To what extent should I, as a citizen, respond to globalization?

To what extent should I, as a citizen, respond to globalization? I feel that we need to respond strongly to globalization. The first step is to have some knowledge about what our place is in this world concerning rights, democracy and government; in addition to understanding where our fellow citizens of this world join us in that and what they also are entitled to. Next is to open our eyes to what globalization has and continues to do for those in our home towns and the vast communities around the world whether beneficial or destructive. This awareness will enable us to get involved through global connections. Such connections allow us to build friendships with those who have the same passion for a particular problem and together change will result, but only if we grasp such opportunity. We have the choice to really make a difference, or sit aside and let others be the hands to positive impact, because there is most definitely need for improvement in all areas of life. The list where improvements are needed could go on and on, but just to name a few: low wages, harsh working conditions, minimal environmental standards, human rights abuse etc.
This course has really widened my understanding and awareness of what is taking place around me. I’m no longer ignorant to the world outside my front door. However being given so much information has overwhelmed me with how I can make a different for those who need a helping hand. I actually have a passion for creating things and opening my own store one day. So now I would like to offer fair trade items in it along with things that bring sustainable prosperity for all. My eyes are also on the lookout for wherever I can support equality and justice for everyone and not just myself.

~Courtney

To what extent should I embrace total citizenship?

Global citizens … being a Canadian citizen is more easily defined than that of a global citizen. Citizenship in Canada comes with its share of rights and responsibilities. Some rights include equal treatment before and under the law without discrimination and the right to participate in political activities. On the other hand some of the responsibilities include understanding and obeying Canadian laws or the responsibility to vote in an election. Yet when it comes to what is exactly meant by being a global citizen, opinions differ. The NGO of Oxfam describes a global citizen as someone who is aware of the wider world, respects and values diversity, is willing to act to help others, and accepts responsibility for his or her own actions. As citizens of the world we should act locally and think globally.
There is a significant amount of individuals that have made a point of taking a stand. Some have taken place in the past such as the abolishment of slavery in the early 19th century by William Wilberforce. Fortunately such efforts are still going on today; Wangari Maathai who has started an organization called the Green Belt Movement has been the driving force behind the planting of a substantial number of trees to fight deforestation and promote sustainable development. Civil society has also made such an impact. They have fought for what is just through non-violent and meaningful presentations. In the 1990’s, a successful campaigne changed Nike’s use of sweatshops, so that those workers would no longer be mistreated and abused. Then again, that put many out of work causing great hardship; it is believed that governments need to be more involved in partnership with organizations and individuals. In doing this, the hope is that a bad situation won’t go from one extreme to the other, where someone is working in a sweatshop for very little money to no job and complete poverty. With a combined effort the aspiration is for a balance to be found where sweatshop conditions are eliminated, wages are higher and jobs are kept. Together we can be active citizens, students, consumers, corporations, and individuals; to take the elements of globalization right around us to not only become aware and mindful, but impactful. Examples of this could be investing in fair trade, or organizations that promote positive prosperity for all. Or taking our right to freedom of speech and being the voice for those who aren’t able to let their voices be heard. We, as citizens, need to respond purposefully to globalization, having in mind that we can be influential; leaving a heartfelt impression on what is now and what is to come.

To what extent do global connections affect people?

