One author has concluded that the world could learn many things from the recent G-8 meeting in Genoa and that the future could be prosperous and different. Understanding international realities for boosting globalization can attain this and any resistance is no more than a waste of time.
In fact, what has happened is the contrary because the pro-globalizationists have failed to understand the demands of the anti-globalizationists. The opposition that consisted of ordinary citizens, organized movements and non-governmental organizations claimed that globalization would lead to an increase in production that would only benefit wealthy countries.
Interestingly, Genoa’s summit was scheduled to last a week but it lasted only two days because the leaders believed that the protests represented the opinions of irresponsible individuals aiming at inciting violence and disturbance.
The coming meeting of the International Monetary Fund will witness violent demonstrations, riots and protests by nearly 60,000 who represent educational institutions, churches, non-government organizations and other movements.
The mayor of Washington, in his letter to George W. Bush, said that it is expected that “We are about to face the most violent demonstrations and furious protests ever.”
It is obvious that the leaders of globalization reject the message of the protesters and are not interested in hearing their point of view. Therefore, antiglobalizationists are dedicated to explaining themselves as they believe that international firms are larger than governments in influence and thus do everything possible to increase that influence, their profits and roles.
Moreover, globalization will enable international firms to move or transfer their investments, operations and industries to poor countries without consideration for the interests of individuals, their families and other social factors. In addition, they fear potential unemployment at the time the international firms move to countries with cheap labor and resources.
The crisis that hit Southeast Asia was due to the flight of foreign capital after making quick profits and it left those countries in economic trouble. Underdeveloped countries are encouraged to read past history and learn from others’ experiences and remember that international firms go to other countries for self-interest and not for that country’s need or request. Further, the international firms that adopt free capitalism, once circumstances are changed or for other economic reasons, usually leave those poor countries or abandon business there regardless of any human or moral considerations.
It is therefore imperative that the industrial nations consider civic and just regulations for capitalism and should remember that poor nations are unable to feed wealthy ones — rather the opposite. The international firms and other economies, however, are required to take into account human factors and proper and balanced development that would benefit all.
Globalization can be understood and supported only if its aims are dedicated to serve mutual interests and the globalizationists demonstrate real justice as to international economic, political and social issues. So, it is not strange to see protests and resistance to globalization by movements and organizations in the West while those individuals’ countries and their organizations are the main beneficiaries of globalization.
No doubt the countries targeted by globalizationists will benefit from production resources, introduction of new industries but would face changes in culture because investments would be directed for the interests of Western firms regardless of the social structure of a country.
For instance, German Volkswagen erected a factory in Mexico with an annual production capacity of half a million cars. The salaries of Mexicans workers in the factory are much higher than salaries of other Mexicans working in the private sector and as a result, there is great social dislocation. Further, Mexican workers employed by Volkswagen are not content with their salaries but want to be on a par with the German Volkswagen workers. The Mexicans have even gone on strike several times to gain their aims. Also in Brazil, Volkswagen has experienced similar problems. Workers have threatened to halt production of certain models if their demands are not met.
