Globalization and the Rest of the World
Realities of Globalization in Other Parts of the World
The issues of Globalization in less developed parts of the world such as Africa come from a long history of reckless colonialism from the West. This long history has understandably created a climate of distrust among nations in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Globalization has been equated with Westernism, particularly Americanism and modern day colonialism. Many argue that the inequality of the world is the direct result of neocolonialism or neoimperialism, which is unequal trade, practices that also the less developed countries to be exploited. [1]These among other problems cause developing countries to fall behind in the market and become poorer. This is problematic for the West. While it becomes more prosperous, parts of the South become more improvised. This inequality of the world will inevitably create conflict and unrest in the world.
John Olshola Magbadelo warns that since institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank were created by the West to promote Western interests, it is impossible for these institutions to really understand how to help less developed nations.[2] Western nations still view non-Western nations as inferior and not capable of making their own decisions, therefore foreign interference or missionaries that push Christianity are justified and necessary.[3] The culture of Africa is endangered and it is continually swallowed up by Western influences.[4] This loss of identity further cripples African nations. Fauzi Najjar warns that many Arabs and Muslims see globalization as modern day imperialism and resists because it contradicts many of their Islamic values. [5] Since Muslims are very “proud of their religion and culture”[6] they feel that globalization infringes on their culture and that globalization is a thinly veiled “cultural invasion by the Christians.”[7] They see developments in Africa and cautious of how globalization would effect and this is also a response to deep historical roots in religious clashes between Christians (the West) and Islam. [8] In Latin America the residue of colonialism and imperialism still taints the relationship many of its countries has with the West. Many of the sharpest critiques of globalization have come from Latin America. In Critica de la Globalization (Critique of Globalization) globalization is referred to as “domination and liberation of our time”[9] The complication of globalization in Latin America is explored in this book. The failure of Argentina in 1990 became a popular example for those who oppose globalization in Latin America to point to. In Neoliberalismo Globalizado (Neoliberal Globalization) the author looks at the failure of Argentina as direct result of the neo-liberalism preached by economics such as Hayek and Friedman.[10]
Globalization then cannot be overly simplified to include developing countries. In the Southern countries many of the markets lack a strong domestic markets that allow local business to be successful.[11] The South has also been unsuccessful in keeping up with technological advancements that are essential in succeeding in the global marketplace.[12] Also trading practices such as bartering or merely exchanging one good for another as opposed to trading for money only helps to make the countries fall further behind in the market.[13]
Many preach neoliberalism still offers developing countries the best chance to become more competitive in the global market place and lift themselves from the jaws of poverty.[14] This would possibly involve more collaboration with institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank.[15] This would prove however problematic in countries in Latin America that still have a bad taste in their mouths from dealing with these institutions. In Africa other industries such as tourism have been used to bolster their economies with some success.[16] In Africa there is a growing sense of a desire to increase trade as opposed to relying on foreign aid, which will be necessarily since many aid and Foreign Direct Investors have pulled out of Africa since there the African nations appears unable to increase its’ economic prosperity.[17] Better political leadership and structure will also be imperative in repairing the African economy.[18] Africa in particular has been neglected since the Cold War because there is no longer a need for the West to forge alliances with Africa.[19] In the Middle East it is important to engage the nations with respect to their culture. It is best not to attempt to change the Middle East, for like China they have a strong historical background and are well grounded in their culture. Relations with Latin America must undergo a healing process before it can fully integrate with the global market.
To get underdeveloped countries or developing countries into the global market, flexibility is necessary. All of the countries are different in how they may react to globalization. The example of Argentina shows that it is a slow process. The West has always been in the driver seat. It will take some time for all countries to catch up. However more accountability from the West to assure countries is not being exploited will make this process go faster. It will also help alleviate potential conflicts. Globalization does not have to be a phenomenon that benefits some on the backs of others. However change must come from those in a privilege positions and in this case that is the nations of the West.
Works Cited
Cobb, C., “The Anatomy of Change in Africa”, in: Foreign Service Journal, May 2004, pp. 35-42.
Kegley, C.W. and E.R. Wittkopf. World Politics: Trend and Transformation, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company. 2006
Magbadelo, J.O., “Westernism, Americanism, Unipolarism, Globalism, and Africa’s Marginality”, in: Journal of Third World Studies, Vol. 22:2 (Fall 2005), pp. 89-101.
Munck, R., “Globalization of/in Latin America”, in: Global Social Policy, 6:3 (December 2006), pp. 358-365.
Najjar, F., “The Arabs, Islam, and Globalization”, in: Middle East Policy, Vol. 12:3 (Fall 2005), pp. 91-106.
[1] Kegley, Charles Jr. 2006 pg. 138
[2] Magbadelo 2005 pg. 89
[3] Magbadelo pg. 90
[4] Megadeal pg. 91
[5] Ajar 2005 pg. 93
[6] Najjar pg. 94
[7] Ibid
[8] Najjar pg. 92
[9] Munck 2006 pg. 360
[10] Ibid
[11] Kelley, pg. 144
[12] Ibid
[13] Kelley pg. 145
[14] Kelley pg. 150
[15] Ibid
[16] Cobs, Charles Jr. 2004 pg. 36
[17] Megadeal pg. 93
[18] Megadeal pg. 98
[19] Megadeal pg. 93
