Globalization does not happen on its own. Powerful entities, such as governments and corporations, benefit from global connections and exploit them for their own purposes. These include the surveillance of various populations for greater control over their movement and the management of economic flows for profits and wealth. Powerscapes (politics and economy) focuses on political and economic systems that shape global connections. A good example is the World Political Map:
CLASS ACTIVITY: To better understand state power in the context of globalization, you can explore the discussion exercise that we used in our Middlebury College course IGST 101 “Introduction to International and Global Studies” in Spring of 2025. (You are free to reproduce or modify it with attribution).
Discussion Exercise: State Behaviors Regarding Political Globalization
Profs. Guntram Herb and Shinkyu (James) Lee, Spring Semester 2025
Background and Rationale
The readings and lectures this week examine the growing tension between globalist and nationalist approaches to world politics. At the heart of this issue is the question of whether, and to what extent, state sovereignty (i.e., banning external intervention) should be maintained in the era of globalization. One could argue that state behaviors have followed a trajectory of either integration or defensiveness at significant moments in contemporary world politics—such as the end of the Cold War in 1991, the September 11th attacks in 2001, the Great Recession of 2007–2009, the Brexit referendum and the rise of Trumpism in 2016, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2023, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The goal of this exercise is to understand the motives that drive state behaviors in the context of globalization. Since this is a group project, we ask you to prepare some initial thoughts and meet in person or online before Friday to discuss your approach.
Scenario
This Friday, President Trump and his administration are convening a national security summit at the White House to determine the national strategies for the remaining years of the administration. They have invited a security expert commission that advocates embracing globalization (globalists) and one that advocates resisting globalization in favor of a nationalist agenda. Given recent events, there will be no live streaming, but President Trump’s team has asked journalist from Fox News and MSNBC to attend and report on the deliberations. The summit will commence with opening statements of 2-3 minutes by each of the two expert commissions, followed by questions from journalists, the administration, and commission members. Answers are limited to 1 minute and each commission member is expected to speak. The summit concludes with very brief final statements by each commission. Journalists are asked to deliver a news report after the summit to their respective channels.
Activities and Timeline
The class will be divided into three groups:
A. Globalist Security Experts who are embracing strategies in favor of globalization.
B. Nationalist Security Experts who are advocating strategies against globalization.
C. Journalists from Fox News and MSNBC
Groups A and B must specify their designated strategies and provide justification. As part of this task, each group is asked to identify at least three key areas they would like to focus on. Please consider factors such as material power (military and economic), domestic stability, diplomatic reputation, geographical advantages or disadvantages, and the potential for cultural or civilizational alliances. Please be sure that you adhere to your assigned strategic approach. Groups A and B should come prepared to our Friday discussion with either a written statement they will read (300-words), a concise PPT, or a short video. Remember that your opening presentation is limited to 2-3 minutes. Each commission member should speak at least once during the summit. One member of your group will give a concluding statement (1 min. max) at the end of the discussion.
Group C (Journalists). Students are asked to divide into subgroups for Fox News and MSNBC. While journalists are not asked to give an opening statement, you should come prepared with questions you can direct at Group A and at B. Please listen carefully during the opening statements of Groups A and B since you are asked to follow up with pointed questions once they have finished. Each journalist should ask at least one question and you should always be respectful. After the summit ends, journalists will prepare a news report. It can be a 300-word written news commentary or a 2-3 min video. You will share this report with the class at the start of our next lecture meeting.