1. Introduction
Globalization is an issue that influences almost all nations across the globe. Perhaps globalization could be considered as the main channel and means for converting this diverse and multicultural world in to the concept and context of global village. Though the world nations are different from one another in multifarious aspects, the possibility of integrations mostly at social, political, cultural and economic realms has been explored through globalization. There appear lot of ambiguity associated with globalization and its multidimensional impacts and so the possibilities for misinterpretations are myriad. Globalization is sure to bring about major changes at various domains and hence there is increased scope for getting strong negative and positive responses simultaneously, from different areas as well. The idea of globalization has been strongly opposed in different parts of the world during the initial phases, but the level and nature of criticisms or resistances has been changed over the years. It has been understood that globalization could bring about various inseparable benefits to the societies or economies and hence the direction or focus of criticism or opposition also changed in the due course. The need for resisting globalization from the perspective of a consumer and as a member of civil society is explored and discussed in detail.
2. Globalization and its impact
Understanding on the impacts of globalization is essential for assessing the need for resisting globalization. Globalization could be considered as a progressive effort aimed at transforming the diverse world through harmonisations and enhanced interactions at political, economic, social and cultural levels. Cohen considers that there appears a “key dialectical dimension to globalization that is often missed by traditional approaches and these contradictions are illustrated simply by the fact that the concept of globalization has altered people’s expectations more than it has increased their ability to act” (166). Globalization undoubtedly creates opportunities for growth and development at various levels, but the benefits might be preceded or followed by various negative repercussions of low or high intensity. That is, despite providing a host of opportunities, there is scope for some negative impacts on individuals, corporate, societies, industries, economies, etc depending on the nature and openness of each nation’s systems, practices and culture. For e.g. the products of local industries of developing countries might suffer a major setback at least in the initial stages of globalization if they are not properly equipped to deal with intense international competition. So the timing and extent of globalization in alignment with the nation’s preparedness is crucial for deciding on the extent of negative impacts of globalization on different entities.
But critics’ blames that globalization initiatives are mostly based on the economic agenda alone, which could give undue advantages for super powers to exert more control over the resources of the poor and developing worlds. Such type of globalization initiatives could “undermine the foundations of democracy and social stability by subjecting national political institutions to forces of economic change beyond their control” (Lerche 42). This is where the role of international organizations like International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO) become relevant in regulating the globalization efforts to support development in a more balanced way globally and not remain biased. The government has a major role in preparing the nation to globalization and liberalization. Opening up of economy coupled with the liberalization policies adopted by the government in line with the nations’ preparedness in fact supports globalization. But, the major disasters that might creep in as a result of increased connectedness between nations brought about by globalization are the opportunity for spreading terrorism, money laundering, sex trade and other related international criminal activities (Ritzer 10). Issues such as this need to be addressed at national and international levels through the support of the legal machinery of different nations.
Globalization is a major change and resisting globalization could also be categorized as the natural reaction of the people to change management initiatives. Just like how organizations handle change, nations also need to support globalization initiatives in such a way as to minimize the resistance of the people. In addition to that, the presence of negative implications makes people think about resisting globalization initiatives to certain extend.
3. Resisting globalization from consumer perspective
Globalization is expected to provide consumers with superior products and services and thereby enhances the variety in their choices. They get opportunity to deal with truly international products with prices almost matching local products. As globalization promotes more of a consumer culture, consumers of conservative countries of the world, especially the people from Asian countries might resist globalization and associated change. It has been opined by Goodman that in certain instances consumers might resists the product homogenization brought about by globalization (342). For e.g the success of products like Mecca Cola and Quibla Cola among the European Muslim population could be considered as a good example of consumer resisting the key element of homogenization (Hundley 43). That is, certain categories of consumers prefer to consume more of a customized product and not an internationally acclaimed product. Such resistances in fact might lead to greater levels of heterogeneity, which does not complement with globalization initiatives.
