Review: Globalization Unplugged in Globalization Unplugged: Sovereignty Term Paper
Pages: 8 (2513 words) · Bibliography Sources: 1 · File: .docx · Topic: Anthropology
Review: Globalization Unplugged
In Globalization Unplugged: Sovereignty and the Canadian State in the
Twenty-First Century, Peter Urmetzer tackles the issue of whether
globalization truly detracts from a country's sovereignty. While reviewing
the literature and history of globalization, he evaluates the term
'globalization' from all angles to find a better understanding of what is
meant by it. Although he comes to the conclusion, after careful
consideration, that it is impossible to define what globalization is, he
establishes that globalization is not a new phenomenon, and he backs up
this point with solid evidence. Most significant, to his argument however,
is an understanding of how this globalization and capitalism has affected
Canada. In making his claim that globalization does not hinder the
sovereignty of a nation-state, Urmetzer use strong analysis in his
arguments by approaching the issue of globalization from an unbiased
perspective using both qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Attempting to make sense of the perception of globalization, Urmetzer
tries to define the term and its historical significance. He understands
the power of the term, and the effects it is perceived to have on the
nation-state, but he notes that the "empirical foundations of how it has
affected Canada remain largely unexamined" (Urmetzer 2005: 3). This makes
Urmetzer's work a unique piece of literature in the cluttered Americanized
field of globalization. In Globalization Unplugged, Urmetzer examines theDownload full
paper NOW! effects of globalization on Canada that can be applied to other nation-
states as well. This becomes increasingly challenging, because the term
'globalization' can be used to refer to "everything and anything" (Urmetzer
2005: 4). Thus before jumping into the empirical evidence, Urmetzer wisely
and effectively sets out to understand the term before jumping to
conclusions as the effects of globalization on not only Canada, but other
nation states as well.
Urmetzer is fully aware of the vast range of literature and
Unplugged. Before attempting to understand the implications of
globalization on Canada and ultimately the nation-state, he tries to make
sense of this "catch-all term" used "to explain ever-thing from rapidly
changing communications technology to increased unemployment" (Urmetzer
2005: 3). In doing so, Urmetzer understands the common perception of what
globalization is believed to be, and because globalization is not an
academic term but rather a term that has gained prevalence through popular
usage, the notion that globalization is "undermining the power of the
state" is what he accepts (Urmetzer 2005: 17). It is a true strength of
his work that Urmetzer defines globalization in the best way possible in
order to make his evaluation, as by defining relatively this presumably
indefinable term, Urmetzer is able to make arguments as to what
globalization is to Canada.
More important though, in trying to understand this term of
globalization, is Urmetzer's appreciation of the term as being "both new
and old" according to "globalists" (Urtmetzer 2005: 31). This later
becomes a key point to his argument, but in his opening chapter entitled
'The Life and Times of Globalization,' Urmetzer takes a broad approach to
the issue of globalization before he narrows down to the core of what it
really means. This approach lends itself to a definition of globalization
without overlooking what has defined globalization in other literature and
interpretations of the word. Ultimately, Urmetzer considers the arguments
on globalizations then makes valid points. To Urmetzer, globalization means
interconnections between nations that have increased considerably since
World War II, and that nation-state's sovereignty have been weakened in
this process. It is this final point, widely accepted to be a truth about
globalization that Urmetzer seeks to evaluate- without political rhetoric
or pretense- the truth of the matter behind globalization.
Before jumping into the empirical evidence, however, Urmetzer
understands this problem as it relates to history- the new and the old. He
does so by comparing globalization to the problem presented in Marxism, of
the eventually take over of capitalism. Because of this, globalization has
been around for hundreds of years, and furthermore globalization can be
linked to the days of colonialism. In a key point, Urmetzer notes that
because of the prevalence of globalization for hundreds of years, its
trampling on sovereignty has to be evaluated from a different angle. The
"victory of capitalism" expressed in The Communist Manifesto, has been
projected for years, and thus globalization must be evaluated in terms
greater than the recent advances in free-market trade (Urmetzer 2005: 47).
