Is a process of globalisation unifying the world around common interests or is it dividing the world into winners and losers?

Authors Avatar

Is a process of globalisation unifying the world around common interests or is it dividing the world into winners and losers?

William Russell

400148053

Globalisation, simply put, refers to the process by which the world is said to be transformed into a single global system “such that events in one part of the world more and more have effects on peoples and societies far away.” (Baylis & Smith 2001, p. 7)  However, to use the phrase “simply put” when giving a definition of globalisation may be misleading as there is no simple or agreed definition of what constitutes globalisation, nor any consensus about how far the process has advanced. About all that can be said with confidence about globalisation is that it represents a major site of contestation. The contestation that this essay will focus on is neither whether globalisation in fact exists nor whether it is a new phenomenon. Rather, the focus of this essay is on the impact that globalisation has had on the world. Is globalisation a savior that is uniting the globe? Or is it curse that is dividing us all into winners and losers?

The first part of this essay will focus on the question of unity. That is, is globalisation unifying the world around common interests? This question involves looking at the increase in technology and thus the increase in global mass media and communications alike.

While the biggest transnational corporations (TNCs), such as General Motors and Ford, have revenues larger then many states, the Internet has allowed small businesses to also offer their services worldwide.  Music tastes, and fashions shape life across borders, as do economic practices such as Fordism (mass production techniques plus mass consumption). “Even brand names such as Coke can move people” (Clemens, Jr. 2004, p. 15). For example, in post-Communist Albania many people viewed their first Coca-Cola plant as a sign of good life to come. Cricket may unite the Commonwealth more than any speeches, and “The Beatles and Coke may well have done more to subvert the Soviet realm than did the CIA.” (Clemens, Jr. 2004, p. 15) Thus, it seems that as the world becomes globalised, it is also unified around common interest and values. This is also demonstrated in religious movements which, although have operated for millennia across borders and oceans, have increased since the onset of modern technology and have united “millions of believers across borders.” (Clemens, Jr. 2004, p. 14) A similar story can be found in governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which unite millions across the globe around common goals. For example, Greenpeace has united parts of the globe around environmental concerns. This exemplifies that the globe is not just unified around cultural interests, but also political ones. In fact globalisation has three dimensions: cultural, political and economic. Looking at the advantages globalisation has to offer in these other realms, one would see increased free trade between nations, and increased liquidity of capital allowing investors in developed nations to invest in developing nations. There is also now a greater ease and speed of transportation for goods and people, as well as a spread of democratic ideals to developed nations.

Join now!

Certainly, it seems a valid argument that globalisation is uniting the world around common interests. However, many sceptics of globalisation would find flaws in this assertion. Many would argue that globalisation has not united “the globe” as it is uneven in its effects and thus only applies to the developed world. As Baylis and Smith commented, “ to pretend that even a small minority of the world’s population can connect to the World Wide Web is clearly an exaggeration when in reality most people on the planet have probably never made a telephone call in their lives.” (Baylis & ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Here's what a teacher thought of this essay

Avatar

*** The writer has not investigated the economic aspects of this question sufficiently. They have clearly carried out some research but provide no facts and figures relating to the potential benefits of globalisation in terms of poverty etc. Many would argue that the people of China have benefited greatly from globalisation but there is no discussion of this.