Globalist and Sceptical Perspective on Globalisation - Coursework Example

Compare and contrast globalist and sceptical perspective on globalisation It would not be a mistake to suggest to living in an organized social environment should be regarded as an irreplaceable prerequisite that contributes to the development of the inner potential of a person to its fullest. Indeed, if it had not been for the society, a lot of abilities that are characteristic to the human civilization would have ceased to exist. Nevertheless, one should point out that just like a person evolves in a society, the latter is also developing. In other words, the world that one can witness today is not the world that our ancestors witnessed in many aspects. One of the most peculiar ones is the idea of globalization. Being a rather controversial topic, it was able to generate different perspectives on it. This paper will give an objective account of globalist (a positive approach) and sceptical (a negative approach) perspective on the issue of globalization. To begin with, one should analyze the advantageous elements of the process in question. First of all, it would not be a mistake to point out that globalization largely reflects the fact that the modern world is interconnected. Indeed, the development of technology allowed people to share images, sounds and information regardless of distance. As a result, the communication between nations has increased (Scott 285). Keeping in mind that globalization heavily relies on international communication, it is obvious that it will only deepen. In other words, one of the positive outcomes of globalization will bring the enhanced interaction between the nations all over the world and will result into a better understanding. In addition to that, as technology develops more and more this future will became the reality, enabling people to get connected to the world framework of communication. What is more important is that the enhanced interaction that was discussed previously is likely to result into increased cooperation between the nations. Indeed, in spite of the fact that trade between states existed from the dawn of the human civilization, it is quite understandable that due to lack of appropriate technology it was largely restricted to the respective regions. To a certain extent this shaped the global political world as we know it today. However, one of the peculiarities that globalization possesses focuses on the fact that nations are able to cross the regional border and trade with countries that are literary located on the other side of the world. There is no doubt that it is likely to have a positive impact on the economy of such countries, contributing to the economic stability as well as well being of the population. While considering the issue of globalization, one can not avoid discussion of the concept of global identity. Indeed, the modern culture does not make much emphasis on the nationality of a person which frees one from the predetermined framework of cultural background (Lechner and Boli 17). In spite of the fact that this does not mean that the culture of globalization promotes one size fits all approach when it comes to ethnic identity, the above mentioned process urges people who come from different nations to be engaged in the cultural processes that happen all around the world. An appropriate example might be found in one of the recent electronic phenomena, namely social networks: while the latter were invented in the Western world and largely operate with concepts that are rooted in Western perception, there are many social networks that spawned in other countries allowing people there to gain first hand experience of this kind of communication. In addition to that, the process of globalization is the product of and simultaneously the main contributor to the idea of unified vision that is shared by the entire humanity. Indeed, the second half of the twentieth century features emergence of different institutes that were unknown before, especially international organizations. In spite of the fact that some of them were designed to contribute to security and cooperation, there are some which promote economic globalization as well, such as the World Bank. Keeping this in mind, one might point out that the above mentioned situation features a remarkable example when the humanity made effective efforts to develop a common understanding of different problems and set collective goals that are thought to be achieved together. In other words, globalization is a logical consequence of the gradual development of the mankind. Finally, when one considers that positive aspect of the process in question in broad perspective, one may also note that globalization allows people to live a better and much fuller life than before. This might be seen in different, even extremely detailed examples. Thus, it would not be an exaggeration to suggest that globalization often contributes to the variety of goods that are available for the people (Cohen and Kennedy 113). Indeed, the increased economic cooperation encourages companies from other countries to enter the local markets. In order to win the hearts of the new consumers, the companies use diversity as their competitive advantage, which leads to the fact that people are able to enjoy a wider range of goods. It is quite understandable that the variety of cheese does not directly affect the quality of life, but it provides people with the opportunity to gain new experience and widen their outlook. Moreover, the process of globalization usually results in the reduction of costs that are associated with the production of a particular product. Indeed, if companies replace their site of production overseas where the cost of labour is less expensive, then the former will be able to charge less for a product in order to make the price more attractive for the people. One would make no mistake suggesting that if people spend less money of goods, they will have some extra money that they may spend on the hobbies and contribute to personal development. Indeed, this means that people will be able to achieve a satisfactory level of well being, putting less efforts into it and having more time to spend on their interests which is likely to make their life more enjoyable. Nevertheless, one should also point out that the issue of globalization also possesses a different