For instance, a country's relations to the periphery of the world market
have to be considered because the economic history of globalization can be
traced back more than 500 years. Because globalization has become more
common since World War II does not mean it is a new phenomenon, and
Urmetzer's review of the literature helps to illustrate this point.
In evaluating the term globalization through the first third of his
work, Urmetzer helps to offer a better understanding of what globalization
means. As a overused term, this is crucial to helping to setting the stage
for the crux of his argument which is how, in recent years, globalization
has impacted Canada. Although he does not directly link the history of
globalization to his argument, by helping the reader to understand the
broad notion of the term and how misconceptions regarding globalization can
lead to pre-made judgments without proper evaluation of empirical evidence,
can lead to false claims about the impact of globalization on nation-
states. If determining that globalization generally effects sovereignty
without looking closely at the case study, misconceptions will rule the day
and mistakes will be made. By first demonstrating a solid understanding of
the historical process of globalization and how it relates to not only
Canada, but all nation-states, Urmetzer is able to put his study on Canada
in proper perspective without being bogged down by general misconceptions
or predetermined notions that dominate the term 'globalization.'
In the final two thirds of Globalization Unplugged, Urmetzer evaluates
globalization and Canada from nearly every possible angle. Very complete
and thorough, and not relying on statistics that are not biased, Urmetzer
makes solid observations on globalization and Canada. For example, his
note that Canada has been a long time player in globalization while the
United States has not, is an interesting point because more literature on
globalization has come out of the United States which has a very different
history than Canada (Urmetzer 2005: 66-67). He backs up such points by
showing the level of trade in Canada as being high, and he evaluates who
Canada trades with. This is important, because the trading partner of
Canada, whether or not they are developing, has an influence on the whether
or not Canada is truly a player in globalization (Urmetzer 2005: 69). By
looking at Canada's imports and exports as a percentage of their GDP,
Urmetzer uses valid evidence to determine Canada's involvement in
international trade. He comes to the conclusion, using this logic, that
seven-tenths of "Canada's economic activity is conducted within its own
borders" and thus problems within Canada are likely not attributed to
international economic pressure (Urmetzer 2005: 78). While this may be a
hasty conclusion to make at this point, as this correlation is highly
speculative and not evident in his empirical evidence, Urmetzer develops
his argument further.
After evaluating Canada's trading partners, Urmetzer then evaluates
who invests in Canada. While this varies from the trading partners, as the
United States is coming to trade more with Canada while investments are
being diversified, it still does not show an over reliance on globalization
to the point that Canada's sovereignty would be jeopardized. Like with his
statistical evaluation of trade, Urmetzer's evaluation on foreign direct
investment is based on simple graphs and singular statistical analysis.
Perhaps he jumps to conclusions too hastily based on a lack of empirical
evidence, as he just used the amount of foreign direct investment in
relation to GDP, however he outlines his argument convincingly.
