Globalization

Essay by keishabbwnjCollege, UndergraduateA+, June 2008

download word file, 4 pages 3.5

Globalization is an extremely controversial issue. It has been the center of much debate and has raised many questions. Some have viewed it as beneficial, while others argue that it produces adverse results and consequences. However, it is necessary to determine or rather define globalization and all which is involved.

Globalization is defined as the integration, interaction and interdependence of people and organizations all around the globe. Although a fairly new term, dating back to the 1980s, globalization has been a historical process evident for over the last 100 years. Globalization specifically encompasses several aspects such as trade, capital movement, spread of knowledge, movement of people. Through use of trade and financial flow, globalization can be easily summed up as the integration of economy worldwide. Additionally, it includes international movement of technological knowledge and labor. In collaboration, there is a greater sense and existence of culture and politics.

In the broader scope, globalization promotes effectiveness by utilizing each market and nation's specialization, allowing people and economies to focus on what they do best.

Globalization gives opportunity to each nation to access each others markets as well as to capital flow, technology, imports, exports, politics, and culture. However, as some countries continually reap the benefits and flourish, others are falling short.

Friedman defines ten "flatteners" that he sees as leveling the global playing field:"#1: Collapse of Berlin Wall--11/'89: The event not only symbolized the end of the Cold war, it allowed people from the other side of the wall to join the economic mainstream.

#2: Netscape: 08/95 Netscape and the Web broadened the audience for the Internet from its roots as a communications medium used primarily by 'early adopters and geeks' to something that made the Internet accessible to everyone from five-year-olds to eighty-five-year olds..

#3: Workflow software: The ability of...