Antiglobalization

Antiglobalization

Anti-globalization is a term used to describe the political stance of individuals and groups who oppose the neoliberal form of globalization (using the term globalization in a doctrinal sense not a literal one). "Anti-globalization" is also used to refer to opposition to international integration (using the term globalization in a literal sense not a doctrinal one). Anti-globalization can denote either a single social movement or an umbrella term that encompasses a number of separate social movements[1] In either case, participants stand in opposition to the unregulated political power of large, multi-national corporations, particularly the powers exercised through trade agreements. The political power of multinationals is criticized for harming the environment, undermining the cultural practices and traditions of developing countries, and limiting national governments sovereignty to determine labor rights[citation needed] (including the right to unionize).

Most people who are labeled "anti-globalization" consider the term to be too vague and inaccurate,[2] preferring instead to describe themselves as the Global Justice Movement, the Anti-Corporate-Globalization Movement, the Movement of Movements (a popular term in Italy), the Alter-globalization movement (popular in France), the Counter-Globalization movement, and a number of other terms.

People around the globe are more connected to each other then ever before. Information and money flow more quickly than ever. Goods and services produced in one part of the world are increasingly available in all parts of the world. International travel is more frequent. International communication is commonplace. This phenomenon has been titled "globalization". Not only the term of globalization has increased since last years, but also anti-globalization has appeared and is still increasing.?? Anti-globalization is the umbrella term for a group of different protest causes including: environmentalism, third world debt, animal rights, child labor, anarchism, anti-capitalism and opposition to multinationals. The most attacked institutions of anti-globalization protests have been especially World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank. As the big businesses are growing all around the world, anti-global activities and protests also increasing their level of intensity and violence.

After the break-up of Soviet Union, globalization accelerated through the world. It includes the increasing integration of countries' individual economies, the rise in the world trade and multinational companies and the effect of large sums of money moving in and out of economies

Together with the collapse of communism raised the companies that expanded their sphere of business all over the world. Since the meetings of international monetary, trade and environmental organizations incited little or no interest in the past, at the present times; they are drawing the attention of thousands of anti-globalization activists. ??

Large corporations with international undertakings stand accused of social injustice, unfair working conditions (including slave labor wages, living and working conditions), as well as lack of concern for environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and ecological damage. However, protest objectives extend beyond the claimed corporate impropriety. Multinational economic institutions, such as the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, are seen as establishing, monitoring, and rendering judgments on global trade practices, and are viewed as the spearheads of economic globalization.

These institutions, considering being the servants of corporate interests, exercising more power than elected governments and interested only in the profit motive, have increasingly become principal demonstrating targets. ??

Although multinational corporations and international trade institutions are the subject of criticism, not all observers share a negative perspective. Many commentaries are published which speak in favour of beneficial and positive accomplishments, especially in relation to the international institutions. For instance, free trade positively contributes to overall development of the world. Global free trade promotes global economic growth, it creates jobs, makes companies more competitive, and lowers prices for consumers. It also provides poor countries, through infusions of foreign capital and technology, with the chance to develop economically and by spreading prosperity creates the conditions in which democracy and respect for human rights may flourish. Unfortunately, anti-globalists do not see the good sides of globalization and they argue that economic growth does not necessarily make people happier, and often makes them miserable; that institutions like World Bank have made the rich richer while making the nonrich poorer; that conventional idea of free trade are wonderful for managers and stockholders, but hell on workers and nature; and that a turn away the accumulation of things and toward more humane pursuits would be highly welcome (Korden, 2001). AT THIS TIME

New tactics and technologies have radically changed the face of protest activity and generated renewed life in the reality of demonstrations. Gone are old-style gatherings confined to waving place cards and banners, declaiming speakers, and moderate controlled matches in specific locations. Today's demonstrations resurrecting the anarchist theme of 'direct action' employ a host of novel methodologies that have given a whole new complexion to the nature of the protests. The development of implementation of new tactics is a result of the impact of new technology and the ability of organizers to use it to their best advantage. The Internet has the greatest impact on these changes because it enables to organizers quickly and easily arrange demonstrations and protests. Individuals and groups are now able to establish dates, share experience, accept responsibilities, arrange logistics, and initiate myriad of other tasking that would have been impossible to manage readily and rapidly in the past. International protests and demonstrations can be organized for the same date and time, so that a series of protests take place in concern. Furthermore, it is a very cheap way of communication.

Opponents of globalization say it leads to exploitation of the world's poor, workers, and environment. They say it makes it easier for rich companies to act with less accountability. They also claim that countries individual cultures are becoming overpowered by Americanization. One of the examples how to explain what anti-globalists are fighting against is WTO, the target of anti-globalization