Globalization in Franklin Foer and

Globalization in Franklin Foer and Kwame Appiah Globalization is one of the most discussed subjects at the moment and in the last decades. This is largely due to the fact that its components affect everyday life and determine future evolutions. The discussions on the issue focus on various aspects of the notion of globalization and must be taken into account in order to have a comprehensive view on the matter. Franklin Foer and Kwame Appiah discuss the issue of globalization from different points-of-view.

Thus, in "How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization" Foer points it out from a personal stand, with clear reference to the world of soccer; Appiah, on the other hand discusses the matter in terms of philosophical and political oriented aspects in "The ethics of identity." Foer is a journalist as a profession and thus his approach is a more pragmatic one. He considers soccer to be a good example of the way in which globalization managed to take control of everyday life and world politics.

His account of soccer is from a personal point-of-view, as he recalls the first steps taken in the direction of soccer. In this sense, he contends that soccer, unlike any other sport, is a universal practice. Better said, "Baseball, where each batter must stand center stage four or five times a game, entailed too many stressful, potentially ego-deflating encounters. Basket- ball, before Larry Bird's prime, still had the taint of the ghetto." (Foer, ?) Soccer on the other hand encouraged team spirits, professionalism, and trust in each other.

From this point-of-view, soccer can be perceived as a way through which globalization can be interpreted. Soccer implies the efforts of a team. Similar to soccer however, the globalization process determines unity and most importantly a sense of joint action. Indeed, the stock exchange in Tokio for instance is very dependable on the one in London or New York. Should either one fall or suffer a set back the others would feel it. Therefore, as soccer, globalization is a game to be played in teams. Soccer implies universality.

It determines a team spirit and a sense of belonging. However, Foer argues that this is not a clear cut issue. In this sense, he considers that soccer is an outcast sport in many parts of the world. Thus "Other countries have greeted soccer with relative indifference. The Indian subcontinent and Australia come to mind. But the United States is perhaps the only place where a loud portion of the population actively disdains the game, even campaigns against it" (Foer, p411).

However, this is the same with globalization where people tend to refrain from supporting globalization precisely because of its universality. THere are numerous campaigns of protest especially at the meeting revenues of the G20 or even at the UN during the General Assembly. This can be translated as a reaction to the issue of globalization. Finally, soccer represents a series of common values. The ad campaigns promoted by major sports endorsements have transformed the game from a lawn practice to a global affair.

Indeed, companies such a Nike and Adidas, the symbols of American street culture are no longer prevented from offering sponsorship deals to the Chinese teams, especially given the fact that such companies are strong supporters of the Chinese and Indian economies, with factories and subsidiaries all over the world. On the other hand, Appiah discusses the idea of globalization from a philosophical point-of-view.

Thus he argues that there is a strong relationship between individuality as seen in the works of ancient philosophers and in those of Mill and the social structure that we are today (Appiah, 2007). More precisely, he does not consider a clash between individuality and our social demands. He is indeed an advocate of a cosmopolite world, but from a different perspective from that of Foer. Thus, while Foer argues globalization as an inevitable fact, Appiah views it as a natural consequence and as a prescribed event.

It is rather difficult to argue on one perspectives or another. However, in terms of globalization, this can be viewed as having been inevitable. The two points-of-view, that of Foer and of Appiah can be viewed as being complementary. Indeed, the constant exchange of information, of communication led to this extraordinary expansion of a cosmopolite world. At the same time though, in order to perceive these changes at the individual level, the entire notion of individuality changed. At the moment, the issue of.