Alternatives to Globalization - Research Paper Example

Alternatives to Globalization: Globalization is the process facilitating the interaction and integration of regional economies, societies, cultures by international trade, communication and information technology. This process of integration and interaction has an impact on the environment, culture, political systems and economic development of countries and also has a profound effect on the human physical well-being in the societies around the world. Often the term globalization is associated with the economic globalization where the interaction and integration between the societies is seen in terms of economy such as through trade, foreign direct investment, migration, capital flows etc.

However, globalization is a combination of all, economical, technological, social, cultural and political factors. The phenomenon of Globalization is not new and has been around even before the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, however it has been deeply controversial as there have been two schools of thoughts i.e. the advocates of globalization and the opponents; debating over the concept of globalization ever since it has been coined. The advocates of globalization argue that globalization has harnessed various positive initiatives as it allows the developing countries and its citizen to better develop economically and increase their standards of living, as free market allows efficient allocation of resources with which all the countries involved are benefitted.

It also perpetuates economic freedom in terms of democracy and capitalism. The integration and interaction that is achieved through globalization, it allows international cooperation in solving major global issues concerning the human rights issues or the environmental issues such as global warming. Globalization also helps in promotion of a unified culture and frame of reference thus mitigating the misconceptions harbored and enforcing more understanding of each other. However the opponents of globalization embark on the idea that an unfettered international free market gives the benefit to the multinational corporations in the western world at the expense of the local enterprises, cultures and people.

Thus the economic self-interest of the industrialized countries poses a threat to the livelihood of workers as well as raises concerns for potential for economic crises. In the developing countries globalization is also used as a means to exploit the workers, national sovereignty and democracy. “It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the law of gravity.”—United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, September 2000 Both schools of thoughts has their own point of view concerning the implications of Globalization on the world economy, and other factors however given the concerns all the countries need to synthesize and reach common grounds in order to resolve the distortions in international trade and to reap the benefits of globalization.

As the advocates of globalization emphasize on the benefits of globalization, there are countries that have benefitted from the concept of globalization such as China, India, Uganda, and Vietnam by opening up to the world economy and reducing poverty to significantly low level. As globalization also helps in income generation in the developing countries ultimately leading to prosperity, it also leads to the reduction of social issues such as child labor in the developing countries. Globalization also makes travelling easier.

It also helps in easier access to food and medical supplies to the areas where they are required. International competitions in terms of games and sports are also encouraged thus harmonizing socialization of communities, leading to learning of other cultural values. However to concerns on whether globalization will fully eliminate the elements such as pverty and war are not very clear and are still debatable however it does provide ways to improve standards of living for the poor and oppressed while creating free flow of trade, ideas and culture and reducing the traditional forces of conflicts.

Although focusing on only one school of thought won’t give the benefits alone, the negative aspects of globalization also need to be considered in order to mitigate their impact thus common ground between the two must be established in order to support the integration of the globalization while considering the factors such as democracy, economic justice, environmental protection and human rights above economic concerns thus to reach harmony and peaceful integration. Bibliography "Economic Globalization—Concentrating Wealth or Creating Opportunity?

" COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS BOARD BRIEFING: June 2000. Globalization. . Majidi, Dr. Mohammad Reza. "Globalization: Approaches and Solutions." Majalla.org What is Globalization? .