MLM Directory - Globalization - who does it benefit?

Globalization - who does it benefit?

Globalization is having a global market with the end goal resulting in free trade amongst competing countries & competitive markets. IE, say a bed was manufactured in the USA with higher wage employees, then a person in Chile couldn't afford to buy it; whereas, if that bed was made in China, then they could afford it. Globalization is a way of leveling the free market playing field 'globally'... that is the end goal. Now my question is and please forgive me for being crass but, "why the hell are we falling for this and why are we so willing to believe it is a good thing for us?" I mean seriously... who gains from globalizing markets? NOT the average workers, NOT the small business person selling books in a shop down the street, NOR your local corner grocer that refuses to turn into a franchise. Seems to me that we have ALL fallen for the 'idea' of globalization as being good for us but will it not destroy the American dream? Will it not benefit global corporations only?

Public Comments

It only benefits the egotistical, greedy, money-hungry heads of the multinational corporations. Anybody else will end up getting the short end of the stick, pure and simple.
Have you read "The World is Flat?" Check it out. Sorry I don't have a compelling answer for your question.
Its basically allowing more freedom among businesses to go abroad and expand their businesses. People do lose jobs, but some gain jobs. It's possible for company that is about to go bankrupt to save itself by saving cost from moving some of its operation over seas and provide more jobs at home and abroad. It's hard to say for sure 'the net effect' of globalization will be benificial to us or not. Sure it provide opportunity for big companies to make massive profits, but in some cases it will provide opportunities for small business to expand in ways they couldn't have before.
I think you've hit on one of the main reasons for war.. to devastate already impoverished countries, so they can be rebuilt and their people put to work for slave wages.. and by being forced to trade with such countries, the developed nations are also forced to work for low wages... It's almost like it's being played on us by the super rich, as a game ... "maybe even for a dollar bet".
I think you need to do some research regarding the so called globalization. It's the monopoly of the superpowers. The least developed countries benefit nothing from it. Even the now growing countries would be affected badly. Globalization wouldn't be realized smoothly. Free market. Yes for the super powers.
It benefits those Corporations who maintain control of the raw materials to make the products. Take away that control and their aspirations for world dominion will become a faded dream.
And stupid contracts are entered into. Did you hear about the touch screen voting computers and software manufactured in Venezuela by a company with ties to Chavez? These paperless computers are being used in 17 states plus DC. Results are transmitted to a central computer. They were a disaster during the primaries but Venezuelan consultants will be on site to be sure no further problems occur on November 7! Oh, and CHICAGO is using them! More stupid contracts -- the Indian call centers for customer service and tech support; and the Dubai ports deal.
The second of the two developments undermining faith in the future was the focus of some of the Millennium Summit’s most anguished debates. The information revolution set off in the closing decade of the century by the invention of the World Wide Web transformed irreversibly much of human activity. The process of "globalization" that had been following a long rising curve over a period of several centuries was galvanized by new powers beyond the imaginations of most people. Economic forces, breaking free of traditional restraints, brought into being during the closing decade of the century a new global order in the designing, generation and distribution of wealth. Knowledge itself became a significantly more valuable commodity than even financial capital and material resources. In a breathtakingly short space of time, national borders, already under assault, became permeable, with the result that vast sums now pass instantly through them at the command of a computer signal. Complex production operations are so reconfigured as to integrate and maximize the economies available from the contributions of a range of specializing participants, without regard to their national locations. If one were to lower one’s horizon to purely material considerations, the earth has already taken on something of the character of "one country" and the inhabitants of various lands the status of its consumer "citizens". Nor is the transformation merely economic. Increasingly, globalization assumes political, social and cultural dimensions. It has become clear that the powers of the institution of the nation-state, once the arbiter and protector of humanity’s fortunes, have been drastically eroded. While national governments continue to play a crucial role, they must now make room for such rising centres of power as multinational corporations, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations of every kind, and huge media conglomerates, the cooperation of all of which is vital to the success of most programmes aimed at achieving significant 133 economic or social ends. Just as the migration of money or corporations