In this short article I will discuss the multifaceted issue of globalization. I will discuss how increased trade, investment in foreign entities, and immigration have led to stronger globalization. This increased globalization leads to a lesser tendency for political entities to launch their countries into war. This creates a more stable global economy, where countries are interdependent on each other for their goods and money.
The definition of globalization, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is; the development of an increasingly integrated global economy, marked especially by free trade, the free flow of capital and the exploitation of cheaper foreign labor markets. Basically, the three main entities that contribute to globalization are the free flow of goods, money, and labor. This definition does a good job of identifying what globalization is, but not how it affects our global society.
Today our global society is so used to the benefits of Globalization, so much so, that countries now depend on these benefits. Countries depend on their trade with other countries, they depend on the labor they use from other countries, and they depend on the ability to have cash inflows/outflows to/from foreign countries. Now ask yourself: how could this affect the foreign affairs policy of a country? This interdependence will drive countries away from conflict. Why is this? Due to countries that were interdependent on each other going to war, what would happen to these aforementioned benefits? They would lose the free flow of goods, labor and capital to which they have become so accustomed, which in turn would hurt both participating countries. The only way for a modern country to achieve maximum growth is through these aspects of globalization.
Another aspect to consider are multinational intergovernmental organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization. These organizations provide great benefit to almost every country that covers our planet. It provides stronger economies, in stable currency terms, and provides a continuous flow of goods and capital. Countries do not want to start wars because the conflict would make these organizations fight, not only for them but for all the countries involved, especially if the countries at war are economic powers like the United States and Russia.
This brings me to my next point: When powerful countries engage in trade with third world countries that have smaller economies, these powerful countries effectively act as a “ceiling” for their partner country. This roof houses trade, immigration, and investment, and offers protection in its partner country. When the US is involved in trading goods with another company, it will go to great lengths to ensure that its partner country’s factories are free from threats such as mafias and any other illegal activity that could hinder the production of goods that the US wants. the United States wants to acquire. The US acting as this roof, it also protects its third world partners from invasion, because if a country were to invade the US trading partner, this would negatively affect not only its economy, but also that of other countries. The US also promotes immigration, because with the free flow of capital and goods, people will come too. Capital and assets will increase the opportunities available for immigrants to move and will also make it easier for them.
Another advantage of the increase in globalization is the increase in social awareness and well-being of workers. Countries, when they have their hands in other countries due to trade, are pressured to have equal levels of job security and regulations. This happens because the fairness of trade depends on all parties involved having the same level of regulations, safety requirements, and environmental safety precautions. This will ensure that no country is disadvantaged due to a lack of environmental awareness or safety precautions for their workers. An example of this is the trade war that the United States implemented against China due to the lack of acceptable working conditions for its people.
As we can see from the above paragraphs, there are almost unlimited reasons to be in favor of globalization and to increase globalization in countries. Globalization affects the global stage by changing the mentality of individual countries from a nationalistic territory, towards a unilateral interdependent global society. This allows for a weaker focus on individual economies and rights and a heightened awareness of world events and global development.