Strengths and Weaknesses of Globalization - Essay Example

In todays modern lives, globalisation is one of the characteristics that are central in our way of life, especially in the western society. Globalisation has had a tremendous impact on our lives, and forever changed the way the world functions, interacts and behaves. Generally speaking, globalisation is the "ongoing process by which regional economies, societies and cultures have become integrated through globe-spanning networks of exchange". The term can sometimes refer particularly to an economic globalisation, which is the integration of national economies into an international economy through trade, capital flows, migration, spread of technology and many other factors contributing to it (Bhagwati, 2004). Globalisation is usually recognized as being caused by a combination of economic, socio-cultural, technological, political and biological factors. It can also refer to the dissemination of ideas, languages or popular culture between nations (Croucher, 2004). Living in a globalised world has its share of negative effects on the average citizen, and globalisation has been one of the most hotly-debated issues in international economics in the past years. One of the causes for this opposition to globalisation is the concern that globalisation has increased inequality and environmental degradation (Hopkins, 2004). Fears for inequality arise in situations in which companies take advantage of cheap labour force in backward countries and use employees for their own needs without taking care of their working conditions. Also, as a result of the industrial nature of factories and that are responsible for manufacturing goods, the environment suffers damages in its land, in bodies of water (including rivers, lakes, oceans, seas) and in the air as well (as poisonous materials are released to the air). Poorer countries suffer more disadvantages because of globalisation. As some countries try to save their national markets, they sometimes subsidise their main export, which is agricultural goods. This lowers the poor farmers crop prices in the poor countries compared to what it would have been if countries had not subsidised their goods. (Hurst, n.d) One other negative effect of globalisation in the economic field is the increase in child labour. The conditions in the poorer countries of the world along with the "enticements" offered by large corporations in them cause even children to go to work in order to help support their families. These children often work in sweatshops and in terrible conditions. The increases in labour demands can lead to "trafficking in children, children in bondage or forced labour, prostitution, pornography and other illicit activities". (Pavcnik, 2005) An additional negative effect globalization has had on the modern world is that it caused an insecurity in the field of jobs. People once had stable and lasting jobs, but today they dread losing their jobs. Increased job competition has led to lower wages to employees, and this in turn caused a reduction in the standards of life (Pillai, 2008). Additionally, given the accessible and pertinent mobility of people who can travel across the world within a day or so, viral and other diseases have become somewhat of a threat to the global community. Unlike in previous times, people today have an extremely easy access to move between countries and continents. Every day tens of thousands of people (or even more) fly to a different country. In the case of some virus or bacterial threat in only one country, there is a very real risk of it getting to many other countries within a few days. As time goes by, people who travelled to these other countries, who were infected with the disease, will probably infect even more people, some of whom will also travel to other countries. Hence, from a local health problem, something like this can quickly become a worldwide epidemic. Such is the case of the Swine influenza that is currently worrying many people around the world. Finally, one other aspect that it is important to note when talking about the negative effects of globalisation is the impact it had on crime and terror. Nowadays, criminals and terrorists have a much easier time to move around, gather supporters from different places, arm themselves with weapons and spread their propaganda. In the specific case of international terror, we can see examples of terrorist organisations across the globe that are gaining followers by uploading and posting inciting information and facts online. They use the internet, among other technological means, as a tool for the distribution of their murderous and dangerous political and social views. They are succeeding in recruiting people to their ranks by using the media formats, and this is becoming a greater and greater problem as time goes by. Be that as it may, globalisation clearly has its positive aspects. The most obvious and notable effect it has had on the world is that information has become incredibly easy to access. Today, in just a few clicks on the mouse, one can access an unbelievable abundance of information which is free, unlimited and unrestricted. We are no longer dependent on books and other written materials which are often less accessible. We can now find out anything we want online. Additionally, speaking from the economic point of view, globalisation has led to increased trading opportunities and to the formation of a "global market". Stocks and commodities are now being traded between countries at a scope that has never been larger, and it is continuing to grow each year. This leads to better living conditions and to economic growth of the countries trading the goods. Financial cooperation is now available between countries, companies and organisations, and this leads to the creation of new employment possibilities as well as contributes to the local economies. One other important thing that has happened thanks to globalisation is that modern values, concepts and ideas are being spread to places which were in the past more remote, desolate and secluded, or ones that were simply quite backward in terms of their modernity. This results in more countries around the world embracing modern and beneficial laws, rules of conduct and social norms. These have led many people to live freer, more liberated lives, granting them rights they previously did not have. In conclusion, we can see that globalisation has had a tremendous impact on the entire world, one like which we hadnt seen much until then and since. Its been one of the most important processes that have taken place in the history of human civilization, and has brought with it many positive and negative aspects. Its influenced individuals, families, communities, organisations and countries in every field in life- the political, social, economic, communicational, informational, and interpersonal and so on and so forth. The main thing we see that has been a result of globalisation is the quick and easy transference of people, ideas, opinions, materials, goods and any practically any other tangible or intangible thing imaginable, to other countries and continents. It is clear that globalisation has granted us with freedoms the likes of which we had never seen before, but it has also had some detrimental effects on us. Ultimately, it is up to each and every one of us to consider which effects are more significant in his opinion and what it means to him to live in a globalised world. References Bhagwati, J. (2004). "In Defense of Globalization". Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.  Chossudovsky, M (2003). "The Globalization of Poverty and the New World Order". Global Outlook, Edition 2. Croucher S.L.(2004). "Globalization and Belonging: The Politics of Identity in a Changing World". Hopkins A.G. (2004). "Globalization in World History". Norton, p. 4. Hurst E.C (n.d). "Social Inequality: Forms, Causes, and Consequences". 6th ed. p.41. Mcmahon, P.J & Tschetter J.H (1986). "The Declining Middle Class: A Further Analysis". Monthly Labor Review, Vol. 109. Pavcnik, N. (2005). "Child Labor in the Global Economy". Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol. 19 (Issue 1), p. 199–220. Pillai, P. (2008). "Negative Effects of Globalization". Buzzle Website. Retrieved August 14, 2009 from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/negative-effects-of-globalization.html Read More