encounters little hindrance from national borders, neither can the latter any longer exercise effective control over the dissemination of knowledge. Internet communication, which has the ability to transmit in seconds the entire contents of libraries that took centuries of study to amass, vastly enriches the intellectual life of anyone able to use it, as well as providing sophisticated training in a broad range of professional fields. The system, so prophetically foreseen sixty years ago by Shoghi Effendi, builds a sense of shared community among its users that is impatient of either geographic or cultural distances. The benefits to many millions of persons are obvious and impressive. Cost effectiveness resulting from the coordination of formerly competing operations tends to bring goods and services within the reach of populations who could not previously have hoped to enjoy them. Enormous increases in the funds available for research and development expand the variety and quality of such benefits. Something of a levelling effect in the distribution of employment opportunities can be seen in the ease with which business operations can shift their base from one part of the world to another. The abandonment of barriers to transnational trade reduces still further the cost of goods to consumers. It is not difficult to appreciate, from a Bahá’í perspective, the potentiality of such transformations for laying the foundations of the global society envisioned in Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings. Far from inspiring optimism about the future, however, globalization is seen by large and growing numbers of people around the world as the principal threat to that future. The violence of the riots set off by the meetings of the World Trade Organization, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund during the last two years testifies to the depth of the fear and resentment that the rise of globalization has provoked. Media coverage of these unexpected outbursts focused public attention on protests against gross disparities in the distribution of benefits and opportunities, which globalization is seen as only increasing, and on warnings that, if effective controls are not speedily imposed, the consequences will be catastrophic in social and political, as well as in economic and environmental, terms. 134 Such concerns appear well-founded. Economic statistics alone reveal a picture of current global conditions that is profoundly disturbing. The ever-widening gulf between the one fifth of the world’s population living in the highest income countries and the one fifth living in the lowest income countries tells a grim story. According to the 1999 Human Development Report published by the United Nations Development Programme, this gap represented, in 1990, a ratio of sixty to one. That is to say, one segment of humankind was enjoying access to sixty percent of the world’s wealth, while another, equally large, population struggled merely to survive on barely one percent of that wealth. By 1997, in the wake of globalization’s rapid advance, the gulf had widened in only seven years to a ratio of seventy-four to one. Even this appalling fact does not take into account the steady impoverishment of the majority of the remaining billions of human beings trapped in the relentlessly narrowing isthmus between these two extremes. Far from being brought under control, the crisis is clearly accelerating. The implications for humanity’s future, in terms of privation and despair engulfing more than two thirds of the Earth’s population, helped to account for the apathy that met the Millennium Summit’s celebration of achievements that were, by all reasonable criteria, truly historic. Globalization itself is an intrinsic feature of the evolution of human society. It has brought into existence a socio-economic culture that, at the practical level, constitutes the world in which the aspirations of the human race will be pursued in the century now opening. No objective observer, if he is fair-minded in his judgement, will deny that both of the two contradictory reactions it is arousing are, in large measure, well justified. The unification of human society, forged by the fires of the twentieth century, is a reality that with every passing day opens breathtaking new possibilities. A reality also being forced on serious minds everywhere, is the claim of justice to be the one means capable of harnessing these great potentialities to the advancement of civilization. It no longer requires the gift of prophecy to realize that the fate of humanity in the century now opening will be determined by the relationship established between these two fundamental forces of the historical process, the inseparable principles of unity and justice. 