The Entire Concept of Globalization Economic and Political Power - Essay Example

Globalization Name Institution Date Introduction Globalization has been defined as a process through which economies from different parts of the world are linked in an attempt to facilitate control of the economy and political power [Ste10]. Other factors emerge when countries around the globe are in constant interaction. The modern generation that relies on information and technology has simply made the concept of globalization inevitable [Jan16]. Many states, firms and people from various parts of the world are linked with the one concept known as globalization. For many years, the society has been making tireless efforts to ensure that globalization takes the full course. To date, it can be claimed that globalization is a necessary evil that the modern society has learned to appreciate both its pros and cons. All aspects of the society that include culture, politics, economics, science, and education have made globalization an important pillar. The concept of economy has been so dynamic to a point that an environment known as the global political economy has been created. According to Weinstein (2006), the global political economy shapes up most economies and distribution of power around the world. On the other hand, the internet seems to be the life of globalization. Internet capabilities link people from various parts of the world to create a new concept known as the global village. There is no way the world will live a day without globalization since everything will come to a collapse. This paper will provide an in-depth analysis to prove that the current society cannot do without globalization. The global political economy and international relations One factor that has emerged to be very powerful in as far as, globalization is concerned is the concept of the global political economy. The modern world cannot run efficiently without the forces created by the global political economy. It has become so powerful to a sense that both the economy and political influence is controlled at a global level [Lia12]. This is an advantage from previous exploitative control strategies such as scramble and partition for Africa. The world has changed, and the people in the world have changed to suit the modern world. Economic globalization has had its fair share of benefits as well as criticism [Mic03]. However, it is evident that many countries around the world cannot do without economic globalization thus making it inevitable. Economic globalization opens up countries around the globe to enhance the flow of products, services, capital as well as investments. Markets of different countries are constantly integrated, which allows international trade and international relations to thrive. Political power has also found a royal place in globalization as power sharing, and distribution is controlled from a central point. International bodies such as the United Nations (UN) and World Trade Organization (ITO) are some products of globalization [Jan16]. These international bodies have been an important indicator that globalization in the modern world is a necessary evil. Critics have been vocal about the potential of globalization to undermine the sovereign power of individual states [Mar061]. In addition, it has been claimed that globalization reduces the identity of some countries while making other states appear much stronger. In such situation, globalization has also linked to exploitation by states considered as powerful in the way they control global politics as well as decisions. Other critics have linked these negative effects of globalization to global discrimination where some countries discriminate others on political grounds. This form of discrimination often has economic parameter linked. Globalization has been described as a technical way to institutionalize power, privileges of states such as the USA [Ste10]. This is a different way of interpreting globalization that cannot be used to undermine the benefits that globalization has created. Many negative political events could be evident in situations where global political power was not centrally controlled. Take an example of the South Korean case where weaponization of nuclear technology has been on the rise. The international community is at the forefront of mediating the negative effects of such bold technological ventures. These weapons are considered as weapons of mass destruction that have proven fatal. Without intervention from the international community, powerful nations would have found no limits in over-exercising their powers [Mic03]. No nation would have had the ability to intervene in war within another state or even wars between different states such as in the case of Israel and Pakistan. Globalization and trade For many years, the concept of trade has been the source of wealth and political power for many people and states [Akr11]. Trade has evolved so much from batter trade to the use of currency to pay for commodities. Technological development has even provident a new cutting edge that has facilitated modern trade. To date, the use of currency is even changing to a point that electronic money has penetrated the scenes. Trade can never be localized as people from the same region may only be specialized in producing the same type of products. It implies that parties from far places outside the same region have to be involved to ensure that diversity of commodity is available. A good example for this case is to assume that an economy like Japan is specialized in the production of electronic gadgets and fishing. These two may not satisfy all the human needs in Japan. Japan will be forced to source for more variety of food to supplement its food. In addition, Japan will look for more market to sell its surplus electronic products and this may not be in Europe since most nations in this region have specialized in the same type of products [Moj00]. Therefore it implies that the globalization will come into place to ensure that trade is facilitated between Japan and other countries outside Europe. Economies engage in international trade for various reasons such as obtaining new goods or services or selling its surplus produce [Rob07]. Some countries are capable of producing specific products at a low cost thus end up producing them in surplus. Some countries find it very expensive to produce the products that are cheaply produced in other economies. The situation forces countries to engage in international trade, which implies that trade, would never have been necessary if the cost of product of all needed products was similar in all countries. this makes globalization an important force world of balancing the spread and access of cheap commodities by many economies across the world. According to Ritzer (2010), opposing factions have been bold in criticizing the nature in which international trade has been using as a powerful weapon to exploit weaker states. It has been used as a tool for colonizing the nations that depend on the developed countries for a commodity they cannot produce especially in the field of information technology. It has been claimed that the developing countries are being used as ‘dumping sites’ a situation that has not been well proven. Such allegations are strong enough to sway the notion of one state in engaging in trade with other states [Ste10]. However, it is not strong enough to change the entire world as far as globalization is concerned. As stated before, many nations around the world are not self-sufficient and require partnership with other countries for prosperity. In addition, many