Globalization and Its Enemies - Dissertation Example

Globalization Globalization is an issue that has attracted a lot of attention globally over the recent past. In fact the media plays a significant role in disseminating information and as well discuss issues relating to globalization. For instance, the media has been abuzz with stories relating to how the political instability in Ukraine and other countries experiencing political instabilities is affecting other nations. In essence, globalization has both negative and positive consequences. This is a paper in support of the issue of globalization. To understand this issue in an in-depth manner, it is important to define the word globalization. There are many definitions of globalization. According to Ervin and Smith, "Globalization refers to real changes that are important to human society" (2). The changes however affect people differently. Yu defines globalization as "A process of integrating human life, taking place as a global and holistic tendency that reaches beyond regional and national boundaries" (65). This definition describes globalization as an intentional procedure or course of action and predisposition of present-day human progression and advancement past national frontier. Though there are many problems or disadvantages associated with globalization, in my opinion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Since globalization involves human development past national frontiers, many nations are exposed to the global market. There is no nation in the world that has developed in terms of financial or monetary capabilities and socially while being cut-off from other countries. Subsequently, globalization leads to elevated levels of Human Development Index (HDI). HDI is considered a calculator of the financial wellbeing of a nation or people. It is important to posit that HDI considers the major facets of development including awareness, prolonged existence of the population, and also the health of the population, and it compares development between nations. Siddiqui asserts that "The HDI is a simple average of the life expectancy index, education index, and GDP index" (179). The gross domestic product (GDP) of many countries in the world has significantly increased over the recent past, and this has been as a result of globalization. Globally, the GDP level increased form USD 17 trillion to USD 107 trillion between 1950 and the end of the twentieth century. The highest rate of growth in terms of GDP was witnessed in countries with high HDI especially China and India (Lockwood, Vorboys and Kothari n.p). Peoples ability to read and write has also increased as a result of globalization. Most of illiterate individuals are inhabitants of the developing countries. Countries that opened up their borders to trade with other countries in the past are among the first world countries. Most African and Asian countries opened up for trade with other countries recently and that is why they are still struggling in terms of their economies. Siddiqui elucidates the fact that many Southern Asian countries improved their adult and teenage literacy levels between 1990 and 2002 (181). Globalization has also led to increased movement of people from one region to another. This in itself has economic and social benefits. Many people and communities today have been defined on the basis of their culture. Movement of people leads to the spread of cultures. Immigration has potential benefits to the recipient country since an increase in population is some of these countries means an increase in the labor force and hence more development. Most immigrants are from developing countries, meaning, migrating to other parts of the world offers them an opportunity to earn a living and as well provide for their families. Therefore, though immigration leads to imbalances in terms of population growth, it has a lot of economic benefits in that aspect. As labor force is transferred from one region to another through immigration, there is an increased probability that technology will also be transferred hence increase productivity and subsequently lead to economic development (United Nations 110). Globalization has improved trade between countries and hence there has been development and expansion of global organizations and other domestic organizations working together with these international organizations. This has therefore led to creation of many jobs especially in the developing countries (United Nations 109). Some of the international companies are established or expanded into third world countries such as India due to availability of resources and also cheap labor. The host country is able to source revenue from such institutions through taxes and licensing fees. Globalization has opened up opportunities for women. Traditionally, both men and women has separate and distinct roles. While men were required to work and provide for their families, women were required to give birth and take care of the household. In African societies, the wealth and success of a household was gauged by the number of children, among other factors such as the number of animals. As a result of globalization, more girls were enrolled in education institutions and this led to women empowerment. Women today are not required to stay at home, give birth, and look after children. In fact, there has been an increase in the number of women in political positions as well as in other leadership positions. The changing role and position of women can be illustrated through the decline in the rates of birth over the recent past. In the developing countries, birth rate fell from six children per woman in the 1950s to the current average of three children per woman (Cohen 84). Yu explicates the fact that globalization fosters peace and unity among all countries in the world today. For countries to trade among themselves, treaties or agreements have to be signed. Therefore, each of the countries involved in such a trade ought to respect and abide by the trade agreement. Countries working together have to ensure peaceful working conditions and must unite to facilitate trade. The establishment