The Basis of the Phenomenon of Globalization - Case Study Example

The Verdict on Globalization ID] [Lecturer] To kick off the discussion, globalization is a term which encompasses a number of difficult series of economic, social, technological, cultural and political changes that have been happening from time to time on the global front. These changes have seen some serious strides that have been made with regards to increasing interdependence as well as mergers and interacting units between people from different locations and companies with diversified interests. With the passage of time, the phenomenon has grown at a steady rate whereby the setting under which it is held is one that focuses on the global patterns related with the sociological findings. (Theodore Levitt, 2006) Globalization, for that matter, is also remarked as Internationalization since the nature of the two terms is on a worldwide scale more than anything else. However, on the part of the two terms, the one thing common however is the fact that these have identified themselves well with the changing (and growing) trends, where most of these are credited on the shoulders of the World War II, after which there has been a resurgent rat race nonetheless. The movement of commodities, people, information, money, technological developments, organizational infrastructures, legal frameworks and so on and so forth have only proved to all and sundry that globalization is a phenomenon and it is one that is here to stay for long. (Globalization vs. Internationalization) Further, the world has become a global village due to globalization and it is a good omen if seen in the proper perspectives, which we intend to delve further in this paper. This indeed is the verdict on globalization as it entails within it the changing technological innovations, the improvement in structures and different infrastructures, the advancements in basic thinking mindset of man, his ability to break loose from the ordinary and reach out towards the unknown and in all essence do something which can bring about an ultimate change, for the better. Having said that, we need to understand that globalization is not just a phenomenon, it is the science of human evolution and since man has for long held fast to this belief, there can be no reason as to why he should not comprehend the basis of the phenomenon of globalization. It is a paradigm shift or a movement as we might call it, one that brings more stability within the ranks (where it is applied) and unison in the efforts and activities of all concerned. More often than not, we have seen improvements within the present day systems owing to globalization and it is because of this very perspective of change that we see world bodies doing their utmost to reach out to far flung areas and explore hidden markets for the betterment of one and all. Moving on, globalization in the coming times will leave an even more lasting impression in the different spheres of life than is present at the moment. In an economic zone, globalization plays a significant role at increasing trade on an international front which as compared to the global economy, is much faster and ahead of its time. Furthermore, we can predict an increase in the flow of capital that has been coming from the global regimes which might include for the foreign direct investment as being one part of it. Then there are the agreements which are signed on a global scale that eventually lead to world bodies like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and others. Global financial systems also come to light as their developmental work gets thumbs up. International transactions speed up as the world bodies like WTO, WIPO, IMF and the like play their role in a more coherent and active manner. Economic practices like global sourcing or outsourcing as we know of it, off-shoring and others increase courtesy the multinational concerns. Since this discussion is on understanding what the future holds for the globalization regimes, there is a need to comprehend the fact that when distances are minimized between regions and people as such, this could create a number of other problems which the mankind does not foresee at the beginning. In fact it calls the same contract of human beings as a blessing since things are done in a quick period of time and there are less communicative loopholes in reaching far-off destinations. What they forget is the fact that it leaves a hole in the real-life scenarios of people. (Kohler, 2003) The people are more prone to seeing the benefits of this globalization drive and forget the social and collective aspect that globalization has taken away from us. It is a fact that the world is forgetting its roots and this is one aspect that surely does not go down well with the purists – the people who know the value of life and the social interactions which have benefited the care and concern aspect for humanity. Thus proper attention is a buzzword under these regimes and the anti-globalization leaders are somewhat correct in their stance which is aimed at society mingling within its own self and relying less on the benefits that machines bring to the human beings. As far as the technologically advanced infrastructures are concerned, what globalization does is to improve these and supports the same in the development of the telecommunications aspects as well as a host of other areas, not only on a regional scale but throughout the world. There is immense possibility of trans-border data being transferred whereas technologies like Internet, submarine fiber optic wires and cables, wireless telephony devices and communication satellites are being made use of. Speaking from a pure business stance, the related business areas are affected both positively and negatively when environmental strategies are implemented. Implementing these environmental strategies under the auspices of globalization movements ensures that all possible avenues of business are touched upon by the relevant bodies and management entities. Business areas could cut down on their revenues and profits if the consumer activist movements impose legal bans and the like due to installations which have been undertaken by the corporations which run the different retail organizations. Also these movements can put the best companies out of business by their sheer weight and pressure which could come from any angle and at any time. There is the aspect of corporate social responsibility and organizations need to understand this verity. Business areas thus have a lot of stake within the adequate implementation of the strategies which are adopted in the name of globalization, environment and ecological matters. (Kay, 1995) Moving further ahead, the legal stance within globalization is one that focuses more on the increase in the number of different standards worldwide, which in all essence must be made use of. To add to the discussion, globalization helps improve cultural exchange across a wide cross section of regions scattered all over the world. It helps in playing its due part in the multiculturalism concept where the individuals within it have easy access to the cultural diversities of one another. There is a lot to learn and adapt in the wake of the same. At times, the imported culture literally takes over the reigns and the basis of the local culture of the time within a place or region for that matter and this is a testament big enough to prove of the origins of globalization and the same playing its full effect in the related scheme of things. Then there is the travel and tourism concept which comes under the globalization regime and not to forget the immigration subjects which are discussed every now and then. By having a global system in place which looks after the different countries sitting at a single location, the issue of illegal immigration within countries has also decreased as a result which is surely a positive sign. The local consumer products are introduced in far flung areas and