At its core globalization is the interrelationships, interconnection, and interdependence of all the countries of the world. It is the spread of capitalism across the globe bringing with it both opportunities and constraints. However, it is more than just free trade; the forces that allow businesses to operate beyond national borders allow activists, journalists, and scholars to work on a global scale.
In the world today globalization is essentially a synonym for global business and is personified by three organizations: the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). These organizations are at the center of a great debate over the virtues and evils of globalization. There are many convincing arguments both against and in favor of globalization. This essay from www.mytermpapers.com.
Those against globalization have one primary concern; they claim that globalization benefits corporations while harming people. It is feared that globalization reduces human rights, harms the environment, undermines sovereignty, and increases inequality.
Globalization is a threat to human rights because countries with high labor standards must compete with nations that have no labor laws. According to Global Exchange, an international human rights organization, "the WTO courts have consistently ruled that environmental and human rights concerns are unacceptable motivations for trade policy if they interfere with the interests of commerce (The WTO Erodes )." For globalization to be a positive force it must be acknowledged that trade is political as well as monetary. Unfortunately, current laws designed to protect human rights and values are often considered "barriers to free trade" and are attacked by the WTO.
Besides being a threat to human rights, globalization also represents a threat to the environment. Just as laws designed to protect people are sometimes overturned in favor of free trade, laws protecting the environment are dismantled by trade organizations.
