The term “globalization” has in recent times been subjected to several interpretations. The term particularly came into prominence in the 1980’s and was used to express the increased movement of goods, services, knowledge, ideas as well as people across national boundaries that has essentially led to augmented interconnectedness among the populations of earth. This interconnectedness exemplifies itself politically, economically and culturally. Although in many circles globalization is expressed in economical terms, this process has many political and social implications as well. Many local communities often associate the globalization process with modernization. At the global platform however, globalization is often thought of in terms of the various challenges it poses to governments’ role in the global economy and international affairs. So, is globalization a positive or a negative trend? Does it in any way threaten cultural diversity? These are some of the questions that John Rourke poses in his book “Taking Sides: Clashing View in World Politics” and this essay aims to explore these questions.
The second factor is that globalization leads to increased competition. Any time there are multiple producers competing for a certain section of the economy, this is usually a good sign for all consumers because it means that the quality of goods will rise. When businesses start venturing across the international borders’, a new standard for the global marketplace is often established and all stakeholders have to strive to achieve this standard. This gives the consumer a wide variety of options from which they can chose the most appropriate. Therefore, globalization essentially brings about competition, which increases the need for producers to continuously produce goods of the highest quality.
The third factor that can be used to prove that economic globalization is indeed a positive trend is stabilized security. Globalization avails a situation where the economy of one nation depends on that of the other mainly because of trade. In such a situation, the two or more countries become “international friends” and it would be unthinkable for them to attack one another. The other thing is that there may be unrestricted migration to and from the countries and therefore no country would attempt to act aggressively against the other because it understands that some of its citizens are in that country.
Finally, globalization enables more wealth equality and distribution throughout the entire globe. Globalization enables people from all occupations to have a chance of success of life for instance, when people immigrate to other countries and get good jobs there because of relaxed immigration policies amongst the world’s nations. Many Americans are however in opposition of this as they claim that globalization has essentially lowered their standards of living. This is however not quite accurate because in real sense, globalization has enabled people from across the world to get jobs, start own businesses and thus be able to provide for their families. Things like good shelter, plentiful food and clean water are taken for granted by many US citizens. The standard of living is so high here than when people can longer afford frivolous luxuries, they start claiming that they are poor.
However, one argument against the process of globalization is that it erodes cultural diversity. Some also argue that globalization has a particularly huge impact in the political arena. According to these individuals, this is manifested in the weakening of the nation states and if this is allowed to continue, it will eventually lead to a situation where global institutions or some of the world super powers like the United States and Russia will take over the power and functions of nation states. The United States influence on many nation governments and on world bodies such as the UN has been felt, and this has not gone well with some who feel that the US is trying to impose its policies on them and therefore trying to “take over” and control the world.
The erosion of cultural diversity is becoming more significant everyday particularly in this age of popular culture. People from all parts of the world are subscribing to this popular or “westernized” culture and are abandoning their local cultural values. This has been possible by a contemporary revolution of information technology, which because of globalization has made its presence in almost every nation in the world. For instance, “world music” has been able to create a humongous international following.
In conclusion, the issue of globalization has both positive and negative implications. However, the positives hugely outweigh the negatives. Therefore, it would be advisable for all the world nations and governments and indeed all people to embrace globalization, as it is something that will bring great development and innovation to the world.
Works Cited
Rourke, John T. Taking Sides: Clashing Views in World Politics. 2014. New York: McGraw-Hill McGraw Hill. Print.
Healey, Justin. The Globalisation Issue. Thirroul, N.S.W: Spinney Press, 2008. Print.
Nieuwenhuys, E C. Neo-liberal Globalism and Social Sustainable Globalisation. Leiden: Brill, 2006. Internet resource.
Eichengreen, Barry J, and David Leblang. Democracy and Globalisation. Basel, Switzerland: Bank for International Settlements, 2006. Print.
