The Impact of Globalization on Human Civilization - Term Paper Example

Transmittal letter Globalization encompasses a cognitive development of various nations in terms of development of nations making products and technology available for the benefit of people. Technology and innovations made in one corner of the world are transmitted to the other for the development of other nations. It is the process which has brought the nations together and has provided a room for discussion to everyone and thereby enabling all the nations to express their views and opinion for the global improvement. In haste to be a progressive nation and have an outlook with upsurge in every aspect of life, with all the comforts for human race we the most evolved species on the planet are heading towards our own graves! We think we made a lot of progress in every venture of human endeavor but at the cost of what? We lost many of our precious flora and fauna species leading some of them to be endangered! We are yet snatching away homes of many species providing them polluted atmosphere where obnoxious gases are prevalent and water they consume is incorporated with toxic chemicals. The present article provides the picture of the reality what we have procured from globalization. “Globalization” Table of contents 1. Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Model of Globalization 4. Discussion 5. Conclusion 6. Summary 7. Works Cited “Globalization” Abstract Globalization is a great concern towards the global development in terms of development of economy, industries, manufacturing, and formulation of policies. In its true sense it is an effort to bring various nations on a single platform so as to have a common understanding towards the development globally. In the process of doing so a great ignorance towards the environment was realized, when the repercussions are being observed in terms of health hazards, diseases, deterioration of nature, depletion of natural resources and the nature. The present article therefore highlights globalization and its pros and cons to create and awareness and a great concern about our environment to prevent the forthcoming disaster to certain extent. Introduction Globalization is a broad terminology which the present epoch is witnessing as the global development. It came in existence in 1960s encompassing varied perspectives providing a global outlook by various countries of the world uniting together to put the hands together for the development in varied areas of life encompassing economy, education, society and politics. Globalization provides a broad perspective and thus empowers the nations across the world as a unit which is beyond the national boundaries and thereby it has contributed in bringing the nations all together as one in terms of progressive outlook. Globalization has achieved a unanimous communication between various nations and people belonging to different culture and religion to stand on one platform and think about the cognitive development (What is globalization?). Globalization thus allows a kind of civilization, business, morals and accomplishments of one unit or troop in one part of the world encouraging others units either of the same or different nation. The process of globalization is an amalgamation of communication and incorporation of varied groups of people, organizations and governments of different nations. This interaction is well armored by information technology. The communication not only sways authorities and welfare of people but also gives an impact on traditions, ethnicity, political structure, financial growth and affluences but also impinge on the entire environment. Globalization thus devises the jargon in every aspect of human endeavor in formulating economies both domestically and internationally paving the way for worldwide occupation and investment ventures (What is globalization?). Globalization witnesses liberalization of markets by generating rapid economic growth in developing nations like China and India thus creating inequalities amongst the nations with greater depths. Globalization encompasses the following paradigms: 1. Economic Integration through trade, investment and capital flows 2. Political Interaction 3. Information and Information Technology (IT) 4. Culture These paradigms do influence every aspect of market may be it is natural, local, national and above all global market through capital flows and investments (Panayotou, 2000). Despite its escalating potency, globalization and its monetary development are inadequately understood as its implications are indirect. The growing apprehension for environment and its fortification has given slightest prominence on the pervasiveness of inevitable globalization. Globalization is proliferating with swiftness and its cost is being experienced by the smallest and sheltered communities and natural areas of every nation throwing a great impact on the environment (Ehrenfeld, 2003). The article presents a significance of globalization and its impact on global environment both natural and economical. Impact of globalization- 1. Industrial- Provides a platform for production and marketing a wide range of foreign products, enabling customers round the globe to access the finished goods. 2. Financial- Globalization has paved the way for borrowing and lending of finances to carry out the global pursuit. 3. Economic- Globalization has enabled the markets to be inter-related and provide means to overcome any financial burden or collapse on a particular nation. 4. Political- Nations like USA with strong economy does hold political influence on other nations. In the recent years China is also emerging with strong financial position. 5. Informational- with the revolution in communication network and good connectivity, the whole world seems to be connected through satellites, wireless communication or through internet. 6. Competition- Skills and quality finds its place in the market in the era of globalization. 7. Ecological- in the haste to fulfill the growing demands of people across the world, concern about the environment is given least worth. Industrialization results in pollution of air, water, land and in some cases noise making the industrial area a big slum which in turn affects the flora and fauna. Release of various gases like methane chlorinated gases, halogen gases, particulates hampers the quality of air and as a consequence causing global warming. When an individual is exposed to such obnoxious pollutants it causes ill health, hypertension, diabetes and even cancer and teratogenesis in neonates. 