FROM GLOBALIZATION WAVES TO GLOBAL CIVILIZATION

Abstract

Doi: 10.12957/geouerj.2015.19679

The purpose of this investigation is to characterize the impact of Five Waves of Globalization which are taking place in the last 500 years upon the world civilization. As the result of these waves, the Global Civilization is emerging in the 21st century. Its religion, society and infrastructure will be defined and associated repercussions. It is a very rare case when one can observe the rise of a new civilization during one’s live. At the end of 2nd Millennium, two civilizations; Western-West and Japanese were at level of saturation, which pushed them to external expansion, leading to the creation of the Global Economy. From the end of World War II until 1973, the United States experienced sustained economic growth. But at the beginning of the 21st century, the U.S. with a saturated national economy looks for assuring sustainable growth by exercising competitive advantage through lowering costs with the help of outsourcing strategies around the globe. At the dawn of the 21st century, the IVth Wave of Globalization has been transforming Western Civilization into Global Civilization, since Christianity has been replaced by a Global Religion (under the form of business religion), Global Information and Transportation Infrastructures became very popular solution to globally communicating ideas and decisions as well as moving materials, goods, and people. Eventually the Global Society became a visible, strong entity developing Global Culture as distinctive similar patterns of behavior practiced around the world.