Food Globalization in Third World Countries - Essay Example

 Food Globalization in Third World Countries Globalization plays a great role in food systems in third world countries. Nations which have embraced globalization have seen their economies and other spheres of life develop. Additionally, several concepts help in understanding various facets of globalization. Such concepts include: Social Structure, Symbolic Interactionism, Functionalism, Power Conflict, Sustainability, Lack of Knowledge, and Problems Associated with Mono-Culture. All these concepts feature in the phenomenon of globalization. Introduction Globalization and agri-food trade in third-world countries is becoming increasingly impacting, as people shift their residences to urban areas, and other infrastructure connected rural areas. In broad terms, globalization refers to the worldwide (global) integration of technological, economic, cultural, political, as well as social aspects amongst countries (Hamilton 2009). Globalization refers to the increasing process of global connectivity, as well as the interdependency of businesses and the world’s markets (Senauer & Venturini 1994). Globalization has accelerated dramatically over the last couple of decades as advances in technology eases travelling, communication and international businesses. The two main driving forces are the emergence of the internet and advances in infrastructure of communications. Globalization has increased competition fro the available products in the market. Whereas food globalization has for long been considered a process ruled by the concept of internationalization of the manufacturing of food, the existence of global retailers has emerged to be a powerful globalization engine which is expected to have a powerful effect with the implications regarding the environment characterized with competition, as well as, the applying rules in food systems. Nations, which have advanced, technologically, including Europe and America enjoy accessibility to any vegetable or fruit throughout the year at even at the local markets; this is enabled through international sourcing. Consequently, producers of agricultural food, manufacturers of related products, and retailers function in a constantly competitive, yet changing environment. Recently, development in agri-food trade, in developing countries, has indicated a rise, as mutual interaction is enabled through connectivity. Food systems indicate a constant change, causing a greater food diversity and availability, even if access to such food does not imply universality. Many of the changes in the food systems have a close association with increasing incomes, urbanization, foreign direct investment and market liberalization. Competition by businesses to acquire a share in the market concerning food purchases intensifies with joining of the new system integrating new but powerful players like large supermarket chains, as well as, multinational fast food businesses. Losers in food systems’ businesses include traditional food markets, small local agents, sometimes merchants who sell “street foods” amongst other food items. Supermarkets strive to significantly improve standards of safety and food quality at convenience and competitive prices, thus creating highly attractive factors to increasingly sophisticated consumers. Therefore, food systems’ changes affect accessibility and availability to food via changes to approaches of production, food procurement and systems of food distribution as well as the environment involving food trade. Consequently, these observable changes have caused a constant but gradual shift in the phenomenon of food culture in order to attain a more universal food culture, with resultant changes in nutritional status, patterns of dietary consumption that indicates variations with the stratification of socio-economy. Ideally speaking, the lower class of the socio-economic population shifts towards energy-dense, poor-quality, although cheap as well as affordable foods. (Lang. 2003) gives a description to changes which occur to food systems and systems of agriculture. Such changes include massive utilization of agrochemicals as well as hybrid plants. Additionally, there are recent changes, which have brought about, the realization of genetically modified plants. Features of these food system are well placed in developed nations of the world, and are currently rapidly proceeding into third world (developing) countries markets, therefore, impacting systems of agriculture, forcing small farmers quit form their businesses as well as contributing towards the increased urbanization. Globalization in third world countries, particular within the food systems can be discussed by use of elements like Social Structure, Symbolic Interactionism, Functionalism, Power Conflict, Sustainability, Lack of Knowledge, and Problems Associated with Mono-Culture. Various patterns of interaction in a society call for varying types of needs and satisfaction. The working class, for example, has a more consumption power, that enables them seek for agricultural food amongst other products in order to have their demand met. Nutritional requirements, particularly for children provide a ready market for agricultural products including fruits. Globalization enables accessibility of food stuff at the convenience of consumers. Buyers and sellers can now meet virtually over the internet and trade. Transport of the physical products can thereafter be done at the location of the client. The concept of social structure goes hand in hand with the phenomenon of globalization. Changes in a social structure, for example, adoption of new life-styles would have a direct impact on food systems as well as agricultural systems through which such foods are produced. Changes in social structure contribute, as well, to changes in consumption rate of the available food, and consequently determining the level of income to be generated through agri-businesses. The concept of symbolic interactionism can be said to apply within the phenomenon of globalization. Use of the internet has provided sufficient information about almost everything. Research and innovations are posted on the internet for everyone to access. Innovations in agriculture and other related field like marketing can be accessed online, thus informing the masses of the newly come products and advanced approaches in marketing including e-commerce. E-commerce is one of the major electronically supported business transactions, which, however, the involved parties must be well informed regarding the procedures of transacting. This follows the argument by interactionists