Globalization

Essay text:

Some Advantages Some Disadvantages • Increased free trade between nations • Increased liquidity of capital allowing investors in developed nations to invest in developing nations • Corporations have greater flexibility to operate across borders • Global mass media ties the world together • Increased flow of communications allows vital information to be shared between individuals and corporations around the world • Greater ease and speed of transportation for goods and people • Reduction of cultural barriers increases the global village effect • Spread of democratic ideals to developed nations • Greater interdependence of nation-states • Reduction of likelihood of war between developed nations • Increases in environmental protection in developed nations • Increased flow of skilled and non-skilled jobs from developed to developing nations as corporations seek out the cheapest labor • Increased likelihood of economic disruptions in one nation effecting all nations • Corporate influence of nation-states far exceeds that of civil society organizations and average individuals • Threat that control of world media by a handful of corporations will limit cultural expression • Greater chance of reactions for globalization being violent in an attempt to preserve cultural heritage • Greater risk of diseases being transported unintentionally between nations • Spread of a materialistic lifestyle and attitude that sees consumption as the path to prosperity • International bodies like the World Trade Organization infringe on national and individual sovereignty • Increase in the chances of civil war within developing countries and open war between developing countries as they vie for resources • Decreases in environmental integrity as polluting corporations take advantage of weak regulatory rules in developing countries