GLOBALIZATION

Globalization is the process of increased integration, interaction, and interdependence of people and countries around the world. The term likely originated in the 1960s and became a buzzword in the 1990s. The phenomenon itself is much older, dating at least to the 19th century. It is caused primarily by improvements in communication and transportation technology, international trade and investment, and migration.

People and countries respond to globalization in different ways and to different degrees. Globalization has had a stronger impact on richer countries than on poorer ones, which have a shortage of advanced technology, capital, and goods to trade. Globalization can cause homogenization, as individuals increasingly eat comparable foods, wear similar clothing, and listen to the same music. But it has also been known to create a backlash, as some groups and peoples react to the forces unleashed by globalization with movements that emphasize local or national concerns.

Globalization. The Canadian Encyclopedia [En Línea] http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0010595