Globalization
In recent years, the world has seen an increase in communication and cooperation
between nations through technology. This has brought on an increase in the amount of
businesses and corporations that rely on consumers and workers from other nations. This is
globalization. Sheldon Anderson defines globalization as an increasing interdependence of
people, nations, and institutions on all levels of human society (Anderson,1). This refers to
nation-states being more connected, or “homogenized.” This interdependence has led to a
diffusion of power. This means some strong nations are losing power, and less developed nations
are gaining power on the economic scale. Anderson also argues that globalization is “as old as
human civilization,” but the recent wave, beginning in the 1990s was brought on by the World
Trade Organization, which has made it easier to trade between nation-states, and also from the
internet and advances in transportation (Anderson,99).
Globalization has improved many lives and had countless benefits in many parts of the
world. Outsourcing, or the moving of businesses or plants to other countries, has created many
jobs around the world. For the millions of young Indians that have received jobs due to
outsourcing, the benefits have been countless. According to the documentary, “The Other Side of
Outsourcing,” the people now have disposable income (The Other Side). With their increased
wealth, they are now able to buy more materialistic items, which are normally made in America.
That has poured money into American businesses. Globalization is creating many jobs for people
that work in the plants, but also for the people working on the growing infrastructure of those
nations. The documentary, “The People’s Republic of Capitalism,” states that Chongqing, China,
has seen the creation of more than 1.5 million jobs in construction for their growing industry
(The People’s Republic). People can now afford to send their children to school, and with their
education they will be able to find better jobs in the world. Another benefit is that globalization
has also increased people’s purchasing power, allowing people to work less and consume more.
In “Globalization and Its Contents,” Peter Marber states that in 1919, it used to take an average
American worker half an hour of labor to by a pound of beef, but that has dropped to 6 minutes
in recent years (Marber,32). Globalization has reached and benefited even some of the poorest
parts of the world. For example, Africa has seen negative economic growth the past three
decades, but has seen robust economic growth in the last few years (Lecture notes). China has
been helping Africa by loaning them money for infrastructure and becoming local entrepreneurs
there. According to the Economist, this has decreased African nations’ foreign debt, and has
