Globalization is part of our everyday life, and a subject frequently part of the public discussion. Modern communication technologies and de-regulations are creating a world which appears increasingly smaller. Our world has turned into a fast paced place, where news cycle around a twenty-four hour news cycle. Information technologies make it easier for people to connect to each other, which increase the exchange of ideas. The present world houses an increasing freedom of movement of all sorts ranging from people, goods to capital. We have never experienced such an interactive border-less world, especially before the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s. The fall of the Soviet Union saw many walls fall down across the world. Several European states from the former Soviet Union have since joined the EU and NATO. This was a period of optimism and belief in a better world. Francis Fukuyama, an American political scientist, went as far as to declare ‘the end of history’ with the final victory of western liberal-democracy.
For a very long time globalization presented itself as a huge opportunity. There was a belief that poverty, inequality and diseases could be tackled with globalization. Authoritarian regimes have been torn apart, and there are more democratic countries than there has ever been in human history. Globalization has simply been unquestioned as such. In the public discussion it appeared as if globalization was almost driven by some magical force, a force destined to make the world a better place. In western democracies the political opinion has generally been dominated by pro-globalization. Thus critical voices haven’t had the possibility to participate in the discussion without appearing to represent some radical views.
A small turning point in the debate on globalization was the terrorist attacks of the 11th of September 2001 in New York (the attacks in New York were conducted by an anti-globalization terrorist organization) and the consequent wars in the Middle East. People became more aware of an opposing view on globalization: There are losers and problems with globalization. Since then we can pin point a single event which has definitely swayed the political opinion. That event is the financial crisis which begun with the American credit crunch of 2008. This is in many senses a global economic crisis which affects especially hard Europe, and North America. In America we have seen the rise of the Occupy Wall Street movement which criticizes the social order. And in Europe we have seen the rise and rebirth of nationalism. Several governments have fallen in European countries since the credit crunch, and the continent appears to be in general political turmoil.
Arguments that would not have been possible just a few years ago are a reality today. For instance British Prime Minister, James Cameron, promised in a historic speech on the 23rd of January 2013 a referendum on EU-membership by 2017 if he is PM after 2015. According to polls Britain would leave the EU if the referendum was held today. Speeches such this by James Cameron, as a PM from the Conservatives party in the United Kingdom, is unheard of from a European mainstream established party. But it symbolizes the sway of the public debate. Timo Soini, the leader of the third largest party in Finland, welcomed James Cameron’s idea of an EU referendum. Nonetheless Timo Soini is the leader of the nationalistic Finns Party. His party experienced a landslide victory in 2011 largely boosted by the economic turmoil in Europe, and general political discontent.
Despite the rise of the globalization critical voices there is still strong of support for globalization. There are segments that still believe that a better world can be achieved by an increasingly borderless globalized world. Pro-globalization movements largely rely on the old arguments, and by attempting to discredit the anti-globalization movements as radical.
Generally it is about time that the problems of globalization are being discussed. It is about time that globalization is not regarded as something holy and untouchable that cannot be criticized. It is obvious that globalization has come with a price. Many jobs from old western countries have been outsourced to growing economies such as China, India and countries in Latin America. These are countries lacking in proper environmental regulation. Reading the news just this week one could read of the horrible air pollution in Beijing caused by unregulated industry and poor quality fuel. Globalization does not only come at the price of the loss western of jobs, but also in the price of destruction of our planet. Not to mention that some workers in a countries such as China work under horrendous conditions producing goods for western markets. It would be absolutely unacceptable If workers in the US or Finland were treated in such a poor way. How can western countries even compete against countries with such low production costs, largely made possible by breaking human rights? Globalization has to be questioned and criticized more. We cannot just ignore problems because they are out of our sight; we need to be aware of them. We have a direct or least to say indirect responsibility for one another. Problems cannot be solved unless they can be discussed and dealt with. Therefore it is a positive to see the rise of a globalization critical voice in the debate, which criticizes the current state of the world. Perhaps we need to revise the rules in the current world.
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