Differences in Globalization.Differences Between Globalization From Above And From Below - Essay Example

? DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GLOBALIZATION “FROM ABOVE” AND “FROM BELOW” Key Differences between Globalization “From Above” and “FromBelow” There have been numerous definitions of term globalization in the modern context. Indeed, the meaning of this term varies across different sectors and scholars continue to address and apply globalization in different avenues. In the business front, globalization may refer to the aspect of investing resources and conducting businesses beyond domestic and national markets to international markets across the world with a view of enhancing closer relations in different markets (Investopedia 2013, p. 1). Indeed, globalization involves the creation of an open and common global market and investment opportunities. Generally, globalization may define distinct political, economic, and social processes of a given society where it involves the decentralization of modern technologies, ideologies, and practices (Najera 2007, p. 1). This allows for the sharing of information and exercising free will in defined aspects as more people across the globe establish close and relevant relationships. More so, this fosters international trade, international policies, and cultural exchange (Investopedia 2013, p. 1). Ideally, there are significant benefits that relate to globalization in the modern world and hence the support on globalization by various scholars. Nevertheless, there are differences regarding the future and expansion of globalization with some scholars viewing globalization as an inexorable process. This leads to the assumption of different views concerning globalization. This includes globalization from “below” and globalization from “above.” The proponents of globalization may relate it to industrial growth in developing nations where such nations benefit from increased employment opportunities and technological transfer from the industrialized nations. Indeed, globalization allows the developing nations to derive economic benefits from the industrialized nations thus fostering economic growth in the developing nations. Nevertheless, we still have critics of globalization who claim that the benefits of globalization are prone to numerous risks. Indeed, the critics of globalization have homogenizing impacts on culture and exploit the domestic people and environment (Najera 2007, p. 1). Moreover, they assert that globalization demeans national sovereignty and underrates the domestic labor force (Investopedia 2013, p. 1). There are different instruments of globalization, which include the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, which recorded immense success in the recent past (Brecher, Costello & Smith 2000, p. 1). As such, it is evident that globalization has taken root and its application in the modern world bears potential benefits. There are different types of globalization, which include economic globalization, cultural globalization, economic globalization, globalization of sport, globalization of higher education, and globalization of medicine, health, religion, and science (Ritzer 2010, p. 60). More so, there are distinct factors that drive contemporary globalization which include technology, capitalism, and multinational corporations (Ritzer 2010, p. 60). Nevertheless, there are differences regarding the future and expansion of globalization with some scholars viewing globalization as an inexorable process (Ritzer 2010, p. 60). This leads to the assumption of different views concerning globalization. This includes viewing globalization from “below” and viewing globalization from “above.” Notably, there are significant differences between globalization “from above” and globalization “from below.” Ideally, we can refer to the view of globalization “from below” as democratic globalization and refer to the view of globalization from above as corporate globalization. More specifically, globalization “from below” refers to a situation where individuals (activists) or small groups (civil society) oppose globalization, reduce the inevitability of the process, and derail it completely (Ritzer 2010, p. 60). On the other hand, globalization “from above” may refer to the situation where large-scale forces especially those associated with the north create and implement a globalization process (Ritzer 2010, p. 60). Globalization “from below” analyzes the society from the viewpoint of demonstrators, activists, and organizers (Porta et al 2006, p. 1). On the other hand, the situation is different on "globalization from above" as it is the analysis of the society by the government or any state authority. Indeed, activists who travelled to Genoa to protest against the participants of the G8 conference formed the view of globalization “from below (Porta et al 2006, p. 1).” The activists sought to address the new models of activism and the relationships between the challengers and elites with relation to globalization and modern social work. In the case of globalization “from below,” the activists engage in protests in large debates which mostly leads to collisions between the demonstrators and the government as well as exposing the investigating the forces (Porta et al 2006, p. 1). More so, the view of globalization from below has been dominant and linking up in resounding range of ways that may be less visible. Notably, the movement of “globalization from below” or anti-globalization seeks to achieve global justice and responds to the continued influence of globalization and neoliberalism in the modern world. Indeed, globalization “from below” seeks global justice while globalization “from above” seeks to economic benefits at the expense of justice and human rights. Indeed, globalization “from above” which is mostly common among state agencies and large companies, entities aim at moving their operations across the world with a view of exploiting individual laborers and deriving labor force competition across different nations in search of cheap labor and less stringent environmental standards (Brecher & Smith 2000, p. 1). Under such circumstances, corporations under globalization “from above” neglect human rights and subvert justice to their own benefit. On the other hand, globalization “from below” provides a reprieve to the global humanity as the activists advocate for the respect to human rights, equal treatment