After you have read:
1. Answer the following questions
What does the term «globalization» mean?
Why is globalization a controversial issue?
What is the position of its opponents?
What do they predict?
What is a opinion of the supporters of globalization?
What are the pros of globalization?
What are its cons?
2. Read the following quotes of different people about globalization. What is their position towards the globalization (pro, contra, indifferent, anxious)? What opinion do you agree with?
1. «One day there will be no borders, no boundaries, no flags and no countries and the only passport will be the heart» Carlos Santana
2.“ It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity."(Kofi Annan, the 7th General Secretary of the UNO, 1997—2006)
2."Globalization is a fact of life. But I believe we have underestimated (преуменьшать) its fragility(недолговечность)." (Kofi Annan)
3. "Globalization, as defined by rich people like us, is a very nice thing... you are talking about the Internet, you are talking about cell phones, you are talking about computers. This doesn't affect two-thirds of the people of the world." (Jimmy Carter,the 39th American President 1977-1981)
4."The era of globalization is over."(John Gray, is a British political philosopher and author, formerly School Professor of European Thought at the London School of Economics)
5. "We are in a struggle against a globalization that has no place for principles, values and standards." (Bill Jordan, Professor of Social Policy at Plymouth University in the South West of England)
6."We cannot wait for governments to do it all. Globalization operates on Internet time. Governments tend to be slow moving by nature, because they have to build political support for every step." (Kofi Annan)
7."We must take care that globalization does not become something people become afraid of."(Gerhard Schroeder, a German politician, ex-Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005, member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)
8."With globalization and the rate (темп) we're going at, it could happen as soon as three to five years. I don't think it's ready for prime (лучшее время) time. A lot of things have to be cleared up before that happens."(Ray Neid, airline analyst)
9."Globalization is seen as another word for Americanization. All the big multinational brands in Paris are American." (Christopher Mesnooh, specialist in media & entertainment and technology &telecommunications industries, particularly in the internet, new media, software and e-commerce)
10. «The globalization in its American version is dangerous and absurd. 40 % of total income (валовый доход) belongs only to 1000 families. The Mass-Media are also controlled by the certain group of people which supervises the political situation in the world. Slowly the process of taking away the freedom of the human being is taking place. Soon the whole mankind will be involved into the total control system» (Alexey Osipov, Professor of the Moscow Spiritual Seminary and Academy)
3. Questions to discuss:
Do you agree with advantages and disadvantages of globalization? Try to explain each statement given in the text.
What are another pros and cons of the globalization?
Do you like the idea of the globalization? Give your arguments.
Do you believe in the positive effects of the globalization? Give your reasons.
Do you notice some visible steps of globalization nowadays?
Do you agree with an idea that globalization is a smart trick of the USA to influence the political, economic and cultural processes over the world?
How the globalization does influence my life
Как глобализация влияет на мою жизнь
Today’s world is changing rapidly because people want it to be better for them. At the same time the opinion of a single person does not play a big role nowadays. Very often we have to accept different processes which take place on the Earth even if we don’t like them because the majority of people want them to be. There are not changes which are good for everyone. One of the most arguable processes is globalization. At a glance, the globalization can solve all our economic and social problems at a blow. As a matter of fact, globalization hurts some people. To avoid jumping in conclusions about globalization we should make out how it influences the life of a single person, for example me. First, globalization gives me an opportunity to be closer to my relatives and friends. In our big country it is very important. For instance, I can wish my friends happy new year using the internet, wherever they are. We can ask each other for help, cheer each other up if we have any problems. On the other hand, since I got the Internet I have had less communication personally with people. I have forgotten how to give a hearty welcome to my friends. Furthermore, it had been much easier for me to reach an understanding with any person before I got the computer than today. Second, globalization helps me in education at all points. I suppose I have never had such a good chance to be well-educated as in the era of globalization. If I lived thirty years ago I would not be able to participate in international education programs andcompetitions, to have practice in specialization abroad, to apply to my foreign colleague for advice through the Internet. All this things are so common today that I can’t imagine my life without them. Of course, globalization gives me an opportunity to get a good education. In particular, the Internet makes my studying at the University easier. But I have noticed that sometimes I forget the proverb “A cat in gloves catches no mice” and rely on the internet too much. But it’s not a big problem. We should just remember that if we wanted other people to make our work instead of us we would have no chance to achieve our aim. Third, globalization gives me freedom. No one can clip my wings. I choose everything myself: my living place, a place for holidays, and the country which produces the products I consume. This fact gives us more opportunities to develop ourselves in any direction we want. Using the experience of the specialists all over the world I can become a good professional. Then, if I am really good at my deal I will be able to work where I want. So, in the era of globalization I can make a very good career. But globalization means competition as well. There are a lot of people who want to achieve the same aims as I want. Unfortunately, the number of places under the sun is limited. This fact means that it may be difficult even for a good specialist to find the work he or she likes. So, globalization is very ambivalent process. It makes my life much more interesting and comfortable. Thanks to the Internet I am so close to my relatives as never before. I can get any information I need. I can stay in any place I want. On the other hand, if we rely on the advantages on globalization too much, there are several negative aspects of this process.