135 In the perspective of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, the greatest danger of both the moral crisis and the inequities associated with globalization in its current form is an entrenched philosophical attitude that seeks to justify and excuse these failures. The overthrow of the twentieth century’s totalitarian systems has not meant the end of ideology. On the contrary. There has not been a society in the history of the world, no matter how pragmatic, experimentalist and multi-form it may have been, that did not derive its thrust from some foundational interpretation of reality. Such a system of thought reigns today virtually unchallenged across the planet, under the nominal designation "Western civilization". Philosophically and politically, it presents itself as a kind of liberal relativism; economically and socially, as capitalism—two value systems that have now so adjusted to each other and become so mutually reinforcing as to constitute virtually a single, comprehensive world-view. Appreciation of the benefits—in terms of the personal freedom, social prosperity and scientific progress enjoyed by a significant minority of the Earth’s people—cannot withhold a thinking person from recognizing that the system is morally and intellectually bankrupt. It has contributed its best to the advancement of civilization, as did all its predecessors, and, like them, is impotent to deal with the needs of a world never imagined by the eighteenth century prophets who conceived most of its component elements. Shoghi Effendi did not limit his attention to divine right monarchies, established churches or totalitarian ideologies when he posed the searching question: "Why should these, in a world subject to the immutable law of change and decay, be exempt from the deterioration that must needs overtake every human institution?" 6 Bahá’u’lláh urges those who believe in Him to "see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others", to "know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbour". Tragically, what Bahá’ís see in present-day society is unbridled exploitation of the masses of humanity by greed that excuses itself as the operation of 136 "impersonal market forces". What meets their eyes everywhere is the destruction of moral foundations vital to humanity’s future, through gross self-indulgence masquerading as "freedom of speech". What they find themselves struggling against daily is the pressure of a dogmatic materialism, claiming to be the voice of "science", that seeks systematically to exclude from intellectual life all impulses arising from the spiritual level of human consciousness. And for a Bahá’í the ultimate issues are spiritual. The Cause is not a political party nor an ideology, much less an engine for political agitation against this or that social wrong. The process of transformation it has set in motion advances by inducing a fundamental change of consciousness, and the challenge it poses to everyone who would serve it is to free oneself from attachment to inherited assumptions and preferences that are irreconcilable with the Will of God for humanity’s coming of age. Paradoxically, even the distress caused by prevailing conditions that violate one’s conscience aids in this process of spiritual liberation. In the final analysis, such disillusionment drives a Bahá’í to confront a truth emphasized over and over again in the Writings of the Faith: He hath chosen out of the whole world the hearts of His servants, and made them each a seat for the revelation of His glory. Wherefore, sanctify them from every defilement, that the things for which they were created may be engraven upon them. 7 137 1. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, op. cit., pp. 34–36, (section 15). [ Back To Reference] 2. United Nations General Assembly, Fifty-Fourth Session, Agenda Item 49 (b) United Nations Reform Measures and Proposals: the Millennium Assembly of the United Nations, 8 August 2000, (Document no. A/54/959), p. 2. [ Back To Reference] 3. See Commitment to Global Peace, declaration of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, presented to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 29 August 2000 during a summit session at the UN General Assembly. [ Back To Reference] 4. United Nations General Assembly, Fifty-Fourth Session, Agenda Item 61 (b) The Millennium Assembly of the United Nations, 8 September 2000, (Document no. A/55/L.2), section 32. [ Back To Reference] 5. The respective purposes of the three Millennium gatherings, as well as the involvement of the Bahá’í community in these meetings, were summarized in a letter from the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies dated 24 September 2000. [ Back To Reference] 6. Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, op. cit., p. 42. [ Back To Reference] 7. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, op. cit., p. 297, (section CXXXVI). [ Back To Reference]
Globalisation benefits consumers. People can buy better quality items more cheaply, leaving them with more money in their pockets to enjoy on other things. Globalisation benefits workers in the developing world. Instead of receiving aid they can export their way out of poverty. Why can't Indians have a chance to do the same cushy work as first world computer programmers? And why should I pay the cost for a company to hire more expensive workers? If you just think it is a case of globalisation only benefiting big business, then you would be better off questioning the governance of corporations. A better question is "Why do shareholders allow directors to give themselves huge pay packets at the expense of a company's health"
Corporation monopolies and the filthy rich, it's counter productive for normal people.
Is it possible you and I agree on an issue? Globalization is the cousin of socialism. The relative that doesn't tell you before the drunken roll in the hay that she is your Uncle's daughter. Very not good. Despise me-- yet bless the brevity and honesty of my non-cut&paste stance.
You can find everything in anywhere, people speaks a common language, but in other hand, we can lose our identity and traditions because we absorb others cultures.
