Globalization.

To begin with, globalization is a very hard topic to discuss because the more you think about all the aspects, the more controversial ideas you come across. It is some kind of a double-edged sword. Nowadays, in the world where economy rules the world, globalization is considered to be a synonym to the words “progress” and “success”. In pursuit of benefit and profit people turn into real predators who tend to forget about being real humans who should consider other people’s feelings. And this is exactly what happens within such process as globalization.

First of all, let us not forget that globalization is an economical and political phenomenon, which leads to competition and corporate greed. In terms of competition more powerful and more developed countries dominate the weaker and poorer ones. Not only does it widen the gap between these countries but it also leads to inequality, which contradicts the main uniting purpose of globalization. In such conditions, more powerful players start subordinating in order to increase their wealth. As a result, small businesses and even some local cultures get destroyed by huge multinational companies.

What is more, in context of globalization, many bigger companies are aimed to expansion, which always means the need of more and more workers. As finding work labor that doesn’t need to be paid much is more profitable for such companies, their main aim is the countries with a high level of unemployment and terrible living conditions. The inhabitants of such counties as Bangladesh are ready to sacrifice everything they have, to work day and night in the worst working conditions possible just to be able to feed their families. Huge multinational companies such as Zara, Apple and Sony use this juncture and even use child labor actively in their business, which is quite beneficial. In this aspiration for a big profit even the tiniest drop of humanity has disappeared. Not only do people close their eyes to all the natural problems they have created, they also ignore the fact of human right abuse considering some lives being worthless.

On the other hand, globalization may have its positive sides. Some critics point out that globalization has led to the blossoming of the consumer sphere. A huge variety of different goods for reasonable prices have appeared on the market, which has expanded consumer choice and made some products more affordable for people on a tight budget. Moreover, as some employers claim, more workers are now being paid over the minimum wage. On this basis a lot of companied have started to assert that they appeal to everyone and alienate no one. Unfortunately, this beautiful phrase just veils the sad truth. All this business is based on hard labor of people in need who will work as much as they can to make both ends meet.

To sum up, globalization is just a well-made term that can be compared to a nice-looking packaging that hides some serious social issues inside. And although it is now trying to discuss and to solve them, we can’t dispute that globalization itself is a flaming hotbed of all these troubles. Besides, people can discuss problems as long as they want but only actions speak louder than words.

 Liza Klimova

    116group 

MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES BENEFIT THE SOCIETY

MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES BENEFIT THE SOCIETY.
We live in the world where the multinational companies set their rules on the market. Whatever shopping mall you go you will see the cornocopia of brands. This is a misconceptions because basically 90% of them are owned by corporations. Here we come to an idea of illusion of wariety and freedom to make a choice.

The most significant disadvantage of multinational corporations is a usage of lower prices to force the competitors out of business. It is rational and obvious that the majority of customers will choose a brand where the price policy is low rather than some start ups or just recently appeared brand where this policy is not so flexible. Multinatonal companies destroy small business by keeping prices low which they can do of their size.For a vivid example massmarket brands offer you low prices, up-to-date design and a vast number of market points but the quality suffer dramatically due to named reasons. Meanwhile some young designers' brand can offer you unususal concepts and expensive materials but the prices are much higher.

Another major disadvantage of multinational companies is using sweatshops and low wages. Firstly, to make prices lower they must save the percentage of it in some aspects. Here we see scandals appearing about closed sweatshops in China or India where children labor is used and where working conditions are awful.

Supporters of multinational companies point out that multinational companies offer their customers a choice and a part of that choice is lower prices. This is not entirely true since many of them set the stock prices, which are pretty equal, and the same in all the market points of these companies and since a majority of brands belong to the same multinational companies we see how inaccurate this claim is.

To sum up, there are unquestionably a lot of disadvantages of multinational companies. Rather than to satisfy business goals and profits of “market monsters” and follow their so called friendly price policy it is better to have a real freedom of choice and to reveal all the advantages of some independent brands which lack in customers’ support and suffer from far not equal competition. It is without any doubt instrumental in creating a level playing field both for customers and suppliers.

Julia Kurnosova 

Is globalisation a good or bad process?

Is globalisation a good or bad process?

Globalisation is a term used to describe the way in which the world is developing a single economy and culture. This phenomenon is changing people"s experience of everyday life all over the world. Globalisation is definitely about progress. It promotes global understanding, improves the quality of manufacturing and leads to better products. However, some people claim that globalisation benefits the rich nations, who control prices, who influence the economies of poor countries and cause  populations to migrate in order to try and improve their lives. This is a misconception. There are a great many of advantages brought by globalisation.

The main advantage of globalisation is that it has been a force for change in so many ways for so many people. Globalisation connects people by means of communications and offers them new opportunities.  It has given them acess to information and improved their lives, and has given global mobility to skilled workers.

Another major advantage of globalisation is fair trade. Fair trade has the ability to lift people out of poverty. It creates a level playing fields and allows countries around the world to share their best products, goods and services. Many workers in developing countries now have employment because of globalisation.

Nevertheless, a lot of people point out that globalisation has a great amount of disadvantages. It damages the natural environment, destroys local cultures and exploits workers. This is not entirely true, because globalisation benefits all nations by increasing competitiveness and efficiency.

