Globalization
Globalization is defined as the process involving the interaction and integration of people, organizations, and governments across the globe. Different global location is characterized by unique cultures, traditions, investment in distinct manufacturing of products among other resources, and therefore, people, organizations or countries through their government integrate with the aim of trading and acquiring what they don’t have and giving out what they have in the process of international trade. For this reason, the process of globalization is driven by investment and international trade, and at the same time, it is aided by the presence of information technology.
Globalization according to Ferguson, and Mansbach, (2012)
Ferguson, and Mansbach, (2012), further describes globalization as the process of the free movement of people and products or goods and services across the globe. Globalization occurs when countries open their economies and allow other organization to partner in trade activities. Therefore, primarily globalization can mean that countries will liberalize their import protocols and at the same time allow or welcome the foreign investment, and also set up policies which could enable people to have a free flow of movement from one country to the other. The aspect of the concept of globalization according to Eitzen, and Zinn, (2012), is based on the theory of comparative advantage in which generally indicates that countries which are good in the production or the manufacture of a specified product will have the advantage of exporting the same to the countries which have less advantage of the same products.
Benefits of Globalization
Globalization has its own proponents and opponents. Those who support the globalization urges that it is fundamental and vital because it supports the developing countries which lack essential manufacturing power and their citizens to develop economically and improve their living standards by providing what they don't have or which they can't produce. For example, the countries which can't manufacture or assemble vehicles, they will have the opportunity to acquire entirely manufactured vehicles from other countries which have invested in the innovation of vehicle manufacturers such as in Japan and the United States. In addition, globalization increases the level of investment in which foreign organizations are attracted to invest in globally. Also, globalization enhances effective free movement of labor, whereby the countries facing a high level of unemployment can search for job opportunities in other countries.
Challenges of Globalization
On the other hand, the opponents for globalization suggests that the presence of international trade affects the growing economies and benefits only the multinational organizations at the expense of the local organizations. Based on the concept of economies of scale, the multinational corporation cost of production will be minimal, and their products will be lesser priced as compared to those produced by the local companies, and therefore, consumers will prefer purchasing the goods from the multinational companies thus encouraging more export, rather than buying from the company to build its economy. It is for this reason that the opponents of globalization fail to support it because it may kill the local cultures or the local companies as people major in international trade. Although globalization has faced criticism, it can be concluded that its benefits outweigh the disadvantages; thus it should be embraced.
Role of Communication technology in Globalization
Globalization can be considered to have been in existence for hundreds of years because for a longer period; nations have been trading with other nations located in different locations. But on the other hand, with the growth and advancement in technology, globalization has evolved and is being recognized and appreciated across the globe.
In that case, technology advancement has played a significant role in the escalation and growth of globalization. One of these technologies which have played a substantial role in globalization includes the communication technology. The communication technology primarily expounds on the fundamental advancement in the development or the growth of communication technologies from one individual to the other. The development of communication technology according to Aribisala, (2006), has tremendously changed the way people's way of life in the manner in which they communicate and obtain information. Some of the common communication technology include the internet, telecommunications, mobile or cell phone technology, and the wireless mobile devices among other communication technology. Although people are widely dispersed, through the communication technology, they have been able to interact and collaborate through instant communication across the globe facilitated by the communication technologies devices.
In addition, the communication technology plays a significant role in globalization. For example, the internet contributes to faster communication. Through the internet, people can easily communicate with one another as well as make deals on trade agreements. It is through the internet where people across the world can easily access information concerning trade agreements, topics on how and where to shop, and forecast on the international market trends (Unwin, 2009). With the existence of the internet, people have a variety of information, and they can purchase goods and acquire services online from different organizations across the globe and also pay for the products and services online. For that reason, internet promotes globalization because it makes the world look like a village where a person in the United States can easily communicate and trade with individuals from Africa or in Asia continents without traveling to those places.
Though the social media platforms, Organizations across the globe can easily interact with their customers and target population. For example, a company will interact and chat with their target customers in different locations across the world without having physical contact. The customers have developed trust in the organization although they only interact and integrate within the internet. The communication technology has increased transparency in the world and also has contributed to increased cooperation between nations since it has made it possible for nations through the government to share and exchange data, reports, and research with each other on a real-time basis (Unwin, 2009).
