Globalization and Regionalization: Four Paradigmatic Views

TLDR: In this paper, the relationship between globalization and regionalization has been analyzed from four broad paradigms: functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist, and radical structuralist.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Any adequate analysis of the relationship between globalization and regionalization necessarily requires a fundamental understanding of the worldviews underlying the views expressed with respect to the nature of the relationship between globalization and regionalization. Four general views with respect to the relationship between globalization and regionalization, corresponding to four broad worldviews, are discussed. These four views with respect to the relationship between globalization and regionalization are equally scientific and informative; each looks at the relationship between globalization and regionalization from a certain paradigmatic viewpoint. Social theory can usefully be conceived in terms of four key paradigms: functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist, and radical structuralist. The four paradigms are founded upon different assumptions about the nature of social science and the nature of society. Each generates theories, concepts, and analytical tools which are different from those of other paradigms. Each theory can be related to one of the four broad worldviews. These adhere to different sets of fundamental assumptions about; the nature of science (i.e., the subjective-objective dimension), and the nature of society (i.e., the dimension of regulation-radical change), as in Exhibit 1. (See Burrell and Morgan (1979) for the original work. (Ardalan, 2001, 2003; and Bettner, Robinson, and McGoun, 1994; have used this approach). The aim of this paper is not so much to create a new piece of puzzle as it is to fit the existing pieces of puzzle together in order to make sense of it. Sections II to V, first, each lays down the foundation by discussing one of the four paradigms. Then, each section presents the relationship between globalization and regionalization from the point of view of the respective paradigm. These different perspectives should be regarded as polar ideal types. The work of certain authors helps to define the logically coherent form of a certain polar ideal type. But, the work of many authors who share more than one perspective is located between the poles of the spectrum defined by the polar ideal types. The purpose of this paper is not to put people into boxes. It is rather to recommend that a satisfactory perspective may draw upon several of the ideal types. Section VI concludes the paper. FUNCTIONALIST PARADIGM The functionalist paradigm assumes that society has a concrete existence and follows certain order. These assumptions lead to the existence of an objective and value-free social science which can produce true explanatory and predictive knowledge of the reality "out there." It assumes scientific theories can be assessed objectively by reference to empirical evidence. Scientists do not see any roles for themselves, within the phenomenon which they analyze, through the rigor and technique of the scientific method. It attributes independence to the observer from the observed. That is, an ability to observe "what is" without affecting it. It assumes there are universal standards of science, which determine what constitutes an adequate explanation of what is observed. It assumes there are external rules and regulations governing the external world. The goal of scientists is to find the orders that prevail within that phenomenon. The functionalist paradigm seeks to provide rational explanations of social affairs and generate regulative sociology. It assumes a continuing order, pattern, and coherence and tries to explain what is. It emphasizes the importance of understanding order, equilibrium and stability in society and the way in which these can be maintained. It is concerned with the regulation and control of social affairs. It believes in social engineering as a basis for social reform. The rationality which underlies functionalist science is used to explain the rationality of society. Science provides the basis for structuring and ordering the social world, similar to the structure and order in the natural world. …