Globalization Changes in Canada Urban Development - Essay Example

Transformation in Canada’s Urban Development after World War II Due to Globalization of the of the Transformation inCanada’s Urban Development after World War II Due to Globalization Introduction Globalization has metamorphosed the economic, educational, political and social topography of Canada in a profound and irreversible manner. The following discussion proves this contention. Globalization has been in existence from centuries, and it depicts the ambitions and expansionist tendencies of the various generations and races that have dominated the world, during different epochs (Passaris, 2006, p. 5). “Never before in human history has …structural change been more pervasive, rapid, and global in context (Passaris, 2006, p. 4).” Canada has undergone significant change during the previous decade. This has been the outcome of the “federal devolution of policy responsibilities creating opportunities for some provinces to adopt American social policy ideas (McBride & Mcnutt, 2007, p. 177).” The inference to be made is that neoliberal policy approaches are implemented in several different modes. These are guided by the primary political objectives of the ruling power and the intricacies of welfare culture’s regional disparities (McBride & Mcnutt, 2007, p. 194). Globalization is based on the Ideology of Neo – Liberalism “Neo-liberalism is a set of economic policies that have dominated politics for the last 25 years. Essentially, neo-liberalism contains many elements. The foundation of neo-liberalism is a free-market economy, where there is as little government intervention as possible (Abu – Jazar, 2009).” In addition, it is one of the primary objectives of neo – liberalism to effect the privatization of public services. It is contended by its votaries that the private sector, being better equipped in this context, will provide these services in a much more optimal manner. Moreover, the proponents of neo – liberalism argue in favor of reduced expenditure on social services. The aim of this reduced spending being the minimization of intervention by the government (Abu – Jazar, 2009). The reduction of governmental intervention and promotion of individuality, ensures that a neo – liberal state is peopled by individuals who compete against all the other residents of that state. This promotes tremendous economic growth, as every individual is compelled to fend for himself, without relying upon the state to lend him anything more than the most basic support. A major criticism that is levelled against neo – liberalism is that it generates socio – economic disasters. An instance being the vast disparity between the poor and rich of the developed nations (Abu – Jazar, 2009). From the perspective of the competition state, the cardinal objectives are to promote economic growth and synchronize policy in a manner that complies with the requirements of the global market. Neoliberals are furnished a useful reference, in achieving these goals, by the global hegemonic ideology and the national policy experiments (McBride & Mcnutt, 2007, p. 194). As such, globalization denotes a networked and synergetic world. “At its core, the globalization of business refers to the free movement of capital, goods and services… across national borders (Cascio & Nambudiri, 2010, p. 11).” As such, its haphazard application could prove disastrous for the smaller or frail economies (Cascio & Nambudiri, 2010, p. 11). In addition, a definite correlation has been discerned between the increasing urban diversity of Canada and the initiatives for enhancing municipal autonomy by the larger of the Canadian cities. “Urban politics and urban culture are intimately connected… (Andrew, 2007, p. 115)”, is closely associated with urban politics. Furthermore, a relationship exists between urban distinctiveness, the potential effect of a developing urban citizenship, dynamics of globalization, and the clamor for according greater power to Canadian governments in the federal system. It has been frequently contended that diversity can be managed successfully, only by providing the cities with greater importance (Andrew, 2007, p. 115). Economic Globalization A major objective of economic globalization is to amalgamate economic activity, in its entirety, across the globe. This is to be achieved within a single standardized archetype of development or a single centralized super system. Thus, nations with vastly disparate cultures, economies and traditions, such as India, Bhutan, Bolivia, Canada, Kenya and Russia are expected to develop the very same preferences, values and lifestyles (Mander , 2001). These cultures are also expected to be ministered to by the same hotel and apparel chains; to outfit themselves in similar footwear and clothes; steer similar automobiles; view the same form of recreation; and reside in the same type of urban scenery. In addition, these cultures are expected to engage in the same kind of agrarian activity and schemes aimed at growth; and entertain the same cultural, personal and spiritual tenets (Mander , 2001). Consequently, Canada’s culture became similar to that of the other countries, with respect to its urban society, due to globalization. . However, a frequent global traveler is compelled to realize that any place is gradually becoming like any other place. Cultural diversity is slowly becoming a thing of the past. After some years, there will be no necessity to travel to any other place. This is due to the implementation of a homogenized model, which directly satisfies the efficiency requirements of the large corporations that function at the international level (Mander , 2001). Moreover, this model permits the large corporations to replicate their production and marketing endeavors across a continually expanding terrain, and to realize the benefits of operating in regions that are bereft of borders. One of the cardinal objectives of the great trade agreements and bureaucracies is to enact rules that ensure the free movement of global corporations across the world. It is also a major goal of the trade agreements and bureaucracies to ensure the quickening of economic integration and homogenization (Mander , 2001). Another important principle of the globalization design is the accord of primary significance to the attainment of faster and perpetual economic growth. This is in addition to the unending quest for access to new resources, novel and less expensive labor sources, and new markets. Moreover, it explains the exhilaration depicted when China