Globalization rankings: Between objective assessment and political narrative. Analysis of methodological limitations

Abstract

The paper discusses the concept of globalization, its types, and methods for assessing the level of globalization, and identifies the features of the methodology for calculating four main globalization indices. The purpose of the study is to determine the role of globalization indices in characterizing the development of individual countries. The objectives of the study are to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the existing methods for calculating globalization indices, and identify the differences between the two concepts: the purpose of calculating an index and the results of globalization. The target of the research is the globalization process; the subject is the methodology for assessing indices of the level of globalization. Research materials and methods: The author used publicly available information materials, including previously published scientific articles, websites of developers of globalization indices, and materials from international organizations. The research was carried out using the methods of logical analysis, comparison, and analysis of scientific literature. Results: The study involved a critical analysis of the methodology for calculating the four most widely used indices of the level of globalization, and identified their advantages and disadvantages. A pattern has been revealed that the most dynamically developing countries are not the leaders of the globalization rankings. Conclusions: It is proposed to identify various indices of the level of globalization based on their specific focus; to avoid using a calculation methodology that combines indicators characterizing various results of globalization that are not relevant to the specific focus of the corresponding index; and not to use globalization indices as a tool for characterizing the level of economic development.