Resistance from consumers are likely if they feel that the nation state have not taken adequate measures for checking the excesses and over indulgences of the producers as well as for protecting the rights of the consumers (Goldring 10). In reality, it requires lot of coordinated effort for ensuring consumer protection when dealing with global products. According to Zett, there is increased possibility for the consumers to experience that they are being sidelined by the forces of globalization due to the unrestrained behaviour or activities of global industries (28). Such situations would call for extreme reactions from the consumers and would result in creating resistances against the forces of globalization. Zett claims that there is no need for panic among the consumers as in today’s world can get assistance from technological advancements. That is, “technology and communication revolution that supports the worldwide spread of capital also makes excesses and corruption more visible” (Zett 30). It is seen that there is prospect for the consumers to resist the forces of globalization is mostly based on the fear generated among the consumers regarding the possible damages that might incur upon them. As opined by Zett, through the help of technology over indulgences of the producers could be restricted or prevented. In addition to that, if the national governments adopt appropriate corrective policies to protect the rights of their consumers in collaboration with international agencies, there would not be any need for panic among the consumers.
4. Resisting globalization from the perspective of civil society members
Without doubt there have been considerable progress and development as a result of globalization in different world nations that have bettered the lives and livelihood of the members of the civil society. On the other hand, “globalization has produced new forms of social exclusion, new sources of insecurity and precariousness, and new security threats ranging from extremist movements to environmental degradation” to the members of the civil society (Heller 1). So the impact of globalization to the members of civil society appears to be negative as the possibility for global forces to take control over the powers of the nation states is inevitable. Thus members of civil society feel extremely vulnerable to the impacts of globalization and even could reach a point where their basic right cannot be safeguarded by the nation states. The members of the civil society could feel that there appear dissolution of power from nation states to global players, which creates greater feeling of insecurity, especially among members of civil society.
On the other hand, improved connectivity and communication through globalization have changed the civil societies that were active at national levels to get associated internationally as well. Such international associations could further accelerate the betterment efforts and also provide them with more opportunity get protection for their rights. International conventions conducted by United Nations (UN) promote such endeavours (Hacker and Pierson 172). For e.g. Rio conference on environment and Beijing conference on women’s rights could be viewed as examples. This indicates that despite lot of radical changes appearing to the civil society, there is hope for betterment of the society through globalization and there appear no major need for resisting globalization initiatives.
5. Conclusion
Assessment on the need for resisting globalization from the perspective of the consumer and members of the civil society revealed that the benefits of globalization are expected to far outweigh the negative impacts on both the civil society and consumers. In today’s world globalization has opened up new areas of connectedness between and within the global society and any resistance to this global change could undoubtedly do more harm to the entity. Though there appear negative impacts to both the civil society as well as to the consumers as the powers of the nation states gets reduced as a result of the forces of globalization, there appear no major need to resist the changes as the negative impacts might not last for longer periods. That is, the negative impacts are believed to have only very little life span and hence both the consumers and civil society members can reap the benefits if proper collaborations are established globally. International organizations like UN, World Bank, IMF, etc have a key role to play in regulating and harmonizing the forces of globalization to impart impartial benefits to all.
References
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Goldring, John. “Consumer protection, the nation-state, law, globalization, and democracy”. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 2. 2 (1998). Web. 26 July 2013
Goodman, Douglas, J. “Consumer culture: a reference handbook”. California: ABC – CLIO Inc. 2004. Print.
Hacker, J. S. and Pierson, P. “Winner-Take-All Politics: Public Policy, Political Organization, and the Precipitous Rise of Top Incomes in the United States.” Politics and Society, 38. 2. (2010): 152-204. Web. 27 July 2013
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Hundley, T. “Foreign cola knockouts offer anti American knock outs”. Chicago Tribune, 2003. Cited in Ritzer, George. “The Blackwell companion to globalization”. London: John Wiley and Sons, 2008. Print.
Lerche III, Charles, O. “The conflicts of globalization”. The International Journal of Peace Studies, 3. 1 (1998). Web. 25 July 2013
Ritzer, George. “The Blackwell companion to globalization”. London: John Wiley and Sons, 2008. Print.
Zett, Keith, Novella. “Community Service Learning in the Face of Globalization: Rethinking Theory and Practice”. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 11. 2 (2005). Web. 27 July 2013
