Economic Globalization in Communication - Case Study Example

Critical Review Student Name Course Professor University City Date of Submission Political Science Introduction Authoritarian countries are the nations whose political system whose power is in the hands of the leaders, and they lack freedom of citizens. Authoritarian countries work towards the achievement of interdependence in finance, trade and the policies of macroeconomic policies of a nation; integration of global processes make the relationship possible. Some global processes have an impact on the transitioning process from former authoritarian countries between opening up and internationalizing as well as in pursuing of nationalistic. These global processes include economic globalization of communication, neoliberalism and social, cultural globalization. Each of the global processes influences the degree of internalization in the former authoritarian countries and also affects the nationalistic agendas of these countries to great extents. The global processes have both benefits and drawbacks in the authoritarian countries especially the ones that are striving to come out of the authoritarian regime. Economic globalization in communication Economic globalization in communication is the increase in interdependence and economic integration in local communities, regions and among various nations. Globalization has led to intercultural communication in different countries, and its intensity is increased by communication and infrastructure that lead to increased movement of goods and services (Russell 2008, p. 5). The economic globalization of communication hence plays an important role in the society especially in the economic development of humans. According to (Russell 2008, p. 7) economic globalization in communication comprises of; finances, markets, technology, labor and institutions among other aspects Many countries are continually opening themselves to the process of globalization. The economists who support globalization argued that it is almost impossible for a country to open itself without involving the process of globalization; hence, the process is beneficial. However, the process of economic globalization of communication also has a lot of drawbacks, and it is associated with economic globalization in countries which did not adopt democratic rule after colonization. For example, in Cuba, internationalization is fostered by the economic globalization of communication through social media (Rodric 2011, p. 26); however, the country is suffering from discrimination in trades by other nations such as the USA due to retention of an Authoritarian regime in the country. Impacts of economic globalization of communication in transitioning processes in former authoritarian countries between opening up and internationalizing Globalization in the world has had a positive influence on the formally authoritarian countries. According to (Held, 2013, p. 105) the impact is more pronounced on the aspect of increasing the speed at which the nations are transitioning and adopting the internationalization. As the economies continue becoming global due to the technology integration in communication, the democracy of countries has also continued to (Scholte 2005, p. 9). The relationship between globalization and democracy is not linear due to the internalization factor. However, trilemma exists between globalization, democracy and open economies of countries that were formally authoritarian. In countries that cannot have these factors at equilibrium, economic globalization in communication has failed. According to (Dulupcu 2005, p. 27) economic globalization in communication is not entirely sustainable. The global process leaves out various factors where it is applied (Dulupcu 2005, p. 28). For instance, the simultaneousness of independence in the monetary policies, exchange rates that are fixed and open capital accounts pose a complexity for an authoritarian nation to adopt democracy(Rodric 2011, p. 26). The simultaneous maintenance is impossible in this case as only two of the above factors can be maintained by a country (Rodric 2011, p. 25). Therefore it is not possible for any nation to combine democracy with the sovereignty of a nation and economic globalization of communication. However, the process is not entirely negative as where the factors are combined freedom is achieved regardless of one factor. Nevertheless, economic globalization has failed in the adoption of democracy among various countries that are still in the authoritarian regime. Transitioning processes in former authoritarian countries between opening up and internationalizing is a difficult and challenging task. Economies created by the globalization of communication often collide with jurisdictional and regulatory discontinuities due to the heterogenetic nature of institutions and national law (Hamzat 2013, p. 3). As the authoritarian countries try to adopt democracy, the politics conflict with the national borders’ significance which is eliminated by the harmony that exists between law and institutions (Hamzat 2013, p. 5). However, some countries have achieved democracy although the disadvantages of economic globalization