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.
