2 of 10

Bad

Write now Article Tools

Is globalization good or bad?

What is globalization? Globalization is an effort to standardize the planet, eventually letting it become ruled by a one world government. As technology keeps making our world smaller (more travel than ever, instant communication, global internet), it is inevitable that the population will become less divergent. After all, it is a proven fact that the behaviors of those with whom we interact tend to "rub off" on us. The more we develop relationships with people from different cultures, the more like them we become.

Some aspects of this social blending are positive. A greater understanding of others leads to less fighting and war. Business can be conducted around the world with fewer barriers. But there is a negative side to this amalgamation. There are questions which must be asked. Is it best for all people to think as one? Speak one language? Belong to one culture? Be part of just one society? This is where globalization will lead us.

What is the key to nature's survival? How does it withstand catastrophe? No matter what the threat, nature seems to accept the damage, and then flourish in the aftermath. How is this possible? The answer is one word. Diversity! Let me explain.

Suppose we decide that every tree should be an elm tree. Every other variety of tree is removed and replaced with elms. Then one day along comes dutch elm disease. What would happen? The whole tree population would be wiped out from a single threat. No more trees. We have trees today because of the many varieties. If a single genre is attacked, the rest fill in to take up the slack.

This is also true of people. In this world we have many cultures. Many races. Many different ways of approaching a problem and working out a solution. This gives us great strength. How many times have major innovations been developed by someone thinking "outside the box"? We can do this because of the diversification of various societies' boxes. What is inside one culture's or country's box is outside another's.

I live in the United States. We have walked on the moon, developed the atom bomb, produced the computer, and made countless other achievements. In many ways, we've helped the world become a better place (and admittedly, in some ways worse). Across the oceans there are people in the jungle who spend most of their time hunting with blowguns. It's what they do to survive. Have these people made contributions to the world? Most certainly. Just one example. How many drugs to treat various diseases have come from these jungles? We might never have discovered them if it weren't for observing what these local people use for medicine, what they consume for food, and how they deal with various ailments. Do you see now, the strength of diversity?

How many past governments, cultures, and societies have become extinct? Where are the ancient Romans, Greeks, Aztecs, Mayans, Incas etc.? As these civilizations vanished there were countless thriving ones to take their place. Humans survived because of their diverseness.

But what if this planet had only one society? What if the entire world became a single culture? The "elm tree" culture. Everything would be fine until the day dutch elm disease came along. On that day, humankind would go the way of the elm tree.

Learn more about this author, James Dreamer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Is globalization good or bad??
We want to hear your view. Write now!