of some of the international bodies or organizations such as the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank can be linked to globalization. These organizations are involved in offering financial aid and grants to nations struggling economically, and also have been involved in encouraging peace and unity all over the world (67). Globalization is credited for opening up trade among countries. It is common in the modern world for people to import commodities such as vehicles and other items from other countries. Globalization ensures that people get value for their money. This is attributed to the fact that an individual seeking to purchase an item is able to compare the quality and cost of products from various regions or countries, and subsequently procure the best quality and affordable products (Yu 67). In support of globalization, it is important to consider that it leads to "Increased centralization of capital, information, as well as power and wealth" (Yu 67). In other words, there has been an increase in the number of companies or major organizations in the global market uniting and working together as one, and this increases centralization and control of resources and assets. A good example is the joining together of McDonnell-Douglas and Boeing in the aviation sector. In addition, international integration has contributed to the rise of the internet (Yu 68). The internet was provoked by the global thirst for information. In the contemporary world, people are able to access any information associated with trade and industry from their mobile phones and personal computers. This has boosted trade and in fact contributed to economic development in many nations as people are able to advertise and sell their products through the internet. Some countries are more advanced technologically than others. Through international integration, third world countries and other countries in need of advanced technology can easily procure such technologies (Markovic 8). Countries are also able to form relationships that makes them possible to borrow money from each other. For instance, China has over the recent past given loans to many countries in the developing world. Many third world countries have been unable to depend solely on their domestic revenue for development. Through globalization, many international organizations and factories have been opened to the elements of competition. This has made them seek novel ways of improving their productions as well as the quality of their products. In other words, globalization encourages innovations and modernization (Tanzi 3). Some cultural values or traditions especially in African countries failed to treat people with equality. The globalization of law has led to the harmonization of legal issues to include all people from all parts of the world regardless of their color, gender, or physical abilities. Subsequently, people have merger their traditional values and practices with modern practices in a bid to improve their lives. For instance, the Chinese have embraced modern architecture and merger traditionalism and modernism in their architecture today (Yu 71). This means that people are able to construct more durable and quality houses. Critics have posited that this has contributed to the erosion of cultural values. However, the benefits brought by adapting modern techniques in architecture outweighs the disadvantages. The issue of environmental pollution has attracted major debates and deliberations all over the world. Human beings and other living things depend on the environment for survival. This means the destruction of the environment through all forms of pollution has over the recent past put the survival of living things at stake. Though globalization, all nations of the world have come together and implemented policies to try an curd this problem of environmental pollution as well as warming of the environment (Yu 72). Some of these international agreements regarding environmental management include the control and minimization of carbon emissions. In addition, countries have been able to fight drug peddling and other vices such as human trafficking through international integration (Yu 72). Conclusion Globalization has a lot of advantages or benefits in the world today. Through globalization, many nation have been opened up for trade. Globalization has also led to an increase in the Human Development Index, has opened up opportunities for women, and has led to establishment and expansion of many global companies that give jobs to a lot of people all over the world. Through globalization, there has also been the need to establish international institutions such as the United Nations that helps foster and maintain peace and unity all over the world. Globalization has also led to centralization of resources as people are able to access commodities easily, and also through mergers of major international organizations or institutions. Globalization has brought countries together to fight the impacts of environmental pollution as well as other vices such as drug trafficking and human trafficking. Works cited Cohen, Daniel. Globalization and its Enemies. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2006. Print. Ervin, Justin and Smith Zachary A. Globalization: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2008. Print. Lockwood, Michael, Vorboys Graeme and Kothari Ashish, eds. Managing Protected Areas: A Global Guide. Sterling: Routledge, 2006. Print. Markovic, Mirjana R. Impact of Globalization on Organizational Culture, Behavior and Gender Role. Charlotte: Information Age Publishing, 2012. Print. Siddiqui, Anjum, eds. India and South Asia: Economic Developments in the Age of Globalization. New York: M.E. Sharpe Inc, 2007. Print. Tanzi, Vito. Globalization and the need for fiscal reform in developing countries. Buenos Aires: IDB-INTAL, 2004. Print. United Nations. Sustainable Social Development in a Period of Rapid Globalization: Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Options. New York: United Nations, 2002. Print. Yu, Keping. Globalization and Changes in Chinas Governance. Leiden: IDC, 2008. Print. Read More