and participation as well as fair distribution of resources. Indeed, globalization “from below” which equally relates to democratic globalization abhors democracy and seeks to improve the terms of employment, respect social and human rights, enhance environmental conservation and sustainability (Brecher & Smith 2000, p. 1). More so, globalization “from below” aims at democratizing institutions at all levels across the globe, derive economic prosperity by addressing human and environmental needs, and enhancing equitable distribution of resources and power. These aspects contradict the overall purpose of globalization “from above” which disregards human dignity. Indeed, it is quite clear that globalization “from above” and globalization “from below” contradict on their views on human rights, environmental conservation, and respect for human labor force across the globe. Notably, democratic globalization or globalization “from below” defines a social outfit that advocates for global democracy and encompasses the views of all citizens in global organizations where matters of global importance are at stake. On the contrary, globalization “from above” dictate conditions to global citizens and seek to achieve the interests of governments, corporations, and world organizations to the disadvantage of global democracy. Indeed, unlike globalization “from above” which aims at achieving personal economic interests, globalization “from below” aims at reducing or ending global poverty, minimizing adverse environmental conditions, and upholding global human rights. In fact, the pioneers of globalization “from below” are democratic world citizens while the supporters of globalization “from above” are seemingly opportunists who aim at exploiting the available resources at all costs. The two views equally vary in their purposes on globalization. Ideally, globalization “from below” which defines democratic globalization has a fundamental purpose of unifying global citizens and expanding globalization to all nations through activism. More so, it has a noble purpose of ensuring that globalization is present in all sectors and professions for administration and economic uses. Indeed, the economic purpose of the movement for globalization “from below” is very significant as it defines the well-being of global citizens while the administration purpose allows all citizens to access democracy and participate in relevant global activities. On the contrary, globalization “from above” which defines corporate globalization has an economic purpose of increasing economic interdependence of national economies across the world through a rapid increase in cross-border movement of goods, service, technology, and capital. In this context, we can establish that the two views have different purposes on globalization. Notably, democratic globalization seeks to organize communities and use their interrelations to unite them with a view of enhancing their well-being in a democratic environment. The supporters of "globalization from above" are however are not ready to address the problems that emanate from their stand (Brecher & Smith 2000, p. 1). Indeed, they demonstrate neglect towards the human challenges in the society. Nevertheless, it is clear that we can use "globalization from below" to neutralize the adverse effects of globalization “from above." This depicts the significance of "globalization from below” in the society. While the globalization “from above" manifests how elites function within and across national boundaries, globalization “from below” addresses the human challenges that communities suffer from globalization (Dana 2007, p. 7). As such, while "globalization from above” addresses the elite, globalization “from below” addresses the challengers. At the same time, it is equally clear that ‘globalization from below’ is more dominant and it emanates from globalization “from above (Dana 2007, p. 7).” Furthermore, globalization “from above” which defines corporate globalization uses globalization to foster their corporate and financial interests. This is discriminatory since such large corporates enjoy exclusive privileges that do not apply to individuals and small businesses. Indeed, under corporate globalization, organizations have the liberty to move their operations across borders and exploit available and desired natural and human resources under all circumstances. Because of their effects in the society, we can establish that globalization “from above” has a negative impact while ‘globalization from below’ has a positive impact in the well-being of the global population. Indeed, corporate globalization has not been sincere in addressing the interests of the poor in the globe. Actually, an assessment by the instruments of globalization (Brecher, Costello, & Smith 2000, p. 1), which includes International Monetary Fund and World Bank that indicate that corporate globalization, has only jeopardized the global poverty situation (Renaissance Universal 2013, p. 1). The corporate globalization adopts only one form, the ideas about ‘globalization from below,’ adopts different forms. Indeed, there are various viewpoints that define the meaning, function, and purpose of democratic globalization thus adopting various conceptual frameworks. Nevertheless, the ‘globalization from below’ is fundamental in addressing human rights, global powers, and the well-being of the society unlike globalization “from above,” which specializes on personal economic interests across the globe. In conclusion, I find that there are different definitions and categories of globalization in the modern world. Moreover, globalization applies in all fields, sectors, and professions. There are different views concerning globalization, which include viewing globalization from “below” and viewing globalization from “above.” The two views have key differences where globalization from “below” addresses globalization from the activist’s point of view and abhors democracy and human rights. On the other hand, globalization “from above” may refer to the situation where large-scale forces especially those associated with the north create and implement a globalization process with total disregard of democracy, human rights, and environmental conservation. Most assuredly, globalization from “below” is more beneficial than globalization “from above” as it addresses global human and environmental issues. 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