Globalization is one of the most widely debated topics in the world today. There are many different schools of thought on the effects of globalization on world poverty. Certain people believe that globalization increases global poverty and that the poor of the world are cheated because of it. However, others believe that globalization decreases poverty and helps aid the poor. Further to this, another group of people believe that poverty and globalization are not linked.
However, before moving into a debate on globalization and poverty, we must first look to define these terms. Globalization can be described as the “process fuelled by, and resulting in, increasing cross-border flows of goods, services, money, people, information and culture.” Thus, this means that there is more travel and tourism, immigration, investment, trade and on the whole a creation of a universal set of values. Different people have different perceptions of globalization. Some see it as a beneficial process – something that leads to economic development in the world and is inevitable. On the other hand, certain people believe that it increases inequality within nations, causes unemployment, deteriorates living standards, and prevents social progress.
In this essay, I will outline the positive and negative effects of globalization on world poverty. In addition to this, I will then attempt to present a case to reinforce my belief that globalization, at large, has in fact helped reduce poverty. Also, I will give examples of two specific developing nations which have adopted an integration policy and look at the reasons for whether this has been a success or not.
How does Globalization increase global poverty?
Multinationals competing with Domestic Businesses
Globalization can have a negative effect on society and contribute towards increased poverty in the world. For example, according to Robert Reich, a political economist, “national economies” are disappearing . By