that one can only adjust to certain actions if he/she can manage to interpret them. Therefore, through interactionism humans are perceived to be creative entities, as seen in the phenomenon of globalization; active participants with the power to develop their social world; humans are not passive; they are therefore not just conforming social objects. When a given family adopts a given symbolic approach to the food system, that food system holds a symbolic meaning relevant to that family. For example, a family may value growing pumpkins a lot and thus any other foreign family has to first seek to understand the concept of pumpkins before adopting the culture of growing them. In social sciences, the doctrine of functionalism tends to be integrated within the concept of globalization. This concept applies more to the third world countries; as such nations act as objects which desire to be globally competitive, and especially in food systems. The functionalism concept states that such nations, though existing amongst the developed nations, they bear dependence; not just on the internal constitution, rather entirely on the functionality in the system of cognition of which it bears a portion. The impact of globalization should be studied thoroughly, for example by borrowing the historical approaches by Durkheim, to use statistical and scientific techniques in studying sociology. Statistical analysis helps in understanding the real context of the third world countries, and thereafter adopts the necessary measurers in utilizing attributes of globalization including technological advancement and advanced economic approaches. The other functionalists’ anticipation involves the necessary social system needs which need to be addressed in order for activities such agri-food businesses to operate. Issues such approaches to politics need to be addressed especially in the third world countries in order to create a conducive environment for agri-food business with fewer restrictions. An individual belonging to a given society is capable of impacting that society since he/she is an integral of that given society. A change in the food system would greatly affect the economy of the nation. The improved food distribution and marketing helps realize more profits. Also, deterioration in the food system as a result of globalization has a negative impact on society. For example, use of generically produced food products and excessive use of chemicals in agriculture can put the health of a given population’s at risk. Globalization has both the positive and the negative impacts in the society. Indirect conflicts thus arise from various entities involved in technological, economic, and social aspects. Conflict theory helps in understanding this concept of conflict, even within the era of globalization. In order for globalization to be optimally beneficial, countries involved must adopt political revolutionally program; and an outstanding stance with respect to the social arrangements in existence. Capital owners are perceived to be generating profits through offering employees less payments than the worth of the work done, and, therefore, exploiting them. Economic exploitation has a direct impact on political oppression; this is seen as capital owners ensure that they maintain their economic power in order to gain control over the state as they convert it into a bourgeois economic interests’ servant. Additionally, consequently, social institutions and ideology, act to perpetuate and reproduce the class structure of the economy. There are therefore, the exploitative arrangements of the economy by capitalism from the developed countries, as they strive in attaining the top-most level in technology and innovation amongst other sociological spheres. Addressing globalization from another perspective, globalization is defined as the reduction of barriers which hinder movement of capital, goods, and services, across borders; an accelerated commodity flow, information, financial capital, technologies, modes of marketing and distribution; and sometimes migration (movement) of labor and peoples (Shetty 2003). The concept of globalization is therefore featured by the Marx’s concept of conflict of power since those who great powers in production of food tend to use their position in earning massive profits at the expense of employees’ efforts. Having discussed how capital owners (developed countries) are highly esteemed, we therefore realize that they have power over the developing countries. Sustainability of any society exhibits capacity of endurance. For human beings, sustainability entails the long-term well-being maintenance, with economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Social sustainability encompasses the approach of union, a mutual responsibility, an interdependent relationship with every thing on the earth (living and non-living). Globalization encompasses the economy, environment, society, technological development amongst other attributes. When concepts of globalization are optimally utilized, integrating technology with the current ways of carrying out agriculture, distribution and marketing, there would therefore be a healthier manner of food production and better societal sustainability. Sustainable life depends on embracing a duty of pursuing harmony with nature and other people. The guiding policies have a basic principle that people should take care of the earth and share with each other. Humanity must stop taking products of nature than the nature itself can replenish. A sustainable society is run with principles which show some interrelations and mutual support to each other. These principles include: i) Care and respect for the community. This first principle concerns the caring duty for other forms of life and other people, currently and in future perspective. This is a principle of ethics. The explanation is that we should not implement developments at later generations’ or groups’ expense. A balance should thus be reached to apply on a fair platform as we share on the available resources. This would help traverse concepts of capitalism and power conflict which tends to take advantage of other people for their personal benefits. ii) Improve the human’s quality of life. The ultimate developmental aim is to have the human life’s quality improved. The process of improving the quality of life facilitates humans realize the potential bestowed in them, build self-confidence, as well as lead dignified lives and fulfillment. Healthy food implies a health generation. Changes in the kind of food grown, for example the generically produced seeds have a side effect due to