*Editor’s Note: To write this piece I utilized skills like text analysis, hedging, and evaluating resource credibility to debate if globalization is a hindrence or benifit to the people of developing countries. I did this while developing a global perspective that aknowledges the controversy around globalization in a contemporary context.

This is part of my Global and International Studies minor.

Written in Apa Style

A: International development is a benefit to the people of developing countries

International development is a benefit to the people of developing countries because the increased demand for international labor means people in poverty have new access to jobs. Additionally, the people hired face less discrimination with labor and hiring practices, and experience increased job security. For example, in India groups of people commonly excluded from job markets and opportunities are in favor of globalization because the companies coming to India to hire workers don’t discriminate in the hiring market based on class, religion, or language while local companies do (“Globalization Backlash,” 2021). As more people in lower-class societies start to work, the lives of the people stabilize due to the job security international multi-million dollar companies offer (“Globalization Backlash,” 2021). Additionally, people in developing countries remain optimistic about globalization, because opportunities for upward growth are more frequent, giving people hope (“Globalization Backlash,” 2021).  This shows that globalization is benefiting people at the bottom, and expanding the opportunities available to lower-class populations. Without globalization, people would probably struggle more to find job opportunities with job security, consistent pay, and open hiring practices.  

On the other hand, increased trade means the increased consumption of goods has severe consequences on the environment. The consequences are primarily increased greenhouse gas emissions, the overuse of natural resources, and the waste of fresh produce and trade goods. The way food trade has been developed opens the door for invasive species and other factors to dramatically shift ecosystems putting various plants and produce at risk, especially when shipped produce is intended for human consumption (“United Kingdom: World’s,” 2022). However, while some say the impact of international trade is “disastrous, as the cost to the environment is not factored into the cost of these goods and services,” that does not incorporate the progress made by companies like the chemical industry company Lenzing, when in 2022 the company was awarded the highest recognition of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rating methodology, becoming the top 1% leader in the world for sustainable resource use and eco-friendly trade mechanisms for the second time (“Lenzing named,” 2022; Poole, 2021). Additionally, in the past year, 74 countries sent authorities and advocates for plant and food trade safety to the inaugural International Plant Health Conference to advance ecosystem protections and long-term growth (“United Kingdom: World’s,” 2022). So while globalization is causing problems for the environment, the responses to combat the challenges created are both governmental and corporate. Also, people from all over the world are coming together to create change and the successes are internationally recognized and achieved as a whole globe, with participation from the entire globe, not just from one country. 

Despite some of the challenging environmental impacts, globalization is positive because of the strong influence globalization has on the global political climate and current relative stability and peace. The interconnectedness of wealth in international markets is such a strong driving force of economic stability and success, that no country is willing to trigger a full-scale global war. Despite ongoing civil wars and the Russian-Ukraine conflict, the world is currently in “The Long Peace,” a term from Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker, referring to the lack of war among the great political and economic powers of the globe since the end of World War 2 (Powell, 2012). As globalization became a primary focus for powerful countries, economies developed to be reliant on other countries so trade could expand to a global market, but because of the interdependence in the global economy, losing trade connections, possibly because of war, could drastically reduce a country’s power, money, and stability (Ahmed, 2022). As seen with the Russian-Ukraine conflict, no official war has been declared because the economic implications of the conflict have already created a complicated system where both sides of the conflict must rely on the other economically or risk falling apart entirely (Ahmed, 2022; “Russain Oil,” 2022). Having global economies intertwined creates a check of power on global powerhouses and encourages peace talks and negotiations not just to protect a country’s territory, citizens, and political standing, but also to protect its economy. The bonds that hold international markets together are saving the globe from full-scale war, something that shouldn’t be forgotten or overlooked, especially in the age of nuclear weapons. Globalization is the reason why international markets are intertwined and the benefits of international economic dependability extend far beyond trade. 

References 

Ahmed, R (2022, July 24). Globalization: A new way of interaction. The Patriot. https://advance-lexis-com.www2.lib.ku.edu 

Globalization Backlash in Developing Countries: Broadening the Research Agenda. (2021, November). Comparative Political Studies. https://advance-lexis-com.www2.lib.ku.edu  

Lenzing named sustainability champion for the second time. (2022, September 29). Textile ValueChain. https://advance-lexis-com.www2.lib.ku.edu 

Poole, W. (2021, December 24). Globalization: The good, bad and ugly. The Hamilton Spectator (Ontario). https://advance-lexis-com.www2.lib.ku.edu

Powell, A. (2021, March 30). Pinkerton explains ‘The Long Peace’. The Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/

Russian oil: EU agrees compromise deal on banning imports. (2022, May 31). BBC  https://www.bbc.com/

United Kingdom: World’s First International Plant Health Conference to set global agenda on biosecurity and address challenges in plant health. (2022, September 28). TendersInfo.https://advance-lexis-com.www2.lib.ku.edu