THE ROLE OF THE GLOBALIZED WORLD AND ITS CHALLENGES IN SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUALITY, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Globalization represents a worldwide trend characterized by increased interconnectedness and interdependence among societies, economies, cultures, and individuals. While offering avenues for economic advancement, innovation, and cultural interchange, globalization also presents significant challenges such as economic disparity, cultural uniformity, and environmental deterioration. Dependency theory, World-systems theory, and Cultural hybridisation theory are the theoretical frameworks. This study explores how globalization influences social justice, equality, and sustainability in our interconnected world. It stresses the significance of considering historical and structural factors in understanding cross-border inequality and poverty and underscores the intricate nature of global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and terrorism, necessitating coordinated, multilateral responses. Furthermore, globalization affects politics and governance at both national and international levels, demanding comprehensive strategies addressing economic, social, political, and institutional hurdles. The paper suggests effective governance and regulation as essential tools in tackling the issues of globalization, by fostering inclusive development, enhancing governance, mitigating debt burdens, and encouraging regional collaboration, through which globalization can fuel positive transformations and prosperity worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Conclusively, Globalization, driven by technological advancements, communication, transportation, and global trade is a significant social phenomenon that reshapes social and economic structures, creating a more interconnected global society that impacts every aspect of human life. However, the benefits have not been evenly distributed, leading to significant disparities in wealth, power, and opportunity between nations and within societies. Efforts must be undertaken to assist individuals and societies in adapting to change for social justice, equality, and sustainable development.