Globalisation was defined by Giddens in 1990 as
“the intensification of world-wide social relations, which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa” (1990: 64)
Whilst the above definition gives a detailed overview of globalisation, I believe that this next definition has a more solid idea. The belief from theorists such as Giddens and Castells is that globalisation is the driving force behind the fast social, political and economic changes that are reshaping modern societies. Held et al. (1999: 7).
This is saying that globalisation is the reason why such changes are occurring in the world. It is not necessarily stating whether they are positive or negative changes which therefore leaves this definition open. For this blog post, I am going to use the example of Soccer and how its world wide following has expanded due to the media.
Whilst Giddens' definition introduces the “world-wide social” aspect of globalisation and its ability to spread certain issues, products and themes worldwide, i personally believe it is the media and its ability to communicate to anyone in the world that has helped more than anything. Similarly to my opinion, most theorists agree that there is basically no globalisation without media.
VIDEO: Liverpool vs Melbourne you’ll never walk alone, 2013, youtube video, Emre Bostanci, Melbourne.
Talking to my father about soccer enables me to understand how the sport has become more popular recently. He says that it was a shock to him to see how many people supported Liverpool in Australia. He agrees with me when I mention that the only way Australians would follow an international team like Liverpool would be through TV, Radio or newspapers (ie the Media).
Through the Rantanen reading, I have noted Appadurai's theory of scapes in the formation of globalisation. Out of the 5 scapes in the reading, It is obvious that the mediascapes applies to the globalisation of soccer. Mediascapes according to the Rantanen reading, refers to the distribution of the electronic ability to produce and send information. Mediascapes also refers to the images created by the media.Mediascapes has definitely aided in the spreading and globalisation of soccer as the media has electronically produced and sent information and has created an image of the sport. It has a certain "cool" image which has aspired many young kids to jump on the bandwagon.
REFERENCING:
Rantanen, T 2005, The media and globalisation, Sage, London.
Deakin University. 2013. W2 Global Flows and Scapes, ALC215 2013. [podcast] 22nd July. Available at: https://d2l.deakin.edu.au/d2l/le/content/143750/viewContent/1943560/View [Accessed: 23rd July].