Resistance to Globalization

Contextual Quote:
- "The whole of the global economy is based on supplying the cravings of two percent of the world's population."
- Source: Bill Bryson, nonfiction writer (born 1951)
Essential Question:
- What were the various responses to globalization from 1900 to the present?

Cultural Aspects:
- Globalization has raised awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Economic Concerns:
- Economic globalization has prompted serious concerns.
- Resistance is reported from both governmental and non-governmental sources.
Network of Opponents:
  - Focus on promoting equal distribution of economic resources.
  - Challenge to the lopsided economy as critiqued by Bill Bryson.
  - Corporate actions prioritized profit maximization over safety, labor conditions, and environmental issues.
  - Institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Trade Organization (WTO) viewed as harmful to national independence.

Government and Non-Government Resistance:
- Countries like North Korea resist both economic and cultural globalization.
- Others, such as Saudi Arabia and China, resist cultural globalization, especially through internet control.

Organization Formation Post-WWII:
  - Key organizations contributing to the global economy established between 1947 and 1990s:
    - General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
    - European Economic Union
    - Mercosur (in South America)
    - Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Impact of GATT and WTO:
  - Falling tariff rates eased movement of goods.
  - WTO took over GATT's operations in 1995, overseeing more than 90% of international trade.
  - Closed board meetings bred distrust regarding welfare considerations.
  - Connect:
    - Compare economic practices of the 17th century to contemporary globalization (See Topic 4.5).

Event Description:
- Protests at a WTO conference in Seattle marked a significant moment in anti-globalization.
- Over 40,000 protesters from various groups: labor unions, family farmers, student groups, environmentalists.
Significance:
  - Viewed as the inception of the anti-globalization movement.
  - Notably coordinated through the internet.
  - Despite protests, the WTO maintained strength, with China's membership enhancing global influence (joined in 2001).

Consumer Awareness Issues:
- Many consumers unaware of product origins and associated costs.
Scandals Highlighting Hazards:
  - Poor working conditions linked to globalization:
    - Chocolate Industry Example:
      - Child labor prevalent in West Africa; companies consistently failed obligations to lead ethical practices.
    - In 2015, U.S. Department of Labor estimated over 2 million children involved in hazardous labor in cocoa regions.
    - Warehouse Working Conditions:
      - Amazon employees faced intense pressure and risk of termination for taking breaks, affecting over 600,000 employees.
    - Rana Plaza Disaster (2013):
      - Collapse killed over 1,000 garment workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
      - Muhammad Yunus described it as a national failure, suggesting the need for an international minimum wage.

Environmental Impact of Globalization:
- Increased greenhouse gas emissions linked to long-distance product shipping.
- Significant deforestation in Brazil for cattle farming affecting global climate.
Counterarguments:
- Proponents argue globalization can benefit the environment (ecotourism as an example).
- Costa Rica's ecotourism successfully showcases natural resources while generating income.

Liberal and Conservative Distrust:
  - Globalization perceived as harmful to children, labor, and ecosystems by many liberal groups.
  - Conservatives also expressed distrust:
    - Brexit (2016):
      - 52% of British voters favored leaving the EU, citing governance interference and immigration concerns.
      - Theresa May's struggle to negotiate a viable exit deal highlighted political discord.
      - Critics feared economic repercussions for Britain's reliance on imports.

Concerns Over Large Corporations:
- Belief that international agreements favor large entities over local businesses.
- Small businesses lack the means to compete internationally, contrary to the wider reach corporations possess.
Local Sourcing Emphasis:
- Some businesses advocate for locally made or sourced products in response to globalization.
Distrust of International Institutions:
  - Significant protests against the IMF and World Bank demonstrate skepticism of their influence:
    - 1988: 20,000 protestors in West Berlin
    - Protests across 23 countries in 2001-2002.
    - World Bank reforms initiated in 2014; critics argue control remains with wealthier nations.

Core Issues for Activists:
  - Human Rights:
    - Essential freedoms, including rights against slavery and for free expression.
  - Fair Trade:
    - Ensuring equitable payment for producers.
  - Sustainable Development:
    - Profit-oriented ventures that do not compromise future generations.
  - Debt Relief:
    - Structural solutions for indebted nations to prevent economic failure.

Spread of Anti-Globalization Ideas:
  - Internet facilitates global activism; however, access may be limited in certain regions.
  - Example:
    - 2009 riots in Urumqi, China, linked to ethnic tensions exacerbated by social media; government response included banning Twitter and Facebook, introducing Weibo as a controlled alternative.
  - Government control over content on social media platforms undermines free expression.
Concern on Identity and Autonomy:
- Global interconnectedness poses threats to personal and cultural autonomy, resulting in resistance from individuals and governments.

Society: Leaders and Thinkers:
- Muhammad Yunus, Theresa May, Manal al-Sharif
Society: Issues and Problems:
- Child labor, Rana Plaza factory incident, ecotourism, human rights, fair trade
Government: Politics:
- Brexit, Uighur issues
Technology: E-Commerce and Social Media:
- Sustainable development, debt relief, debt restructuring, Amazon, Weibo