Globalization - the ugly, the bad and the good!

What is Globalization? Or, what do I understand by globalization? Why is globalization is such a hated word?

At first, let us concede. Globalization is a hated word. For the statists/conservative types, it is an instant derecognition of a fundamental concept they are brought up with - the nation-state. For the workers, it is a break from the accepted labor standards. For the manufacturers, it means the protective umbrella of the state is gone! So, whatever the socio-political-economic strata we live in, globalization (or neo-liberalism) is a hated term. So why support it?

So the request is to look at the good flip side! What do I understand by globalization? To quote the poem, Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls. Unfortunately, it is!! In religion, we have Hindus vs. Muslims (or choose your favorite combination); in nationality we have America vs. China (or India vs Pakistan) and amongst people, “my type” vs. “your type”. We have created many divisions amongst ourselves. And we actually enjoy it!

How about “economic globalization”? Can an able bodied laborer cross over from Mexico to the US looking for work especially when a firm at the US is offering him a job? But an IIT educated Indian software engineer can fly to US to get a 100K job!! Economic globalization seems to be restricted to managed free trade and with relatively free capital markets with very constricted labor flow. Any person will common sense will tell you that the ‘system’ is skewed!

How about knowledge? Is it free and freely flowing? Thanks to the Internet we have a vehicle for free flow of knowledge. Internet, thus, is leading a frontline attack in support of globalization. Take the recent events. We have facts & opinions reported from every point of view – CNN or roadside blogger - with no possible state control.

But wait, this is just a beginning. Still, we have knowledge controls. So will (or should) Internet & globalization attack the fundamentals of Intellectual Property or how would history proceed?

Globalization raises more questions than agreements with short term imbalances. We want a decent discussion and debates for that to happen.

For all the initial stumbling blocks which needs to be addressed, I dream of an integrated global village for all people where the mind is without fear and the head held high.

INVOCATION

DEDICATION: I dedicate this blog to a very special friend who “came in from the cold” during a crisis in my life, helped me to stand on my feet and then vanished into the blue. “I will never forget your help. I wish you all the best wherever you may be. I hope to meet you again!”.

INSPIRATION: I am inspired to write this blog by the Iraqi bloggers who are fearless to opine especially in a war-torn world. Special mention to Salam Pax who started it all. A very special mention to “Riverbend” - a twenty-something young girl from a war torn country who lost her job as an IT professional (as we guessed) and started writing her blog. I am attracted to their styles, their forcefulness of description and strength of their viewpoints - even though one may not agree with all. I wondered if such persons, in such a state could produce such articles why can’t I, a pampered “global worker”, bring out mine….

DISTANT THUNDER: While the globe is busy with wars, Iraq, Al Qaeda, with all the stories of the remnants of a feudal culture; a distant thunder is ignored. It is the sound of globalization, the sound of the future of humanity where “imagine there are no countries”! It is to this topic that this blog would address! Globalization, as it proceeds would NOT be like a magic wand of instant Shangri-La. It will have its fits-and-starts. Like all changes there will be always a “dark side” and we should be honest to acknowledge and address it.

OTHER TOPICS: Not that I wont discuss about other topical topics. Surely, something about war (war after all is a result of non-globalization!!), something about philosophy (my other passion) or maybe a word or two about India & Indians.

MY DREAM ABOUT THE NEW WORLD ORDER: Please read the poetry attached. Replace “my country” by the “world”!

ABOUT ME: In short, I am an Indian - a typical member of a modern “English educated Indian”(or Macaulay’s child) - equally conversant with Aristotle and Advaita! [I understand many Indian readers shudder as I call myself as Macaulay’s child but we will go over this in time] I’ve worked in three and visited many countries of the world.

Well that‘s that! More about me as the blog evolves.