Living in a Globalized World Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 1
Globalisation Is the sharing and mixing of different cultures, so much so that every society has a plurality of cultures and is called a multi-cultural society Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 2
The word Globalisation means a series of processes which are changing the social, technological, economic and political life around the world. Unlike hundreds of years ago, today through international relations, and the means of communication, the world has become like a globalised society, a society which includes all the countries in the world. Globalisation brought about big changes in society economic, social and technological changes. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 3
This process made great leaps forward due to the fast rate of progress in the technological sector. The mass media especially helped to eliminate distance in a virtual way between the countries eg: one gets to hear news about things happening anywhere in the world at the same time that it is happening, Through the internet we can communicate in an effective way with people in every continent, we enjoy pluralism of the media and we have access to all the many different forms of mass media. Another factor which helped was the development in travelling, where when boarding an airplane people can go from one country to another in a short time. Through globalisation we are seeing a virtual decrease in distances between one country and another, and with the help of media and decreasing travel differences between countries this is allowing more sharing of cultures. Everyone who travels is taking their customs and traditions with them to the place they visit so have a chance of influencing the local culture. The same thing happens when citizens use mass media and observe different customs and cultures from around the globe. In this way a multi-cultural society starts to be created eg: we are seeing this occurring in Malta. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 4
Another aspect is the influence on the economy. It is a fact that today the economy or international trade takes place on a much more intensive basis than ever. All the countries of the world, from the economic perspective, have become like one country. All these factors are leading to a new phenomenon where we are seeing distances and differences between countries so reduced that we are now referring to our world as a Global Village. A Global Village means that the world has assumed characteristics which previously were applied to a village. A village is a relatively small place in which a community lives close to one another and where everyone knows everyone else. And it is easy to communicate with everyone, because everyone is close by. Where the work sector is concentrated in the village, people work together and depend on each other s work, one provides something and someone else provides something else. Now, through globalisation, we are experiencing integration on a global level, between people from different countries and cultures. Whereas in the village, people depend on each other, in today s globalised world they are interdependent. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 5
Globalisation and Communication A factor which really helped in this process of globalisation was the progress made in technology and mass media. Communication is the most basic human activity. Through technology we have become an information society. The phrase time zone has become almost irrelevant today. One can communicate with everybody and wherever at the press of a button. This continued to help strengthen the globalised economy. In Europe, many of the large media companies have dominated the televised world. Hence, information does not take long to get from one place to another on the contrary we can say that it reaches us at the same time it is taking place. If we see flash news, live coverage, video conferencing and use skype in the comfort of our own homes, etc. all this is lessening the virtual distance of the world and helping individuals, companies or countries to communicate and conclude business deals in a short time Another point is that because of the effect we have just mentioned, we are experiencing a reduction in differences between countries because of the sharing of cultures. Everyone who has access to the mass means of communication, stands the chance of being influenced by new customs from diverse cultures around the world, whilst also having the chance of influencing others in turn by his own customs. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 6
However, the greater the sharing of ideas and mixing of cultures, the more countries will reduce the differences between them hence, reducing conflict. Because of this, the possibility for International Solidarity will increase which means that globally nations are ever more conscious of each other and work hand in hand. Eg.: when Haiti suffered a severe earthquake which devastated the whole country in 2010 all the countries heard the news at the same moment it was happening and every country sent any help they could. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 7
Globalisation and the Economy Technology also helps put the economy on a global level. Ex: If you go shopping from a supermarket you will find products from all over the world. This is due to the fact that today Malta forms part of the free market where all the countries have the possibility to export and import products as they need. Apart from this vast choice of products, the consumer also has access to international trade on the internet through the sites such as ebay, etc. An international market leads to business people opening businesses or investing their money in different countries around the world. So many multi-national (trans-national companies), companies are created these are large companies which can be found all over the world eg: such as McDonalds, Coca Cola, Nike etc. These have investments in diverse countries around the world and make use of a type of global marketing. The same products are exported from one country to another and many a time they make use of cheap labour in Third World Countries and then sell the product at an expensive price in the other countries. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 8
