Blog 5- Globalization

Dana Kravitz

GVPT200

Shirk

12/4/13

Globalization

            Though there are many positive aspects of globalization such as trade and an interconnected world, overall I think that globalization can be a very negative thing for the world. Globalization can sometimes be harmful because it takes away states individuality, the environment is being negatively effected, and it keeps the wealthy wealthy and the poor poor.

            Every country thinks that their way of doing things is the best. So when globalization occurs, powerful countries want people in weaker states to assimilate to their culture. By doing this, the world loses all of its diverse and interesting cultures. For example, when Columbus came to the Americas he wanted the Indians to be more like him. He pushed Christianity on them and wanted them to follow his customs. This continued as more countries colonized in places such as Africa and South America. Though the idea of the world living in unity is a positive theory, it is not beneficial if places lose their individualism. In class we talked about “the other” and whether globalization pushes them away or brings countries together. I think it creates a greater wedge between the countries because not all want to assimilate or do as we do and when they do not it creates tension.

            The environment also causes issues for globalization. The United States and China are responsible for the majority of Green House Gases emitted into the world. Since the environment is shared by everyone this does not seem to be fair. The behavior of one state effects what happens in another states and this can take place with no human interaction. The world’s states share natural resources so two major countries destroying the environment effects everyone. When going to third world or developing country and attempting to improve it by bringing in technology we are further destroying the environment because more resources are being used. Even when globalization is good in a humanitarian since it can still be negative when it comes to the environment.

Globalization does not necessary improve the world’s economy. For example, workers in higher wage countries are losing their jobs. Since poorer countries pay there workers less many American blue-collar jobs have been moved to countries like China and India. This has hurt the American economy and has helped America’s rich get richer and poor become poorer.  Along with this it makes the richer countries stay rich and the poorer countries stay poor. Though in theory one would think that trade among countries would benefit all, it is not necessarily a fair system. Wealthier nations can pay very little for a product and then sell it for much more in their county.

            Though globalization bring together countries and can positively effect the world we cannot ignore its negative aspects too, such as the individuality it takes from countries and peoples, the harmful effects it has on the environment, and the fact that it does not do that much good for the world’s economy.