1_Globalisation- Benefits and negatives

1_Globalisation- Benefits and negatives

1. Positive aspects

   • Key perspectives: Neo-liberalism and modernisation theory
     • Increasing integration- Benefits global inequality
   • Economic dimensions
     • Growth of TNC's- investments in the developing world- brings infrastructure and well paid jobs to the population
     • International trade has increased
       • Positive theorists says nations can now increase their wealth through exports
         • Theorists believe to solve global inequalities the minority world needs to tap in to economic benefits and integrate into the global economy.
           • Shift to free market principles and remove of internal barriers
           • David Dollar- Advocate- globalisation of trade- Evidence inequality has fallen due to internal markets within the global system
   • Political dimensions
     • - Brings closer international dialogue and forums for conflict resolution
     • Global stability- result of global production chains producing economic interdependence.
       • Thomas Friedman- Theory of conflict Prevention
       • Diplomatic efforts can be made to prevent warfare
     • Critical theorists- removal of power from governments- power has been transformed- individuals- assert influence though choices as consumers
   • Cultural dimensions
     • Modernisation theorists would emphasise that globalisation as associated with the proliferation of modern ways of life- key to economic development
       • Spread in democratic and human rights- ensures that all people recieve legal protections and rights.
         • Positive theorists also note that globalisation involves not the imposition of one way of life but a discussion and interchange between nations
           • Result is a one world outlook characterised by PLURALISM and HYBRIDITY which reinforces tolerance and global co-operation - produces a rich and diverse world where people are free to choose from a range of lifestyles
     • Ensures that the global population are increasingly aware of their connections to one another. Thus the mindset of individuals is increasingly re-orientated to a global affairs, moving away from an insular domestic nationalism- reinforces global stability

2. Negative aspects- Theorists believe that Globalisation has been jijacked

   • Economic dimensions
     • Susan George- agenda of neo-liberalism has infested agencies such as the Bretton Woos institutions which results in un-even development- Allows progress in the majority world only in as far as it doesn't harm the rich.
     • George- critical of free-market principles as small producers cannot survive without being exploited
       • George also highlights that the application of free market principles has been far from consistent- rich has adopted forms of protectionist policy
   • Political dimensions
     • Critics of the neo-liberalism theory also highlight the uneven impact on political influence and control- skew in favour of rich and elites within these nations.
       • Noam Chomsky
         • Argues that globalisation has seen the erosion of power from elected goverments and the people who elect them.- Decisions are increasinly made at a global level
           • TNC's are an example of wielding power which outstrips nation-states and giving undue influence to a small number of wealthy individuals
             • Bretton Woods institutions are run on a dollar per vote basis- ensuring that rich nations have a more substantial say in policy direction.
     • The amount of influence wielded by individuals over the direction of global development is increasingly linked to consumption choices. For example the wealthy who have more choice over consumption gain more influence.
     • Rise of transnational crime
   • Cultural dimensions
     • Un-even power permeates the cultural globalisation- cultural imperialism- imposition of culture of the powerful- Westernisation or Americanisation
     • Series of mergers and take-overs has seen a number of conglomerates (Disney) achieve near monopolistic control over the world's media- Allows a powerful mechanism to legitimise ideologies
       • Negatives
         • Distress is towards the concern over the loss of global cultural diversity- traditions and cultures with long established histories
         • Neo- marxist theorists such as Gramsci also argue that the imposition of western ideologies allows the bourgeiosie to maintain hegmony and ensure ideological control.
   • Globalising process base don un-even principles quickly becomes a neo-colonial process- providing new mechanisms for exploitation.