Citizens and Globalization - Coursework Example

Globalisation Should the average citizen resist globalization? This would include how people behave as consumers and members of civil society. Introduction Globalisation can be said to be as the process of the internationalization and integration of nations arising from the human connectivity and also the interchange of the world views, ideas, products, and other facts and aspects of the world. Advancement of the telecommunications and transportations and infrastructure with the rise in the internet technology has made the whole world a small place. The wide use of internet represents the major driving factor in the increase in the globalization with the increase in the economic and cultural activities of the activities. Globalization can also be said to be as the intensification of the worldwide social activities which has been linked to economic and social activities of the economies (MacGillivray, 2006). The goal of globalization is to provide business world an utmost competitive advantage while having low operating cost to gain worldwide consumers, goods and services. Globalisation uses the diversification phenomenon for the use of resources. It is a strategy that provides a long range of products and services. It enables businesses to compete worldwide by diversification because it includes risk reduction in international trade. It promotes economic growth and performance for a nation. Looking at these factors it can be said that the people around the world do not resist globalisation. It is not a new factor even it has an economic roots i.e. international trade, finance, migration and ideology. The people as the members of the society as the consumers should behave positively with respect to globalization as this gives them the advantage to have a varity of goods and services from around the world (Ilmberger & Robinson, 2002). Globalization also involves innovation due to the commercialization of national technology across international boundaries that is high tech products (includes all electronic, electrical products etc.), all this helps consumers to have better goods and services and take the advantage of technology which is not available locally. Globalisation boosts international travel and tourism indirectly due to the international business. Immigration between countries, formation of free trade zones, growth of cross cultural contacts, enhancement in worldwide culture etc. is increasing due to the globalisation. This is leading to the improvement in the cultural and business practices of the nations and developing people and their business. As the consumer the people are getting advantage of getting different products and services which they have not got locally (Pieterse, 2009). The major components of globalization includes production, investment, international market and advancement of technology, all these components are advantages for the consumer and the people of the society in terms of the growing economy and businesses and benefiting the consumers in terms of betterment of the competitive forces and reducing the price of goods and services due to increased competition in between the local and the international players. The major essentials factors that make the globalization the needs of the global society includes changes in government policies, rules and regulations for international business, liberalization of rules and regulations of control, development of financial markets, boosting research and development (Blossfeld, 2005). This also includes the increase in openness and freedom for establishing business and industry increasing the business for the people of the society and providing high quality products to the customers. Positive Effects of globalisation on various Social aspects: Eradication of Poverty: Globalisation helps in eradication of poverty and inequality of a country as it brings thing closer. Globalisation is an integration of two or more than two economies with the world or global economy. As it bring a boom in international standard of trading, environment, communication, technology, which bring a group of people closer to achieve certain target, indirectly it gives positive impact on level of inequality and poverty because it develops new methodologies for economic development and wealth creation. This shows that the people of the society as the consumers and the members of civil society must behave in a positive manner towards globalization (Blossfeld, 2005). Consumer Behaviour: Consumer consumes goods or services for short term and for long term use. Those are goods for needs as well for luxuries. There are various aspects of consumer behaviour from which mobilisation of consumers are very important aspect. This is occurring due to both business and pleasure. It results dynamic change in consumer’s behavioural pattern in context of choice of product, lifestyle, etc. This also aids the consumers to have access to several goods which they have not got otherwise without gloabalisation (Pieterse, 2009). Employment Level: Economic globalisation has an impact on jobs by increasing productivity, knowledge, education and overall efficiency of economy. The people who are looking for job are moving between countries. It indirectly develops communication and transport as well which aids the people within the society (MacGillivray, 2006). Education and Culture: Globalisation brings rapid development and constant changes in education which brings ultimate development in technology, communication, living standard etc. In simple way, it is an internationalization of higher education which brings a wide range of knowledge and skills to give more skilled and intelligent people for country as