Globalization
Summary and critique of articles
Part 1 of the book debates about globalization, and it consists of articles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, which give various opinions regarding the concept of globalization. A common perspective among the articles is that they underscore the benefits as well as drawbacks of globalization, especially after the end of the Second World War. Article 1 highlights the hidden promises of globalization which include paving the way for liberty for the human population, providing an open society, increasing the basic freedom of individuals, which is the prayer of every person, and making the globe an empire without an end, an insinuation that with globalization, people would enjoy an economy under which they would pursue their interests in the light if perfect information and freedom from both geographical and government obstacles. Article 2 focuses on how various people judge the concept of globalization. It goes ahead to state that there are people who view globalization as a marvelous contribution of the Western civilization to the entire world whereas there are those who view it as the forceful imposition of Western perspectives on the rest of the world. The article mentions that individuals who appreciate globalization link it to key contributions such as enabling global interdependence and movements, promoting global justice and addressing the bargaining problem, as well as enabling fair sharing of global opportunities. The article states that on the contrary, opponents of globalization see it as the primary cause of socioeconomic inequality, alteration of global arrangements, and increased poverty levels.
Article 3, while focusing on the elusive concept of globalization, views it from different viewpoints: as an analytical tool, as a political agenda, as a humanitarian concern, and as a moral challenge. As an analytical tool, whereas supporters of globalization see it as the solution to the challenges that people face as a result of free-market economies, its opponents view it as the cause of global economic inequality. From the viewpoint of it being a political agenda, supporters of globalization believe that it has created worldwide open and competitive markets that promote prosperity globally whereas its opponents believe that it promotes only the interests of the world’s most powerful players. From the humanitarian concern viewpoint, it is believed that globalization serves the purpose of representing the aspiration of a world community where universal standards of fundamental human rights are respected. Further, from the moral challenge perspective, it is argued that globalization has seen the rich’s willingness to act in accordance with moral principles as human solidarity only if their interests are not in jeopardy. Article 4’s primary argument is that globalization has paved the way for global war and bloodshed as seen in the emergence of Jihadists to counteract the proposals of McWorld. Article 5 expands the argument in the previous chapter as it opines that globalization has resulted in the class of civilizations such as the Western world versus the rest of the world. The major critique of the articles is that they do not take a stand on whether globalization is good or bad, and this is because on one hand, they provide the benefits of globalization, and on the contrary, they articulate the detrimental effects of globalization.
Assessment and opinions
The articles focus primarily on the concept of globalization, highlighting its benefits as well as drawbacks. It is important to note that globalization has been beneficial and detrimental to the world in its entirety. As already mentioned globalization has promoted global interdependence and movements, promoted justice, as well as provided a platform of fair sharing of resources and opportunities. However, it has also been the causal factor for global socioeconomic inequality, alteration of global arrangements, and global injustices. With the rapid changes that the world is undergoing today, globalization is inevitable, and thus, people have to put up with its merits and demerits. People and in particular global political leaders, ought to emphasize the positive side of globalization for the world to be a better place for every individual.