Globalism

29 November 2004 (Lecture #37)

• Globalism – notion that culture and info follow economics, irrespective of political boundaries

• The mechanics of globalism

o Tariff – tax on imports; give home goods an advantage; trade barrier

o Free trade area – no tariffs in an area to stimulate all members: EU, NAFTA

§ Wealthy nations can sell goods and setup factories where labor is cheap

§ Poor nations can sell goods to and get jobs which stimulates their economy

• Dangers of globalism

o Companies exist to make money – morality is not part of these huge entities – unlike US and other governments which exist for the people

o WTO and trade agreements make it hard for countries to regulate incoming goods

§ Mexican tuna has more dolphin in it because of fishing techniques

§ US banned tuna with that much dolphin but had to remove the ban because of a trade agreement

o Environment – Indonesia has very little to offer the US, so they sell their trees which the US is less willing to deplete their own trees

• Benefits of globalization

o Democracy grows around the world

• Tribalism – rejection of outside influences

o People cannot resist the convenience brought by technology