In the modern world, some processes are more and more clearly observed that unite it, erase the boundaries between states and turn the economic system into one huge market. The peoples inhabiting the Earth interact with each other more effectively than ever and to some extent assimilate. All these and many other processes are called globalization. Many experts tend to believe that globalization is an inevitable stage in the development of mankind, when the whole world is gradually becoming one.
However, in the course of the formation of a global society, certain problems naturally arise. The processes of globalization are so complex and ambiguous that it cannot be otherwise. Before looking for a solution to these problems, it is necessary to understand the essence of globalization itself, because today it has already affected almost all aspects of our lives to one degree or another.
What is globalization
First of all, globalization is a process of changing the structure of the world economic system, whenthe economies of individual states are integrated into the overall system. The purpose of these changes is to expand opportunities for trade, investment, the movement of capital throughout the world, which are regulated by a common principle for all. In fact, globalization affects more areas of human life. Mutual integration is also taking place in politics, culture, religion, education and many other areas. Using the example of the European Union and other alliances, one can observe how the borders between states are being erased, and in the united countries, uniform standards are more or less successfully applied in various spheres of life.
Globalization is characterized by many different phenomena, such as the spread of information technologies and means of communication, the interdependence of financial markets and the unification of their participants, migration, the formation of a common human culture, etc. At the same time, these processes occur in conditions where individual civilizations and cultures that have their own value systems need to be integrated into a common system. Modern problems of globalization, by and large, arise due to the diversity and dissimilarity of the participants in these processes. And according to its opponents, the processes of globalization are based on principles, the use of which very often leads to negative consequences.
Restriction of state sovereignty
The main problem of globalization is that its processes are largely influenced by various intergovernmental,supranational or private structures. Sometimes these institutions behave as if they have power over everyone and even states are obliged to obey them. Of course, these structures cannot force anyone to comply with their requirements and most often their conditions are advisory in nature, however, in order to gain access to certain resources and opportunities, governments are forced to make concessions.
Indeed, today you can see how governments are losing control over the most diverse areas of government. More and more criticism is heard against such structures as the WTO, the IMF or the World Bank, and transnational corporations (TNCs) have become so powerful that they are able to influence both individual states and the whole world as a whole. Many are concerned about the limitation of the sovereignty of countries, and this despite the fact that today you can already hear talk about revising the traditional roles of the state and government. This problem of globalization is manifested in the difficulty of individual states defending their interests.
Concentration on the economy
The structures that have the greatest influence on the course of globalization processes are largely focused on financial and economic issues. This mainly concerns TNCs and other private organizations that may be interested in making a profit or improving financial performance. They are more concerned about the economic problems of globalization, which leaves other aspects of it, such as he alth care orecology, which are also very important.
TNCs in pursuit of profits
As already mentioned, TNCs make it their priority to maximize profits, which may be contrary to the interests of society. Not to mention the fact that in order to achieve their goals, TNCs can act to the detriment of everything else. A striking example is the tendency to move production to countries that have more favorable conditions for TNCs. In fact, these benefits include lower labor costs and less stringent labor laws, lower he alth and safety requirements, lower taxes and social security contributions. This is a violation of human rights.
In addition, the transfer of industrial production to developing countries provokes too rapid growth of their economies, which entails negative consequences. This problem of globalization is also making itself felt in the West, where unemployment is rising due to the closure of many enterprises.
Lack of openness
Governments and other public institutions, as well as their actions can be controlled in one way or another by voters, their capabilities, principles of functioning and responsibility are clearly spelled out in laws. With supranational organizations, the situation is somewhat different. They can act independently and most often make decisions that have a significant impact on the course of world processes behind closed doors. Of course, this is preceded by lengthy multilateral negotiations,which take place both at the official level and behind the scenes. It is alarming that many very serious social problems of globalization are being solved in this way, and the mechanisms for making these decisions are not sufficiently open and understandable.
Besides, it is difficult to hold international institutions accountable for their misconduct.
Loss of identity
As society integrates into a single economic and cultural space, some living standards also become the same for everyone. Opponents of globalization are concerned about the violation of the human right to their own culture and the loss of identity by states.
Indeed, today we can observe how all of humanity is literally programmed, and people become faceless and similar to each other. They listen to the same music and eat the same food, no matter what country or part of the world they live in. Globalization plays a big role in this. The global problems of our time are not only difficulties in the economic or political spheres. Cultural traditions are forgotten, and national values are replaced by someone else's or simply invented, which cannot but disturb.
Globalization or Westernization?
Taking a closer look, you can see the relationship between globalization and the so-called Westernization - the process of assimilation by Western civilization of other less developed and less modernized territories. Of course, globalization is a broader process than westernization. On the example of the East Asian countries that have retained their identity, one can see that modernization and integration into the world system can also take place in the conditions of preserving their own culture. Yet globalization is inextricably linked with liberal values, which may be alien to some cultures, such as Islam. The problems of world globalization in such cases can be quite acute.
Globalization and lobbying
Specialists, and even some observant people, are sure that the main problems of globalization are that under the guise of integration, someone's interests are being promoted. It can be individual countries, mostly Western, and powerful TNCs. It is no secret that many international organizations are headquartered in the United States, and although officially they are independent institutions working in the common interest, one can often observe how globalization processes occur to the detriment of developing countries.
A vivid example of this is the activities of the International Monetary Fund. Those recommendations and loans that the IMF generously distributes to developing countries do not always benefit them. Integrating into the general system, the economies of these states become dependent on credit funds, or even fall into decline.
World government
All sorts of conspiracy theories admit the possibility of the existence of certain forces, the purpose of which is supposedly to establish a worldgovernment or the new world order. Indeed, the problem of globalization is that it subjugates the whole world, gradually, step by step, country by country, it brings everyone together and turns them into a single whole. One law, one culture… one government. The feelings of the opponents of these processes are quite understandable, because many are sure that this does not bode well.
As conspiracy theorists say, the goal of the world government is to create the so-called Golden Billion, which will include residents of selected selected countries (Western Europe, North America, etc.). The rest of the Earth's population, for the most part, is subject to destruction and enslavement.
Anti-globalism
Today, many people who are concerned about the problems associated with globalization are uniting in the anti-globalization movement. In fact, it is an association of various organizations - both international and national, as well as a lot of people, politicians, scientists, human rights activists and ordinary citizens who have an active civil position. It is important to note that anti-globalists protest not so much against globalization itself, but against the principles on which it is based. According to members of the movement, many problems of the globalization of the economy and other areas are directly related to the neoliberal principles of regulation and privatization.
The anti-globalization movement is becoming more organized every day. For example, since 2001The World Social Forum is held annually, where the most important issues are discussed under the slogan "The world can be different".
Conclusion
Globalization and the global problems accompanying it, of course, are inevitable at this stage in the development of human civilization. It is not possible to refuse it, therefore it is very important to find the right approach to the formation of a new single world community and solving the problems associated with it.
In conclusion, it remains only to quote the words of one representative of the anti-globalization movement: "Globalization is both a collective challenge and an incentive for each of us to look for new ways to become citizens of the world."
