Globalization

Globalization is a topic of serious concern to a great many people as it arouses both support and derision across the social spectrum. It has as many benefits as it also creates problems. In reality, simple trade amongst nations can be considered globalization and, from that perspective, it has been around as long as international trade has been in effect. It was only until the 1990’s when the actual term was created that the full issue came into focus.

For example, the desire for all of Europe to adopt one monetary standard and to unite into EU has been an idea that European leaders have been entertaining for centuries, in the form of one united europe. But, because of political differences, ideological rivalries not to mention the outright conflicts, the idea of unifying all Europe’s currencies has been forestalled for decades only to become a reality in the modern era. One modern example is the chunnel which links England to France.

For the opponents of Globalization, the arguments against it are legion. There is one concern that foreign countries will see the lifestyles and cultures washed away by the sweeping interference of other cultures. This is to say that as new cultural influences come in, old accepted ways of doing things will be in danger of being erased by foreign ways. For example, in Muslim countries that force their women to wear veils and total body coverings when out in public, the outside concept of not doing so is a violation of their cultural norms. Seeing the invasion of numerous foreign eateries such as “McDonald’s” sprouting up all over the place is an irritating thought for some.

Globalization not only challenges cultural norms, but ideas and most notably, ways of conducting business. As businesses expand further and further beyond their national boundaries, expansion into foreign markets and countries becomes necessary in order to maintain competition. However, this staple of the business world as it applies to globalization is seen by some as having a negative effect on small businesses that cannot compete with international chains. This idea is nothing new in America with mega-chains such as Wal-Mart whenever one come to small towns. But, with foreign countries, the effect is different. The intrusion into foreign, local markets is perceived as a direct threat, both to livelihood and businesses. The world throughout has displayed varying degrees of anger and concern.

Also, there is the fear that the supply-end producer such as the farmer might be cheated out of their fair due by international companies that purchase the farmer’s produce at below market prices or try to cheat the farmer through other means.

This was the case with Starbuck’s, an international coffee beverage retailer that came under fire in the mid 2000’s for their treatment of foreign coffee farmers. After news of the story broke, Starbuck’s announced publicly that it supported Fair Trade and unleashed a public relations campaign with full promotional materials in all of its stores to extol this new image.

One other such complaint is that of “Brain drain”. According to this idea, developing countries that have less to offer than other more developed countries fear losing their graduated students abroad instead of these students pooling their knowledge at home.

There are many more such complaints against globalization, and it is an argument that won’t be solved until its effect are fully explored and examined.