Globalization and the Congo
Globalization and the Congo
The article “Globalization, water, and the Congo” tackles the negative effects of globalization in the Congo. Some of these negatives include the sourcing of weapons from foreign entities, or the need of companies to acquire rare natural resources to fuel the ever increasing demand for their electronic products by the global village. Other more indirect effects of globalization are also covered, like the shortage of clean water and why simple fixes to this crisis are overlooked or ignored.
While the majority of the world population have benefited in some way or another from the effects of globalization, some less fortunate regions have experienced the opposite. Regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo have seen a steady stream of violence and lawlessness that is a direct product of imperialism and globalization. In the article, the author discusses the influx of weapons from outside sources such as N. Korea, and the United States (globalministries.org). The author also points out that the Congo is rich in rare resources that fuel trade in both industrial nations and developing economies (globalministries.org). Since many of these resources are exclusive and abundant to this region, foreign powers and corporations are willing to pay warlords or invading countries to acquire these resources. Globalization along with its free flow of trade single handedly fuels the violence presence in the region. We know that worldly desire for rare resources fuel the violence, but how do the instruments of violence discussed in the article make it so easily into the Congo? Globalization has removed barriers or obstacles of trade as in restriction even in categories such as small arms and munitions. As long as there is monetary gain in bringing weapons into the Congo, there is no short supply of capitalist willing to capitalize on the misfortunes of the people of the Congo. While many of the effects of globalization are
The article “Globalization, water, and the Congo” tackles the negative effects of globalization in the Congo. Some of these negatives include the sourcing of weapons from foreign entities, or the need of companies to acquire rare natural resources to fuel the ever increasing demand for their electronic products by the global village. Other more indirect effects of globalization are also covered, like the shortage of clean water and why simple fixes to this crisis are overlooked or ignored.
While the majority of the world population have benefited in some way or another from the effects of globalization, some less fortunate regions have experienced the opposite. Regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo have seen a steady stream of violence and lawlessness that is a direct product of imperialism and globalization. In the article, the author discusses the influx of weapons from outside sources such as N. Korea, and the United States (globalministries.org). The author also points out that the Congo is rich in rare resources that fuel trade in both industrial nations and developing economies (globalministries.org). Since many of these resources are exclusive and abundant to this region, foreign powers and corporations are willing to pay warlords or invading countries to acquire these resources. Globalization along with its free flow of trade single handedly fuels the violence presence in the region. We know that worldly desire for rare resources fuel the violence, but how do the instruments of violence discussed in the article make it so easily into the Congo? Globalization has removed barriers or obstacles of trade as in restriction even in categories such as small arms and munitions. As long as there is monetary gain in bringing weapons into the Congo, there is no short supply of capitalist willing to capitalize on the misfortunes of the people of the Congo. While many of the effects of globalization are
References: Global Ministries. (2014). Globalization, water, and the Congo. Retrieved from http://globalministries.org/get-involved/justice-and-advocacy/water/globalization-water-and-the-co.html