Communication technology also helps multinational organizations which operate in different locations around the globe to smoothly and effectively conduct their business. In addition, students are using and benefiting from globalization through the communication technology because they can access information through the internet and study in England or the United States over the online and video conferencing even when they are far from the schools through online programs. Also, communication technology has contributed to the expansion of business such as the banking industry in different parts of the world because management and overall overseeing of the business activities have been made easy through the communication technology.
Political, Economic and Cultural Impacts of Globalization on Southern Ontario over the last 20 years
Southern Ontario is a primary region of the province of Ontario, Canada, with more than 12.7 million people which is approximately one-third of entire Canada's population of 35.1 million. Southern Ontario is one of the regions which have experienced the best and the worst impacts of globalization. Through globalization, people in Southern Ontario have had access to a variety of different products and services across the globe and also contributed to the growth of industries. On the other hand, globalization has contributed to increased air and water pollution due to the increased emission of gas and waste disposals from the increased number of industries or factories.
Political Impacts
Through globalization, Southern Ontario has formed various regional trade blocs and participated in various international treaties where the region's sovereignty has been reduced. For example, through the international treaties, Southern Ontario has been subjected to the authority of the United Nations and the International Criminal Court where its decision-making process has been limited (Westra, 2009). In addition, globalization has given the NGOs an opportunity to influence development efforts. For example, the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA), has played a role in uplifting the livelihoods of people living in poverty in Southern Ontario.
Economic Impacts
With the advancement and growth of globalization, Southern Ontario has witnessed an increased number of industries. Many international organizations have been able to get a chance to invest in Southern Ontario thus increasing the number of industries in the region. This has also contributed to the increase of job employment for the people of Southern Ontario, thus boosting the economic development of the region. Globalization also played a role in enhancing market integration and relations between Southern Ontario and other nations thus accelerating trade activities which contribute to economic growth. Lastly, globalization has created a significant rift or gap between the rich and the poor, in which the rich have significantly benefited as compared to the poor in Southern Ontario (Hennebry 2008).
Cultural Impact
The existence of globalization has influenced the Ontario culture. For example, the foreign cultural products have gained access to the Ontario market, hence challenging the local culture. Although there is some resistance to the foreign culture, the foreign culture is converted to the culture of Ontario by the way the people live. For example, their living standards have changed due to the growth of the technologies and industries and therefore, increasing the rural-urban migration. In addition, the way of clothing has changed with the people adopting the changing clothing designs from the foreigners (Hennebry 2008). Due to globalization, it has been easy for the people in Southern Ontario to access the international markets at a lower price hence changing the way of dressing and living, as well as contributing to their music and movies they prefer listening and watching.
In conclusion, globalization has played a significant role in boosting the economic growth of Southern Ontario, in lifting or improving the livelihoods of the people by creating job opportunities, providing access to various goods and services across the globe as well as increasing access to technology, skills, and knowledge, thus advancing the understanding capacity of the Ontario people. But on the other hand, globalization has affected the culture of the Southern Ontario people negatively and also contributed to both air and water pollution due to the increased rate of industries due to globalization. But amidst the existence of the challenges of globalization, the benefits outweigh the negative effects of globalization.
Works cited
Aribisala, J. O. "Role of information and communication technology in globalization." Information and communication technology and (2006).
Eitzen, D. Stanley, and Maxine Baca Zinn. Globalization: The transformation of social worlds. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2009.
Hennebry, Jenna L. "Bienvenidos a Canadá? Globalization and the migration industry surrounding temporary agricultural migration in Canada." Canadian Studies in Population 35.2 (2008): 339-356.
Mansbach, Richard W., and Yale H. Ferguson. Globalization: the return of borders to a borderless world?. Routledge, 2012.
Unwin, Tim. ICT4D: Information and communication technology for development. Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Westra, Richard. Political economy and globalization. Routledge, 2009.
