Task 2 Now listen to the recording again. Decide which of the statements (a-I) matches what the speaker says. There is one extra statement which you do not need to use.

A	MNC are forced to think about social protection of their workers.
B	International organizations widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
C	International organizations deal not only with political and economic problems.	Speaker 1
D	The activities of multinationals are detrimental for the world’s future.	Speaker 2
E	Although the role of multinationals is controversial, they are active participants of international relations.	Speaker 3
F	International organizations do their best to meet peoples’ needs.	Speaker 4
G	The appearance of international organizations can be traced back deep in history.	Speaker 5
H	There are examples of different organizations which oppose the activities of multinational corporations.
I	The activities of multinational corporations are beneficial for developing countries they operate in.

f. Discuss in groups.

• Do intergovernmental organizations and multinational corporations think globally or are they motivated by their own interests?

• How can these actors of globalization be made fairer?

Reading

5. a. Read the information about the influence of international organizations on the domestic policy-making and comment on the role these organizations play in the formation of national policy. Do you believe nation-states should coordinate their policies in accordance with the view of international organizations? Are they partners or competitors in their effort to form and guide national policy?

The IMF contributes to promoting good governance in member countries through different channels. First, in its policy advice, the IMF has assisted its member countries in creating systems that limit the scope for ad hoc decision making, for rent seeking, and for undesirable preferential treatment of individuals or organizations. To this end, the IMF has encouraged, among other things, liberalization of the exchange, trade, and price systems, and the elimination of direct credit allocation. Second, IMF technical assistance has helped member countries in enhancing their capacity to design and implement economic policies, in building effective policymaking institutions, and in improving public sector accountability. Third, the IMF has promoted transparency in financial transactions in the government budget, central bank, and the public sector more generally, and has provided assistance to improve accounting, auditing, and statistical systems. In all these ways, the IMF has helped countries to improve governance, to limit the opportunity for corruption, and to increase the likelihood of exposing instances of poor governance. In addition, the IMF has addressed specific issues of poor governance, including corruption, when they have been judged to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

b. Study two points of view on the relations between governments and multinationals below. Compare them and decide which one you agree with more. Tell your partner.

• “We're supposed to have a government of, by and for the people. Instead we have a government of the Exxons, by the General Motors and for the DuPonts” (Nader)

• “The heart of the issue at stake is the policy regime that allows countries to capture most successfully the benefits of the activities of multinational companies. If, and only if, we get this right can we be confident in saying that such companies are our servants and not our masters” (Roger Kerr)

c. You will read an article about the relations between governments and multinational corporations. Before you read, look at the title of the article. What do you think the message of the article is?

d. Read the text. Six paragraphs have been removed from it. Choose the most suitable paragraph from the list (A-G) for each part (1-5) of the text. There is one extra paragraph which you do not need to use. There is an example at the beginning (0).