Discussion about what Globalisation means to us

byYes we can change, over 2 years

Use the starting page of the group and discuss what Globalisation is like and what it should be like

Comments (1)

Rama Fuchs , about 1 year

Globalisation is becoming outdated

This economic crisis, triggered by US domestic and foreign policies, marks the end of one style of globalisation and the beginning of another.

Under the old brand of globalisation many assumed that the world will be united under US hegemony, in an end-of-history kind of way. In other words, Western liberalism had won and was on the way to becoming the only measuring rod for success.

For a while it seemed that this version of reality was taking root. The US and the West tightened their grip on the world economy, creating the WTO as an international tool to entice member countries -- especially Third World nations -- to give up their economic independence. WTO members were obliged to bring down tariffs and other trade barriers that used to protect their national industry.

Furthermore, the World Bank and the IMF ensured that countries around the world managed their economies in a certain way, linking them with the West. Developing nations were thus encouraged to give up their state-run economies in favour of market forces that left them dependant on the West on several levels. In this scheme of things multinational corporations grew in power, reshaping economic life around the world.

As the US way of life infiltrated ways of thinking around the world, and as the media endorsed a uniform global identity, national concerns and cultural differences became blurred. And US military power was always at hand to intimidate any potential opponents.

But this pattern of globalisation is becoming outdated. As a multi-polar international order starts to take shape politics are likely to be more diverse, reflecting differences in cultures and ways of life.

What we see today is the end of a world dominated by US views and culture. With power more defused it is becoming a place where international relations are more fluid. They are no longer dictated from Washington.

After the industrial revolution Europe took the lead, first with Portugal and Spain, then with France and Britain. Since the end of the Cold War we've seen the US rise to a position of unrivalled supremacy. This is no longer the case. Other nations and older civilisations, China and India included, are reclaiming their place under the sun.

What we see today is the beginning of a trend that is likely to see not only the dominance of the US greatly diminished, but of the West in general.

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/917/op2.htm