Blog3What is the relation between politics and globalization？WANGRUITONG

 Relationship between politics and globalization  

As a multidimensional phenomenon, globalization has profoundly affected the structure and behavior of the political field. Political globalization not only reflects the compression of space and time, but also changes the traditional boundaries of state power, promoting the development of global normative culture and global civil society.

Definition of Political Globalization

Political globalization refers to the transnational and post-state processes in which social structures and power relations transcend national boundaries and form an interconnected global system. Like economic and cultural globalization, political globalization emphasizes cooperation and interaction on a global scale. This process demonstrates that traditional states are no longer the sole political power centres, but rather share power with a variety of non-State actors, such as international organizations and transnational corporations.

Impact of Globalization on State Power

In the context of globalization, State power has undergone profound changes. On the one hand, the functions of traditional sovereign states have been weakened, and states have had to share power at multiple levels of governance. International tribunals, multinational corporations and global issues, such as climate change, force countries to adjust their policies within a global framework. On the other hand, despite the erosion of sovereignty, countries remain key players in the global political system. For example, the United States and China, as representatives of state power, continue to play a leading role in global affairs.

III. THE GLOBAL SPREADING AND CHALLENGE OF DEMOC

Globalization has facilitated the global spread of democracy as a form of politics. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, democracy has gained universal acceptance. However, globalization has also exposed the limitations of democracy. In the pursuit of democracy, many countries face the problem of democratic deficits — that is, the formalization of democratic institutions without substantive civic participation. This phenomenon underscores the fact that globalization has both promoted the universalization of democracy and raised questions about its effectiveness.

The rise of a global normative culture

Another important aspect of globalization is the rise of a global normative culture, particularly the values of globalization with human rights at its core. In the context of globalization, the primacy of individual rights over national sovereignty has created a new tension between States and individuals. For example, the involvement of international courts has enabled migrants and minorities to have direct access to international law challenging the exclusivity of traditional States. In addition, global issues such as environmental protection have become an important part of global political exchanges.

V. THE ROLE OF GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY

Globalization has spawned a political space that transcends countries and markets – a global civil society. The society consists of NGOs such as Greenpeace, Doctors Without Borders, and transnational grassroots movements that aim to challenge global capitalism and inequality by transcending traditional political boundaries. This multi-centre network structure offers new possibilities for global governance, but it is accompanied by inadequate legitimacy and accountability mechanisms. Global civil society is also sometimes used for undesirable purposes, such as terrorism and transnational crime, reflecting its potential "dark side".

Political Space and Border Reconstruction

Another important change brought about by globalization is the restructuring of political space and borders. Traditional national borders are gradually being replaced by "space mobility". This mobility emphasizes network connectivity rather than geographical location, redefining the boundaries between state power and political behavior. At the same time, the rise of subnational and cross-border regions, such as global cities and regional economies, further challenges traditional political spaces.

Contradictions and tensions in globalization

While globalization has brought about many positive changes in politics, it has also been accompanied by contradictions and tensions. While globalization had enhanced the potential for democracy and self-government, it could lead to fragmentation and decentralization of society. For example, globalization, while empowering individuals, weakens the collective power of communities and States. This tension manifests itself at all levels of global politics as a contradiction between autonomy and division.

The relationship between politics and globalization is complex and multidimensional. Globalization has redefined the role of the state, promoted the development of a global normative culture and civil society, and provided new possibilities for transnational cooperation and governance. However, this process is not without challenges, and the erosion of national sovereignty, the emergence of democratic deficits, and the fragmentation of societies caused by globalization are among the problems we need to face. Overall, political globalization reflects the profound changes and continuous exploration of modern society in the era of globalization.