madscience_7

Andy Trainer
4-14-06
Sygn-200
Topic 2: Globalization

. Globalization today is a very real issue. It is happening whether people like it or not. It has advantages and disadvantages. Some communities benefit and some do not. Society must understand globalization better in order to make it a positive process.
. Globalization has its advantages and disadvantages. Some are more prevalent than others. Critics say that the most significant problem is that globalization further separates the rich from the poor. No matter how integrated economies get, those people who start with nothing cannot gain. Even those who have assets and jobs can lose them as companies shift production abroad. The need for cheap labor can promote sweatshops and child labor. Globalization has also made black market trade and organized crime easier. However, globalization offers many opportunities for growth. Countries can specialize and increase productivity which can improve living standards. An open economy can increase trade of ideas and foreign investments while competition keeps prices and interest rates low. Truly, globalization is much like capitalism in that it can run rampant without regulation. Laws must be made to protect people from the problems while still allowing the benefits to be realized. The western world has addressed the flaws in capitalism; now society, as a global community, must address the flaws of globalization.
. Many countries in the world are failing to benefit from globalization due to several factors. These countries may be politically or culturally isolated. Some may suffer from weak policies and governments. Others may be failing to benefit due to civil war or unrest. Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa are not benefiting due to two major factors; a lack of trade liberalization, and ineffective social spending. In order to benefit from globalization, countries must be open to international trade. In Africa, a large number of the countries are landlocked and because of this, international trade is made difficult. Some African countries have been able to adopt a common trade policy in recent years. Regional integration will help increase long term growth and allow these countries to benefit more. Also, effective social spending is necessary for those countries to benefit. The AIDS pandemic is causing massive economic problems for the continent. Increasing spending for public health policies will help these economies to recover. Ugandas Poverty Action Fund has been successful at improving education and healthcare. Public spending in Cameroon will be increased in the future to assist these problems as well.
. Many countries in Southeast Asia are also being left behind by globalization. These countries are primarily Muslim countries. Ignorance due to a lack of education in these countries is one of the biggest reasons for this poverty. More than 800 million of the 1.3 billion people in the world of Islam are illiterate. Often the countries that have a larger percentage of Muslim extremists are being held back due to those extremists refusing to accept the ideas and policies formed by western countries. Due to religious conflicts, they see the United States as the enemy, and they condemn globalization as being something created by the United States. In these countries, efforts must be made to increase religious tolerance as well as improve education if these countries are to rise out of poverty.
. In conclusion,