To sum up, there are a lot of unquestionable many advantages of globalisation. It creates competition, encourages better standarts and pushes the boundaries of international communication. Globalisation means progress and increasing wealth.

Egor Anureev

Is globalization a good or bad thing?

  Globalization is a term used to describe a tendency of uniting of the countries. However there are some people who claim that globalization only has negative consequences. This is a misconception. There are in fact a great amount of positive sides of this world-wide process.

  One of the main advantages of globalization is that it stimulates progress. In terms of globalization technical advances develop at a faster rate, which provides people with great opportunities to travel, work  and communicate. This pretty much helps to broaden one’s horizons and get acquainted with other cultures and countries.

  Another significant advantage of globalization is that it is believed to be a base for international trade, which benefits  the economy of many countries all over the world. It also creates a field for multinational companies to to work on. As a result it provides us with the goods from such companies as Apple, Mercedes, Zara, Adidas etc.

  Nevertheless there are some people who are not that supportive of globalization. They believe that it causes poverty and inequality and leads to the destruction of natural recourses. This is not entirely true since fair trade actually gives an ability to lift people out of poverty and increases the quality and cost-effectiveness of the products. 

  All things considered there strong argumenta in support of globalization . And even though it may seem controversial question, globalization is definitely about progress, development of the economy and communication.'

'Avelina Gontar

Globalisation: good or bad.

Globalisation: good or bad.

Globalisation is a process of economic, social and political integration which has taken over every aspect of our everyday life through the advances of technology, transportation and communication.  It is usually perceived as a cosmopolitan and trendy thing. This phenomenon is so widely spread that for the majority of population nowadays it is unnoticeable. But some people have begun to question the consequences of globalisation and have come to the conclusion that apparently it is a detrimental thing for the world. It is claimed that globalisation is beneficial only for multinational companies with endless corporate greed. However this is a misconception. In fact globalisation gives a chance for small businesses and provides opportunities for national economics of developing countries.

The most significant advantage of globalisation is that it enables products to be produced wherever it is most efficient to do so, which implies great social and economic progress for poor countries. Basically multinational companies provide work places for many people and allow them to support their families. Besides they enable investment into less developed countries which is essential for their growth. Apart from financial equity, multinational corporations bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience to the nations that might lack them. International companies also rent resources such as land and buildings that generate higher incomes for their owners. In their absence, people would have had fewer or much lower paying jobs, and the demand for land and other local resources would have been lower.

Another major advantage of globalisation is that it promotes global understanding and tolerance. People who come from all corners of the planet with different mindsets have become closer than ever before. Nowadays almost everyone has a chance to discover other cultures and ways of living, which  allows  to make choices for a lifestyle, which may fit better for a person. Through mass media and with the help of Internet and television people have insights into other cultures and get a perspective on various social problems that occur in poor regions of the world. 

Critics of globalisation point out that if we look beneath this surface glamour - we can see the true meaning of this term. It is nothing more than the product of the multinational corporation’s search for profit, which encourages child labour and other abuses of human rights. However, this is not entirely true. The most serious problem of all of the governments is unemployment, which leads to poverty, social crime, illiteracy, but can be easily clenched as the majority of all multinational companies cooperate with a country, while bringing their standards, culture, and lifestyle at the same time. Less developed countries get new technology and receive instructions, so that they can have a basic background to build their country and escape from the Third World.

To sum up, there are unquestionably many advantages of globalisation. It truly brings people together, expands horizons and break stigmas around certain topics. It provides the opportunity for everyone to speak up and be heard, nations can influence each other: the more developed will help those, who cry for help as no matter where the one live, he deserves a chance for a better life. And he will definitely get it because as long as we are united, we are invincible.

Elizaveta Khruleva 

Is globalization a good or bad thing?

Is globalization a good or bad thing?

It is a well-known fact that globalization is mainly considered to be a positive process. It is believed to unite countries and connect people all over the world. However, some people claim that globalization is truly about the society’s stratification and the growth of migration. This is a misconception. There are, in fact, a great many of advantages brought by globalization. Most countries benefit from this process.

The main advantage of globalization is that it is known to have generated international competition. International competition itself is a stimulator of technological and industrial growth. Every manufacturer is aiming at being on the ball and, according to this fact, he is doing his best to make the product better than his competitor’s one. Coca cola and Pepsi, for instance, are believed to be a great example of such a competition.

Another major advantage of globalization is the development of international trade and transnationalization. These are the forces which help to lift people out of poverty. Countries share their resources and goods in order to improve the lives of the poor countries. For example, Russia in 2012 donated 38 million dollars to Africa for the fight against hunger and poverty.

Nevertheless, some people point out that globalization influences the world’s ecosystem. Conflicts over natural resources are not to be avoided. These people claim that the goods of the Earth are irrationally used. They speak about deforestation and oceans’ pollution. This is not entirely true because globalization is not the process to be blamed for it. Conflicts will not be avoided, but globalization still unites counties and break down barriers between them.

To sum it all up, there are unquestionably many advantages of globalization. It is definitely about progress. Also, it is undeniable that such a process provides people with a great many of opportunities such as traveling, working and educating abroad.

Maria Pushkareva