There is a lot of criticism about these multi-national companies because they are creating monopolies, are destroying local economies and exploiting workers. Another effect how an incident in a country can affect the global economy can be seen in the tragedy of the Twin Towers which occurred in America in 2003. This not only effected the economy of every country, but also changed relations between the countries themselves. The terrorist attack had a global effect both on the social life as well as on the economy of many countries. Also, the incident of the eleventh September shows us that many countries who used to consider themselves as having strong economies, could easily lose their stability. Globalisation and the World of Work The new idea about work, changed society into an industrialised one whereby production changed from the previous type today s type of production is called mass production. Mass production in the era of globalisation plays a much bigger part than it previously did. Everything is calculated down to the last detail. We see this a lot in multi-national companies. eg. The minute one steps into a McDonald s restaurant one realises that everything is planned so that the client is served quickly. Every worker behind the counter does only one piece of work and has to do this very quickly. Every product is standardised even the size of the burgers has to be always the same. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 9
This type of rationality is now to be found in many sectors of work within a globalised economy. This type of production created many jobs of this type jobs which demand little or no training at all, where the employee tends to leave at the first opportunity of other work he finds. This strong labour turnover does not worry the management because these workers are easily replaced. From this we can see, that in many cases in trans-national companies workers have low wages and bad conditions of work. Globalisation created two extremes of work those with good conditions and high wages and others with bad conditions and very low wages. Globalisation is demanding that these companies produce more, with less workers. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 10
Apart from this, the enormous advancement which is taking place in the technological field means that machines and robots are replacing workers. Mechanical and technological inventions took over the work of certain workers to make work more efficient and perfect. For the employer these machines are more efficient, more reliable, and more productive and hence are leaving more profit for the company. Robots never take sick leave, or days off work; they do not suffer from stress problems or trouble with the Union. They are not going to waste time on Facebook, and are able to work for long hours and will never sue the company for damages and obviously all this is having a serious impact at the existing places of work. Globalisation and Politics Globalisation influences also the running of the country. This brought with it the creation of politics on an international level. Countries started to join one another and share the running of the country eg: as happened in the case of the European Union. Leaders of different nations are conscious of the interdependence which the nations have between them, hence decisions on a local level are constantly being influenced by decisions on a global level. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 11
Another effect of globalisation is the sharing of the idea of democracy which is spreading even more and strengthening amongst the developed countries and influencing the other countries too. Many dictators are being set aside or removed because of this globalisation of power and social solidarity. Another example of political activity on a global level are the G20 and G8 summits. The G20 are a group of 20 finance ministers of different countries who meet to discuss the different economies which are effecting the global economy and they try to bring about economic stability by making sure that every nation adopts the procedures discussed during these summits. The G8 are a group of 8 of the most developed countries who meet to discuss politics and other global themes. We find pressure groups who are anti-globalisation and against the G8 - these meet every time that the G8 meet and organise huge protests, because these pressure groups believe that many of the G8 discussions contribute more towards the poverty found in the countries of the third world. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 12
The advantages and disadvantages of Globalisation Advantages: International solidarity A worldwide free market More variety of products in local shops More frequent travelling The creation of fair trade The creation of multicultural societies Effective use of mass media Flexibility of trans-national companies (multi-national) Disadvantages: The use of child-labour and sweatshops in work carried out by multinational companies Monopoly of multinational companies Unfair distribution of global wealth The creation of international debt Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 13
Brain drain and skill drain Environmental destruction The loss of the countries individual identity and culture Terrorism on a global level Theft of information through hacking Drug trafficking.and worse than this human trafficking Spreading of disease Some other points related to this subject: Fair Trade The Fair Trade movement has been working for more than 40 years through activities and support given to farmers and artisans who work in third world countries. Nowadays, fair trade is a sustainable alternative to the injustices of the international markets. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 14