future citizen. It actually creates a society (a recognized group of people) who applied their knowledge widely in various applications. Education is a process of learning and now a day’s western education acquired whole world. The technology and communication system are in the classroom even. The teachers teaches student in electronic form (video conferencing, presentation, video projection etc.) which replaced blackboard and chalk. This is all because of globalisation (Pieterse, 2009). Globalisation is a cultural process in which each person interacts with each other. It gives expose to each individual by different way of thinking. Today’s date, social networking sites gives platform for exposing individual’s views which develop understanding that may improve their life. It is a human activity which gives constantly changes in human behaviour. Psychological effects: This factor explains an individual’s identity that is rooted with its own culture whereas the other part having awareness of global culture. Now a day’s youth has a strong mentality to develop their personality and culture globally. To develop a global identity, communication and technology i.e. internet plays a significant role (Pieterse, 2009). Environmental Aspects includes several factors through the people or the member of the civil society interacts in their day to day life and is affected with the changes in each factor. There are several positive impacts of environmental factors on the civil society and its members. Each factor has some different positive impact this mainly includes: Economic environment: Economic system is the important factors that creates economic environment of a business. It includes nature, stages, income level, resources etc. as economic condition of a nation. Directly, an economic policy of a country gives impact on globalization (MacGillivray, 2006). Demographic environment: factors like, age, gender, size, growth rate, etc of the population creates market for goods and services. Ultimately, the market which has growing population and income level will increase globalisation. Political environment: it creates direct relationship between a nation’s economic policy and economic system. In today’s date there are various international rules and regulations for protecting consumer interest and organizations as well. There are international laws to regulate the smooth conduction of international business (Ilmberger & Robinson, 2002). Physical environment: geographical factors, i.e. weather, climate condition, etc. can demand for research and development of existing products or new products, which suit the current environmental uncontrollable factors (Pieterse, 2009). Socio-cultural environment: the consumption trend of the customer, their religion, beliefs, customs, values, tastes & preferences etc, are all factors that gives impact of business. The marketing characteristics of any business will have to be designed according to the above mentioned socio cultural environmental factors (Ilmberger & Robinson, 2002). Technological environment: Advancement of technology and communication equipments affects international business and local community and consumers. One of the most important factors is internet. Internet made each and every single activity of business very easy and time saving as well but sometimes it also poses problems and this has also benefited the consumers of the society to have access to international products and services in an easy and efficient manner. International environment: This is important for export and import oriented industries. It has been noticed that international developments have their major effects on domestic business rather than on its global market. The international business provides several new technologies to the customers of the society and provides several goods and services at cheaper prices and also offers the customers several new products and goods which the customers does not found in their local community (Pieterse, 2009). Conclusion One must not resist globalization but one must use more balanced approach towards globalization by stepping in a right direction to deal with the international issues related to globalization. As far as civil society is concern it cannot be counted in a nutshell because it ranges from giant organizations to an individual. Practically, there is not a single market for international trade but there are various ranges of markets according to the various products and services. The market which are quite liberalized are now actually become a global market which comprises, high tech products, e-communication, technological advancement, excellent skills, up to the mark knowledge, etc. But it increases another big problem called polarization known as selective globalisation also. Now days’ people in all continents are becoming more literate before the era of internet. For the success of globalisation we need to avoid selective globalization and to change a mindset about globalization. For internationalization of innovation to boost globalization there is a need to organize research and development activities across international boundaries and to boost the utilization of existing products and services. The main ideology is that foundation of competitive advantage will not reside in a single country for long time but in many. References Blossfeld, H.P. (2005). Globalization, Uncertainty And Youth In Society. Routledge. Ilmberger, F. & Robinson, A. (2002). Globalisation. Gunter Narr Verlag. MacGillivray, A. (2006). A Brief History of Globalization: The Untold Story of our Incredible Shrinking Planet. London: Avalon. Pieterse, J.N. (2009). Globalization and Culture: Global Mélange. Rowman & Littlefield. Read More