Globalization is regarded as a process involving integration (Dixon & Davis, 2014). This occurs due to exchange of products, ideas, and various cultural aspects. Globalization has been enhanced by advances in telecommunications, the internet, transportation, and steam locomotives. Additionally, it has led to the growth in certain regions. Globalization has several advantages including development, economic growth, as well as expansion. On the other hand, critics maintain that it has detrimental effects on global populations (Dixon & Davis, 2014). Globalization affects the social well-being of individuals. The sustainability of increased expansion has been debated for long. These negative effects have led to the establishment of anti-globalization movements. This paper discusses the success of these movements.
Anti-globalization movements are groups of individuals or organizations that criticize globalization. They vehemently oppose multinational corporations with excessive powers controlling the global economy. These movements aim at ensuring democratic representation, human rights advancements, sustainable development, and fair trade (Dixon and Davis 339). Moreover, they believe certain states, multinational corporations, and institutions advance their interest other than global needs. These movements aim at ensuring people and states can make independent decisions. Globalization has affected sovereignty. Institutions, for instance, WB and IMF affect various states' ability to make decisions. These powerful institutions influence most of their decisions.
Additionally, globalization has led to increased neoliberalism without any regard to environmental protection, as well as ethical standards. They also maintain that it has increased the gap between poor and rich countries. This economic gap has ensured the exploitation of developing countries by their developed counterparts (Fominaya 14). These movements are essential in the mobilization of individuals and states to oppose various changes brought about by globalization. Their continued efforts have assisted people in understanding the detrimental effects of globalization.
Trade unions have been crucial in the fight against globalization. They have campaigned against financial speculations, as well as support cancellation of debts. These campaigns have been organized at different levels including regional, international, and local. The Green Lobby has been crucial in campaigns against World Trade Organization. Additionally, workers’ guilds, farmers’ associations, and consumer groups have been drawing attention to globalization problems (Dixon and Davis 130). They have also managed to counter global media propaganda. Several individuals have started to ask ‘hard questions’ about globalization.
The movements have also made multinational corporations to explain their actions. Once explanations are made, they become discussion subjects. Anti-globalization movements have dragged multinational corporations out of their boardrooms to the open (Ford 119). They ensure these globalized institutions are accountable. Additionally, these movements have built alternatives for approaching certain issues. They have also initiated research to support or challenge approaches employed by multinational corporations. Anti-globalization movements offer individuals an opportunity to change their life and mind.
In conclusion, anti-globalization movements are essential in checking the operations of various multinational corporations and institutions. Despite various benefits of globalization, their detrimental effects are glaring (Fominaya 31). The movements have assisted global organizations to ensure accountability and transparency. Moreover, anti-globalization movements have enabled people to question the importance of international institutions. Organized campaigns have allowed people to counter policies formulated by governments (Ford 130). The movements work collaboratively to monitor operations of international financial institutions such as IMF and World Bank. They have also adopted alternative policies and guidelines for various organizations. Additionally, movements have assisted countries in debt cancellation. Governments and corporations are at cross-roads. They can choose to follow the demands of movements or stick to their objectives.
References
Dixon, Chris, and Angela, Davis. Another Politics: Talking Across Today's Transformative Movements. California: Univ of California Press, 2014. Print.
Fominaya, Cristina, Flesher. Social Movements and Globalization: How Protests, Occupations, and Uprisings are Changing the World. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014. Print.
Ford, Michele. Social Activism in Southeast Asia. New York, NY: Routledge, 2013. Print.
