Globalization and Technology, Essay Example

Abstract

This essay addresses the following question. Given recent political and economic trends, such as the “globalization” process, assess the impact of new and emerging technologies on such processes.
First, is globalization a force for economic growth, prosperity, and democratic freedom? Or is it a force for environmental devastation, exploitation of the developing world, and suppression of human rights? (See http://www.globalization101.org/). Second, identify one contemporary technology (e.g., the cell phone) and discuss how it has affected the world we live in? How do you see this technology affecting nation-states as a whole? Be sure to evaluate the impact on both industrialized nations like the United States and developing countries like Mexico and India. Third, how has the use of modern technology (e.g., the computer, e-commerce, etc.) changed modern business practices? How has it changed the global economy? What effect does this have on individual nation-states? Be sure to evaluate the impact on both industrialized nations like the United States and developing countries like Mexico and India.

Question 1: Is globalization a force for economic growth, prosperity, and democratic freedom? Or is it a force for environmental devastation, exploitation of the developing world, and suppression of human rights?

Globalisation can be described as the growing interconnectedness of societies globally. It is a contested concept as positive globalists believe that globalisation brings benefits to all, especially poorer nations across the world. They point to the rise of global interconnectedness that has created the global village and facilitated the free movement of capital, money, services and workers. They utilize evidence such as World Trade Organization figures which shows that between 1950 and 1999 the increase in world trade has increased by 8 percent, (WTO, 2000) or the report by the International Chamber of Commerce which states that globalization has created hundreds of millions of jobs, mainly, but not only, in developing countries (International Chamber of Commerce, 2000). Negative globalist on the other hand view globalization as having a detrimental effect on societies across the globe. They point at examples such as those by Mander and Barker which shows that between 1988-1993 the share of the world’s income going to the poorest 10 percent of the world’s population fell by over a quarter whereas the share of the richest 10 percent rose by 8 per cent. (Mander and Barker, 2002, p. 2) While the evidence undoubtedly shows that globalization has brought some benefits to many, these have been tempered by even greater destruction of the environment, and increasing inequality, which itself has had an effect on basic human rights, such as the right to decent standards of living, minimum wages and affordable and accessible education and healthcare.

Question 2:  Identify one contemporary technology (e.g., the cell phone) and discuss how it has affected the world we live in? How do you see this technology affecting nation-states as a whole? Be sure to evaluate the impact on both industrialized nations like the United States and developing countries like Mexico and India. 

One of the most distinctive features of globalization is termed the intensification of flows. This refers to the increased process of interaction generated by new technologies that is helping to create a global system of shared social spaces that are distinct from territorial spaces. Technologies such as the laptop computer are at the forefront of this process. Apart from increasing the rate of transnational communication and business transactions, it is also creating shared interconnected business spaces as well that blurs the distinction between private and public life. (Globalization 101). When enhanced by other technologies such as cell phones and video conferencing facilities, this technology allows business to be carried on while travelling to and from work, while at home in the evenings and weekends, and even while on holiday. This blurring of the private and the public is allowing businesses to get much more unpaid productivity out of their employees. It is also benefiting developing countries such as India which can provide much needed services to the globalized business world such as the use of call centres, at much more competitive wage rates.

Question 3: How has the use of modern technology (e.g., the computer, e-commerce, etc.) changed modern business practices? How has it changed the global economy? What effect does this have on individual nation-states? Be sure to evaluate the impact on both industrialized nations like the United States and developing countries like Mexico and India

Apart from the intensification of flows mentioned above, modern technologies are facilitating other key features of globalization such as the concept of stretched social relations. This term refers to the propensity for events in one part of the globe to have an effect in other parts. This is driven almost exclusively by technologies such as satellite television, the internet, new cell phones that contain internet access, e-mail, texting, Bluetooth and other related technologies, laptop computers etc. Examples such as 9/11 and the subprime mortgage fiasco clearly show how the concept of stretched social relations work, in that events in one country or one part of the world, then had a knock on effect in a range of areas across the globe.

While states that are considered to be within the core of the developed world have resources that can be called upon to deal with these crises developing and poor states on the periphery often do not. They tend to be affected even more than those in the core, even though they invariably are not the original cause of the problem.

Bibliography

International Chamber of Commerce (2000) ICC Brief on Globalization, 22 November, Retrieved 10 October 2010 from http://globailzation.about.com/g:/dynamic/offsite.htm

Mander, J and Barker, D. (2002) Does Globalization Help the Poor? Retrieved 10 October 2010 from http://www.globalpolicy.org/globaliz/econ/2002/0701.htm

Globalization 101, Technology in Depth, Retrieved on 10 October 2010 from http://www.globalization101.org/issue_main/technology

World Trade Organization (2000, 2002) International Trade Statistics, World Trade Organization, Retrieved 10 October 2010 from http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/archive_e/trdev_arc_e.htm