¶ … Globalization profoundly alters relationship global North South
The international exchange and integration of economies, societies, cultures, and governing policies play host to the worldwide phenomenon known as globalization. Countries interact through transportation, trade, and communication; inherently influencing the respective realms of economy and political agenda. Traditionally, globalization is highlighted by this integration of economic and political systems across the globe, however this exchange transcends into societies, ethics, cultures, industry, ecological effects, and a myriad of other global influences. Globalization is a process perceived as "good" or "bad" depending on geography, profession, and how one relates globalization in terms of values (Rothernberg 2002). A person in Los Angeles, London, Rio de Janeiro, and Hong Kong would identify differently with the concept of globalization, just as opinions vary between business leaders, elected officials, and the unemployed. Some understand globalization to be the Americanization of world culture and a source of United States dominance. Others believe it is a source of prosperity, economic growth, and democracy; some believe globalization to be a lead contributor in the exploitation of the developing world, environmental devastation, and the suppression of human rights (Rothernberg 2002).
Despite the multitude of views on globalization, professionals agree the impacts, whether negative or positive, are profound and evident. The impacts of globalization can be exemplified by examination of the global North-South divide. This division is the social, economic, and political separation that exists between developed, wealthy countries known as the North, and developing, poorer countries - the South (Pieterse 2000). Coincidentally, most Northern countries are located in the Northern Hemisphere, however the distinction is independent of geography and is anchored on economic development. The North-South model allows for some transition in the definition -- as a country becomes more economically advanced they may be regarded as a Northern country. This divide between North and South is not considered a healthy categorization, but as a social and economical gap between these countries. The wedge between developed and least developed nations is catalyzed by globalization, and many deem globalization as a major force for global inequality (Avi-Yonah 2005).
The globalization enhanced division of the North and South perpetuates unequal relationships between countries, requiring economies and societies to rapidly acclimate to changes in global markets. The adaptation to growing economies does not occur in a balanced and equal measure, which only widens the gap between the rich and the poor. Three broad interactions that are accelerated and intensified by globalization are social, political, and economical. The social impacts affect culture, language, information transferal, technology, and religion. Political authority sways legal and ethical perceptions. Within the confines of economics, globalization influences financial, industrial, and job markets. In addition to the exchange of social, political, and economical constructs, three tensions of globalization have been identified. These tensions are defined as: individual choice vs. societal choice; the free market vs. government intervention; local authority vs. supra-local authority (Rothernberg 2002, p. 2).
Acknowledging the existing tensions is critical to understanding the reaches of globalization and its inferences into the North-South division. One of the most notable and quantifiable paradigms is the economical distance between wealthy North countries and less-developed South countries. As economies progress and less-developed nations struggle to keep-up, the infrastructure of South nations are manipulated to the point of being dependent on wealthy countries for survival. The removal of dependence gives rise to Liberalization -- releasing these countries from North assistance by the removal of government interference in financial markets. In addition to liberalization, some professionals indicate the North-South divide is diminishing (Arrighi 2003). Even with the professional support indicating blurred lines between North and South countries, globalization and the effects on economical polarization are still apparent and present in the twenty-first century. The negative implications are particularly evident in the global South as Northern practices dominate political-economic markets.
There is no precise definition for globalization, but in the simplest terms it is regarded as the intensified flow of trade, culture, investments, and governments between countries. Globalization is considered the buzzword, marked by media outlets, where perceptions vary from country to country, region to region, and person to person ('Ten Basic Questions' 2005). In the constructs of society, globalization impacts culture, language, information transferal, technology, and religion. The core of each of these elements is the projection of stereotypes, perspectives, and discrepancies between world portrayals vs. experiences. In the North, studying social sciences is a legitimate focus to understanding the collective human experience, however these studies typically depict a narrow Northern view (Pieterse 2000). In the South, attempts...
E. The voices who argue that America should and could be an imperial superpower, but lacks sound practical judgment. The thesis of this paper is that the history of the Roman Empire can be matched to that of the United States in terms of economy, political power, as well as aspirations. In this sense, present day America is very similar to fourth of even fifth century Rome; this poses one stringent
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