Manufacturing is an example which Urmetzer's style of analysis can be
demonstrated, as manufacturing is important to the notion of
globalization's impact as "the globalization argument rests on the premise
that manufacturing is moving from the First World to the Third" (Urmetzer
2005: 96). His findings on this critical point, that manufacturing
investment is leaving Canada while not going to Third World countries
clearly refutes the general theory on the nature of globalization to cause
manufacturing to trend towards the Third World. According to Urmetzer,
this means that yes the borders between nations are coming down, but they
are coming down within the market (between Canada and Europe for example)
and not between the First and Third World (Urmetzer 2005: 98-99). This is
highly indicative of the logic Urmetzer uses, and I cannot find fault in
it. Although he lacks original and even authoritative empirical evidence,
relying on just one statistical measure to back up his arguments, the
measure he uses are illustrative of his thesis and the arguments he is
trying to make. On the issue of manufacturing, Urmetzer determines through… [END OF PREVIEW] . . . READ MORE
In Globalization Unplugged: Sovereignty and the Canadian State in the
Twenty-First Century, Peter Urmetzer tackles the issue of whether
globalization truly detracts from a country's sovereignty. While reviewing
the literature and history of globalization, he evaluates the term
'globalization' from all angles to find a better understanding of what is
meant by it. Although he comes to the conclusion, after careful
consideration, that it is impossible to define what globalization is, he
establishes that globalization is not a new phenomenon, and he backs up
this point with solid evidence. Most significant, to his argument however,
is an understanding of how this globalization and capitalism has affected
Canada. In making his claim that globalization does not hinder the
sovereignty of a nation-state, Urmetzer use strong analysis in his
arguments by approaching the issue of globalization from an unbiased
perspective using both qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Attempting to make sense of the perception of globalization, Urmetzer
tries to define the term and its historical significance. He understands
the power of the term, and the effects it is perceived to have on the
nation-state, but he notes that the "empirical foundations of how it has
affected Canada remain largely unexamined" (Urmetzer 2005: 3). This makes
Urmetzer's work a unique piece of literature in the cluttered Americanized
field of globalization. In Globalization Unplugged, Urmetzer examines theDownload full

paper NOW! effects of globalization on Canada that can be applied to other nation-
states as well. This becomes increasingly challenging, because the term
'globalization' can be used to refer to "everything and anything" (Urmetzer
2005: 4). Thus before jumping into the empirical evidence, Urmetzer wisely
and effectively sets out to understand the term before jumping to
conclusions as the effects of globalization on not only Canada, but other
nation states as well.
Urmetzer is fully aware of the vast range of literature and
Term Paper on Review: Globalization Unplugged in Globalization Unplugged: Sovereignty Assignment
discussion on globalization, and he makes this clear in GlobalizationUnplugged. Before attempting to understand the implications of
globalization on Canada and ultimately the nation-state, he tries to make
sense of this "catch-all term" used "to explain ever-thing from rapidly
changing communications technology to increased unemployment" (Urmetzer
2005: 3). In doing so, Urmetzer understands the common perception of what
globalization is believed to be, and because globalization is not an
academic term but rather a term that has gained prevalence through popular
usage, the notion that globalization is "undermining the power of the
state" is what he accepts (Urmetzer 2005: 17). It is a true strength of
his work that Urmetzer defines globalization in the best way possible in
order to make his evaluation, as by defining relatively this presumably
indefinable term, Urmetzer is able to make arguments as to what
globalization is to Canada.
More important though, in trying to understand this term of
globalization, is Urmetzer's appreciation of the term as being "both new
and old" according to "globalists" (Urtmetzer 2005: 31). This later
becomes a key point to his argument, but in his opening chapter entitled
'The Life and Times of Globalization,' Urmetzer takes a broad approach to
the issue of globalization before he narrows down to the core of what it
really means. This approach lends itself to a definition of globalization
without overlooking what has defined globalization in other literature and
interpretations of the word. Ultimately, Urmetzer considers the arguments
on globalizations then makes valid points. To Urmetzer, globalization means
interconnections between nations that have increased considerably since
World War II, and that nation-state's sovereignty have been weakened in
this process. It is this final point, widely accepted to be a truth about
globalization that Urmetzer seeks to evaluate- without political rhetoric
or pretense- the truth of the matter behind globalization.
Before jumping into the empirical evidence, however, Urmetzer
understands this problem as it relates to history- the new and the old. He
does so by comparing globalization to the problem presented in Marxism, of
the eventually take over of capitalism. Because of this, globalization has
been around for hundreds of years, and furthermore globalization can be
linked to the days of colonialism. In a key point, Urmetzer notes that
because of the prevalence of globalization for hundreds of years, its
trampling on sovereignty has to be evaluated from a different angle. The
"victory of capitalism" expressed in The Communist Manifesto, has been
projected for years, and thus globalization must be evaluated in terms
greater than the recent advances in free-market trade (Urmetzer 2005: 47).
