The Costs and Benefits of Globalization Do the benefits outweigh the cost?

Main Players in the Globalization Debate Four types of organizations play key roles: International organizations WTO, UN, World Bank, IMF Non-governmental organizations World Wildlife Fund, Sierra Club Multinational corporations McDonalds, Goggle Sovereign nation-states United States, G 8 The IMF and foreign debt Policy of debt forgiveness? Globalization Index Large capital flows through trade and investment; higher on the index 2009 – Belgium vs West Bank and Gaza

Globalization Helped or Hindered Economic Develop? Economic Development: the process by which nations increase their economic output and improve their citizen’s lives WTO and World Bank classifications Based on GDP Developed, developing, and least developed UN uses the HDI (Human Development Index) Life expectancy, education, and standard of living 1/6th in extreme poverty Living on less than $1.25 a day

Globalization Helped or Hurt the Environment? World-wide industrialization Strain on natural resources, exploitation by multinational corporations Protection of the resources May solve problems like climate change/endangered species through international cooperation

Does Globalization Enrich or Threaten Local Cultures? The threat of Americanization? Western ideas and products overwhelm local communities and cultures Enrichment of cultures? New ideas, technologies, foods, arts Multinational corporations adapt products and business practices to conform to local traditions