of communication is felt in African nations, for example, Ghana where harmony has not been achieved Impacts of Economic globalization of communication in nationalistic agendas in authoritarian countries Economic globalization of communication has increased the level of nationalism in the authoritarian countries. According to (O’Donnel, 1993, p. 50) some national agenda such as sovereignty, trade, communication and cultural heritage of a nation are affected by economic globalization with the aim of achieving nationalization. The effectiveness of the global process has been experienced as these formally authoritarian countries try to change the democratic system. O’Donnell also argues that nationalism hence occurs between opening up and nationalization of the countries (O’Donnel, 1993, p. 53). Global economic communication has been of great importance, but on the other hand, it has blurred political, cultural and economic boundaries among different countries (O’Donnel, 1993, p. 55). Nationalistic agendas can only be achieved if the citizens are involved in the economic globalization of communication hence; the global process has not been successful. The sovereignty of a country is highly undermined by the introduction of economic globalization in communication. Traditional boundaries of a country are also overlooked by the globalization of economy that is facilitated by improvement in communication. For example, the Direct Broadcast Satellite broadcasts foreign news and entertainment thereby undermining the cultural and national values of a nation (Rodric 2011, p. 27). The impunity that is involved in the advertisement of foreign news hinders the country from practicing democracy. The micro-media usually narrowcast messages through video cassette recorders and computer disks as well as the World Wide Web (Rodric 2011, p. 26). Globalization in communication especially in the economic realm of a country is a power that leads to the destruction of culture and heritage of various ethnic groups in the authoritarian countries, especially in Africa. Most of the citizens in the country are adopting the western mode and styles of living due to the prevalence of globalization in economics accelerated by the improvement in communication systems but leads to depreciation of nationalism in particular through erosion of culture. Nationalism has been diminished in the countries that are in the process of transitioning from an authoritarian regime into a democracy (Hamdi 2015, p. 51). Fortunately, the aspect of globalization has brought the significance of nationalism in various countries. Economic globalization communication is beneficial to a country (Hamdi 2015, p. 52). Advances in communication have increased the elimination of trade barriers leading to the world which is much singular and unified at the same time. Economic globalization of communication is useful as it contributes nationally through withdraw of authoritarian rule. For instance, use of radio cassettes as ways of recording information back in the late 1970s led to pulling out of strict control and adoption of democracy in Lesotho. The use of telephony also resulted in the transitioning of countries that were earlier subjected to the barbaric system of government. For example, in Iran among other nations in Africa communication caused by economic globalization brought about democracy. Scholars, for example, (Held 2013, p. 109) have reviewed that despite the negative side of economic globalization it has led to the breaking of the yoke of the barbaric rule and caused the governments to be responsible and accountable to their citizens. Globalization is a primary driver that leads to economic development in a country. One of the national agendas by governments is the public health (Dulupcu 2005, p. 26). Globalization has increased hazards due to the various developmental employments that are secured by citizens. This makes a country to depend on other nations that have advanced technology so as to foster the health of the public. Globalization is both positive and negative. The advantages include the ability of the country to access of goods and services such as medicine across the borders. On the other hand, globalization may inhibit the ability of the government to offer healthcare to the citizens due to static nature of medical expenditure in the developing countries who are still adapting to democracy (Held 2013, p. 108). Economic globalization of communication has more benefits than the negative ones because it is the basis of economic development through cooperation of other nations and help in the form of aids to the developing countries. Neo-liberalism in authoritarian countries Neo-liberalism is argued to be one of the primary drivers of the globalization of authoritarian countries (Kelly 2014, p. 35). Through minimal government intervention in the economy, it is easy to trade internationally with other nations. The belief of the neo-liberalists is that the government intervention should be minimal in the economy (Kelly 2014, p. 36). The free market is not limited to goods and services rather to labor, land and other factor inputs of production. However, the availability of labor is valuable