EIRP Proceedings, Vol 6 (2011)

Abstract

Globalization as a process of integration of national economies has led to the creation of a single world economic system. The signs of globalization have appeared before the First World War, in fact, globalization is produced not only the economic aspect, but also the cultural one (it tends to interweave and even standardize the material and spiritual culture of mankind) and informational one caused by the Internet. The globalization is the most dynamic and broader geopolitical process in the contemporary world. Among its most visible effects it includes the gradual erosion of the pivotal concepts of geopolitics, such as border, territoriality or sphere of influence, increasing the role of international policy actors -  international organizations and transnational companies - to the detriment of states; these phenomena are accompanied also by the revision of ideas concerning sovereignty, nation-state and nation. Within just two decades, "the world order" has undergone considerable changes. The bipolar international system during the Cold War has become one pole with the collapse of the Soviet Union. But here, now, the world is again changing. New powers are rising, including Russia which is in a recovery of form, an emerging multipolar world is increasingly visible. All these mutations did not remain without effect on the geopolitical framework. The powers redefine their areas of influence, new geopolitical objectives gain priority on the states’ agenda. We therefore consider that it is necessary a deep analysis on how the new challenges arising from globalization tend to crystallize in the international security environment, in general, and of Romania in particular. Along with Romania, both NATO and the European Union becomes a regional dimension in the area of influence of Romania.