Monday, July 26, 2010

The Upside of Globalism

The deep interconnectedness globalism has created has many positive outcomes for people in developed and developing nations.

International trade and foreign direct investment has brought an influx of capital to developing countries, created jobs, reduced import prices, increased workers’ earning power through labor specialization and created larger export markets.

Advances in technology created opportunities for exchange of ideas, access to news, information, and scientific discoveries. Technology has the potential to break down geographic barriers and increase access to health care, education and government services, improving the quality of life worldwide. These developments are especially beneficial for poor and underserved communities around the globe.

Commerce, communications and migration have lead to increased exposure to foreign cultures. According to Capeheart and Milovanovic, this has “created new potentials for cooperation, collaboration, diverse encounters and dialogue. It provides for the possibility that, while remaining different, we discover commonality that enables us to communicate and act together.”

These benefits are life changing for many people around the world. Unfortunately, there is dramatic inequity in the distribution of the rewards of globalism. The following posts will provide deeper discussion of the concerns and challenges posed by globalism that are yet to be resolved.

No comments:

Post a Comment