participated in the experiment. In order to realize such extraordinary growth, importance is attached to the very core of the globalization model, namely free trade, deregulation of corporate activity, and the privatization of as many aspects of existence as possible (Mander , 2001). However, the Canadian economy is distinguished by a comparatively high degree of foreign ownership. This situation persists, despite the presence of domestic economic and trade policies that protect national autonomy and shield Canadian industry. Around 45% of the manufacturing assets of Canada are foreign owned, and the majority of these foreign entities are US firms (Barrow, Aupetit, & Mallea, 2003, p. 16). “Another important feature of Canada’s economy is the relatively high level of foreign ownership… (Barrow, Aupetit, & Mallea, 2003, p. 16).” In this manner, the Canadian economy had been dependent to a major extent upon foreign direct investment. A major portion of such investment was of US origin. As a result, several of the strategic business decisions influencing crucial sectors of the economy of Canada had been influenced by the globalization strategies of the multinational corporations of the US (Barrow, Aupetit, & Mallea, 2003, p. 16). Furthermore, Canada experienced a transition in its employment base from what had been a predominantly goods producing sector to a service sector. This change was spread out over several decades. The contemporary service sector comprises 68% of the GDP and 70% of the employment of Canada. The Canadian service sector has been ranked second among the G – 7 countries, after the US (Barrow, Aupetit, & Mallea, 2003, p. 16). The 1990 – 1991 recession caused consternation among the government officials of Canada and among the erstwhile Business Council on National Issues, with respect to the attrition discerned in the competitiveness of the nation. At that juncture, there were rising trade deficits in the majority of the Canadian non – resource industries. This was attributed to structural defects in the service sector’s competitive profile (Barrow, Aupetit, & Mallea, 2003, p. 16). The fact remains that the majority of the service industries of Canada had failed to achieve international standing. This was clearly illustrated by its exports, in the service sector, being the least among that of the other G – 7 nations. This situation remained in force, despite the increasing importance of the service sector to the economy of Canada. Moreover, the proportion of sophisticated goods to the total exports was a mere 3.3% (Barrow, Aupetit, & Mallea, 2003, p. 16). The above discussion establishes that Canada’s industrial growth has been compromised, in the aftermath of globalization and the advent of the global trade agreements. Cultural Changes resulting from Globalization and their effect upon Urban Development in Canada “Canada is a nation that might well be described as a consequence of globalizing forces of colonial expansionism (Pfrimmer, 2002).” The modern development of Canada was along the lines of a global village, and people from various ethnic cultures, such as the Aboriginal, Francophone and Anglophone came together. In the year 1867, an agreement was reached between the English speaking groups of Upper Canada and the Maritimes, and the French speaking communities of Quebec. This resulted in a Confederation of Provinces, which in turn led to the creation of the Dominion of Canada (Pfrimmer, 2002). The development of this nation has been to a major extent, due to the dominance of the Francophone and Anglophone cultures and their creative tension and conflict. Moreover, in the contemporary period, the cultural expressions of the aboriginal and immigrant communities have come to the fore and joined the existing cultural forces. The outcome has been a multicultural Canada (Pfrimmer, 2002). The genesis of Canada has been founded upon a global encounter with other cultures and nations. Multiculturalism “With the advent of the British explorers in the 18th century, the gold rushes of the 19th century, and the settlement of the West in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Canada became one of the worlds main immigrant-receiving societies, a position it retained through the 1920s and after the Second World War (Burnet & Dreidger, 2013).” These historical inflows served to transform Canada into one of the major immigration regions of the world. This status remained intact throughout the 1920s and subsequent to World War II. With the exception of the Francophone regions of Canada, the cultural and ethnic groups were assumed to have been subsumed by the English majority (Burnet & Dreidger, 2013). This prospect was supplanted by the melting pot paradigm, which referred to the creation of a novel cultural or ethnic group from the combined components of the population. Subsequently, this potpourri paradigm was displaced by that of the mosaic. The latter described the collaboration of the various cultural and ethnic groups, which would preserve their individual traits in society (Burnet & Dreidger, 2013). This mosaic was the forerunner of multiculturalism. Furthermore, the policies of multiculturalism were adopted by the provincial and federal governments after the 1960s. During the first decade, the federal government sanctioned a very small amount of money towards the implementation of these policies, in comparison to the policy of French – English bilingualism (Burnet & Dreidger, 2013). Since the year 1972, a government ministry had been specifically vested with the responsibility of multiculturalism, by the federal government. In the year 1973, the Canadian Multiculturalism Council and a Multiculturalism Directorate were established, as components of the Department of the Secretary of State (Burnet & Dreidger, 2013). However, the policies of the government relating to multiculturalism have been regarded with distrust and resentment by a sizeable number of people. Some of the French – Canadians had considered these policies to be harmful to their status as one of the two linguistic communities of Canada. In fact, there were several scholars who condemned these policies as devices for supporting Anglo – Saxon dominance. It was held by these scholars that these policies had diverted the endeavors of the non – French and non – English from economic and political concerns to cultural activities (Burnet & Dreidger, 2013). In addition, it was alleged that these policies had effectively excluded the other ethnic groups from influence and power. Many members of the ethnic groups