Issues in Contemporary Sociology - Essay Example

ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGY. Introduction Most socialists tend to agree on a common definition of globalisation by stating that it entails all those processes by which the world’s populace is incorporated into a single world society (Stiglitz). This approach refers to an idea of universality and integration and is easily understood to be something attractive. In simple terms therefore, globalisation can be taken to mean a process that seems to bring uniformity and universality to the whole world. On the other hand, when globalization is viewed in the sense of connectivity in economic and cultural life across the world, it is seen to have brought about very attractive goodies. The speed of communication and exchange, the complexity and size of the networks involved, and the sheer volume of trade, interaction and risk involved, include just a few of the goodies of globalization (Stiglitz). For centuries, globalisation has been able to find its way into the daily lives of a big majority of the population of the world consequently affecting them in numerous ways. It has taken the form of trade liberalisation, regional unification and Multi-national Corporations. The most affected by globalisation in the society has been the agriculture sector simply because policies governing it have forced the rural population into poverty, unemployment, migration to urban areas, and working without any social security. To date, there has been no appropriate measures taken to curb this effect and as such, seasonal labour mobility particularly of women and children has been plummeting. The twentieth century has witnessed an accelerated process of globalisation as one of its main features in the area of world politics and has been touted as one of the most dramatic developments of the period with more than just economical and industrial significance. According to (Stiglitz), globalisation of free enterprise has been identified as the key element in the changing world order. Based on this, the concept of the nation state is thus becoming less clear, while at the same time new players such as multinational companies are joining the global arena. These multinational companies are thus direct creations of globalisation, a fact which is keeping humanity in doubt whether their sudden mushrooming augurs well with the new global order or whether they are going to turn into mutant monsters to cause major economic disasters (Stiglitz). From the foregoing, it is evident that there has been a process of globalisation in which societies operate within an integrated world-wide system. Several cross-border business enterprises that own and control income generating assets in more than one country are common place in modern times. They may be firms involved in manufacturing and supplying its products in numerous countries. Appropriate examples of these include McDonalds, Coca cola, Shell, General Motors, IBM and many more others. The principal goal of these entities is largely profits and growth, the reason why (Stiglitz) calls them the creatures of market imperfection. Secondly, these multinational companies aim to create one customer culture, so that clients around the globe buy identical variety of products, for instance, Phillips television sets to watch popular programmes while smoking Marlboro and drinking Coke (Stiglitz). Advantages and disadvantages of the process of globalisation in McDonalds and Coca cola companies The main purpose of this presentation is to evaluate whether there has been a process of globalisation specifically in McDonald’s and Coca cola companies. Secondly, the paper also aims to investigate the benefits and disadvantages of the process of globalisation in these two companies. This portion will be in power point presentation. From the introductory brief of this essay, it has been established that there has been the process of globalisation in the two companies. One clear issue is that both companies have branches in virtually every corner of the globe, each selling identical products in each branch. These two being examples of multinational companies are known wield such power to the point of possessing distinctive economical superiority over some nation states, and are therefore capable of being major sources of foreign investment, which is believed to bring higher growth rates for the developing countries they operate in. Consequently these developing countries become heavily dependent upon these companies economically and are usually encouraged to attract them. Advantages Globalisation is associated with increased economic interconnection as well as with deep-seated political changes, thus bringing a shift in power away from the nation state and toward the multinational corporations. This has enormously contributed to the current freedom of the global market. Additionally, there has been an increase of branding which in essence refers to the development and marketing of products that possess brand names. Conversely, brands like Coca cola, Nike, Sony, and a host of others have become part of the fabric of vast numbers of peoples lives as a result of globalisation. According to Stiglitz, globalisation is seen as the strengthening of worldwide social relations which connect far-flung localities in such a way that local accomplishments are shaped by the dealings taking place several miles away and vice versa. Similarly, it also offers an opportunity for technological change to occur. Knowledge synthesis and information dispensation are both a function of globalisation and forms yet another benefit. These two according to (Stiglitz) are, the basis of productivity and competitiveness which force firms and territories to get organised in networks of production, management and distribution so as to survive in real time competition. Globalisation has also been a most important factor determining the standard of living of the world’s populace even more than any other factor including land, tools and labour. This has been mainly attributed to the fact that technological advancement has improved the quality of goods and services. Globalisation has influenced the development of multinationals whose presence can impact positively on local communities by contracting operations in countries and regions where they are able to exploit cheaper labour and resources (Stiglitz). This means additional wealth flowing into these communities even though it may entail significant inequalities. Finally, through globalisation, multinational companies acquire significant influence with regard to policy formation in many national governments and in transnational bodies such as the European Union and the World Bank. These institutions have helped to profit the local communities at large (Stiglitz). Disadvantages Globalisation has brought about a momentous de-localisation in social and economic exchanges where activities are no longer transacted using the face to face dealings. This is a disadvantage in that it has removed the warmth individuals can offer one another, which has been culturally an important aspect. Buying books from an internet supplier offers a sufficient example for this. Globalisation on the other hand has resulted in the decline in power of some national governments as far as directing and influencing their economies is concerned. (Stiglitz) sustains that any shifts in economic activity in either Japan or the United States for instance, are felt in countries all over the globe. In addition, the emergence of major financial institutions may impose new constraints and imperatives (Stiglitz). The use of new technologies especially when coupled with the desire for maximising profits may definitely present particular risks. Innovations like the internet for example, have facilitated access to information and resources across the world and helped in the coordination of dangerous activities such as terrorism witnessed in recent times. Since multinationals persistently look for new or under-exploited markets, they tend to create new demands among different target groups so as to increase sales (Stiglitz). A good example is when a company develops a market predominantly populated by children and young people as their customers simply because of their burgeoning spending power (Stiglitz). Thus, a negative impact on the future of our children is imposed. Finally, globalisation is linked to the observed wearing down of pubic space brought about by the various corporate activities. Important areas of relaxation for instance, have moved from more communal forms like clubs to more privatised and commercialised activities (Stiglitz). This has rendered young people to be ever more excluded from public spaces outside the schools that once offered them some recluse. Conclusion In conclusion, I find it in order to sustain that globalisation is fundamentally disruptive and unstable as much as it is contradicting. It forms the central paradox of our time in that economic globalisation has not been able to reinforce the present system of global laissez-faire. In any case, it strives to destabilise it. There is nothing at all in todays international market segment that buffers the free market against the social strains emanating from high bumpy economic development within and among the worlds varied societies. Accordingly, the speedy meltdown and diminishing nature of industries and livelihoods as well as the sudden shifts of production and capital are some of the conditions that trigger political counter-movements responsible for challenging the very ground rules of the global free market (Stiglitz). Works cited Stiglitz, J. (2002). Globalization and its Discontents, London: Allen Lane. Read More