Definition: Globalization

Globalization" is a term which may be defined in two, partially-overlapping ways.

In its most innocuous sense, globalization simply refers to the complex of forces that trend toward a single world society. Among these forces are mass communications, commerce, increased ease of travel, the internet, popular culture, and the increasingly widespread use of English as an international language.

The more important sense of the term refers to a process, well underway, trending toward the undermining of national sovereignty, and therefore citizen's rights, in favor of the economic interests of gigantic transnational corporations (TNCs).  The latter already comprise more than half of the largest "economies" of the world, and are vastly

 

more powerful than most governments. (See this link for details.)  In the US, the most alarming of the trends toward the undermining of democracy is clearly visible in the Chapter 11 provisions of NAFTA, which we believe make clear the broader strategy behind all economic globalization:  the subversion of democratic governance.

One consequence of this trend toward TNC-sponsored globalization is the severe destabilization of employment worldwide, as TNCs export jobs to those markets offering the cheapest labor (initially this was often Mexico, but now it is increasingly China), the fewest environmental protections, the least taxation, and the least governmental oversight. Also of urgent concern is the tendency toward

 

 

massive governmental bribery of TNCs, which has become known in the US as "corporate welfare".   The trend toward globalization has sharply accelerated since the 70s due to "merger mania", the ascendancy of a plutocracy in America, massive political corruption, the implementation of "free trade" accords such as NAFTA and GATT, the rise of pro-globalization media cartels (which are themselves active behind the scenes in advancing globalization), the rise of organizations advancing the agenda of economic elites, and the increasing economic and political influence of the TNCs. Some of the deeper roots of globalization may be traced to such "Bretton Woods" institutions as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.  (In turn, the roots of those organizations may be

 

 

traced to the starkly plutocratic Council on Foreign Relations.) However, the tracing of these roots goes well beyond the scope of this definition.

For a plutocratic perspective on globalization (extremely supportive) see this resource at Foreign Affairs (a tremendously influential journal representing the interest of American businessmen, via the Council on Foreign Relations): cfr_link

For critical assessments see: When Corporations Rule the World, by David C. Korten, and The Case Against the Global Economy, edited by Mander and Goldsmith.   Perhaps the best resource on the web may be found at this link to The International Forum on Globalization.

See also: class conflict, mass media, oligarchy, plutocracy.