"I believe in angels,
the kind that heaven sends.
I'm surrounded by angels,
but I call them my best friends."
Monday, February 18, 2008 / 13:34
Globalisation has different impacts on different people. Consequentially, some might support it whilst others might view it as a threat. Hence, globalisation can be safely defined as an international integration. It is a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society.
The positive impact of globalisation is that countries which have adopted a pro-globalisation policy have experienced an improvement in their standard of living as a result of an increase in income levels. Through trading and foreign investments, these countries have earned enough revenue which they have then used for education, health, defence, housing and transportation purposes. Through free trade, consumers from these nations have now the choice to purchase either foreign-imported or local goods. Thus, the increase of lifestyle choices has led to a better quality of life. Globalisation have three main impact on people. Economically, socially and environmentally.
The economic impacts. Increased competition among nations is also another impact of globalisation, both positive and negative. It is positive in the sense that increased competition for foreign investments and markets has led to further growth in the country such as the development of infrastructure. One such country that has benefitted from the intense competition is China, Dalian. However, inccreased competition has also its deficits in the sense that many developing countries encounter difficulties attracting foreign investments due to reasons such as poor infrastructure and political instability and are therefore caught in a situation where poverty remains throughout the lifespan of the living generation, and subsequentially it might be prolonged across generations. Another positive impact of increased competition among nations is foreign talent. With the advancements in technology, with globalisation, people a re able to move form country to country in search of leisure activities and employment. Highly skilled people are in high demand and with globalisation; people are presented with the opportunity to find empolyment in another country.
Another negative economic impact of globalisation is the widening of the income gap between the rich and poor countries. Not only has it resulted in rapid development in many countries, globalisation has also contributed to the spread of poverty in many other countries.
The social impacts. Through globalisation, there is an increase in the awareness of foreign talent by travelling, surfing the Internet and watching foreign movies which has all been made possible only by the creation of globalisation. A negative social impact of globalisation is the loss of local culture as the identical appearances of global brands such as McDonald’s and Starbucks have created a homogenous culture around the world. Globalisation has also led to the spread of pop culture acrooss the world that includes rap music, MTV and Hollywood movies that to many people have influenced youths negatively, losing their interest in local culture.
The negative economical impacts of globalisation such as environmental degradation have resulted in many people and environmentalists to oppose globalisation. Deforestation has caused many other environmental problems such as soil erosion, extinction of flora and fauna, increase in flooding and the haze. Globalisation has also worsened environmental problems such as global warming. Though, supporters of globalisation have argued that globalisation has its good economical impacts such as an increase in awareness of sustainable development.
What’s my take on globalisation then? Well, as I sit in study room with air conditioning from Japan, furniture from China and uploading my homework on the Net, I’ll have to say that I am in favour of globalisation. I mean, who am I to complain?
Like An Angel
Fatimah Abdul Salam
Kent Ridge Secondary
Class Blog
WANTS
*indians to rule the world...heh:)
*to get a distinction for El
*to be Miss India 2009!!
