全球化 Globalization
Yesterday was Labor Day. We watched demonstrations around the world on TV. In Korea, the workers of the biggest automobile company went on strike against the up-coming layoffs as a result of the merger between GM and Daewoo. In France, the biggest demonstration was in Paris to protest against far-right presidential candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen in anticipation of Sunday's run-off presidential vote. The same appeared to be the case in Germany, Britain and Switzerland. The demonstrators shouted slogans and carried posters opposing everything about globalization. What problems does globalization bring to them?
Globalization generates a new style of production procedure—a new way of division of labor. It is like a pyramid. On the top of it are the innovators and designers of technology, including such countries as the US and Germany. They obtain their fortune by selling copyrights and letters of authority. Below this level are the countries that are able to manage and work with the new-technology. They then set up branches or subsidiary companies all over the world to manipulate the resources of other countries. Beneath it are the countries with cheap labor and natural resources, such as Vietnam and China. The bottom layer includes those countries without any natural resources, such as many African countries. They usually rely on the rich countries and their people to escape from poverty or to just escape to the countries on the higher level.
The poverty gap between countries has been widening. Globalization threatens not only those poor countries but also those blue-collar workers in many advanced countries. Their companies do not produce products at home any more. People have lost their jobs, their dignity and finally their hope. That's why people march in the streets to force the government to face their problems.
Therefore, when we enjoy the advantages brought on by globalization, shouldn't we also consider the people who lack the resources to deal with the competition? And shouldn’t we carefully value ourselves if we have obtained enough advantages to compete with people all over the world?
Yesterday was Labor Day. We watched demonstrations around the world on TV. In Korea, the workers of the biggest automobile company went on strike against the up-coming layoffs as a result of the merger between GM and Daewoo. In France, the biggest demonstration was in Paris to protest against far-right presidential candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen in anticipation of Sunday's run-off presidential vote. The same appeared to be the case in Germany, Britain and Switzerland. The demonstrators shouted slogans and carried posters opposing everything about globalization. What problems does globalization bring to them?Globalization generates a new style of production procedure—a new way of division of labor. It is like a pyramid. On the top of it are the innovators and designers of technology, including such countries as the US and Germany. They obtain their fortune by selling copyrights and letters of authority. Below this level are the countries that are able to manage and work with the new-technology. They then set up branches or subsidiary companies all over the world to manipulate the resources of other countries. Beneath it are the countries with cheap labor and natural resources, such as Vietnam and China. The bottom layer includes those countries without any natural resources, such as many African countries. They usually rely on the rich countries and their people to escape from poverty or to just escape to the countries on the higher level.The poverty gap between countries has been widening. Globalization threatens not only those poor countries but also those blue-collar workers in many advanced countries. Their companies do not produce products at home any more. People have lost their jobs, their dignity and finally their hope. That's why people march in the streets to force the government to face their problems.Therefore, when we enjoy the advantages brought on by globalization, shouldn't we also consider the people who lack the resources to deal with the competition? And shouldn’t we carefully value ourselves if we have obtained enough advantages to compete with people all over the world?