Week 8 - Analysis

The concept of uneven globalization was discussed in Pieterse’s book Globalization and Culture. By uneven globalization, the author refers to the exclusion of the majority of the earth’s population in economic gain (Pieterse 2003:30). This phenomenon includes many of the world’s “developing” nations and even those who are marginalized in the world’s “developed” nations. While a relatively elite few enjoy the benefits of globalization like technology and information availability, most of the world does not have access to these kinds of services—putting them at a disadvantage to those who do.

This idea is nothing new. Many are aware of the disparate opportunities that those in wealthy nations have over those in not-so-wealthy nations. But what this means for globalization is that those nations that enjoy wealth have a responsibility to nations that do not have wealth. Why? Wealthy nations must respond because in the long run, it will impact their own trade and business. This will occur partly because the “developing” nations will not have healthy economies to contribute to the global markets. They will also not be able to sustain competitive skills in the global marketplace which will create even more of a divide between those nations that can and cannot compete.

This creates an ethos in the “developing” nation of inferiority. And if those who live in the developing nation are inundated with the marketing from wealthier nations, a sense of desire for a myth is created (Pieterse 2003:31). An unrealistic understanding of what the wealthier nation has to offer is also created. Once this idea is prevalent, people from other nations will have a skewed view of the wealthy nation and want to go there, leaving their own nation.

Of course, this is a reductionist line of reasoning. In reality it is not this simple or linear. There are many factors that play into a nation’s wealth. But in a world where economics is part of almost every facet of a nation and the health of the entire globe, it seems too important a piece in the puzzle not to emphasize.

Those in other nations get a picture of what it’s like in the U.S. and since their nation is unable to provide them with the opportunities that are seemingly in the U.S., many choose to migrate. Migration also impacts global economies because they even the endeavors of a small ethnic group in a particular country have lasting impacts on the nation they send money to or live in.

Currency and the economic health of a nation can be influenced by the capital, both foreign and domestic, that is flowing in and out of that nation.