8. Cultural- A great deal of understanding is developed about the culture of each other when working as a unit, thereby diminishing the social boundaries with better understanding towards ethics, beliefs and morals. 9. Technical- advances can be procured with the effective communication across the globe. 11. Legal or Ethical- the guidelines are laid down for any kind of legal issues; international criminal court and international justice movements (Nijam, A., Runnalls, D., Halle, M., 2007). According to Robertson, temporal-historical route of global compactness and intricacy can be demarcated in five phases. The model encompasses: Phase I- The Germinal Phase- the incipient phase that defines the individual and idea about humanity. It is believed that advent of globalization took place with the acceptance of heliocentric theory. Phase II- The Incipient Phase: National and transnational relations were developed with conduction of debates on issues of nationalism vs. Internationalism, for the production and transportation processes. Phase III- The Take-off Phase: during this stage international society emerged with Eurocentric impression. A steady improvement was observed with respect to global competition in global market. Phase IV- The Struggle for Hegemony Phase: from mid 1920s till late 1960s. Principles of national independence are established with emphasis on modernity. Phase V- The Uncertainty Phase- From late 1960s to early 1990s, global consciousness was observed giving birth to capitalist economic system (Robertson, 1992). Phase VI- The Consolidation Phase where privatization is more intense. (Backhaus, 2003) Discussion Globalization has enhanced the development, cataloguing and adaptation of marginal lands for goods production affecting the local agriculture environment, livestock and their feeds. (Ehrenfeld, 2003). It is manifested that in order to promote success and progress, there is a great loss of natural environment encompassing wild life leading to extinction of many species while a lot of species are now endangered. Globalization results in deterioration of natural resources, contamination of the environment, accredited rate of industrialization, utilization of fossil fuels to run the industries, machines and for transport of both raw and finished products to domestic and international markets. In order to be ahead and to capture the market industries are adopting all the fair or unfair means, to procure raw material and to supply finished goods as well as to employ skilled hands replacing the untrained ones. On one hand it is good in terms of progress and availability of goods that are in demand by people but at the other hand machines are replacing humans thereby promoting unemployment and hence corruption and terrorism. Social & Spiritual Disruption As the result of globalization the gap between rich and poor has increased and thereby creating a feeling of jealous, regional wars, international terrorism, crippling and self-criticism (Ehrenfeld, 2003). In the haste to meet the challenges one must keep a concern over human spirits. Repercussions on Environment Plastic has revolutionized the packaging industries but now this element has emerged as the major pollutant of present era. The short-sightedness of economic traders is the sole contributor for the noxious substance and gradually it is emerging as choking hazard causing floods and various dreaded diseases. Mutation of living beings leads to altered genome of the organisms. Effluents released from industries either goes to water bodies or they pollute the air. Some of them are toxic even at as low concentrations as parts per million (ppm). Dreaded diseases like Minimata occur due to mercury poisoning. Various pesticides, chemicals and particulates are discharged in water bodies when such water is consumed it leads to malformation of fetus, cancer, paralysis thus they are capable of altering the whole DNA, the genes of the organisms Nuclear Advances: Wars With the advent of globalization, nuclear reactors are used to generate electricity resulting in radioactive pollution of soil which is capable of altering the physiology of the organisms. In power play of nations for arms and ammunitions the common men is the sufferer. Globalization is thus having both positive and negative impact on living organisms and thereby affecting the lives on the Planet. Conclusion Globalization has brought a remarkable impact upon human civilization. The technological improvements not only invite decline of physical environment by releasing a great percentage of carbon-di-oxide, altering temperature as well as natural environment but also show profound impact on environment of nations. Globalization is the leading cause of global warming. The repercussions of global warming are distressing as they are not only bringing variations in temperature but also bring about melting of permafrost and oxidation boreal peat deposits, transformation of rainfall and storm distribution, elevation of sea level, diminution of UV protective layer of atmosphere, the ozone layer. It is evident that UV radiations are health hazardous causing mutation of genes and hence alteration of genetic makeup of the living beings. These mutations are detrimental as new microorganisms are emerging which are not only resistant to various drugs but are also capable of changing their morphology and hence bring about physiological changes in the living beings they affect. It is therefore a much serious concern as holes in the ozone layer is a call of disaster. Globalization has also influenced the endurance prototype flora and fauna. The identity of any geographical area is its flora and fauna, any kind of interruption either for industrial set up or clearing grounds for industrialization or for other human venture is enduring a great loss of flora, herbs and other animals. It is evident that altered physiology is due to altered gene product i.e. enzymes and proteins and hence brings results in the form of Alzheimer’s, brain dysfunction, teratogenesis carcinogenesis, paralysis or cerebral palsy. When young children consume this polluted water they