ALTERNATING GLOBALISATION WITH IDENTITY FORMATION: THE PLACE OF HISTORICAL PLAYWRITING

Globalisation is one of the most discussed phenomena of our time. It depicts, amongst others, the transformation of the relations between states, institutions, groups and individuals; the universalisation of certain practices, identities and structures. Though globalisation can be argued to be "first and foremost apprehended in economic and financial terms it may nevertheless be seen as the broadening, and deepening linkages of national economies into a worldwide market for goods and services"(Martin,1997:13). Globalisation, as one may rightly opine for any other issue or activity, has its setbacks; however, it is not just a 'destructive leviathan', it is also a pronounced powerful force for the improved material well being of mankind.
Society is dynamic, and so is the dynamism of globalisation. It is advancing with a speed scarcely imaginable before now, in its desperate attempt at the unification of the sloughs, ponds, lakes and seas of villages and provinces, regional and national economies into a single global economic ocean, which exposes small areas to giant waves of competition instead of the hitherto little ripples and calm tides (Martin, 1997:21). With this level of high competition and advancement in information technology, quite a chunk of mankind remains below the competitive level and are threatening to drown as there remains a clear difference between global integration and economic cum technological equality.
Long before globalisation was "discovered" by Raymond Vernom, globalisation had been active with us in different and varying ways; or at least, its foundation was firmly laid long ago before its current phenomenal attention, rellevance and impact. In a sense, one may attempt to date the process of globalisation to the 19th a|id early 20th century, borne historians as asserted . by Mike Kwanashie (1998:340), have insisted that there was something very special about the imperialism conventionally dated from 1870-1914; that it was not simply a linear continuation of previous national expansions. This period witnessed the rapid expansion of Europe into other parts • of the world. The world was either conquered ol- simply divided up. Africa was simply divided up partly by open agreement among the powers in Berlin in 1884-1885.The process of colonialism created a more integrated world economy controlled by the metropolitan countries - the first globalisation process (Central Bank of Nigeria, 1998:340). This implies that the roots of globalisation can be traced to a historical proceis referring to the construction of a world system, having a long history that can be linked to coldnialism and capitalism