Tides of Change
Social Change
The spread of western values, language, life-styles, and consumption has dramatically altered many traditional cultures.
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Multimedia! In a truly global economy, it becomes essential to have a firm understanding of worldwide time. Hence as globalisation expands, so too does the comprehension of time differences. Use this Java applet to find out exactly what time it is in different parts of the globe and to determine where the sun is currently shining (represented by the light regions; the sun's position is defined by the yellow circle). Move your mouse over different global regions to find out what the general time is (actual time may vary slightly). Additionally, to change the active time zone (GMT by default), click on the desired area. |
English is emerging, as the dominant global language, using Americanised spelling in the written form. Many traditional languages are rapidly being lost as children are educated and then exposed to English both in the workplace and via television.
Language is the conveyor of social constructs. As children acquire knowledge of English, they are exposed to many non-traditional concepts, including consumerism, reduced emphasis on religious thinking, increased emphasis on the rights of the individual, with decreased value of the obligations of family and community.
They are also exposed to western thinking about a range of subjects including the role of women, children and appropriate family dynamics. This may be at odds with the values and expectations of the leaders of the community. The views portrayed reflect those of the media group ownership, rather than the broad social consensus, which it portrays.
Rural communities place high values on large families because from an early age children contribute labour in food production. Older children also provide childcare to younger children. There are few formal supports for aging parents and children may represent a form of retirement insurance. Infant Mortality rates are significantly higher than in the developed world, so the death of a child is not as significant, and this is compensated for, by having a few extra children. Wealth can be acquired by judicious marriage, uniting the land holdings of 2 families, so arranged marriages are usual. Children may be sent to serve as monks, to provide for the families wellbeing hereafter.
As Western thinking is adopted, attitudes and expectations may change. Many young people have left their homes seeking wealth and independence, but often this cash income has altered their attitudes to traditional life.
Declining use of traditional languages may induce the loss of traditional cultural knowledge, and reduce the sense of community. This may have severe impacts on elderly people who feel lost, and on those suffering from isolation or anxiety. The incidence of mental illness and attempted suicide increases in these groups substantially.
Political Change
Governments have reduced control because TNC's are able to relocate if laws or regulations don't favour their conditions. This generates competition for employment and investment with other areas. This competition may include decreased or waived taxes, reduced worker conditions and little environmental regulation. TNC's may bring infrastructure such as new roads, hospitals or power stations with enormous benefits to the community. They can provide opportunities for education and acquiring a skilled workforce, which may attract further industries, but often these benefits are available to only a few members of the community while often others are disadvantaged by these same projects. Usually fewer people gain employment in new ventures, than was possible in traditional production.
Globalisation features increased specialisation in production, where only a small part of the final product is made in any location, increasing use of rapid transport and communication to maximise the available market and to centralise decision-making, reducing the need for local managerial staff. This also isolates the decision -making process from the local impacts and influences.
Increased competition for market access between competing regions requires governments to lure investment through attractive conditions. Often these include reduced scrutiny of their operating conditions, with little or no environmental or labour regulation. While the investment groups desire these conditions, their regional constituency often does not desire them. There is increasing conflict between these groups, putting governments in the invidious position, of being politically accountable for the impacts from international trade. Interest groups attempting to find support for their sector repeatedly lobby governments.
However industry, rather than government determines most decisions about investment, resulting employment and developments.
While conservative governments are in favour of free trade and unregulated market economies, the business and agricultural community have largely supported these same governments as voters. These combined influences, which have reduced and restructured agricultural communities, are now increasingly distancing themselves from the conservative position. This erosion of electoral support is likely to continue, because the fundamentals of change are beyond government control.
Increasingly the trade block membership is more powerful than national laws. The European Union has taken this to the next level by introducing a European Parliament, which has the power to overturn any conflicting legislation in member nations. This union has a united currency, which has reduced the currency fluctuations for trade within the block. While some trade blocks are far more powerful than others, it seems likely that regional trade based politics will emerge as the larger forum of power, at least at the global scale.
Numerous 3rd world leaders are openly critical of globalisations current directions, business ethics and equity. These issues have disrupted trade talks in Cancun. As more 3rd world nations join the WTO, the demands for change are expected to increase. There is considerable debate about how such change can be achieved, while maintaining the current economic benefits of trade.
It is clear that the WTO, World Bank and IMF are likely to continue to serve the interests of the dominant nations above those of natural justice. However, political stability will only continue if issues of equity, responsibility, and human rights are adequately addressed.