining the sovereignty of States.

    The globalization of the public sphere also reflects the profound political impact of globalization. In the past, the state has constructed a system of national identity and political communication by controlling education and the media. However, globalization and advances in communications technology have made political communication no longer confined to the national sphere. Global political discussions and issues (e.g., environmental protection, human rights, etc.) have become part of global public discourse, and the rise of the global public sphere means that political communication is becoming more global.

    Finally, globalization has also brought about the restructuring of space and borders. While globalization is often seen as a "borderless" world, in reality it has led to the emergence of new borders and spaces. These new borders are not only geographically divided, but also socially and economically segregated. Globalization, for example, has caused transnational corporations and global capital flows to break traditional national borders, and State power has become vulnerable to those flows. At the same time, however, globalization had brought with it new challenges, such as increased migration, terrorism and transnational crime, which had forced States in some ways to strengthen border management.

    In short, the relationship between politics and globalization can be understood as an interwoven process that both weakens national sovereignty and autonomy to a certain extent and creates new forms of global governance and political participation. Globalization redefines the relationship between the State and the individual, the State and the global community by promoting a global normative culture, the rise of civil society and the globalization of the public sphere. States still play an important role in global politics, but their roles are becoming increasingly complex and pluralistic.