Introduction
Homelessness has been ...
Introduction
Homelessness has been the subject of several debates in the UK in the past and currently, however, in recent times sensationalist accounts in the news of this social vice has lead to public outcry. This report sets out to explore the impact of Globalization on homelessness among Black and ethnic minority (BME) groups in the UK. In the process key terms will be defined, some of those at particular risk of becoming homeless, where they have come from, and how they got here will be investigated, as well as UK Housing and Homeless policy and the reasons leading to their homeless. In addition, using the transformationalist perspective this essay argues that homelessness just like globalization is not a new phenomenon in the UK; however, its face and magnitude has without a doubt transformed.
Definition of Key Terms
Globalization
Globalization is a highly contested concept especially in the social sciences because of its effect upon our every day lives (Woodward, 2003). There is no collective agreement on its definition and components; however, politicians, researchers, academics, sociologists, and other specialists are using the word globalization more frequently. The absence of a worldwide accepted definition of globalization has stirred up controversies about its concept (Castells, 2001). Baylis & Smith (2005. p.8) define globalisation as ‘the process of increasing interconnectedness between societies such that events in one part of the world more and more have effects on peoples and societies far away’. Globalisation is a multi-dimensional process characterized by ‘stretched social relations; thereby making events and decisions in one part of the world affect others, intensification of flows, increasing interpenetration and institutional infrastructure’ (Daly, 1996; Baylis & Smith, 2005, Held & McGrew, 2007). It involves relations between countries, their economies and cultures across the world. And thus has social, economic and political consequences (Held et al. 2000; Daly, 1996).
Globalisation is not a recent phenomenon; it is possible to trace waves of globalisation back to the 1800s (Baylis & Smith, 2005; Held & McGrew, 2007; Woodward, 2003; Held et al. 2000). The current wave of globalisation, the pace and scale of which are probably unprecedented, started as early as the 1950s. Even more still, over the past two decades, the pace of this global integration has become much faster and dramatic because of unprecedented advancements in technology, communications, science, transport and industry. Jet airplanes, cheap telephone service, email, computers, all these have made the world more interdependent than ever (Held & McGrew, 2003).
Homelessness
Homelessness just like globalization has various definitions. Shelter a campaign group for homeless people in the UK define homelessness as ‘people who live in conditions so bad that a civilized ...
