Nowadays one of the most commonly used terms is globalization. But what does globalization mean? Does it mean dissappearing borders, a common trade unit, no tax in trade abroad, political awareness across the world, or, in extremes, even interfering with other countries' domestic affairs?.
In some ways globalization may be useful in creating a common sense of "world citizenship", but useful to what extent? What are the possibilities, advantages and risks of such "world citizenship"? Are the United Nations and the European Union, stepping stones to globalization?.
Disappearing borders, in the economic meaning of the term can most clearly be seen today in Europe. The European Union restricts taxes on trade between members. Taking a step further the EU have decided on a common currency, the "Euro" , which became available at the beginning of 1999. This currency may economically be more functional but what aboutnational pride? All trade units display a country's well known heros or great personalities of them that the citizens respect for. How are the citizens going to respond to this kind of change time will show but nobody can say European countries are not nationalistic. There is a strong evidence on the contrary. One example is world war II, which started in the middle of Europe- -considered then the most civilized part of the world- because of Germany's belief in its national superiority. This unfortunate development took place just half a century ago.These European nation-states may seem to be getting along well for the time being because of fairly smilar economic levels but what will happen if one country's economic level drops or gets much better than the rest? Would the better ones pull up the worst to keep up with them or would those countries-having the best economy- want to carry the rest on their shoulders? .
Besides its economic ups and downs globalization has a tremendous effect on cultural values.