this accounts to the progress thus made under the globalization regime. Across the various points that have been discussed, there is the induction of world wide fads and trends which seem to hit the global stage like anything. These play their due role at highlighting what is in at a present moment of time and what is considered as absolute hit within a particular region and adopted similarly in another region, continent or world zone in absolute essence. This essentially speaks volumes of the rapid progress that has been made in the relevant quarters. Lastly, we find out that from a cultural stance, the growth of sports like the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games is a step in the right direction as this gives the whole world a solid platform where they can raise their voice and message in a single, unified manner. The world comes to a standstill when a match within the football grounds is played, watched by millions the world over and followed by just about everybody. Morally speaking, globalization has created illegal avenues of getting one’s work done from outsourced units which are spread all over the world. This means that a technically equipped individual who is good at doing a particular task would be easy to get from a third world country where economy is not that strong and labor is cheap. This would be comparatively lesser than an individual who can carry out the same job for a much higher amount situated in America or United Kingdom for that matter. Thus there is always the option of choosing the person from the third world country to bring in more options as well as getting things done quickly and with lesser costs. (Vanin, 2005) However what is more important here is the fact that ethically there could be debates in this whole related discussion. The employer might not at times know that his workers are getting their work done from offshore locations whilst being paid for their work at their sites. Moral aspect needs to be considered in the debate of globalization as well as how the same issue would eventually shape up the very future of mankind. On the flip side of the coin, globalization has offered to the modern world a number of drawbacks as well. This means that globalization is not something that can be looked upon in entirety but has to be centered on the minuses that it offers as well. For starters, they bring new and fresh challenges to the local markets as they have to meet the expectations as laid down by the reforms and works of the global companies and industrial units. For others, this may mean that they have to let go of their traditional norms and cultural values so that they can adjust in accordance with the globalization’s developments. (Berberoglu, 2005) The effect of this regime thus brings in an atmosphere of finding out the foreign entities more than their own personal selves which is indeed a drawback to say the very least. There is decimation in the ranks of the local cultures as is apparent in the case of third world countries where influence of West is pretty clear for one and all to see. Similarly, within Africa this has been the norms for decades now. In all essence, the commercialization of culture is one significant thing that comes to mind under this discussion. This has an impact on people’s thinking, their values, their habits and behaviors. In fact the commercialization of culture makes one thing for sure; it keeps the local culture in cold storage and tries to show off the innate qualities, whether there or not in reality, to its adopters. Some anti-globalization bodies also suggest that globalization gives rise to capitalism and thus should be banned from the face of the earth. They believe that this form of movement is against the poor and it exploits upon their necessities and gets the best work done out of them for the cheapest possible money. The third world is thus at the receiving end of this game nonetheless, as they fathom. Surely, one of the major drawbacks that can be taken out from the globalization drive is that it makes use of the poor people and promotes child labor. (Lerch, 2005) This means that the third world nations are being made use of and it is because of the already developed nations that this heinous crime is being committed in the first place. What this also means is that the developed countries know about this fact and they somehow or the other try to cover on this aspect so that the exploitation could be maximum and there are no balanced compensations for the people who are giving in their best day in day out. Cheap labor thus accounts for the biggest reason that globalization is successful in these countries and it is without a shadow of a doubt that this can be regarded as the disadvantage of globalization. One should realize that globalization is indeed more than a phenomenon. It is a culture that has changed the face of the earth and it will linger on for years to come. Before any other movement comes and strikes on the global face, we have to find out for ourselves what are the plus points and the disadvantages of this phenomenon related with globalization since the tilt should more or less be on the benefits that it provides to the whole population of individuals without differentiating whether they hail from the developed nations segment or one that has been bracketed alongside the very poor. (Akande, 2002) This also goes on to suggest that globalization will remain as a strong force that can shape the world to change in entirety and resist on the other movements that happen from time to time. The emphasis and focus of world’s top governing bodies only makes sure that globalization remains as one of the strongest advocates for the free work regime all over the world and there need not be any boundaries for any party, individual or group for that matter. (Kantor, 2001) The verdict on globalization asks that there is a need to enact certain policies which look after the poverty regimes in a way that there is no poverty on the face of the earth but what is currently happening in reality is the exact opposite. The world is full of selfish people who want to become richer day by day and thus deprive the poor ones of even their most basic of rights. Globalization should aim to solve this quagmire but then again consistent efforts are indeed needed to put the written word into practice. (Aase, 2004) The future of globalization can only be counted as safe and steady if proper mechanisms are set in place to foresee the positive as well as negative changes that will affect humanity and how effectively the people on the face of the earth could counter the troubles that might arise, in the future ahead. The benefits and downsides of globalization need to be weighed in properly before we comment upon whether it is on the right track or otherwise. It has connected the world economies and has thus raised the living standards many times which is a sure positive sign for one and all to see but the looming saga of cheap labor is something that we have to comprehend on the other hand as well. Works Cited Aase, Sara. (2004). Is Globalization a Powerful Force for Good or a Means of Exploitation? New World Order UMN News Akande, Wole. (2002). The Drawbacks of Cultural Globalization. Global Policy Forum Berberoglu, Berch. (2005). Globalization and Change; The Transformation of Global Capitalism. Lexington Books Globalization vs. Internationalization. K’nechtology Inc. Kantor, Shira. (2001). Renowned Author Receives Degree, Criticism at U. Minnesota Daily Kay, John. (1995). Foundations of Corporate Success: How Business Strategies Add Value. Oxford University Press Kohler, Horst. (2003). The Challenges of Globalization and the Role of the IMF. International Monetary Fund Lerch, Marika. (2005). Challenges of Globalization: New Trends in International Politics and Society. Transaction Publishers Theodore Levitt. (2006). Business Library Vanin, Cristina. (2005). Real Costs of Globalization. Catholic New Times Word Count: 2,568 Read More