Fundamentally new form of society

Globalization is often heralded as bringing about a fundamentally new form of society. But is globalization really new? If so, in what ways? If not, what are the basic continuities with previous forms of interconnected societies? How might the media of the day either contribute to or resist globalization? (NOTE: This is NOT an either/or question. Feel free to say it is both new AND old. However, make sure to distinguish which features are which.)