Global connections ... now-a-days individuals all around the world are connected with one another through the internet and growing immigration. The virtual community is connecting people who may have the same interests, beliefs, or back grounds. Community is no longer local but global. Online communication also has a tendency to attract criminals and their criminal acts. On the other hand when you have a vast community like this, help goes out to where it is most needed. For example, the 2004 tsunami devastated many in and around the area of Asia. It is thrilling to think that the global community immediately reach out; lending both resources and money. Being a part of such a huge community, more often than not you won’t be left to figure things out on your own.
Transnational corporations and companies have much to offer: jobs, shops that meet needs, and growth for towns and cities including their economies. They are very influentially powerful and fortunately they are taking that and using it to promote great standards of sustainability for development, human rights and community involvement. These willingly adopted standards were set in place by the International Organization for Standards. This network of standards works to develop technical standards for industries and services which are designed to make manufacturing and supply of goods and services safe and environmentally sustainable. Sadly, all corporations don’t seem as honourable and have been known for low wages, increasing poverty in addition to low environmental standards that attract corporations, causing for deterioration of the planet. Wal-Mart is a prime example for standards that just seem under par receiving criticism. The disadvantages that are said to outweigh the advantages are low wages, few benefits, taking business away for the small downtown stores and since more times then not, Wal-Marts aren’t situated in an area that is an easy walking commute, instead, driving is necessary resulting in greenhouse gases emitted. Some support is given involving the fact that they allow non-profit groups to fundraise on their property, and that they have created a community grant program that donated more the $61 million to community organizations in 2006.
Oil is an immense resource to build up a countries economy. Regrettably the term blood oil has been coined and refers to oil that is obtained through violence and bloodshed. This is happening in a few African countries such as the Sudan. A civil-war is going on between the government and those who aren’t cooperating and going against the oil industry. When it comes to oil in Iraq there is much to find; it is extremely abundant in oil resources. Ironically the imperial powers weren’t interested in this area of the world until word got out about its oil. Soon after it was taken over by Europe but now is independent. In 2003, Iraq was invaded by an American-led troop of invaders. It is believed that this was done to establish control over Iraq’s massive oil income. I’m pretty sure that today Iraq’s oil is in the hands of Western companies, primarily the U.S.. The States also got involved with Canadian oil when Canada was unwilling to play a lead role in developing it. By 1969, Canada was fearful they were losing control of their energy future. The Trudeau government developed a controversial National Energy Program, to ensure a Canadian presence in global development of energy resources. But with the North American Free Trade Agreement, it reduces restrictions on foreign ownership in the energy sector; this spurred development of Alberta energy projects including the tar sands.
Illnesses such as the Black Death gave a firsthand visual of how globalization really can affect all. Black Death started in Asia during the 14th century and spread into Europe. It was deemed that rats carried the illness along the Silk Road. Europe was already in a vulnerable state because of how war had disrupted farms and trade; famine became widespread. The Spanish flu also became a pandemic after World War 1 (1918-1920). Oddly enough this disease killed young adults instead of those who would have been thought the most susceptible like the young, old and sickly. The most recent would have had to been SARS. It first started in China and by the time the World Health Organization found out about it and informed the rest of the world, it had spread rapidly. Ten day quarantine halted the spread and it then died out. AIDS is a disease that continues to be an issue especially in Africa, I’m sorry to say there is no cure, only medications that are helping the ailing live a little longer. Globalization aided in spreading these diseases as well as informing people and letting them know of what precautions to take in order to handle it.
When it comes to global issues customers are becoming more influential. They are beginning to demand the right to know where their goods are coming from and how they were obtained. Some customers ask for fair trade items, while others want brand names. Boycotting is one way that people choose to have their voices heard, by acting in a way that shows little support for a company that endorses something like labour abuse (for example). Civil society is also having an impact, and it is assumed that these groups will balance out a strong money drive from businesses. The Government is also one of the most powerful forces in policy and decision making and that is exactly what they are doing. Policies have been put in place to promote fairness and equality.
To conclude, all these forces of globalization that connect our world through a range of diverse communities bring with it pros and cons. I don’t feel that globalization will ever have only positive outcomes because the people that drive globalization aren’t perfect. Virtual communities have connected many yet negatively affected many. Transnational’s have lead to prosperity for countless but also poverty to a multitude. Oil has driven an economy but also created great unrest and conflict. Illness and disease was spread and ended by the forces of globalization. Yet voices are free to be heard when it is time for justice and unity. So for me this question of how as citizens we need to response to globalization is the same, we have a choice and a choice that is easily made between promoting the positive elements of globalization over the negative. To bring peace and equal opportunity for all; globalization and its constructive ways need to be aided and helped along the way.

To what extent doesn’t global awareness affect quality of life?

Awareness ... the internet has been a great resource of filling people in on what is going on in our world. At the same time we need to be careful on what we take as truth; often it can be rather biased.
There is a bit of an ingenuity gap between developing and developed countries. For those of us who are blessed to have grown up and currently live in a developed country we need to make sure that we are providing answers to exactly what people need; taking the initiative in innovations that will be the solution to a variety of problems. So we need to grasp a hold of what globalization has given us and make a difference for those around us but also for those halfway around the world.
Over the decades, there has been evidence of a gender gap and it has most definitely changed from year to year. Gender equality has been addressed through many groups that have brought awareness to the subject. Communication technologies have aided in these efforts, however the digital divide has put a bit of damper on the situation. In areas that don’t have access to the wonders of technology, their work place is mostly made up of men. The women there aren’t able to receive the training and education they need to acquire jobs that are higher up the ladder and that only men have had in the past. In developed countries opportunity has arisen for women and the ratio of women to men in corporate jobs like that of a board member is beginning to level out. This also includes politics where women are holding positions in the legislature.
Labour issues are a huge issue and greatly affect quality of life. Some feel that with a growing economy child labour, low wages and severe working conditions will fix themselves, however I believe we need to take a step toward changing things ourselves. People at this day and age should be able to work at a job and be paid what they need to in order for them to support a family, but unfortunately that is not the case. Stepping back won’t positively impact the work place, let’s take a stand so that there are no longer lives being damaged and disregarded.
Fortunately fair trade is becoming more and more popular. This means that the producers are going to be paid their fair share of the profits. For too long they were being ripped off, and the in-between-people were receiving much more than really necessary. In addition to fair trade the ideas going along with it are fair working conditions, democratic decision making, community development, direct trade and safe environmental practices. This is the kind of globalization I want to grab a hold of and support.
There are three things that are being enforced to provide better quality of life: social clauses, effective governance, and handling foreign debt. Social clauses are being written in on trade agreements ensuring that discrimination is not tolerated in the work place. To grant effective governance organizations and NGO’s are exposing corrupt governmental conditions and offering help to those who need it. When it comes to foreign debt all too often the agreement that comes along with the loan result in reducing quality of life through less accessibility to health care and education, increase poverty through lower wages and sadly enough the money that got them into debt is sometimes wasted on undeserving causes.
Awareness has opened our world’s eyes to the facts that we can’t undo what globalization has done in the past but we can grab a hold of what globalization offers us today and make things better. Globalization may propose both positive and negative outcomes but we can and should put our efforts in making an upbeat impression on our communities and ultimately the entire planet.