For instance, a country's relations to the periphery of the world market
have to be considered because the economic history of globalization can be
traced back more than 500 years. Because globalization has become more
common since World War II does not mean it is a new phenomenon, and
Urmetzer's review of the literature helps to illustrate this point.
In evaluating the term globalization through the first third of his
work, Urmetzer helps to offer a better understanding of what globalization
means. As a overused term, this is crucial to helping to setting the stage
for the crux of his argument which is how, in recent years, globalization
has impacted Canada. Although he does not directly link the history of
globalization to his argument, by helping the reader to understand the
broad notion of the term and how misconceptions regarding globalization can
lead to pre-made judgments without proper evaluation of empirical evidence,
can lead to false claims about the impact of globalization on nation-
states. If determining that globalization generally effects sovereignty
without looking closely at the case study, misconceptions will rule the day
and mistakes will be made. By first demonstrating a solid understanding of
the historical process of globalization and how it relates to not only
Canada, but all nation-states, Urmetzer is able to put his study on Canada
in proper perspective without being bogged down by general misconceptions
or predetermined notions that dominate the term 'globalization.'
In the final two thirds of Globalization Unplugged, Urmetzer evaluates
globalization and Canada from nearly every possible angle. Very complete
and thorough, and not relying on statistics that are not biased, Urmetzer
makes solid observations on globalization and Canada. For example, his
note that Canada has been a long time player in globalization while the
United States has not, is an interesting point because more literature on
globalization has come out of the United States which has a very different
history than Canada (Urmetzer 2005: 66-67). He backs up such points by
showing the level of trade in Canada as being high, and he evaluates who
Canada trades with. This is important, because the trading partner of
Canada, whether or not they are developing, has an influence on the whether
or not Canada is truly a player in globalization (Urmetzer 2005: 69). By
looking at Canada's imports and exports as a percentage of their GDP,
Urmetzer uses valid evidence to determine Canada's involvement in
international trade. He comes to the conclusion, using this logic, that
seven-tenths of "Canada's economic activity is conducted within its own
borders" and thus problems within Canada are likely not attributed to
international economic pressure (Urmetzer 2005: 78). While this may be a
hasty conclusion to make at this point, as this correlation is highly
speculative and not evident in his empirical evidence, Urmetzer develops
his argument further.
After evaluating Canada's trading partners, Urmetzer then evaluates
who invests in Canada. While this varies from the trading partners, as the
United States is coming to trade more with Canada while investments are
being diversified, it still does not show an over reliance on globalization
to the point that Canada's sovereignty would be jeopardized. Like with his
statistical evaluation of trade, Urmetzer's evaluation on foreign direct
investment is based on simple graphs and singular statistical analysis.
Perhaps he jumps to conclusions too hastily based on a lack of empirical
evidence, as he just used the amount of foreign direct investment in
relation to GDP, however he outlines his argument convincingly.
Manufacturing is an example which Urmetzer's style of analysis can be
demonstrated, as manufacturing is important to the notion of
globalization's impact as "the globalization argument rests on the premise
that manufacturing is moving from the First World to the Third" (Urmetzer
2005: 96). His findings on this critical point, that manufacturing
investment is leaving Canada while not going to Third World countries
clearly refutes the general theory on the nature of globalization to cause
manufacturing to trend towards the Third World. According to Urmetzer,
this means that yes the borders between nations are coming down, but they
are coming down within the market (between Canada and Europe for example)
and not between the First and Third World (Urmetzer 2005: 98-99). This is
highly indicative of the logic Urmetzer uses, and I cannot find fault in
it. Although he lacks original and even authoritative empirical evidence,
relying on just one statistical measure to back up his arguments, the
measure he uses are illustrative of his thesis and the arguments he is
trying to make. On the issue of manufacturing, Urmetzer determines through… [END OF PREVIEW] . . . READ MORE
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