Technological Globalization: Or Rather, How to Exchange the Means With the End

The Spiritual Seek

https://spiritualseek.online/technological-globalization-or-rather-how-to-exchange-the-means-with-the-end/
--------
Today’s society is characterized by a global interconnectedness that has arisen thanks to the Web, technological advancement and socio-economic ties. We can communicate with people on the other side of the planet in real time; moreover, modern means of transportation have shortened time, making it easier to move goods and people. In this world, people are able to relate to others more easily, and this is unquestionable; however, a disturbing question arises: why is it that we sometimes feel so alienated? In this article, we will discuss some aspects of contemporary lifestyle and the psychological effects they induce in people, but not before providing the historical background that laid the foundation for Western society. For the sake of brevity, we will only consider the perspective of the Western world, but there would be much more to say about other cultures and historical traditions.
The connection in history
Nowadays, one is probably led to think that in the past it was difficult to travel and communicate with people who lived in other states, if not in other cities. Nothing could be more wrong; in fact, since ancient times, human beings have been undertaking journeys, both by sea and land, with the intention of finding new lands in which to settle, trade routes and relations with other civilizations. Even then, there was a bond between peoples, who were able to communicate without the internet or other complex technological means.
Empires as a union of peoples
The earliest examples of an interconnected and globalized world, limiting us to the West, were the empires established by Greek civilization first and Roman civilization later. These institutions came into being, following numerous wars and bloody conflicts, with the intent to expand their power, accumulate wealth and find new markets. Although the intentions were purely materialistic, they also had positive effects, such as bringing different cultures together and sharing knowledge and traditions that would otherwise have been relegated to a small section of the population. Think of the Arab conquests in Europe during the Middle Ages that brought extraordinary works of art and knowledge.
The origins of the globalized world
A prototype of globalization was present as early as the 1500s; following the discovery of America, an intercontinental market for goods and slaves was initiated. But it was not until the second half of the 19th century that what we currently call globalization occurred. This term indicates a process of integrating economic relations on a global scale and an increasing dependence of national markets on international ones. Thus, in the late 19th century, the first globalization of a modern kind took place thanks to the technological developments of the industrial revolution and transportation. It thereby became possible to exchange more goods in less time and, for workers, to move to increasingly distant locations.
Conflicts and globalization
The two world wars of the last century limited such globalization, which resumed in the 1950s with the world divided into two blocks, which then disappeared in the 1990s with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The USSR, i.e., the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, acted as a brake on the advance of globalization even though it was also fully in favor of unrestricted technological development: evidence of which was the race to space that saw it compete with the United States.
Contemporary globalization
An international economy makes it possible to use raw materials that are not available in a given territory, to have a large number of goods from all over the world, and to lower production costs so as to obtain cheaper products. But not everyone has always been in favor of globalization: in the last decade of the 20th century and in the early years of the 21st century there were movements, such as the so-called no-globals, that opposed it, accusing multinational corporations of exploiting labor, including child labor, in backward countries, polluting the environment, limiting the sovereignty and autonomy of local institutions, and fostering wars.
Information-technology globalization
Today, globalization affects not only the economic field but also the fields of information and media. Tools such as the Internet have made it possible to break down national borders and to communicate and spread news everywhere. However, the international telematic network also produces negative effects, such as the excess of information, which is not always accurate, and the exposure of inappropriate content to minors. For this reason, its conscious and sustainable use is necessary.
-------
Questo articolo in italiano:
https://ricercaspirituale.online/la-globalizzazione-tecnologica-ovvero-come-confondere-il-mezzo-con-il-fine/