Globalization; A New Strain of Anarchy

 " It has often been said that globalization is just another word for colonialism. Explain. "

First, the definition of both terms.

Colonialism:
a : control by one power over a dependent area or people b : a policy advocating or based on such control 

 

Globalization:

the act or process of globalizing : the state of being globalized; especially : the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets 

I strongly disagree with the claim that globalization and colonialism are the same thing.  First of all, colonialism suggests that one power be in control.  With globalization, the entire GLOBE is involved.  Hence the name.  Secondly, there is no control in globalization.  Friendman suggested that one of the 3 convergences was that we, as a society, need to horizontalize.   Such changes came in the year 2000 that we, as a society, lost control over globalization.  When all the flatteners came together, there was no more policy.  Globalization is basically anarchy.  There is no rule over how much information is shared and collaborated on.  Friendman used his example of call centers in India at the beginning of his lecture as an example.  Sure there are American laws and policy over the corporation based in India, but Indian laws apply to the workers.  With corporations aside, piracy of copyrighted works is a perfect example of anarcho-globalization.  If i want to download a CD, I go to thepiratebay.org.  This is a torrent website based out of Sweden.  I download a torrent file that taps into seeds in, for example, China, India, Nepal, Japan, Switzerland, Latvia, Russia, Canada and Paraguay.  There is no rule anymore.  Anything can be accessed form anywhere.

 

AIC

The AIC simulation has been very enlightening and at the same time, in my opinion, somewhat irrelevant.

It has been interesting because it gives us an idea about what internal issues the Arab nations need to resolve among themselves.  When we, as students, are exposed to such issues we really get a detailed view of what issues are present in the world.  Such issues as territorial claims, religious endeavors and economics endeavors are very present and very different than I imagined they would be.

I feel it has been somewhat irrelevant because even though our countries collaborate with each other regarding certain issues, the manner in which said issues are addressed can be very unrealistic.  I feel that the AIC simulation is a valuable educational tool, but at the same time students should be educated on how the present issues really are being resolved.  This can help coach decision making and give an adjusted view on the individual needs and concerns of countries involved.