Task 2. Read and translate the text

UNIT 6. the process of GLOBALIZATION and its aspects.

Task 1. Make sure you know the meaning of the words and their definitions below

Task 2. Read and translate the text

“Globalization” is a term describing the increasing interdependence, integration and interaction among people, companies and corporations around the world.

“Globalization” is a term which describes how human beings are becoming more intertwinedwith each other economically, politically and culturally.

Globalization is the "process by which the experience of everyday life is becoming standardized around the world" affecting all spheres of our life.

Globalization has a number of different aspects, which contribute to the effect of globalization across the globe:

- economic and financial globalization - emergence of worldwide economic and financial markets;

- political globalization - spread of political sphere of interests to the regions and countries outside the neighborhood of political actors ;

- cultural globalization - growth of cross-cultural contacts;

- technological and industrial globalization – most remarkable technological discoveries and rise and expansion of multinational enterprises;

- informational globalization - increase in information flows between geographically remote locations , and others.

All these aspects are closely connected and intertwined.

The economic aspects stressed in globalization are freetrade, investment and migration.

The globalization of trade entails to greater access of all people to a variety of goods and services. From German cars, to Colombian coffee, from Chinese clothing, to Egyptian cotton, from American music, to Indian software, human beings may be able to purchase a wide range of goods and services. Critics of free trade contendthat it may lead to the destruction of a country’s native industry, environment and/or a loss of jobs.

The globalization of investment takes place through foreign direct investment, where multinational companies directly invest assets in a foreign country, or by indirect investment where individuals and institutions purchase and sell financial assets of other countries. Critics of international investment contend that by accepting these financial schemes a country loses its economic sovereignty and may be forced to set policies that are contrary to its citizen’s interests or desires. Moreover, multinational companies that invest in a country also acquire too much political and economic power in relation to its citizens.

Free migration allows individuals to find employment in countries where there are labor shortages. But there is a concern that migration may lead to the exploitation of workers from a migrant country and the displacement of workers from a host country.

The political aspects of globalization are evidenced when governments create international rules and institutions to deal with issues such as human rights, environment, etc.Supporters of democratic globalizationconsider that the first phase of globalization, which was market-oriented, should be completed by a phase of building global political institutions representing the will of world citizens. Critics, on the other hand, fear that economic interests either subvertthe nation state in its ability to protect its citizens from economic exploitation, or support governments that violate the human rights of their citizens.

Cultural global ties also grow as new ideas and fashions move around the globe at lightning speed through trade, travel and media. They spread multiculturalism and better individual access to cultural diversity, for instance, through popularization of local foods or export of Hollywood movies. However, these ties may also cause strains: for example Western ideas of freedom and expression may clash with Islamic views on Religious tolerance. Moreover, the imported culture may easily supplant the local culture, causing reduction in diversity through hybridization or even assimilation. The most prominent form of this is Westernization, but Sanitization of cultures also takes place.

One more aspect of globalization is the revolutionary change in technology, particularly, in transport and communication, which ostensiblycreates a global village. In 1850 it took nearly a year to sail around the world. Now you can fly around the world in a day and send an email anywhere almost instantly. Transportation costs have come down as a result of technological advances that make foreign markets more accessible to trade.

Currently, globalization has become identified with a number of trends and processes, most of which may have developed or accelerated since World War II. On the one hand, they include greater international movement of commodities, money, information, and people; and on the other hand, the development of technology, organizations, legal systems, and infrastructures to allow this movement. These include:

- increase in international trade;

- increase in international flow of capital;

- greater immigration, including illegal immigration;

- development of global financial system;

- increased role of such international organizations a WTO, OPEK (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) IMF, etc.

- greater international cultural exchange,

- spreading of multiculturalism, and better individual access to cultural diversity;

- greater international travel and tourism;

- spread of local consumer products (e.g., food) to other countries;

- world-wide sporting events such as FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games;

- development of a global telecommunications infrastructure, using such technologies as the Internet, communication satellites, wireless telephones and so on;

- increase in the number of standards applied globally; e.g. copyright laws, patents and world trade agreements, etc.

There is much academic debate about whether globalization is a real phenomenon or a myth, whether globalization is good or bad, and what proper term should be applied to this phenomenon: “globalization” or “internalization”, has global integration had positive or negative effect on economic fortunes and environment? Critics have not reached a consensus yet because beneath the relatively simple questions there is a hostof more complex questions.

Some (pro-globalists) think that globalization is economically, socially and ecologically positive: as an engine of commerce, which brings an increased standard of living to Third World countries and further wealth to First World countries. It leads to lower prices, more employment and higher output.

Others (anti-globalists), contend that globalization is economically, socially, politically, and ecologically negative: as an engine of "corporate imperialism;" one which tramples over human rights in developing societies, claims to bring prosperity, yet often simply amountsto plundering and profiteering. Negative effects include cultural assimilation via cultural imperialism, the export of artificial wants, and the destructionof local and global community, ecology and cultures. Their argument is that global integration harms the interests of poor people and poor countries. Although globalization and trade liberalization may foster economic growth, this growth is unequally distributed between groups in society.

One more anti-globalists group claims that "globalization" is another term for a form of Americanization, as it is believed that the United States could be one of the few countries (if not the only one) to truly profit from globalization.

People can share the opponents’ points of view or deny them. But what is actually indisputable and cannot be ignored - is the emergence of the global movement and process towards a global human society of societies. The world is increasingly confronted with problems that can not be solved by individual nation-states acting alone. Examples include cross-boundary air and water pollution, over-fishing of the oceans and other degradations of the natural environment, global warming, international terrorist networks, global trade and finance, and so on. Solutions to these problems necessitatenew forms of cooperation and the creation of new global institutions.The exact form and character of the global society is contested and will be determined by the choice we make in the critical decades ahead.

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Date: 2015-12-24; view: 2018