To what extent have democracy and human rights shaped -- and been shaped by -- globalization?

Human rights and basic necessities ... I feel that each and every human being has the same right to being treated fairly so that their needs are met. It can be argued, what are basic needs? There are a few that stand firm: water, shelter, food, and clothing, but some other needs depend on culture, traditions, and beliefs. However, everyone is entitled to being provided with rights and freedom as well as the ability to receive their needs. Over the years bills and acts have been set in place to promote freedom and equality; for example The American Constitution which was established in 1787 or The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that was adopted in 1982. These two examples lay out a platform of union, justice, as well as the freedom of speech, and freedom of religion to name a few.
In the 19th and 20th century both individual rights and freedoms were being focused on more and more, but yet the imperial powers were continuing to build empires. Imperialism was also an important factor behind both of the World Wars. Once independence and freedom was achieved, peace and stability didn’t always follow. Imperial powers really effected traditions and political structures which are just a few challenges that often led to violence and human rights abuse. A question to be asked, Is globalization really benefiting human rights and affective in acquiring basic needs for all? Privatization of businesses has caused the price of water, which is one of the most important needs, to rise to a price that some can’t afford. Other times factories are built in areas that workers are paid much less and safety standards are lower. Don’t these humans have the right to be paid fairly and to work in conditions that aren’t fatal at times?
Human trafficking has also become a big issue. People are being promised jobs in a new country, but once there, they’re forced into prostitution. Other times, someone may immigrate into a country illegally and again ends up in prostitution. Those who immigrate illegally also don’t receive the human rights they may be looking for and truly deserve as a citizen of the world.
Communication has expanded and is easily accessible through the internet and other sources. Issues are being made aware through websites and organizational labours. Through this, the injustices of our world are being understood and addressed, even sometimes efforts are put out to make a difference and stop such discrimination. However, there is that digital divide that separates much of the world’s community.
So this leaves us to the main question, to what extent should I, as a citizen, respond to globalization? Like every other issue involving globalization there are challenges and opportunities. Unfortunately once again there are challenges involving human rights, for example the use of underage workers, and low wages; or having some ones basic needs priced in a way that they can’t afford. On the other hand, there are freedoms the government has granted us the right to speak our mind, and stand up for our beliefs. I feel that we need to respond to globalization in a way that is going to bring about positive affects for all. Making a difference by standing up to be heard when justice isn’t being served.

To what extent should I, as a citizen, respond to globalization?

Globalization ... for many it is something you can't put your finger on and come up with a clear definition. However if you were to look up its definition on Wikipedia you would find, "Globalization in its literal sense is the process of transformation of local or regional phenomena into global ones." It is to make and become global, so that we no longer are citizens of a particular country but of the world. And with that, the responsibility in allowing everyone the opportunity to share in it's riches. Kofi Annan once said, "We must ensure that the global market is embedded in broadly shared values and practices that reflect global social needs, and that all the world`s people share the benefits of globalization." Whether we like it or not what we do in our day to day lives affects globalization. From shopping at the mall or in the grocery store to buying lunch at our favorite fast food place, we are making an impact in our countries economy as well as other economies. Though we may make only a small difference lets make it a positive one. Globalization ties many aspects of our world together: the economy, environment, society, politics and more. Unfortunately, often times, in order for some to prosper it is at the expense of others. I'm encouraged to see that there is an increasing amount of outreach and assistance to those who are suffering from the negative affects of globalization in their parts of this planet. Globalization comes in all shapes and sizes, with pros and cons; may we, as the community of the world, work together making our global connections with one another successful and thriving for all.
~Courtney