The Role That Multinational Corporations Play in World Affairs According to Proponents of Globalism - Essay Example

What is the role that multinational corporations play in world affairs, according to proponents of globalism? What is the role that MNCs play to globalization critics? Which view persuades you the most? Explain. Do contemporary international organizations enhance or hinder MNC activity, in your view? Explain. From a systemic level of analysis, the multinational corporations play an important role in ensuring that there is increased trade internationally. It ensures that goods and services are taken closer to the customers. According to the proponents of globalization, multinationals are imperative in the sense that they have assisted in creation of employment for many locals. This owes to the fact that once such multinational companies are established, they assist in alleviating the living standards of the local people. Some of the multinationals, which have transformed the lives of the people according to the proponents of globalization, include the Apple Inc. and the Coca Cola Company. For instance, the former company has majority of its operations in China. This is owing to the fact that this country offers experienced and cheap labor for such multinational companies. The proponents of multinationals also believe that this is the only way to promote the spirit of globalization. With the market being free, every individual has the right to conduct his business in any country, provided all conditions are right. In short, therefore, the proponents of the multinational corporations focus on the macro level (systemic) analysis of this situation. On the other hand, though, the critics of multinational corporations have a different view on this issue. This is because they focus on it from a sub systemic level of analysis. For instance, the multinationals have been criticized for being the main cause of unemployment in some developing countries. This is despite the fact that the proponents indicate otherwise. For instance, once a multinational corporation is established in a developing country, it threatens the infant industries. The latter may not be in a position to cope with the completion of such large multinational corporations. For that reason, some of the local industries are forced to shut down mostly due to reduced sales. This results to an increased unemployment as people loss jobs. The critics indicate that one of the main advantages of the multinational companies is that they are able to operate on a large scale than the local industries. They have capital and therefore have the ability to ensure that there is the right kind of technology and qualified working force to provide quality goods and services. According to the critics, the multinational companies are out to perpetuate their monopolistic powers. Some of these multinational companies come from the developed nations. It is indicated that there is a correlation between the military power and the economic power of any given country. It is for these reasons that majority of critics indicating that the multinationals are out to give more political and military power to some of these countries. Such critics also question the need for globalization. They indicate that globalization has led to many negative effects than it was earlier thought. For instance, it has been challenged for increased unemployment and effect on the local businesses. According to Marxist view, the main beneficiaries of globalization have been the developed countries. They indicate that the main reason why it exists is to enable the developed nations accumulate more wealth especially from the developing nations. For instance, the developed nations have been able to take advantage of the cheap labor provided by the developing nations. While such corporations make a lot of profits, the employees are not rewarded according to the services that are provided. According to my analysis of the situation, I believe that the sub systemic view (critics), best explains the situation in hand. Most of the developing countries still grapple with the issues of unemployment, poverty, and ignorance despite the fact that such multinational companies should seek to assist in alleviating the lives of the people. They are only established for the purpose of making profits and not to improve the lives of the people. For instance, some of these multinational corporations have been blamed for mistreatment of the employees. For instance, the Apple. Inc. was blamed for neglecting its employees in China, by refusing to address the working conditions. It is indicated that such employees were operating in congested premises, where they were also required to work for long hours. Apart from that, others have also been criticized for refusing to reward their employees properly. Due to the need for market liberalization, it has become difficult for the contemporary nations to hinder multinational corporations explicitly. However, some countries discourage the perpetuation of the multinational corporations in some latent means. For instance, taxes have been to discourage multinational corporations in many countries. High taxes discourage some of those companies since they may not fetch as high prices as they would want. Another form of discouraging them has been through rules and regulations established within the international business policies. . 1. Of the two areas of world order, the environment, and human rights, which would you suggest is in the greatest need of international action today? Explain. For which issue are would you suggest there is greatest chance for progress? Explain. Use case studies in answers to both aspects of this question. The world order from a systemic view was established to ensure that countries respect the rule of law, including the human rights, democracy and care for the environment. The fundamental rights of human beings must be protected at all means. The world order is supposed to ensure that the countries that defy the orders are punished through negative sanctions. One of the greatest needs of the international action currently has been the human rights. This is despite the fact that the world is still grappling with the issues of environmental degradations. However, if one focuses on the Arab Spring and what is currently happening in Syria, then one would appreciate that the biggest issue has been the human rights. A lot of resources have been used when pursuing the rights of the people than have been used to ensure that the issues of environmental degradation have been addressed. For instance, there are many civil movements fighting for human rights than there are those asking for protection of the environment. The United States and other developed countries for instance have used a lot of funds for the purpose of supporting the countries that want to become democratic and ensure rule of law. Currently, the Zimbabwean government was supported by the European nations in its bid to have a new constitution despite the fact that the country has been under international sanctions for many years. This therefore demonstrates the price that the world is willing to pay for the purpose of ensuring that the war against infringement of human rights has been won. One of the main issues, which the world will be able to address effectively, is human rights. The environmental issues are political in a way. Some of the countries, which purport to be in the forefront in the fight against environmental pollution, have also been the highest emitters of such gases. For instance, though the United States, China, and India were once the main participants of the Kyoto Protocol signed in Japan, they decided to disassociate themselves from such environmental policies. They decided to have their own guidelines on how to protect the environment. It therefore appears that there is an international body that has the power prosecute any country for failing to adhere to stipulated laws of environmental conservation. Countries such as the United States and China have been criticized for focusing on economic expansion oblivious of the environmental degradation. On the other hand, however, there are various international bodies, which react to countries that refuse to ensure that human rights are protected. For instance, the United Nations has been more particular on ensuring sanctions are enforced to any country that infringes on human rights. The United States through NATO for instance has been able to ensure protection of human rights in countries such as Bosnia and Iraq. The international criminal court on the other hand has been prosecuting the perpetrators of violence within the society. It is therefore clear that the human rights are more addressed than the issues of the environment. Read More