Introduction
Globalization theory examines the interconnectedness and cross-cultural exchanges in literature, analyzing how literary texts from diverse regions and societies reflect and respond to globalization. It also investigates how globalization impacts themes, narratives, characters, and literary techniques. Globalization theory also aims at explaining how writers engage with the complexities of globalized identities, hybridity, and diasporic experiences. By exploring the transnational flow of ideas, languages, and cultures in literature, this theory demonstrates an understanding of the role literature plays in shaping and challenging the transforming global landscape.
Etymology and Meanings of Globalization Theory
- Paul Jay is perhaps the first theorist who has outlined globalization literary theory in his book, Global Matters: The Transnational Turn in Literary Studies, published in 2010. He coined the term global theory. He states it is a framework that delves into how global processes impact literary output and how this output responds to global processes, shifting the focus from traditional, national-centered perspectives to a more interconnected world.
Globalization Theory As a Literary Theory
- Definition: Globalization theory as a literary theory refers to an interdisciplinary approach that examines how literature reflects and engages with the processes of globalization. It explores the representation and influence of global interconnectedness, cultural exchange, and transnational themes within literary works.
- Focus on Interconnectedness: Globalization theory emphasizes the interconnected nature of contemporary literature, considering how authors and texts respond to global events, flows of people, ideas, and cultural exchange. It shows the critique to look at how globalization shapes literary narratives and characters.
- Transnational Themes: Globalization theory often focuses on themes that transcend national boundaries, such as migration, diaspora, cosmopolitanism, hybridity, and the erosion of cultural barriers. It looks at how these themes literary works portray.
- Impact on Form and Genre: This theory also explores how the influence of globalization extends beyond content to affect the form and genre of literary texts. It investigates how global perspectives shape narratives and how writers experiment with new forms to represent global complexities.
- Postcolonial Perspective: Globalization literary theory often intersects with postcolonial studies, examining how globalization perpetuates or challenges the legacies of colonialism and imperialism in literary representations.
- Cultural Identity and Hybridity: Globalization literary theory delves into how globalization influences cultural identities and highlights the concept of hybridity, where cultural traditions intersect and merge, shaping the voices and perspectives of literary works.
- Global Literary Canon: Globalization theory also addresses the formation of a global literary canon, considering which texts from different cultures and regions gain prominence and how they contribute to a shared global literary heritage.
- Critiques and Challenges: Like any theory, Globalization theory in literature faces critiques, including concerns about cultural homogenization, Western dominance, and the commodification of diverse narratives in the global literary market.
- Evolution and Future Directions: As a dynamic field, Globalization theory in literature continues to evolve, adapting to new global realities, technological advancements, and ongoing transformations in the literary landscape.
- Interdisciplinary Nature: Globalization theory often collaborates with other disciplines such as cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, and political science to gain a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between literature and globalization.
- Literature as a Mirror of Globalization: Globalization theory also views literature as a mirror of our interconnected world, reflecting the complexities, challenges, and possibilities that arise from the process of globalization.
Theorists, Works and Arguments about Globalization Literary Theory
| Theorist | Work | Argument |
| Arjun Appadurai | Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization (1996) | Arjun Appadurai is a prominent figure in the field of globalization theory or studies. In Modernity at Large, he discusses the cultural dimensions of globalization, including its impact on literature. He introduces the concept of “scapes,” which are global flows of people, technology, and media that influence cultural interactions and representations in literature. |
| Homi K. Bhabha | The Location of Culture (1994) | Homi K. Bhabha’s work on postcolonial theory and cultural hybridity has significant implications for globalization theory. In The Location of Culture, Bhabha explores the idea of “Third Space,” a space of cultural negotiation and emergence of new identities in the context of globalization, which is relevant to the study of literature and its portrayal of cultural encounters. |
| Saskia Sassen | Globalization and Its Discontents: Essays on the New Mobility of People and Money (1998) | Saskia Sassen’s research on globalization and its effects on society sheds light on how literature reflects the global movements of people, ideas, and capital. In her work, she discusses the impact of economic globalization on cultural production and representation in literary texts. This book also enhances understanding about globalization theory. |
| Emily Apter | Against World Literature: On the Politics of Untranslatability (2013) | Emily Apter’s work challenges the notion of “World Literature” in the context of globalization. She critiques the universalizing tendencies of world literature and instead focuses on the politics of untranslatability and the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural specificities in a globalized literary landscape. It also sharpens the understanding of the readers about this theory. |
| Franco Moretti | Graphs, Maps, Trees: Abstract Models for Literary History (2005) | Franco Moretti’s work contributes to globalization theory by introducing quantitative and abstract models to study global literary patterns and circulation. He uses graphs and maps to analyze the distribution and connections of literature across different cultures and regions, providing new insights into the effects of globalization on the literary world. |
| Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak | A Critique of Postcolonial Reason: Toward a History of the Vanishing Present (1999) | Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s ideas on postcolonialism and subaltern studies are essential in understanding the impact of globalization on literary representations of marginalized voices. Her work highlights the challenges faced by these voices in the context of globalization and how literature can play a role in amplifying their stories and struggles. These ideas are very good for understanding globalization theory. |
Significance of Globalization Theory in English Studies
It holds significant importance in English Studies as it facilitates a deeper understanding of how literature and language are shaped and influenced by the interconnectedness of cultures and societies worldwide. Through the lens of globalization, scholars can analyze how literary texts traverse geographic and cultural boundaries, exploring themes of migration, diaspora, and hybridity.
It offers insights into the evolving nature of English as a global language, examining its usage and impact in diverse contexts. Moreover, it enables a critical examination of postcolonial and transcultural literature, revealing the complexities of power dynamics, identity negotiation, and cultural exchange. Overall, the incorporation of globalization theory enriches English Studies by fostering a broader perspective on literary and linguistic phenomena in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.
Suggested Readings
- Appadurai, Arjun. Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization. University of Minnesota Press, 1996.
- Apter, Emily. Against World Literature: On the Politics of Untranslatability. Verso, 2013.
- Bhabha, Homi K. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.
- Moretti, Franco. Graphs, Maps, Trees: Abstract Models for Literary History. Verso, 2005.
- Sassen, Saskia. Globalization and Its Discontents: Essays on the New Mobility of People and Money. The New Press, 1998.
- Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. A Critique of Postcolonial Reason: Toward a History of the Vanishing Present. Harvard University Press, 1999.
- Lechner, Frank J., and John Boli. The Globalization Reader. Wiley-Blackwell, 2015.
- Ness, Immanuel, and Zak Cope. The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Globalization. Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
- Elliott, Anthony. Globalization. Routledge, 2016.
- Robertson, Roland. Globalization: Social Theory and Global Culture. SAGE Publications, 1992.