How and why do sociologists differ in their views about the inevitability of globalization?

Answer 1

Because they are humans, and have their own agendas, just as humans in every other field of specialization. And because they come to different academic conclusions, whether or not tainted by their own desires, they differ on something which is as decisive as the term "inevitability."

That's a pretty strong label, if you think of it. It means that if anyone can imagine a scenario under which we would not become a global economy, let alone a global democracy (whatever that would be), then it can't really be labeled "inevitable," can it? It's almost like trying to prove a negative, logically speaking, to speak of something as "inevitable." Not exactly impossible, but real, real difficult.

And what, in the end, do you mean by the term "globalization." A global what, in terms of structure? Global marketplace? Global forum? Global village? Global tribe?

Global government? Nowhere at all for anyone who is different, anywhere, not on this planet at all? Certainly not while there is no real opportunity to go off-planet. Anything else would leave no room for the misfits and rather-not fits that are often the creative centers of any society.

Answer 2

I don't know the answer to that but I will give my two cents. Globablization is inevitable for a number of reasons. The first is simple economics. It is cheaper/easier for some countries to produce certain goods than others and therefore it is more cost effective for the countries in the latter group to import the aforementioned goods. Keep in mind that no country is self sufficient, especially the industrialized ones, forcing them to import goods they are unable to produce. Many communist states (Cuba, North Korea) have tried to isolate their economy which has resulted in deficiencies in crucial goods i.e. food. Another reason is technology. Communication and transportation costs have gone down significantly over the past century allowing a person in Los Angelos to have a chat with a business associate in Shanghai whereas in earlier times a letter would have taken months to reach its destination.

Answer 3

They differ because some sociologists may take into account the ability of people to change the course of events which shape their future. Others may say that unaccounted for events, like global warming and nuclear war, may change the current course of events.