We are all familiar with the word “globalization”. What do we specifically mean by it? The word as any other word can have different meanings within a context one would like to interpret a word.

In the dictionary, there is the word “global” (relating to, or involving the entire world), “globalism “ (a national policy of treating the whole world as a proper sphere for political influence) and “globalize” (to make worldwide in scope or application). To make worldwide – what, which are to be made worldwide? So I assume that one aspect is development. And the word “globalization” means in this paper the process of making “developmental matters” worldwide in scope or application.

What developmental matters? As a development worker, then I would like to understand globalization within the context of development and what are its implications to developmental efforts.

The advanced countries of the west through the process of industrialization were able to achieve a sustained economic growth, which resulted in the material welfare of its people. To have industrialization requires investment of capital, high level of science and technology for production processes and effective and efficient organisation. The dynamics of these industrialization factors is outside the scope of this discussion. Without going into the dynamics, it can be said that concurrent to the achievement of material wealth are the negative outcomes of development, i.e., exploitation of natural resources, environmental pollution, social disharmonies, etc.

The third world development of the 50´s and the 60´s was to replicate the models of economic growth of the advanced countries of the west. As experiences have shown, third world developmental efforts failed. It was recognized then that there are basic socio-cultural differences between the west and the third world. In short, there was a dichotomisation of characteristics between traditional societies and modern societies, wherein it was believed that modern technology in order to be an instrument of economic growth must be accompanied by a set of management practices, interpersonal relationships, attitudes and value system. Hence, new developmental paradigms, which include socio-cultural considerations, were adapted. However, in all these efforts, developmental goals of the third world remain subsumed to the prosperity of the advanced countries of the west. In other words, different models of development strategies were adapted but the goal remained – sustained economic growth to achieve material wellbeing for the people.

We are still confronted with the inequalities between the rich countries of the west and the poor countries of the east in spite of all the efforts for development. On the other hand, we also experienced countries like Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong (so-called NIC´s – New Industrialized Countries) achieving the goals of development. What makes these countries different from the rest of Asia? This requires another topic for discussion as it requires an in-depth analysis of Asian social values. But I will just point out some relevant points after the topic on present trend of development.

As stated earlier, I defined globalization as making developmental matters worldwide in scope or application. What are the implications of this statement?

In the past, we talked of colonialism, neo-colonialism, imperialism, etc, all of which connotes a negative concept and later, the words federalism, unionism, internationalism, etc. Now, the latest is globalism.

This new ism does not equate development with modernisation or a set of values that are consistent with the values of the industrial societies (as was the trend in the past) but related to the value system and socio-cultural conditions of the specific country. Globalization presupposes a new paradigm, which is more holistic in approach, ecological in perspective and capacity increase strategy within the country´s norms and values.

In effect, the main challenge for development now is to prepare the society (in fact, any given society) for a rapidly changing environment. Development whether economic or social, implies change, reorganization, modification or innovations of existing systems and institutional structures. While in the past development relied solely on rationalism and technology, the present calls for the inclusion of the human aspects and the historical, socio-cultural realities of each individual country. In other words, eniogenous development is the new model of development in the globalization period.

But we have to remember that the new paradigm still operates in a market economy. The downfall of the east bloc strengthens the belief in the operations of the market economy as the most viable for economic growth and thereby, development. And when we talk about market economy, then it follows that the market economy has to be adjusted too in the process of globalization. This is a very wide area to discuss, which is outside the scope of this paper. But it is important to point out that there will be new patterns of economic behaviour, continued change in technology, changing trends in management and marketing relationships.

Within this context of globalization in development, the main challenge, therefore, is to prepare the society for a rapidly changing environment. So what are the types of interventions necessary to effect desired changes for development? This is the main challenge for the government and any developmental agency or organization. And as a development worker, I would begin to analyze the project or program I am involved within this framework.

From the developmental efforts of the past, emerged the NIC´s (New Industrialized Countries), Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore while the rest of Asia remains as Third World Countries. What made the difference?

Japan, the Asian model, has infused imported modern technology from the west within their own social and cultural system to achieve high productivity and economic growth. Japan´s social and cultural values are definitely not Euro-American. Nevertheless, it was able to achieve the goals of development. Similarly, the other NIC´s within their own country specifics attained the developmental goals.

Indigenous development means that the way of life should be based on respect for its traditional values, for the authenticity of its culture and for creative aptitude of its people. This means that in adopting goals and strategies, it must be consistent with the internal, specific characteristics and integrative qualities of the particular society. In other words, the problem of the relationship of social values and development in the specific context of the third world countries, and how relevant are these basic values and behavioural patterns to the contemporary goals of national development or globalization?

The characteristics of the developing countries in Asia can be categorized into the following:

• Economically backward

• Political or economic domination of some foreign power

• Rich cultural heritage

• Pattern of religious, social and economic institutions

• Set of socio-cultural values and norms of behaviour with religio-ethical sanctions

The Asian Identity can be summarized in the following value-clusters:

• Familism

• In-group loyalty

• Personal relationship

• Hierarchical ordering of power structure

• Interpersonal functioning

• Affective reciprocity

• Collectivist orientation

Given this general Asian context and Asian identity is a big challenge for development organization and a development workers to identify the means of utilizing these values for developmental purposes.