show a great deal of low IQ, underdeveloped brain or mental retardation, poor physical growth or stunted growth, weakness both physical and mental. Thereby creating an incompetent generation and causing a great burden on society. Industrial area show poor fertility of soil, as soil becomes less fertile or unfertile creating a large stretch of barren land without any vegetation. Thus this area turns out to be a waste land. This soil is full of pollutants and left outs of industries altering the natural soil composition and thereby affecting the composition of soil. Globalization has augmented a great use of chemicals for the enhanced production and ripening of fruits and vegetables, these chemicals are toxic in many senses to humans and other animals. They display bioaccumulation of pesticides. Animals eating these grains accumulate pesticides in ppm and when they are consumed for food and meat or consumption of sea food they transfer dangerous proportions of chemicals in the food chain. Globalization encourages transfer of food items to various geographical areas with different climatic conditions, allowing growth of harmful microbes. In order to triumph over this condition preservatives are being added which in turn are dangerous! A loss of wild type is occurring due to genetic breeding of various species of plants and animals. It is evident that such transgenic forms show poor resistance towards environmental conditions. These genetically modified organisms are being created to have a high yield of milk and milk products, meat and production of grains. The reason is again Globalization which emphasize on meeting the ever increasing demands. It is evident that transgenic animals are always dangerous as when environmental conditions vary from laboratory conditions then the incorporated genetic material can show some kind of variation which may be detrimental. To maintain the appropriate conditions they are kept under controlled environment putting a financial burden of maintenance. Temperature maintenance requires installation of air conditioners and various temperature controlling devices to accomplish the desired yield which affect the quality of atmosphere and hence results in pollution. Packing industry relies on plastics. These are not biodegradable and hence a great cause of pollution, choking hazard. Advent of computerization of equipments and automation is bringing unemployment producing communal disempowerment. This is giving an impact on cultural and moral insolvency promoting bribery, corruption, erroneous beliefs, violence, anxiety, tension, hypertension and other related health hazards. Globalization has gained success in making products as well as technology available in every corner of the globe it has given a common platform to various nations and thus narrowed the world but in its true value and sense it has created a huge and irrevocable and irremediable gap between rich and poor and has made poor suffer in all aspects. Health and hygiene conditions around the industries are a matter of great concern for labor class and for those residing in the area as the effluents of industries are highly dangerous for the inhabitants for both plants and animals. It is the need of time that developing nations should keep a check on the population. If population is less then demands will be curtailed and hence few industries need to be established preventing the nature and raw materials which can be used in coming years slowly. Less of barren lands and less pollution will enhance the quality of life. Deforestation and obliteration of forests land is bringing changes in climate conditions and hence all these could be prevented with less population awareness is therefore desired. Where are we? Where are we heading? With nuclear weapons we are sitting at the tip of explosives, we are generating terrorists and promoting terrorism. Are we really marching ahead towards progress or we are marching towards our graves? Are we digging grave for the entire planet with globalization creating collapse of ecology? Are the Tsunami and earthquakes repercussions of globalization? It is alarming now and we should take serious concern to protect our survival by protecting our planet from perishing. Insecurities in minds of people is the root cause of terrorism and corruption so the time has come where generation of congenial atmosphere is imperative to inculcate safety in all senses to prevent terrorism and network of corruption which is a serious predicament for our own existence. Our natural environment is the sole of our endurance and we have to procure its purity for life by not letting things on tomorrow. This collaborative efforts should be done with globalization for the protection of protect our local, national and global environment. A innovative and revolutionary approach is desired to enjoy the fruits of globalization in true sense. Summary The world globalization was already used in the 1960s, but its true meaning was not sought until the 1990s, and especially after 9/11. Most of the world’s cooperation is unintentional and unstructured, and comes in the form of trade, and perhaps the cooperation of providing aid to poor countries, or that following some catastrophic disaster. Many think of globalization as something that causes competition among the world’s countries and their commerce, trade and exchanges. What many hope that globalization will bring is a beneficial coordination of the plans and actions of millions of people around the world, as a system of global cooperation. Healthy competition combined with a model of cooperation when it comes to resources, the environment, pooling of services, and provision of goods, seems like a great combination. A vast web of cooperation seems plausible when we consider the speed of modern transportation and communication. It is necessary, to minimize ecological impact. Works cited Backhaus, Norman (2003): Zugänge zur Globalisierung – Konzepte, Prozesse,Visionen. 2. Aufl Zurich (51-54). Ehrenfeld, D. 2003. Globalization: Effects on biodiversity, environment and society. Conservation and Society (New Delhi) 1(1): 99-111. Robertson, Roland (1992): Globalization – Social Theory and Global Culture. Sage. London. (57-60) What is Globalization? Available at http://www.globalization101.org/What_is_Globalization.html [Accessed on 12th March 2010] Read More