Fair trade has the aim to propose a new economic vision. Fair trade tries to build economic relations built on respect for human rights, solidarity, care of the environment and transparency in economic activities. Basically through fair trade every farmer is paid a fair wage for the work they do. Unfortunately, when products of multinational companies are bought (eg: Nescafe ) the biggest percentage of the price goes towards the profit to the company whilst the farmer, who would have worked so hard, is paid a miserly wage so much so that sometimes what he earns does not even cover the costs he needed to grow the product, whilst a finished product with a fair trade label would be ensuring that the farmer is paid fairly for the work he carried out. Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 15
As time passes we are finding more fair trade products on the market, apart from the existence of the shops which sell only fair trade products. In Malta there is a particular shop belonging to the Fair Trade Cooperative which promotes fair trade products. Whenever you buy a fair trade product, you would be helping fight the war on poverty. Millennium Development Goals In the year 2000 during the Millennium Summit the United Nations (UN) had proposed a programme whereby the developed countries worked together to help the developing countries to increase equality in the world and to enable all the people worldwide to enjoy a higher standard of living. Every member country of the UN promised to abide with this agreement so that real global change would occur. They set 8 projects for themselves to work on till 2015. They called these the millennium development goals and the member countries all promised to work towards these agreed upon goals. The eight millennium goals are the following: Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 16
Till 2015 these are the aims which should be met: 1. That absolute poverty is reduced by half 2. That every child around the world be provided with obligatory education till primary level 3. That equality between women and men increases in every social sphere especially in those of education, work and politics 4. That infant mortality is reduced by two thirds through the use of vaccination and the provision of an adequate health service 5. Maternal mortality is reduced by two thirds 6. More research and effective cure for diseases such as AIDS and malaria 7. Work towards sustainable development as well as decreasing by half the amount of people who still do not have clean drinking water 8. Creating more jobs for youths in developing countries as well as increasing the use of technology at these places of work. Every country had specific aims towards which to work. To hurry the process in 2005 the G8 gave money to the World Bank, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and to AfDB (African Development Bank) so that they would start the process of debt Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 17
relief for some countries of the third world so that they would be able to use their money in the sectors of health, education and the eradication of poverty. Some countries are going to manage to reach the goals planned in the year 2000 whilst others are still very far from the target aimed for. The 17 (UN SD Goals) are a universal set of goals, targets and indicators that UN member states will be expected to use to shape the agendas and political policies over the next 15 years. This ambitious agenda for all of humanity seeks to finish what the Millennium Development Goals started, while adding its own elements. Europe is committed to helping meet the UNSD Goals target and will play an essential role as one of the largest and most Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 18
diversified group shaping economic activities, in both traditional and technologically advanced industries, and acting as an important engine for innovation in other sectors. Organisations which work in favour of world peace a. United Nations The UN was founded in 1945 and its main aim was and still is to maintain peace and lessen wars. There are around 189 member countries, countries of every race, religion and political ideology all working towards the same aim. The aims of the United Nations are principally three: To maintain world peace by avoiding all types of war To ensure more justice and respect for human rights amongst the peoples So that the member countries continue making scientific and technological progress Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 19
Within the UN we find many agencies all of which look after different sectors some of the agencies are: UNESCO works to improve education, science and technology UNICEF - provides services of education, health and food for children and help children who are victims of war and natural disasters ILO - works in the work sector FAO increases food production and makes sure that this is shared equally, as well as ensuring more work in agriculture and fishing WHO works to increase research regarding health and prevention of disease around the world UNHCR works in favour of welfare of refugees Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 20
b. Commonwealth The Commonwealth is an organisation of 53 countries which have one thing in common that in the past they formed part of the British Empire. Although every country today is independent these still meet every two years (CHOGM) to discuss particular themes. Queen Elisabeth is the head of the Commonwealth and the countries feel that they are connected to one another through the history, culture and language they maintain and share. These countries share these aims amongst them: They work in favour of peace and democracy They reduce sentiments of racism They work in favour of fundamental rights, equality of the sexes and sustainable development Every 4 years they hold the commonwealth games The member countries help each other by providing scholarships Ms.R.A.Zahra studjisocjali.com Page 21