approach to it, namely a sceptical one. First and most of all, those people who doubt the positive impact of globalization point out the fact that it is not only economic cooperation that was made global nowadays, but terrorism as well (Scholte 86). The attacks on the World Trace Centre of September 11 show how people who come from one particular country were able to harm people who life in a country that is located at such far distance from their homeland. In addition to that, the response of the American government spawn what now is known as the global war on terror which stands for fighting terrorists in every corner of the world, implying that from now one troops of one country might be send to different regions to achieve their military purposes. One would make no mistake that such approach towards international security is unprecedented since in the previous times troops of one country usually stayed on its territory and foreign military presence was often considered to be aggression. Another peculiar aspect of the way in which globalization contributes to the insecurity of the world is the spread of diseases. Indeed, as it has been mentioned previously, the phenomenon is question largely relies on the development of technology and transportation, contributing to the freedom of movement of the people. However, this might have an unexpected side to it: people might bring diseases from distant parts of the world. One of the most articulate examples that may be found in the modern world is Ebola. In spite of the fact that the territory were the disease originates may be found in a rather remote area, people all around the world are afraid since it is extremely contagious and tourists may carry it unknowingly to their homelands. What is more important is that globalization often results in the lack of balance in the international arena in terms of distribution of power among the states. For example, it is suggested that politics is often regarded to be one of the most important driving forces of globalization (Ravenhill 257). Keeping this in mind, one might note that countries of the world tend to pursuit their national interests, so the desire for the global cooperation may contain some hidden motifs. For example, the issue of economic globalization brings up some questions that can hardly be resolved. One of the most obvious ones focuses on the currency that might be used. At the present moment, the United States dollar is the one that is used more often; however, it holds some benefits for the above mentioned country as it is able to emit more dollar bills, contributing to the development of its economy. In addition to that, there is not doubt in the fact that some countries will be more successful in the process of globalization, while others will be able to enjoy less important roles. All this is likely to result into the fact that one country will be have some power over a different one. For example, China is known to be one of the largest exporters of the world, trading with numerous states. In spite of the fact that it does not give it any special advantages in the world of global politics, it is suitable that under certain circumstances, this country may be able to use its economic potential as a way to influence other, less developed countries. As a result, without using any military force, China enjoys an advantageous position on the global arena. Finally, there is one more aspect of the disadvantageous side of the process of globalization that might be somewhat surprising: some researches tend to point out that this global phenomenon may be responsible for hampering the development of the poorly developed countries (Bisley 198). As it has been mentioned before, there are several institutions that promote economic cooperation and issue money to the countries that need financial support. Nevertheless, the latter might be using this money for wrong purposes and not strive for a sustained development, but a temporary relief. As a result, the less developed countries become addicted to the money that is issues by the World Bank and are not able to improve their economy, but only ask for more. There is not doubt in the fact that under such circumstances, the above mentioned countries gradually lose their role of independent global actors and turn into the modern version of colonies which is exactly the opposite what they were striving to achieve. Indeed, in this case, globalization might be compared to a special kind of a medical procedure that is able to have a positive effect on the body of the patient only if it is performed in the correct manner, but it performed too often, it does more harm than good. It is obvious that one might put the blame of this particular aspect of globalization on the leaders of the above mentioned countries. However, the process in question is also responsible for building a framework that can be abused so easily and bringing negative consequences. Having examined all the evidence that analyzed in the paragraphs above, one is able to come to the following conclusion: the issue of globalization is truly a rather controversial one which means that in order to understand it fully, one should pay attention to both sides of the discussion. What is also essential is that both perspectives, globalist and sceptical one, are able to bring a lot of evidence that is rather convincing which means that one can hardly choose a particular side, claiming that globalization is a strictly positive or a strictly negative process that is currently going on in the world. That is why one should keep one’s mind open and make sure that all important information is taken into account while developing an opinion about such a complex phenomenon as globalization. Works Cited Bisley, Nick. Rethinking Globalization. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. Print. Cohen, Robin, and Paul M. Kennedy. Global Sociology. 2nd ed. Washington Square, N.Y.: New York UP, 2007. Print. Lechner, Frank J., and John Boli. The Globalization Reader. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2012. Print. Ravenhill, John. Global Political Economy. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001. Print. Scholte, Jan Aart. Globalization: A Critical Introduction. New York: St. Martins, 2005. Print. Scott, Alan. The Limits of Globalization Cases and Arguments. London: Routledge, 1997. Print. Read More