Globalization Is the Effect of Various Integrative Encounters between Countries - Essay Example

Globalization Introduction Globalization is the effect of various integrative encounters between countries over half a millennium that has resulted into actions of coming closer to each other, and this process resulted in exchange of national assets between the countries for their own development. Globalization is the process of integration of ideas, culture, products, services, technology, views and ambitions all over the globe. Although the rise of telecommunication infrastructure and developments in transportation have been responsible for the spread of globalization, the need for globalization lay in the several encounters at world stages over the past half a millennium. It is due to those encounters found on the pages of world history that several phenomena like exchange of ideas, thoughts, ambition, trade and technology have evolved giving rise to globalization. Phenomena of different centuries that have played the most important roles in globalization Several phenomena of different centuries have played the most important roles in globalization. These phenomena are the ideas, ambition and plan of accession to the thrown in order to gain complete control of the bureaucracy, military and thereafter to play a national role in the overall development of their nations through exchange with the international community. The regimes of President Assad in Syria and Saddam Hussein in Iraq since the 1960s indicate that these phenomena have led the path of establishment of self-identity for the nations, like Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Persian Gulf, etc., and created a platform of equality with the international community where exchange of trade and technology could take place. The fourth largest city in Syria is Hama, where Assad followed the Hama rule, which states, “Rule or Die” (Hureau 105). The historical wars and civil wars have led to the growing importance of international human rights and citizenship rights and established the demands of a global citizen for better ways of livelihood. These phenomena have brought the international communities closer to each other, earned higher degrees of tolerance, and created an environment of overall improvement through exchange of facilities between the nations. The phenomena of women’s empowerment over the centuries have also fostered the spread of globalization. The position of women in the oldest civilizations of China and India depicts the inferior status of women in the previous 600 hundred years of history. The societies were majorly patriarchal societies with power and influence of decision making in the hands of the men. The physical and psychological inferiority of women hindered the output of potential of the women. The women in China were influenced by the Confucian culture whereas in India, the women were dominated by the religious and cultural aspects of moral duties and obedience. With the growing dominance of men over women, the liberalization efforts on the part of women were observed in their struggle for equality. The willingness of attainment of equal status with the men opened the doors of the world, which led to their access to rights and legislative powers. Thus, the participation in the world platform and the freedom to be a part of the interaction between the communities led to the process of globalization. The phenomena of taxation in trade from the 16th century has played significant role in the spread of globalization. This could be observed in the Iranian history. Influenced by the bribes offered by the British colonial rule, the then ruler Nassir Ed-Din Shah sold monopoly rights to the imperial power. The Iranians received a considerable fixed amount on a monthly basis plus a quarter of the net profits. A sabotage act by the imperial rule stopped the payments to the Iranian empire in order to increase own profits of the trade. This led to a rise of national sentiments, and the farmers, peasants, and the trade agents revolted against the ruler. Ultimately, Nassir Ed-Din Shah was assassinated. Unable to put up with the growing nationalism and sentiments, the foreign investors set up their own plants in the foreign land that were nationalized for operation. The operation and administration were controlled by the foreign investors who incorporated advanced technologies in the trade. The exchange of resources for continuing trade operations in foreign land led to the spread of globalization that evolved over the last 600 years (Courtwright 154). Contribution of important phenomenon in achieving globalization The impact of the different phenomena is wide spread in bringing the countries all over the world into closer bonds with each other. The aggression and ambition of rulers like Hafez Assad of Syria, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, etc., have resulted into blood baths in those countries. It is needless to say that there were strong oppositions from major sections of the population while the rulers like Assad in Syria and Hussein in Iraq declared themselves as Presidents of the nations. The rulers manipulated the situations in their favor in order to attain smoothness in their path of accession to the position of the head of respective countries. During their rule, there were strong rebellions which were suppressed by both Assad and Saddam with the help of their national military resources. The common people of the country were massacred and forced to come under the rule. The regimes utilized their armory of weapons and tanks in order to destroy the rebellion and keep their nations under control. A tight control over their people created the space of implementing their policies and strategies over the development of the national economies. The roads and highways were improved, the infrastructural facilities were developed, low cost housings for accommodation were built, and economic growth was achieved. All these achievements were supported by import of advanced technologies and engagement in trade with other countries. Thus, a platform of global interchange was established that fostered the ways of achieving globalization. The empowerment of women has helped the attainment of globalization in a far better manner. In the process of interchange of ideas, culture and fruits of social development between the countries, it was essential that the society itself did not discriminate against its members in their contributions to globalization. The women have access to several public rights and are possessors of special characteristic traits that distinguish them from men to gain a competitive edge. Women have reached the pinnacle in several spheres of life that include teaching, employment, entrepreneurship, technology as well as trade, which has helped the spread of globalization in an inclusive manner (Stearns, Gosch, Grieshaber, and Belzer 48). The integral encounters in trade and taxation that took place over the last 600 years laid the foundation of globalization. The takeover of trade operations of the foreign investors from England and France resulted into conflict with national sentiments due to non-adherence to commitment and difference in culture. In order to avoid trade barriers due to nationalism, the investors set up their own plants in the foreign land which were nationalized. Thus, the exchange of technologies in the trade system resulted in exchange of resources that led to the growth of the globalization process. Globalization: is it a negative or a positive light? Globalization has both pros and cons at different stages of its spread throughout the countries. Globalization exposed the domestic markets and industries to foreign competition and innovation. The foreign goods, services, and technologies offered cost-effective products and solution which threatened the existence of domestic industries, which gave rise to nationalism and revolts. On the other hand, globalization also had positive effects. Due to the exchange of ideas, culture, ambition, technology, and trade, the overall economic condition of the countries improved. The access to improved resources, advanced technologies, sharing of risk and specialized knowledge helped the countries gain competitive advantage in the international arena. Globalization brought the countries closer to each other, which enabled a better understanding and resolution of conflict of interests. Apart from individual economic growth of the countries, the countries also contributed to the development of international economy through channelization of resources to weaker countries at a cost in order to maintain a system of parity in the global arena. Globalization has now spread its wings widely across the globe with acceptance of all the countries. Conclusion The seeds of globalization are rooted in the various integrated encounters between the countries over the last half a millennium. Due to the several combats as a result of conflicting interest, needs and ambition, the need for a better environment of co-existence through healthy interaction and exchange of ideas, culture and belief was realized. Over the period of time, exchange of technology and trade led to the exchange of resources and benefits between the countries. Several events on the pages of history are testimony to such facts that led to the spread of globalization. The regimes of several dynasties, empowerment of the society, evolution of the taxation system in trade and further conflict with foreign investors have led to the establishment of foreign subsidiaries in the land, thus leading to the exchange of technology and trade benefits. Although globalization has exposed the domestic industries to foreign competition, it has led to an inclusive growth of the countries by creating a process of healthy exchange of resources. Works Cited Hureau, Jean. Syria Today. Syria: EIditions J.A., 1977. Print. Courtwright, David T. Forces of Habit: Drugs and the Making of the Modern World. UK: Harvard University Press, 2001. Print. Stearns, Peter N., Stephen S. Gosch, Erwin P. Grieshaber, and Allison Scordino Belzer. Documents in World History, Volume 2 / Edition 6. USA: Prentice Hall, 2011. Print. Read More