Globalization

Globalization is a term that has spread like wild fire in our society, but what does it actually mean? How does globalization affect an individual’s everyday life? As with any other life issue there is controversy surrounding the impact of globalization. Some people argue that is it the best thing that could have ever happened, while others are more skeptical and see the shortcomings of globalization. According to Fernando Coronil there are people who think that the “image of globalization offers the promise of a unified humanity no longer divided by East and West, North and South, Europe and its Others, the rich and poor” (“Towards a Critique of Globalcentrism: Speculations on Capitalism’s Nature” 351). This is a very positive spin on globalization and brings up the freedom that can ideally occur with globalization. Territorial and cultural boundaries will still exist, but they will not prevent people from participating in the open market that sees through those invisible lines. It can “bring cultures together” and prevent the isolation of civilizations from the rest of the world. Globalization, however, has it negatives and Coronil expresses that when he states that it is “not an extension of market in geographical space but a concentration in social space” (365). Globalization provides certain cultures and countries to dominate the world market, which places all the power into the hands of a few. Coronil labels globalization as “fourth World War” that “claims the lives of vast numbers of people subjected to increasing poverty and marginalization” (360). In theory and on paper globalization should open doors for struggling individuals, but in practice that is not always the case. Many people are experiencing extraneous hardships due to globalization and it is devastating. An open world market would be ideal if every country actually had equal access and freedom to use its advantages. There is a concentration of wealth in certain countries and then the poorer countries become very dependent on either aid or trade with those countries in power. Simon Gikandi actually makes a statement in his article on globalization that the “world [is becoming] increasingly interdependent with the passing of time” (“Globalization and the Claims of Postcoloniality” 627). Globalization makes boundaries disappear and it could almost be seen as though different countries do not exist, it has returned to the stage of Pangea in a sense. Gikandi states that with globalization “there no longer seems to be a clear relationship between cultural practices and localities” (638). That could be viewed as both negative and positive. From an optimistic perspective this gives people more freedom to make individual life choices and follow the cultural beliefs that they see best fits their own desires. However, this also allows for certain cultures to dominate and make their customs appear superior to traditions of cultures that are not mainstream. This “freedom” can both underline individuality while at the same time promoting collectivism and conformity.