Globalizing the economy is simply the 'next step' in economic growth, especially for the United States. On top of that, it makes good security sense to allow other countries to invest into our country and us into their countries. Let me expand on that just a little. Our domestic economy is very fluid and strong because, despite limitations placed upon it, it is still far more free to expand and develop when compared to other countries and coalitions. We like that as a general rule. The US economy grows less than 3% in two quarters, we call that a recession. A European country's economy, for example, grows 1%, they are dancing in the streets in honor of a great quarter. Yes, the US investor sees opportunity, and companies have an obligation to the US investor to explore those opportunities. And considering at least half the US population is invested, I sure hope they get a return from responsible corporations who do explore all possible opportunities to grow. Of course we do benefit from less expensive goods, moved our blue collar force (some argue for the better, some for the worse) into a white collar force, we broker now, instead of manufacture. American based companies are rapidly changing to meet future demands of our domestic and international economy. Two years ago I read how companies have positions for jobs they can't filled because no one is educated or properly trained to fill these positions... talk about a rapidly changing business world! They were shelling out huge dollars to get people trained just for the hope of hiring someone to do the jobs! I have to think of that as serious advancement and progress. Opening trade with countries on a 'level playing field' developed war torn countries like Japan and Korea to name a couple. It brought them out of a devastating situation and up to speed with the modern world. Open trade with 'under developed' countries also lead to them to having the opportunity to advance quicker and safer. Above is a win win. And on top of all that, when we allow countries to invest into our country, we given them investment opportunities that create a stable income to support their own stability as well. Countries like China have invested into our national debt and created an income for themselves... which, Ironically, creates security for the US. China is not likely to be hostile toward a country that provides them with a stable income. I heard once, that when countries are trading goods, they never trade bullets. So if we (consumers) gain access to less expensive good that we want, and we (investor) receive dividends from the corporation that brokered the deals, and we (the employed) are now able to fill the 'new' jobs and create the 'new' companies of the world (remember the computer boom), and we (US citizens) are more secure from potentially hostile governments. I just can't see the downfall, nor do I see how it takes from the American dream.
More like who DOESN'T it benefit. Globalization may be the best thing to happen to PEACE in the history of the planet. Once all the economies are interdependent people will be less prone to war because to engage in it will hurt their ability to produce commercial products (because of the movement along a production possibilities curve). Also, Globalization will help erase racism because the only color people will see is Green. And though I see your point about the "small shop keeper" you must keep in mind that that type of business will NOT be affected by globalization because they have CHOSEN to remain small- they were not forced to remain that size because of "globalization." On the flip side a mom and pop shop that produces something and is seeking to grow into a larger business entity might find that Globalization has alllowed them to cut costs and grow their customer base- increasing their profits and allowing them to expand and hire local employees. As sad as it seems, many local businesses have failed in the past, not because of globalization, but because of mismanagement, corruption, etc. We've imported coffee for years, are you going to make the claim that we should be drinking only "American" coffee? And only drink "American" grown wine? That most countries drink the wine of most other wine producing countries is an example of Globalization...and it didn't put the small "mom and pop" wineries out of business, in fact the increased demand has INCREASED the amount of wineries in this country.
I think it's great! Are you kidding me, Walmart rocks! I love the corner market as much as the next person, but I also love the great deals I can get only because of globalization. To me, the "American Dream" is about rising up from the bottom to be at the top, at least that's what all the history books make it out to be. IF that is the case, then globalization assists people in making that journey to the top because they are able to reduce costs, invest more in the business, and become powerful. The "American Dream" is not about building a bigger and better farmers' market; it is often associated with the early large steel families and railroads. I also don't see how anyone can argue "average workers" don't benefit from large businesses. I often live paycheck to paycheck, which I don't complain about, but I sure appreciate the fact I can get cheaper diapers and formula because of large companies. I also appreciate that these large companies create thousands of jobs, many of which are protected by unions. Despite the greed that's associated with the big businesses at the top, some does trickle down. I hate to keep using Walmart, but look what they do for every community they are in. No denying they do a lot of good. People in other countries, when they want to come to America, it's not because they dream of opening the best taco stand this side of the Mississippi, but they know they can make money, which they can. They know that there are a lot of successful people here, and that they can be successful, and they can. Like I said, I enjoy, and frequent the small business as much as I can, and I think we should, but the big business and globalization is not a bad thing. Look, even those people that started out as the neighborhood market, like Trader Joes, are expanding and taking advantage of the market. After all that, I think the American Dream should be the ability to provide for your family, be content with what you have done in your life, while exercising humility and respect, giving back to society when you can.