Mesteacn Mihaela

Studii Europene
Anul I, Grupa 3


How the global and local become glocal

In order to figure out whats with this circle local-global-glocal I think its important
first to browse the dictionary for some definitions. So, according to the oxford dictionary
local means relating or restricted to a particular area or ones neighbourhood, while
global is relating to the whole world; worldwide
1
. Of course there is no definition for
glocal because if we try to explain it, it would be more clear if we say globalization or
glocalization. The second term is clearly more appropriate to our context and if we put
it that way, glocalization serves as a means of combining the idea of globalization with
that of local considerations.
According to J. K. Gibson-Graham we are familiar with the denigration of the
local as small and relatively powerless, defined and confined by the global: the global is
a force, the local is its field of play, the global is penetrating, the local penetrated and
transformed. Globalism is synonymous with abstract space, the frictionless movement
of money and commodities, the expansiveness and inventiveness of capitalism and the
market.
2

But what is the true meaning of globalization? The word "globalization" has
become an idea, designed to attract the attention and used forpropaganda of many
existing plans (political, advertising, etc.). This "something able to open the gates to all
present and future mysteries"
3
in contemporary society takes two values. For some,
globalization is an immediate way to happiness, to what they call the world a better,
more prosperous, but on the other hand, for others globalization is the cause of their
unhappiness.

1
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/
2
J. K. Gibson-Graham, Beyond Global vs. Local, page 27,
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.129.6114&rep=rep1&type=pdf
3
Zygmunt Bauman, The globalization and its effects, page 5

Mesteacn Mihaela
Studii Europene
Anul I, Grupa 3

This concept has been recognized by the Second World War and has been
expanding rapidly since the collapse of communism in 1989. On the background of this
concept are developed different intentions, such as the introduction of equality between
people, equal living conditions, change and improve the quality of life globally.
When we talk about globalization-glocalization we talk about mass-media. The
reality is transformed into a discursive phenomenon by promoting public life, television
is the main medium of reference; "Civilization media requires a new reality shielded
imbued in everyday of what was called transconsumism."
4
Broadcast globalized media
products not only brought the disappearance of a way of life, namely the traditional, but
and imposing the American model . While it is clear that any culture feeds the models
and values taken from outside, displacing tradition and cultural heritage altering
globalization the issue of global uniformity, fueling the phenomenon of
"Americanization." Thus, as the "agent of globalization, media culture requires
accelerated surface, alignment and cultural impoverish us great concern."
Regarding Romania, in January 2013 it ranked 31 in the Globalization Index
published by Ernst & Young due to the gradual liberalization of world trade and the
integration of trade of more closely with the EU.
5

As far as I am concerned I believe that globalization is beneficial as long as does
not affect cultural background and the national identity.





4
Adrian Dinu Rachieru, Globalization and media culture, page 14
5
http://www.business24.ro/macroeconomie/analiza-economica/globalizarea-continua-sa-avansze-
romania-pe-locul-31-in-indexul-de-globalizare-1524080

Mesteacn Mihaela
Studii Europene
Anul I, Grupa 3


Bibliography
I. Books
1. J. K. Gibson-Graham, Beyond Global vs. Local
2. Zygmunt Bauman, The globalization and its effects
3. Adrian Dinu Rachieru, Globalization and media culture
II. Websites
1. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/
2. http://www.business24.ro/macroeconomie/analiza-economica/globalizarea-
continua-sa-avansze-romania-pe-locul-31-in-indexul-de-globalizare-1524080