global treaties in the modern have taken advantage of trade. As far as international relations are concerned, People from many different nations have increasingly shown the will to interact [Lee06]. This makes the concept of globalization inevitable thus; the negatives associated with globalization are not enough to stop it. To date, Globalization is viewed as n important tool linking worldwide technology in information and communication sector. In addition, globalization enables consumption of popular commodities across the globe [Ste10]. Cultures of different economies are linked at different levels as a way of enhancing international relations. Modern states seem to have no way around globalization hence have to embrace it at all cost. This is evident in the ministerial dockets of various countries mandated with handling foreign affairs. Globalization and education According to Johnson (2007), education is one basic area that the modern society can never do without. The entire concept of education has been on rapid evolution to take advantage of the growing capabilities presented by the growing technology. According to Mrak (2000), technological growth in both transport and communication has been very influential in enhancing education around the world. As globalization increases integration of economies around the world, not only trade benefits but also education. Educational benefits from globalization can be considered as spillovers. Globalization is important in increasing the cross-border flow of information and technology, which benefits education. Economies tend to use such societal basic needs such as education to enhance international relations. With globalization, several aspects of education can be transmitted from one country to another, which enhances development in various fields within education [Moj00]. For instance, quality of education is increased while the cost of financing education may considerably be reduced. Other important factors such as teaching technologies, the structure of administration and management are also improved. Education has also been included as one aspect of trade through which excelling economies use to reach to developing economies. According to Pang (2006), economies that are strong enough have invested a lot in quality education and without globalization, this kind of knowledge would remain confined to these countries. Therefore, it would be reasonable to argue that absence of globalization would result in some countries missing out on important conventional knowledge [Dir05]. As far as knowledge is concerned, it can also be argued that the need to match the growing expectation that comes with globalization forces many countries to invest in education. Arguably, education is one powerful tool that makes the countries have something on the bargaining table. As if this is not enough, improving education standards makes economy gain stability across many fronts. According to Cronin (2003), factions against the concept of globalization would claim that globalization has been an important factor in eroding morals, which affects education. It may further be argued that the poor trends of moral infestation due to globalization affect the orientation of people to learning [Mar00]. For instance, when foreigners visit another country to explore and invest, they tend to affect the existing culture. However, this does not mean that such investments would be of no use to the existing community. Societies have to learn that globalization does not erode an education culture. Only people with divided desires go out of the rail to fulfill their selfish desires. As a result, this ends up affecting culture and education thus dragging along the concept of globalization. Considering improvement in the education sector of many economies, it is impossible to weigh the merits of globalization against the demerits [Mar00]. The merits are very many compared to the demerits, which only implies that globalization has a positive impact on education [Dir05]. Most developing countries have improved their education systems after learning from the developed countries they associate with. People from one country have moved from to other countries to advance in education. International universities have managed to establish campuses in many countries that have proven to have good international relations. Conclusion Globalization is a necessary evil in the modern world that drives the social, economic, political and economic environment around the world. Despite the fact that critics have aimed to question the entire concept of globalization, the current world cannot do without globalization. Among the claims by critics is that globalization is a tool of moral and cultural erosion. It has also been claimed that the globalization creates imbalances of power among states and is a new form of colonialism. However, it is evident that most countries have so much to gain because of globalization. This paper has highlighted the benefits linked to trade, education, economic and political power. Therefore, it is evident that every country around the world that seeks prosperity will rely on globalization thus making it inevitable. References Akram, M., Faheem, M., & Dost, M. (2011). Globalization and its Impacts on the World Economic Development. Retrieved from International Journal of Business and Social Science Vol. 2 No. 23: http://www.ijbssnet.com/journals/Vol_2_No_23_Special_Issue_December_2011/36.pdf Amirkhanyan, L. (2012). Globalization and International Relations. Retrieved from http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/content/pdf/participant-papers/2011-12-cdac/Globalization-and-International-Relations-Lianna-Amirkhanyan.pdf Carnoy, M. (2000). Globalization an Educational Reform: What Planners Need to Know. Retrieved from Fundamentals of Education Planning: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001202/120274e.pdf Cronin, M. (2003). Translation and Globalization. New York: Psychology Press. Johnson, S. (2007). International Monetary Fund: Reaping the Benefits of Financial Globalization. Retrieved from Research Department: https://www.imf.org/external/np/res/docs/2007/0607.pdf Lane, J.-E. (2016). Globalization – The Juggernaut of the 21st Century. London: Routledge. Lee, E., & Vivarelli, M. (2006). The Social Impact of Globalization in the Developing Countries. Retrieved from IZA Discussion Paper No. 1925: http://ftp.iza.org/dp1925.pdf Mark, R., & Solomon, S. (2006). Globalization and International Political Economy: The Politics of Alternative Futures. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. Mrak, M. (2000). Globalization: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Countries in Transition. Retrieved from UNIDO: http://www.unido.org/fileadmin/import/userfiles/puffk/mrak.pdf Pang, N. S.K. (2006). Globalization: Educational Research, Change, and Reform. Hong Kong: Chinese University Press. Ritzer, G. (2010). Globalization: A Basic Test. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Steger, M. (2010). Globalization. New Delhi: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. Thompson, R. (2007). Globalization and Its Benefits of Trade. Retrieved from Chicago Fed Letter: https://www.chicagofed.org/~/media/publications/chicago-fed-letter/2007/cflmarch2007-236-pdf.pdf Weinstein, M. (2006). Globalization: What's New. New York: Columbia University Press. Willem, D. (2005). Globalization and Education: What do the trade, investment, and migration literature tell us? Retrieved from Overseas Development Institute: http://www.pucminas.br/imagedb/documento/DOC_DSC_NOME_ARQUI20060214114604.pdf Read More