Globalization by Scholte

Globalization
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2. What is Scholte’s concept of hybridization and what does it help to explain?
Scholte’s concept of hybridization refers to how cultures and communities are becoming more and more accommodative of each other. Taking the chance to reproduce, grow and live together while embracing different cultures and traditions. The whole concept of hybridization is based on the fact that the world has now become a global village (Scholte, 2005). Nothing is too much or too difficult. People have become more accommodative and it is easier to find mixed races and families that practice various religions regardless of sharing the same house or bloodline. It generally looks like Scholte gives a lot of the present societal advancements credit back to globalization.
While it may seem unnatural, it is nature’s best way of preserving the best of everything there is in the world while creating a stronger race/genetic make-up by combining the strongest genes to come together in a person. We are seeing more and more people of mixed origins and religions which is making us more flexible and able to accept each other. This way, people have managed to become less judgmental of each other and people are now being viewed as equals. Without hybridization, there would be more antagonism and fights among the human race. This would result in frequent wars and clashes between people because everyone would think they are superior to the other.
Hybridization has brought about a drastic change in how communities operate and the existing cultural norms. Normally, cultural norms and behavior are passed down from one community to the next while zealously protecting its sacred identity. As people continued to inter-marry and embrace intermarriages (Scholte, 2005) the more these cultural norms changed in order to accommodate the new member of the community. A scenario which is evident for almost all mixed-race communities. It can be clearly seen that they carry the best of both cultures of their parents. Leaving the harsher rules and traditions behind. Giving way to new and fresh ideas.
It is worth noting however, that there is quite a wide window of opportunity for further study on this concept of hybridization. Scholte is more concerned about establishing the connections between a super culture of people today and how globalization has played a role therein; but much of what is being debated on hybridization is basically empirical. Scholte however, believes that the process has result in the formation of more homogenous societies that do not have very sharp dividing lines within them. It also brings to the fore an obvious question; is hybridization a better version or a replacement for westernization?
Hybridization from Scholte’s perspective helps to explain a number of things. First, the concept of the world becoming a global village and how we have no choice but to accept each other and therefore live with each other. The most important thing with hybridization lies in the fact that no one can hold the upper-hand when it comes to genetics. That is, it puts everyone at the same level with regards to class, race and religion. The three most dividing factors among the human race. With this in mind therefore, there is a subtle acceptance by Scholte that Hybridization is a better process compared to westernization due to the fact that it results in uniform improvement of everyone. No one will come to later claim that he or she was the first to be advanced.
Hybridization also helps in explaining the concept of globalization and the impact that it is having on both a wide and narrow scale. For instance, take the inter-marriages between whites and people of color, racism will slowly reduce and eventually disappear. It helps eliminate the traditional aspects that have all throughout history, been the differentiation and discriminating factors between people across the world. This is because the offspring of such couples cannot lay claim to be of one particular race but they can claim to be of a mixed color (Scholte, 2005). This eliminates the cultural and religious barriers for them. However, while the change is gradual, the effects can already be felt.
Hybridization is also helping in building bridges between sworn enemies. That is what the whole concept seeks to explain. The current system is working but it is not perfected yet. There are still discriminated people and minorities in the world therefore, it seems like globalization has come to pass but hybridization has been slower with regards to implementation. Hybrid people are not tied to one place of origin, or a particular culture or religion. Therefore, this gives them the opportunity to become their authentic selves. It also provides an opportunity to create new and better cultures and ways of living.
4. Why does Scholte say that globalization involves a transition from statism to polycentrism?
The concept of globalization has made most governments ways of rule obsolete. Over the recent years, there has been a gradual shift from the traditional forms of rule, to a more flexible one. This shift has been to a great extent, orchestrated by the rapid growth of the global civil society, which has in turn changed the methods of governance (Scholte, 2005). All this has been down to the embracement of globalization. Most notably, the statist method of leadership which has paved way for polycentrism. Polycentrism is a better way of governance because it opens doors for mid-level authorities to relate directly to other realms that are beyond governance. Statist was closely associated with territories as a way of regulation which is slowly fading away with the advent of globalization.
Because the world is still in a period of transition, the end of the statist era does not mean that the state has also come to an end. Rather, national governments still remain in power which means they still control their subjects from a global front. However, the difference lies in the fact that most of these governments have now been divided and some are a part of the larger super state regimes that are currently taking over the world (Scholte, 2005). As at now, due to globalization, we can see that many governments are now interacting with each other, joining forces and making alliances. This makes them stronger even in their independent states.
The main reason globalization is shifting governance from statism to polycentrism is due to the following factors regarding statism. First, statism has become obsolete as a form of ruling it was used in the nineteenth up until the mid-twentieth century. As initially mentioned, the world is slowly moving from the traditional to the modern ways of governance, as championed by globalization. During those times, many places were marked as kingdoms ruled by kings and followed the monarchy. This made it easier because the modes of transport, and even communication would have made it difficult for people and states to form alliances.
People had to liv...