Management Review
Worldviews are the opinions about issues affecting the world by different bodies, forums or individuals. The achievement of social and economic development in the world is one of the issues that have raised contrasting world views from different individuals and forums. The contrasting approaches to this issue between the World Social Forum and the World Economic Forum have led to gaping differences about how the world economic and social matters should be handled. The extent of these differences is so bad that these forums have resorted to blackmailing one another for the failures and disagreements they have had. The differences on ideologies on economic and social issues are reconcilable. This can be done by the two forums having joint forums to discuss the differences and reach an agreement. This is because social and economic issues are sensitive matters which often cause different opinions. However, chatting a way forward usually leads to a consensus where the best opinion is agreed upon.
Managerial consequences of contrasting world views are devastating on the world’s social and economic situation. World leaders and economists may align themselves with these ideologies hence; they will be stuck in squabbles and debates o which issues to address and in what manner to address them. This may result in very little action being taken against the social and economic problems facing the world. The managers of these forums only focus on developing ideas that could spark controversy to make the rival forum look bad. It is also likely to result of poor management of social and economic issues because those in charge will be split between the differing world views.
The points of friction between the contrasting world views vary. The World Economic Forum has differed in terms of approach and ideology from the World Social Forum because it has mainly advocated for and acted as a public relations medium for the world’s capitalists. Its ideas are skewed towards the global capital. This forum has made little or no effort to solve the world’s main crises. The main objectives of this forum are; to deal with any economic issue such as predicting economic meltdowns and advice on the role of markets in economic development. Another objective is to deal with civilization challenges that affect proper use of human and natural resources. The forum has also failed to deal with climate change issues. On the other hand, the World Social Forum has engaged in addressing world social and economic issues based on its radical views. The WSF has actively been focusing on global issues like climate change, world economic growth as well as other social issues affecting mankind.
The different approaches to world views have resulted in each forum accusing the other of adopting a wrong and ineffective ideology towards solving world issues. There are several values that have been the centre of controversy. The World Economic Forum has been accused of leaning towards capitalistic ideologies, favouring the rich and developed nations. It has been further questioned for its reluctance to address the important issues affecting the world such as climate change, economic downturns and social problems all over the world. Most significant, the WEF has been held responsible for not predicting the economic turmoil that ensued in 2008. The World Social Forum has been accused of using radical approaches when dealing with sensitive global matters such as terrorism, climate change and economic hardships.
Therefore, the contrasting world views and approaches cause global ideology contrasts which impact negatively on the global social and economic welfare. It is import the world forums such as the WSF and WEF agree on the best world views that impact positively on the world rather than engaging in disagreements and accusations.
References
Friesen, E. (2012). Challenging Global Finance: Civil Society and Transnational Networks. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Reitan, R. (2007). Global Activism (illustrated, annotated ed.). New York: Taylor & Francis.
Thompson, A. S. (2008). Critical Mass: The Emergence of Global Civil Society. Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press.
