Globalization is the 'biggest idea' of the late twentieth century. It refers to a process of diffusion of commodities and ideas around the world by which the experience of modern life is becoming standardized day by day. There is a very close relationship between globalization and technology. In fact, globalization is largely based on a strong technological foundation.
To speak the truth, the process of globalization has become possible by the bounty of technologies. Without the help of technology, the term 'globalization' is motionless. Every single technological device is used as a tool of globalization. In a word, we can say that, modern technology is the driving forces of globalization.
The invention of the script can be considered as the first technology of communication that contributed to globalization. In the past, man could transmit and store information with the script. Transportation and communication in these ages were in parallel to each other. That means both communication and the transportation system were in a very poor condition.
Invention of the print machine by Gutenberg was the most important revolutionary technological development, which had accelerated the motion of globalization. Soon after this event, the emergence of the newspapers also marked an important era of globalization. The commercial and political news of those newspapers was indispensable issues for the decision makers.
Another milestone in the history of globalization is the invention of telegraph by Samuel Morse. Telegraph made it possible to communicate with the places where we don’t have to go and separated the practices of communication from those of transportation. This aspect of telegraph soon drew the attention of military ranks and telegraph became both a civilian and military communication technology.
Telephone of Graham Bell in 1861 contributed a lot to communication networks. It played a vital role in widening trade and commerce across the whole world.
Invention of radio as a wireless communication technology opened a new era of globalization. With radio it became possible to communicate with places where we cannot go and even with places where no one can travel. It soon became a military communication tool especially for the navy. Radio of 1920’s however, turned to be a commercial communication technology; and is used as a mass communication technology.
Transportation technology is an important fact in the globalization process. The invention of railways, airplanes, and jet planes contributed a lot to globalization. First propeller driven passenger plane began service in 1919 between London and Paris.
Later, the invention of television, cellular phone, computer and internet has made the world a global village. Now-a-days, the electronic transfer of information via the internet has created an instantaneous and interconnected world of information resulting in 24 hour trading network. This technology has largely changed banking and financial activities.
Worldwide money transfer and transaction of business have now become a matter of clicking the mouse of a computer. Five out of every six dollars that move in the world economy today travel through the electronic medium. Some products like software and TV programs are now also amenable to digital or electronic transmission. We can now buy and sell goods through the electronic screen. Computer and internet have thus brought about a revolutionary change in today's world. Globalization is now only what technology makes possible.
With technology, the world has changed drastically. The number of such people are increasing in the world who think that, "To improve the world as the greatest planet of the world, we need three things- technology, technology and technology".
