The Politics of
Globalization
   Globalization often refers to the ever-increasing flow of goods, services, information and people around the world. For at least the last 40 years the world has been are moving towards a single, interconnected economic system, made possible by technological advances in communication and transportation.
Things that drive globalization;
  • Technological change
  • Trade and commerce
  • Foreign investment 
  • Trade Agreements
  • Cultural dominance of the most powerful countries
  • Political Ideologies
Globalization of markets
    This refers to the merging of national markets into one huge international market. With globalization of markets, we can often no longer talk about the "UK market" or the "Japanese market", as they are part of the same "world market". New communications technologies means that shares, commodities and currencies can be traded, 24/7/365, anywhere in the world with the click of a mouse. In this environment, large corporations can become huge international conglomerates and outside the control of national governments.
Globalization of production
   This refers to the companies producing goods in different places around the world so they can benefit from lower costs of labour, capital, raw materials, and land. A relatively new term has emerged in western countries called 'Offshoring'. This is the practice of moving the production of goods for western consumers to countries where wages and production costs are much lower. An example of this is the increasing amount of goods made by American businesses in China.
The Political Debate
   The current form of globalization can probably be traced back to the end of WWII, and certainly since the end of the cold war in the early 1990s. Almost all of the countries of the world have, in general, embraced a free market form of capitalism, led by the United States of America. However, in 2016 the British people voted to leave the European Union and Donald Trump was elected by a large percentage of Americans, who endorsed his anti-globalization ideas. Is this just a blip on the inevitable march of globalization? Or are we witnessing the rise of nationalism, that will shape our world for the next 50 years instead?

The Arguments
For
Globalization
   Proponents of globalization say that it provides wealth, jobs and makes products and services cheaper for consumers. It is certainly a  fact that currently international trade is extremely important to all countries' well being and prosperity.   

 
Arguments for globalization:
  • It is reducing the number of people in extreme poverty worldwide.
  • It is allowing access to technology in developing countries.
  • Consumer products are much cheaper.
  • Cultural differences can be shared.
  • It promotes world peace.
  • It has benefited women's and children’s rights.
  • It raises life expectancy.

The Arguments
Against
Globalization
   Critics of globalization say that it results in damage to the environment, pollution, loss of local cultures, job losses, exploitation of poor countries and western culture being imposed on developing countries. They say that the whole system is designed by, and for the 'one percent' at the very top who take all of the wealth created.

Arguments against globalization:
  • Big businesses and corporations use globalization to avoid paying taxes and influence national governments.
  • Cultural Diversity is being replaced with a standard ‘world culture'.
  • Local cultures are being lost.
  • Workers in developing countries exploited for the benefit of western consumers.
  • Western workers are losing their jobs to cheaper employees in other countries.
  • Globalization is helping to destroy the environment.
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Worksheets