Globalisation
Globalization is the increasing process of
interdependence and interconnectedness between political, social, and
economic components of the world.
After learning this topic student will be able to:
a. Explain the concept and aspects of globalization
b. Examine the effects of globalization in Tanzania
c. Analyze the challenges of globalization issues for Tanzania
d. Propose possible solutions to each of these challenges
CONCEPTS:
- Globalization
- Driving forces
- Aspects of globalization
- Effects of globalization
- Challenges of globalization
ACTIVITY:
Use various sources including the Internet to answer the following questions
a. What is globalization?
b. List down the aspects of globalization
c. Examine the effects of globalization
d. Analyze the challenges of globalization
e. Propose possible solutions to each of the challenges of globalization
INTRODUCTION:
a. Globalization is the increasing process of interdependence and interconnectedness between political, social, and economic components of the world. Globalization integrates people across their national borders, making the world operate as a village and hence making free movement of goods, capital and information. Globalization is the way that has made the world to be seen as a global village
b. Driving forces of globalization
i. Advancement in Science and Technology. This has contributed greatly t the development of global interconnectedness, interactions and integration of the world societies into a single global village. Science and Technology has enabled technologists to design and make things like machines, which simplify humans’ activities and also has enabled men to interact socially, politically, geographically, scientifically and technologically.
ii. Socio-political liberation. Liberation means to set free, hence socio-political liberation is a situation whereby an individual is free to interact with other people politically and economically through communicating with other people by using television, e-mail, cellular phones and Internet Technology. The National or Central Government has a duty to maintain peace, security and economic welfare of their citizens as well as protection of human rights and security of the political activities widely take place from one country to another through democratization process, formation of NGO’s and civil society organization (CSOs)
c. Aspects of Globalization
As economic political and social phenomena globalization is associated
i. Information and communication technology. Globalization has been accelerated by the global distribution of the media images through computer screens, radio, newspapers televisions and mobile phones. There has been a rise of big information companies such as Microsoft, Intel, Compaq and Cisco. All these prove that there is an increase and advancement of technology
ii. Movement of people. There is an increase in movement of people such as tourists, migrants, refugees, business travelers and diplomats from one country to another. Airplanes and cars have enabled people to mo from one place to another
iii. Spread of ideas and ideology. All these have been an integral aspect of globalization. Direct foreign investment brings physical capital and technical skills; and global economic policies
iv. Finance: Through globalization. Global flow of money has often been driven by the interconnected currency market, stock exchange and commodity markets. Financial institutions such as the (IMF and the World Bank (WB)) assisted by multilateral banks which have branches all over the world.
v. The rise of intellectual property. Here includes patents copyright movies, computer software, compact discs, advertisements and financial services
vi. Free market economy. Globalization has brought about the integration of international political economies through inter financial institutions policies and international trade. Free market (Neoliberalism) has become a dominant economic ideology of the world. The market determines the price.
vii. The Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) SAP refers to the list of budgetary and policy changes which was required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) for the developing countries to qualify for a loan. Excluding the Republic of South Africa. All sub-Saharan African countries including East Africa, Central and Southern Africa, were obliged to adopt the policy to solve the internal problems and reduce the heavy debt burden that seemed to increase rapidly during the 1975.
The impact of globalization on African including Tanzania politically, economically, socially, and culturally are as follows:
(i) Positive Impact
- Education teaching and learning improvement. Implementation of human rights
- Mail transportation. Promotion of democracy.
- Cost minimization
- Time saving. Formation of strong political organization
- Conservation of the environment
- Have revealed out some bad cultural practices
- Information, misinterpretation BBC, CNN. Poor nations are made accountable for beggars
- Culture abuse and erosion of morals in African societies
- Inferiority complex creation
- Pollution of the environment – due to heavy uses of modern weapons (increase of global warming)
- Diseases (mental disorders due to drug abuse)
- Antagonism (Enmity) character assassination which is accompanied by oppression and humiliation
- Exploitation of poor countries by the rich nations
- Increase of terrorism and political disorders e.g. the bombing of the US Embassy in Dar and Nairobi is a product of global political conflict. Which involves USA and Al-Qaeda terrorists who protest against the imperialism of USA
i. Low production in agriculture, industry, mining and fishing – not producing enough for export, as a result we import more foreign goods leading to the country being exploited
ii. Low level of education among Tanzanians compared to other countries in the world. Hence, Tanzania fails to meet global intellectual demands such as technological skills, managerial skills, entrepreneurial skills and marketing skills
iii. Low level of use of communication systems. Global communication satellite and telephone is still low and underdeveloped
iv. Tanzania faces a problem of low investment and low savings, lack of individual capacity and prolonged circle of poverty
v. Tanzania primary exports such as cotton, sisal, cashew nuts, coffee and tea faces severe lack of global market standards
d. Possible solutions for the challenges of globalization
i. Tanzania should invest more on science and technology
ii. Tanzania should fight greatly against corruption
iii. Regional integrations and cooperation should be encouraged eg SADC and EAC
iv. Tanzania should properly utilize both natural and human resources in order to boost economic growth
v. Tanzania should make and implement policies to eradicate property and raise production.