in the facilitation of production process of goods and services (Abbink 2016, p. 25). Impacts of Neo-Liberalism in authoritarian countries on opening up and nationalization Neo-liberalism is used as a significant intervention to achieve national agendas of countries and internationalization of the authoritative nations. Among the federal programs include the economic growth, reduction of public debts, full employment, and national security among other objectives that are set to the specific targets (Abbink 2016, p. 29). Neo-liberalism integrates the element of free trade. Free trade is an important variable in the international market because it facilitates the exchange of goods and services among agreed nations with minimal regulations (Abbink 2016, p. 29). Free trade, on the other hand, can promote the exploitation of domestic markets. However, free trade is resourceful in the achievement of economic goals through the creation of the market, and it is for a reason many nations are developing unions like the Free Trade Zone to promote trade (Kelly 2014, p. 32). Impacts of Neo-Liberalism in nationalistic agendas in authoritarian countries National objective of economic growth is achieved through reduction of government expenditure in the economy. The neo-liberalism approach creates an incentive to encourage private investment, and thus capitalists thrive quickly due to limited government intervention (Abbink 2016, p. 85). Such private investments will lead to the creation of job opportunities. In this case, the problem of full employment will be easily achieved (Kelly 2014, p. 79). Secondly, through private investment, national income is improved through an increase in output attributed to increased production activities (Abbink 2016, p. 93). National income is also increased through taxation of the private sectors industries and firms that venture in the market. Reduction of government can, all the same, reduce development because the allocation on the development of a nation will decrease. However, monetary policy depicts that it has a more expansionary effect on the economy. Free trade increases demand and supply of goods and services in a nation. An increase in demand would imply that production would require increasing supply to take care of the needs and wants of clients. Increased productions require additional laborers, and therefore, employment opportunities are developed. Economic growth is achieved through increased demand and supply because the consumption levels of a nation also rise. However, the elasticity of demand for goods and services would result in inflation due to the fluctuation of prices. For example in nations in South America in Argentina, Chile and Brazil have experienced the effects of inflation which leads to the recession in economy growth in the short-run. The neo-liberalism strategy is efficient in the internationalization of authoritarian countries and achievement of national goals (Kelly 2014, p. 40). Social Cultural Globalization of Authoritative Nations Socialization of people in the global context has taken a great root due to the facilitation of technology in communication. People can easily interact socially through, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat and Twitter, emails, phone calls, messaging, Skype and other channels (Wiarda 2007, p. 35). The social, cultural globalization plays a significant role in authoritative nations in internationalization and pursuing of national agendas. Through social integration, it is identifiable that major transformations have been achieved socially economically, politically and the cultures (Wiarda 2007, p. 26). Impacts of Social Cultural Globalization of Authoritative Nations in transitioning processes in former authoritarian countries on opening up and internationalizing Increasing interactions among people from different cultures have led to the internationalization of dressing habits, eating habits and lifestyles as well. Globalization affects the cultures of the authoritarian countries (Wiarda 2007, p. 17). Through social, cultural globalizations, nations can adopt new technologies and achieve the introduction of new products in the market thus the development of economic opportunities (Heryanto 2013, p. 122). Adoption of new technologies is resourceful in gaining efficiency of nations in different sectors of the economy. However, the technologies may be a source a source of harm if misused. For example, in China, the nation uses the Ultrasound technology not only to monitor the progress of the baby but also to identify the sex of the baby. Identification of sex of fetus has probed ethical issues of selective sex abortion. Although social culture integration accrues the nations some drawbacks in internationalism, the advantages of technology outweigh the negativity (Heryanto 2013, p. 103). Social interactions with potential investors open up room for investment that is resourceful in achieving economic growth. Foreign direct investment is a primary source of capital and helps to exploit the already available resources. For example, the Ethiopian government has received several suggestions to open up and allow globalization to help attract foreign