had regarded the multiculturalism polices as being undesirable proxies for aid. These individuals had also regarded the policies and programs to be suborns for garnering the ethnic votes (Burnet & Dreidger, 2013). As such, Multiculturalism has established itself as the sense of identity of the Canadians from the 1970s. It has acquired a collective state of being termed social cohesion. There have been occasions, during which hostility and suspicion have developed towards multiculturalism, chiefly due to the uncertainties inherent in policy statements and in the term multiculturalism (Burnet & Dreidger, 2013). Such hostility and suspicion have also been the outcome of the presence of subtle and indispensable differences between cultural and structural integration, and failure to communicate clearly with the cultural and ethnic groups (Burnet & Dreidger, 2013). In general, features of the multicultural policy have not been comprehended. Changes to Immigration Law During the 19th century, migration had transpired in a veritable legal vacuum. This was in marked contrast to the contemporary position regarding migration. During this modern age, the emphasis has been upon confining international migration to a legal structure. With the formation of the United Nations and the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951, a procedure, whereby the persecuted could seek asylum without having to dread unjustified deportation came into existence. Moreover, the predominance of kinship in immigration law was affirmed with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and the Declaration on the Rights of the Child in 1959 (Goldin & Reinert, 2006, p. 156). In general, governments tend to enact immigration policies that further their national economic interests. With regard to the majority of the nations, such policies translate into the near absence of immigration. Some of the other nations have implemented policies that permit economically beneficial immigration. Thus, in the year 1965, Canada had formulated an immigration mechanism that provided immigrant visas to individuals who had specific levels of education, experience, language skills and investment capital (Goldin & Reinert, 2006, p. 156). However, during the latter half of the 1950s it was realized that official preferences in the selection of immigrants were unwelcome and gratuitous. These were with respect to culture, religion and race. Thereafter, during the 1970s, Canada enforced a multi – culture policy (OToole, 2009, p. 141). This policy enabled the contemporary immigrants to promote and preserve their language and culture. As such, Canada has become a multi – cultural nation after globalization. Education Exchange Economies across the world, have increasingly become integrated to a greater degree, on account of trade liberalization, technological breakthroughs and the increased mobility of labor. In general, globalization can be understood as the economic, social, technological, ideological and cultural changes that impact countries across the globe (Kirby, 2008, p. 4). The novel paradigm of knowledge based economy has emerged upon the international scene. This has been recognized as an intervention that possesses the ability to promote economic prosperity by enabling innovation. It also provides adequate number of educated workers to address the varying requirements of industry (Kirby, 2008, p. 4). “The arguments and strategies included in the Ontario and Newfoundland reports are comparable to post-secondary education and training policy approaches taken by many Canadian provinces as they respond and adapt to increasing global competitiveness. The term globalization is often used to refer to the dominating influence of free market forces… (Kirby, 2008, p. 4).” It is common knowledge that globalization has a fairly close relationship with increasing deregulation and the compliance of countries with commercial and corporate interests. However, globalization has transpired in conjunction with rising periods of state intervention, and training and labor market policies (Kirby, 2008, p. 4). A policy approach that is characterized by being economic and utilitarian magnifies the contribution of post – secondary education towards the development of the economy. At the same time this policy approach tends to emphasize to a lesser extent, the customary academic – humanist view point with regard to post – secondary education (Kirby, 2008, p. 4). This perspective exhibits a tendency to stress upon education for citizenship and the overall benefit of society. Thus, the educational policies have been influenced by the globalization standards. Conclusions Globalization has made the world a smaller place. This effect has been experienced to a substantial extent by Canada. The necessity to interact with firms from different cultural, economic and political backgrounds has brought about change in the urban development, and the cultural, economic and political domains of this nation. Global competitiveness has compelled Canada to change its post – secondary education policy. Globalization has created the knowledge based economy, which has the capacity to facilitate economic wellbeing via innovation. Moreover, Canada’s culture has been transformed into a multicultural system, on account of immigration and the forces of globalization. After globalization, several of the Canadian companies had been acquired by foreign nations, and most of these were based in the US. Moreover, Canada’s employment base changed to a provider of service from a manufacturer of goods. It can be surmised that Canada’s economic growth has been adversely affected, due to global trade agreements, ensuing from the globalization process. As such it can be surmised that globalization has transformed Canada into a multi – cultural society by affecting its cultural, economic, and educational systems. References Abu – Jazar, L. (2009, August). The Neo – Liberal Dogma & Canada. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from http://politics.lilithezine.com/The-Neo-Liberal-Dogma-and-Canada.html Andrew, C. (2007). City States and Cityscapes in Canada: The Politics and Culture of Canadian Urban Diversity. In N. Brown, & L. Cardinal, Managing Diversity (pp. 115 – 136). Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: University of Ottawa Press. Barrow, C. W., Aupetit, S. D., & Mallea, J. (2003). Globalisation, Trade Liberalisation, and Higher Education in North America: The Emergence of a New Market Under Nafta. 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