The two globalizations: notes on a confused dialogue

Globalization is highly controversial, but a major weakness in the global d ebate concerning its effects is that the word "globalization" itself is use d in different ways. For some it is primarily an economic profess (Globaliz ation One), and of fairly recent origin. For others, it is a huge evolution ary unfolding (Globalization Two) which has been underway for centuries if not millennia and which involves not only economic but also political, cult ural and biological transformations-and not only the processes, but also co nsciousness of globalization. Most of the current policy debates have to do with Globalization One. Both may be to some degree governable, but neither is reversible, (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.