overuse of chemicals during production. iii) Conserve the vitality and diversity of the earth Development based on conservation needs to integrate deliberate causes of action in order to protect the functions, structure, and the natural systems of the world which display diversification, and utterly support our species. This means that we have to provide necessary conservation to systems of life-support, which is an ecological approach that helps maintain fitness of the planet to support life. Additionally, people have to conserve biodiversity. The diversity in this context involves species of plants and animals. Human population has increased at a higher rate in the twenty first century than in the previous century. This implies that more pressure is exerted on the earth, since more food and health environment are required. iv) Maintain the carrying capacity of the earth. Policies should be implemented to attain a balance between human population and life-styles, and the capacity of nature. Failure of such an implementation would cause deterioration of ecosystems like the biosphere v) Change personal practices and attitudes. Re-examination of personal values and thereafter the behavior helps in the process of adopting the necessary ethic for attaining a sustainable life. It is the role of the society to promote values which support the newly come ethic, as well as discourage the ethics integrated with a way of life that is currently sustainable. Education is one of the key tools which can help third world countries change some of the attitude such as esteeming farming as a lesser profession. vi) Present a framework at the national level to integrate conservation and development. Every society needs basis of knowledge and information, a legal and institutions framework, and consistent social and economic policies if a rational way of advancement is expected. A national programme, responsible for attaining sustainability ought to involve every interest, and strive to identify as well as prevent crisis before arising. Although globalization is characterized by constant changes, national policies would help maintain national universalities and hinder some foreign capitalists form entering third world countries to oppress and exploit them. vii) Generate a global alliance. No nation currently is self-sufficient. In order for third world countries to economic sustainability, sound measures must be put in place I order to steer the global connectivity. Such measures include seeking for a stable alliance should be put in place among all countries. With the use of internet, third world countries can access their markets easily and at cheaper costs. Global alliances would help create common markets for food products, and therefore realizing more profits. Economists argue that knowledge, and particularly knowledge gap, is a major contributing factor of the “new economy.” Production and utilization of knowledge affects societal development. The performance of food systems, from production, procurement and selling, is to a greater extent determined by utilization of the available knowledge. The involved operations integrated in globalization calls for application of knowledge and skills; members of the society should be equipped with such knowledge and skills. Countries like Malaysia have embarked on using knowledge as the key for economic development. World Bank published, in 1998/99, the two knowledge types: knowledge regarding technology (know how), and knowledge regarding attributes causing information crisis, such as the knowledge gaps. Developing nations show less technological know-how compared to the industrialized nations. This unequal distribution of knowledge within and across nations is referred to as the knowledge gaps (World Bank 1999). Certainly, bridging the knowledge gap a necessary step in economic development. A sustainable growth of the economy is achieved when the right knowledge is applied in running the economy. The President of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, commented on a study of masses, “Voices of the Poor,” “Poor people know as well as anybody else that what keeps them poor is the lack of competitiveness and lack of knowledge” (Far Eastern Economic Review, June 27). Third world countries are associated with a high level of ignorance, caused by a shortage of relevant information which would in turn help them attain a healthy economic status and better social platform. Ignorance hinders one from realizing that through simple strategies of farming, he/she can produce enough food for personal consumption and for commercial purposes. There are problems that are associated with monoculture: i) Globalization calls for continuous learning in of management of monoculture programmes since the application of proper skills of management are required. ii) The farmer is forced to utterly depend on chemical insecticides as well as similar techniques of controlling diseases and insects. iii) Forced Evictions High profits expectations from agro-export business have triggered a powerful demand for water and land in the name of expanding monocultures. This has led to evictions of persons from their legally owned land. iv) Destruction of Biodiversity, Climate Change, Pollution etc. Literature has it that monocultures can cause the genetic weakening as well as complete destruction of biodiversity. Additionally, deforestation caused by monocultures destroys viable sources of wild food sources. Conclusion Globalization plays a great role in turning the globe into a village through connectivity and universal protocols of operations. Globalization can help raise the economic level of a country with a significant margin. With proper structures and the appropriate rules running such structures, the country gains harmony in running its affairs, which would help place it at a global platform of operations. Globalization I food systems has created more markets for agricultural products; more customers access products and I turn the country benefits from the overall revenues obtained. References: Blumer, Herbert. 1969. Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Development.” New York: Oxford University Press. Durkheim, Emile. 1915. The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life: A Study in Religious Sociology. Translated by Joseph Ward Swain. New York: Macmillan. IUCN, UNEP, and WWF. “Caring for the Earth: A strategy for sustainable living.” Marx, Karl. 1971. A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy. Tr. S. W. Ryanzanskaya, edited by M. Dobb. London: Lawrence & Whishart. 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