Globalization refers to the ability for ides to freely flow across borders without hindrance and for a global economy and marketplace that brings together ideas from all sectors of the world. The PBS documentary describes it as, “the world tied together by flows of investment, trade, ideas, and culture" [1]. In theory globalization is a great thing: globalization allows for the widespread transfer of ideas to all sectors of the world, it opens up previously under utilized markets and allows for friendships to be created all across the globe. Communication, as discussed in our previous blog is the key to this globalization phenomenon. Communication breaks down borders, creates new avenues of discussion and helps further the advancement of ideas.
Globalization does not come without its negative effects though. In a world dominated by communication, the loudest voice will be heard over all. In today’s case this loud voice would be that of the west. What this means is that ideas the flow from the western nations will be taken more seriously than that of those that come from smaller nations. Western nations will be able to dictate the global discussion and tell lesser countries what is important and what is not. Of course this will not allows be the case, but global communication dominance by a third world nation is yet to be seen. Noam Chomsky discusses this problem and sums up the definition of globalization with the quote, “the poor complain, they always do, but that’s just ideal chatter. Our system brings rewards, at least to those that matter” [2]. This is Chomsky’s way of saying that globalization helps those in positions of powers, the people that have the ability to control the masses and dictate the global transfer of ideas. He uses the idea of free trade to illustrate his point about globalization. Free trade allows for subsidized western goods to be traded throughout the world, in each and every country. These goods are very cheap, cheaper than that of the third world farmer. This puts the small businessmen out of business while allowing for the cheaper western goods to spread throughout the world. These poor farmers will then go to the city to find jobs but then that will saturate the job market thus lowering wages for all [2].
Globalization has its positive effects and is a stepping-stone to creating a universal world without boundaries but it is important to note that the third world is affected, too. So often the third world is forgotten in political discussion and that is what Chomsky is attempting to bring to light.
[1] Commanding Heights. PBS. 2003. Television.
[2] Chomsky, Noam. "What Is Globalization?" YouTube. 26 Mar. 2007. Web. 05 Jan. 2011
Greg, You stated in your blog that the Western nations will be controlling and dictating the global discussions and the lesser countries. Why do you believe that this is the case? And also, how long do you think this will be the case? It was a great point but how do you think it got to this point where the Western nations controlled and dictated the other lower nations?
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the argument on the unequal flow of information and influence as noted by Greg.(At the risk of coming off as "selling" my blog entry.) I actually address some of these questions in the last two paragraphs of my blog entry on globalization.
ReplyDeleteHey Greg, I liked how you linked the previous blog assignment concerning mass communication with the current topic of globalization. In your opinion, what do you think the benefits are involved with third world countries globalizing their society, if any? Also, what do you think these countries can do to increase their benefits from globalization, seeing as most countries now see it as a necessary evil?
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