Definition: It’s a process of economic, social and cultural integration all over the world.
-> Due to advances in means of transports and telecommunications the world is becoming more and more interconnected.
-> Products, capital, ideas, culture, circulate more freely, but has globalization improved
people's lives? (food for thought).
This process has effects on:
- economy
- political systems
- environment
- culture
- social life
- education
Advantages
1- Faster and better means of communication have made it possible for people around the globe to access the same products.
(goods are cheaper on the internet, your friend, singing beautifully, has taken off on You tube and people download their music..).
2- Globalization has enhanced our knowledge of the world.
3- Cultures become richer as they get in touch with each other. Globalization broadens our mind.
4- We are connected thanks to internet technology and mobile phones.
5- We can communicate with people all over the world. The human life becomes global.
6- Education is promoted. Students can study abroad.
7- There are more international NGOs which want to exert influence in politics in their area of work. Non-profit, charitable and social organizations etc carry out campaigns to fight poverty, hunger, child labor, dowry, free education. Global communities have increased their awareness of the problems in the world.
8-Globalization can improve international relations among different nations.
Disadvantages
1-Traditions are disappearing as new generations adopt global traditions.(Halloween).
Are we losing our identity? Each culture has a different way to perceive the world and if they disappear we will be poorer. We need diversity; without debate, dialogue there is no social or moral progress.
- Music, news, products are having a great influence on us and have become dominant
(McDonalds chain restaurants can be found in each country)
More variety and cheaper but with a negative impact on people (hard working conditions; workers exploitation, long working hours, very low wages-> See below)
and on environment: pollution, natural resources devastated, deforestation),
2- Developed countries have mostly benefited from the process of Globalization than the developing countries. A gap between rich and poor is becoming deeper.
3- Financial crisis, terrorism are not limited by borders.
4- Great corporations are relocating their companies to developing countries to make production cheaper (seeking cheap labor) and they take advantage of : great flexibility to operate and invest in other countries, less tax burden, more permissive laws, weak rules concerning pollution etc)
Local shops have to shut down. Companies are taken over by bigger corporations-> they can’t compete with multinationals.
6- Traffic between countries has polluted tourist destinations (Barcelona).
7- Diseases spread from one country to another country.
8. There is free trade but there are borders that impede people from free circulation (refugee crisis)
9. Globalization is being carried out following economic rules (we have prioritize economic issues) rather than ethic principles. Economic growth and benefits of great corporations are much more important than people and their rights. We don’t fight for the Common Good, we just pursue our own interest.( problems of corruption-> bad use of public money). A neoliberal model is prevailing. We defend freedom and respect for human rights but individualism and consumerism are winning. Under these circumstances, what kind of cultural model can we have? the ones given by Global Mass Media, social networks?
To have in mind:
- Benefits and disadvantages are here to stay. Rich countries like UK, Germany and the United States can sell more goods and products to poorer markets on the Global South.
- Local business and brands in developing countries can go bankrupt as big corporations in developed countries can dominate the economy of their country.
- Local traditions and cultures may change. People in poor countries can abandon their cultural customs as they would want to look like stars in Hollywood.
- Non-English speaking countries want to learn English. More and more schools in developing nations are teaching their students this global language.
- Process of globalization of democracy or human rights doesn’t exist and as a result, inequality is greater and people in need and poor nations are the most affected ones.
- People must get to know how to reap its benefits, reduce risks and work together to remedy the problems that have arisen. Countries in the Global North and Global South must work to spread its benefits.