GO131: International Relations Professor Walter Hatch Colby College Globalization
What the heck is it?
Something to do with … Technology?
Something to do with … Trade?
Something to do with … Money?
Something scary?
Or just alien?
My first encounter Seattle, 1999
What Environmentalists Said
What Labor Said
Common Theme: Corporate Power
From McDonald’s to Monsanto
What Globalization Is The cross-border movement of commodites and services, as well as factors of production (capital, labor, technology), that increasingly integrates disparate communities A set of neo-liberal institutions and norms fostering and shaping such flows
What Globalization Isn’t Globalization … “has swallowed most consumers and corporations, made traditional borders almost disappear, and pushed bureaucrats, politicians, and the military toward the status of declining industries.” -- Ohmae Kenichi
“Globaloney” Distinctive political, social, and economic institutions remain States still matter “Globalization” is not brand new
The First Wave 1870 – 1914 (Pax Brittanica) Free flow of gold High levels of trade UK as hegemon financial power and free trade policy
Two New Waves 1945 – 1980 (Pax Americana I) “Embedded Liberalism” New institutions (GATT, IMF) 1980 – Present (Pax Americana II) “Washington Consensus” Unleashing markets
Global Flows Commodities and Services (Trade) Labor Technology Capital
Trade Almost everything today has an exchange value in global markets Weapons Drugs Even human body parts (Harrison) Volume is up ($34 trillion a year in exports) 10% growth between 2000 and 2005
Labor Migration (from global south to global north) volumes may not be so much higher But methods used are increasingly costly in economic and human terms
Migrant Smuggling
Human Trafficking
Technology International strategic alliances Fairchild Semiconductor and Phillips Technology transfer Patents and licenses Often from parent company to subsidiary
Capital 1980s and 90s: Relaxed controls on capital mobility Moved to floating exchange rates Volatility Especially hard for developing countries
Other Complaints
Increased Inequality? Between rich and poor states Within each state
A Race to the Bottom? Lower and lower wages Less and less public spending Deregulation Competition policy Intellectual property rights
Cultural Homogeneity? Fast food Hollywood Beauty queens
In Defense of Globalization Yes, states must wear “Golden Straitjacket” But what’s the alternative?