What are the positive and negative aspects of globalization?

Résumé du document

Globalization is a term that describes the politically, economically, and socially interconnected modern world in which we now live. Whilst the word globalization is a relatively new one, it describes a process which has been happening for hundreds of years. Features of globalization in the 20th and 21st century include the advance of global financial markets, global trade, transnational business, international organizations, and new technologies. Proponents of globalization argue that these changes have brought, amongst other things, financial prosperity, and international stability. These have certainly been positive aspects of globalization for some of the world's population; however globalization has also had some disastrous effects. Certain aspects of globalization have damaged the environment. The world's poor have seen little benefit of globalization. Finally, the nature of international security has arguably become more unstable in response to globalization with the rise in international terrorism. It is too simplistic to say that each of these problems has been caused solely by globalization, but they have certainly been exacerbated by it. It will be argued here that although globalization has had many negative consequences, it is only through international collaboration that these can be tackled. The positive outcomes of globalization can offer solutions to the problems that it has caused.

Extraits

[...] Human Security Centre. (2005) The Human Security Report 2005 Overview, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Murden, S. (2001) Culture in world affairs. In Baylis, J and Smith, S (Eds.) The Globalization of World Politics (pp. 456-470). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Scholte, JA. (2001) Global trade and finance. In Baylis, J and Smith, S (Eds.) The Globalization of World Politics (pp. 519-540). Oxford: Oxford University Press. [...]

[...] Free trade has had many positive impacts for people in prosperous nations. Consumer goods are cheaper because they are manufactured abroad using cheap labour and parts and then imported at a low cost. Foods from all over the world are available year round in supermarkets, again at a low cost. International financial markets and multinational businesses have grown alongside free trade, bringing prosperity to many countries. This new economic interdependence has led to greater political stability between participant states. The networks created by global trade, business and finance are a weak example of Bull's international society, since member states share an interest in keeping tariffs, costs and barriers low (common rules), and work through the common institution of the global financial markets (it cannot be seen as a ‘strong' society because a vast number of states are excluded from it). [...]

[...] The UN and other bodies have no power to compel sovereign states to agree to targets and so agreements of any significance are extremely difficult to negotiate. Some writers propose that because of this problem, the type of economic development that the recent era of globalization has witnessed is incompatible with the protection of the environment, and it is only by slowing the pace of globalization that we will prevent a global environmental catastrophe (Connelly and Smith p50-52). International trade and manufacturing is not the only way in which globalization has been of detriment to the environment. [...]

[...] (2001) Culture in world affairs. In Baylis, J and Smith, S (Eds.) The Globalization of World Politics (pp. 456-470). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Ryan, S. (1990) Ethnic Conflict and International Relations, Aldershot: Dartmouth. Ryn, CG. (2003) Ideology of American Empire', Orbis 383-397. Scholte, JA. (2001) Global trade and finance. In Baylis, J and Smith, S (Eds.) The Globalization of World Politics (pp. 519-540). [...]

[...] It is unlikely that the threat will disappear since the nature of the Islamic fundamentalists is that they cannot be bargained with, their aims are absolute. However, by showing more concern and taking greater action on poverty and marginalization, the international community can go some of the way to reducing the threat. The modern era of globalization has undoubtedly had many positive consequences for some of the world. It has also exacerbated existing problems and generated new ones. Whilst these negative aspects may be a result of globalization, it is globalization itself that will be instrumental in any attempt at their resolution. References Bull, H. [...]