investment (Wiarda 2007, p. 82). The investment will act as an incentive for adoption of new technologies to help exploit the already available resources. However, foreign investment acts as a loophole to attract exploitation by the developed nation and exposing the nation to variables like the colonization of the nation (Heryanto 2013, p. 9). The importance of foreign direct investment is worth the credit because it opens up employment, provision of capital, industrialization and other valuable elements that promote the economic growth of a nation. Impacts of Social Cultural Globalization of Authoritarian Nations in nationalistic agendas Through social interaction, it is evident the economic activities have been revolutionized due to the need of consumption of manufactured goods in the authoritarian nations. The authoritarian nations are therefore adopting industrialization and services to be the primary form of economic activity. Social interaction probes development of new demands due to the adoption of new tastes and preferences. Industrialization may lead to the development of slums and overcrowding of people in the urban areas (Heryanto 2013, p. 10). However, the benefits accrued by industrialization does not relate to overcrowding effect. It promotes the development of infrastructure, economic growth, employment and other economic variables. Social-culture globalization has, however, limitations in the facilitation of achievement of national development. For example, through global socialization has created a loophole for terrorism (Heryanto 2013, p. 12). Terrorism is a significant threat to the national security of the authoritative nations. Safety plays a critical role in influencing the economic activities, social and political structure. Besides terrorism, it probes the erosion of moral and social values (Wiarda 2007, p. 132). For example, there are many accusations that westernization has played a significant role in eroding other nations’ culture regarding the legalization of abortion, legalization of same-sex marriage and other critical social life variable (Wiarda 2007, p. 132). Social, cultural globalization helps to achieve internationalization and achievement of national objectives. Through the exchange of values, culture, habits, and norms, in socialization different attributes that facilitate economic growth have been adopted. However, to some extent, it inhibits development through the adoption of immoral values like terrorism (Heryanto 2013, p. 111). On general context, the social-cultural globalization shapes national agendas and internationalization despite the identifiable shortcomings. Nations like Ethiopia need to open up for social-culture globalization to provide an incentive for the achievement of the set economic growth. Conclusion Transitioning process in former authoritarian countries is subject to global processes. The phase between opening up and internationalization is influenced by integration of technology in communication hence economic globalization of communication and neo-liberalism has had significant effects. Additionally, nationalistic agenda such as trade, finances and the entire macroeconomics is affected by global processes to a great extent bringing development in nations. However, the socio-cultural aspect of African countries has been lost into the globalization prevalence. Hence, global processes are both necessary due to the developmental impact but also lead to erosion of culture. Free trade in authoritarian countries has been fostered by neo-liberalism process, and this has attributed to internalization through reduction of cost. Foreign direct investments in authoritarian countries as a nationalistic agenda have been achieved through social, cultural globalization. Additionally, revolution is continually prevailing due to social, cultural globalization process as it encourages citizens of these countries to consume manufactured goods hence promotion of nationalism. Therefore, although the global processes have both benefits and drawbacks in the authoritarian countries especially the ones that are striving to come out of the authoritarian regime, they have led to the achievement of internationalization and nationalistic agendas. References Abbink, J. 2016. 'Reconfiguring Ethiopia: The Politics of Authoritarian Reforms' . Routledge Publishers . Dulupcu, M. A. 2005. 'Globalization and Internationalization'. Education and Culture, 25-29. Hamdi, F. 2015. 'The Impacts of Globalization in the Developing Countries'. Ashford University Library, 52. Hamzat, A. O. 2013. 'The Authoritarian Tendences in African Governments'. Modern Ghana, 3-5. Held, D. 2013. 'Impacts of Transitioning and Adopting Internalization'. Authoritarian Regime, 105-110. Kelly Heryanto, A. 2013. 'Challenging Authoritarian Rule-SEA NIP'. Routledge Publishers . , L. 2014. 'Neoliberalism in Latin America'. Citizens Press. Heryanto, A. (2013). Challenging Authoritarian Rule-SEA NIP. Routledge Publishers . Kelly, L. (2014). Neoliberalism in Latin America. Citizens Press. Rodric, B. (2011). Afghhanstan: The Lessons of History? Political Insight, 25-27. Wiarda, H. (2007). Globalization: Universal Trends, Regional Implications . UPNE Read More