Globalization. It?s a term that is thrown around in conversations in coffee shops and boardrooms quite regularly since the late 90?s. Some view globalization as a good thing: a removal of borders and barriers and a broadening of a more global community. Others see it as America force feeding its ideals and practices down the throats of less economically powerful countries around the world. These two articles represent both points of view.
In the article titled, "Two Years Later, a Thousand Years Ago" by New York Times contributing author Robert Wright, Mr. Wright addresses both the seemingly positive and seemingly negative aspects of the trend known as Globalization. Drawing a strong correlation between the events of September 11th and the negative aspects of Globalization, Mr. Wright points to the irony of the use of many Globalization driven developments in technology being used against the United States. Also, it is important to note that in many ways the globalization that exists today is very similar to the globalization that existed in the 19th century. The main difference being that the motive behind the spread of globalization has somewhat changed and is less concerned with expanding actual borders then with expanding the reach and control of American ideals.
Wright proceeds to compare the United States other nations who have embarked on a similar venture of globalization in history. As was the case in the fall of the Mediterranean region, it seems that the United States is falling prey to the saying, "History always repeats itself", and as they were entirely reliant on their transportation system for their commerce then, we are today, as well as our technology. Complete reliance on anyone thing leaves a nation vulnerable to attack and demise. As disheartening as this all appears to be, Wright offers a semblance of hope in the form of projected reform and change. He offers suggestions of ways to learn from the past and to allow for certain changes that would prevent the United States from making the same mistakes that have been made before. He calls us to examine our approach to globalization and challenges us to a "moral enlightenment" in which the needs and rights of all people are taken into consideration, not just the needs and wants of the United States.
In a contrasting view of Globalization and the role of the on going war in Iraq, author Robert J. Samuelson writes in the Newsweek Magazine in an article titled, "Globalization Goes to War". Taking a purely pros and cons direction with the article, Mr. Samuelson speaks specifically about the purely economic ramifications of being in a war. He draws on recent history and uses World War 2 as an example of how a war can have both positive and negative outcomes. But even when comparing the War in Iraq and World War 2, he is careful to point out that the world has changed significantly since World War 2. The systems that were in play to allow both the breakdown of the global economy and the huge prosperity of the US economy are no longer in place.
Similar to the argument made by Mr. Wright, Samuelson points out the weakness in the dependency of many struggling nations on the United States. With that dependency brings the other side of globalization. While the strength of the United States as an economic power is unchallenged, the forcefulness by which out ideals and beliefs are being spread has lead to great unrest and distrust. Unfortunately, no one can foresee what will happen and if the economic power of the United States is enough to keep order and control in the global community, or if Globalization will be the undoing of this great nation.