Globalization used to be widely celebrated as a new birth of freedom: better connections in a more open world would improve people’s lives by making new products and ideas universally available, breaking down barriers to trade and democratic institutions, resolve tensions between old adversaries, and empower more and more people (cf. T. Friedman, 1999; J. Mickelthwait/A. Wooldridge, A Future Perfect, 2000).
Just 10 years after, the very SAME term of globalization was used increasingly to express concern about the consequences of global change for the well-being of various groups, the sovereignty and identity of countries, the disparities among peoples, and the health of the environment (cf. Hirst and Thompson, 1996; J. Mittelman, ed., Globalization: Critical Reflections, 1996).
Globalization has thus become an issue in global debate, just like the one that we are havingat our time.
Being reported by World Bank as among the 24 nations the have globalize successfully and benefit from the process, Malaysia have seen the good and bad the powerful effect of the process as she had also been through the invasions and colonial times. The Asian values have kept us in mind to look at things from both sides as everything has its Yin and Yang. (I Ching)
The driving force of globalization is the same like since the Silk Road, the masters of the seas until the colonials: resources, trades and the human nature of adventurous exploration. Not much of the great ancient civilization remained and the most of the great trading nations raised hundred years ago crumbled never to return to their past glory, not to mention the wars that the colonial countries has to fight with their subjects. WHY? None of these globalization ideas worked?
In my opinion, our forefathers are not less clever than us, as we still based most of our system on their foundations. During their time, they have developed and achieved much – have they not able to see the warning signs? If not then, there are subsequently no less analysis and warnings for us to refer to. But, we are good at repeating history.
The syndromes of ruthless globalization venture: exploitation, inequalities and short sightedness as the local sentiments of protectionism, isolationism and even religion radicals does not grow out of nowhere. These are just the manifested mutation of the marginalized people groups being cornered to their desperation.
However, these obstructing forces of globalization are as dynamic as the driving force and closed door can be opened as opened doors can be closed. The main ingredient is the right intention, political will and strategy. Take the example of Malaysia, now there is a group of people that is hard core supporter of not only goods but culture from Japan, a country that invaded and occupied her before.
The current practitioners of globalization would have to play an active role to address the side effects of globalization ventures, as these world elite holds that power to decide on the faith of the people living in a foreign land they need to have to practice good governance and good world (be it corporate or political) citizenship. Bear in mind an old Chinese saying, “While the praying mantis is capturing the cicada, the oriole is watching from behind”, there are no less rising power that is prepared to seize the opportunity to swing the dynamic forces over just like history has shown us, over and over again.
May the force be with you.
