Unit XI the process of globalization and its aspects
Task 1. Make sure you know the meaning of the words and their definitions below
interaction |
mutual action or influence |
labor shortage |
scarcity of labour, lack in the amount needed |
displacement |
shifting, dislocation |
diversity |
difference, unlikeness |
commodity |
an article of commerce |
profiteer |
a person who makes excessive profits |
plunder |
steal , rob |
foster |
promote the growth or development of |
intertwine |
unite or be united by twisting together |
supplant |
replace, to take the place of often by force |
trample (over) |
suppress |
subvert |
overthrow, undermine the moral principles of |
Task 2. Read and translate the text
“Globalization” is a term describing the increasing interdependence, integration and interaction among people, companies and corporations around the world.
“Globalization” is a term which describes how human beings are becoming more intertwined with each other economically, politically and culturally.
Globalization is the "process by which the experience of everyday life is becoming standardized around the world" affecting all spheres of our life.
Globalization has a number of different aspects, which contribute to the effect of globalization across the globe:
economic and financial globalization – emergence of worldwide economic and financial markets;
political globalization – spread of political sphere of interests to the regions and countries outside the neighborhood of political actors ;
cultural globalization – growth of cross-cultural contacts;
technological and industrial globalization – most remarkable technological discoveries and rise and expansion of multinational enterprises;
informational globalization – increase in information flows between geographically remote locations , and others.
All these aspects are closely connected and intertwined.
The economic aspects stressed in globalization are free trade, investment and migration.
The globalization of trade entails to greater access of all people to a variety of goods and services. From German cars, to Colombian coffee, from Chinese clothing, to Egyptian cotton, from American music, to Indian software, human beings may be able to purchase a wide range of goods and services. Critics of free trade contend that it may lead to the destruction of a country’s native industry, environment and/or a loss of jobs.
The globalization of investment takes place through foreign direct investment, where multinational companies directly invest assets in a foreign country, or by indirect investment where individuals and institutions purchase and sell financial assets of other countries. Critics of international investment contend that by accepting these financial schemes a country loses its economic sovereignty and may be forced to set policies that are contrary to its citizen’s interests or desires. Moreover, multinational companies that invest in a country also acquire too much political and economic power in relation to its citizens.
Free migration allows individuals to find employment in countries where there are labor shortages. But there is a concern that migration may lead to the exploitation of workers from a migrant country and the displacement of workers from a host country.
The political aspects of globalization are evidenced when governments create international rules and institutions to deal with issues such as human rights, environment, etc. Supporters of democratic globalization consider that the first phase of globalization, which was market-oriented, should be completed by a phase of building global political institutions representing the will of world citizens. Critics, on the other hand, fear that economic interests either subvert the nation state in its ability to protect its citizens from economic exploitation, or support governments that violate the human rights of their citizens.
Cultural global ties also grow as new ideas and fashions move around the globe at lightning speed through trade, travel and media. They spread multiculturalism and better individual access to cultural diversity, for instance, through popularization of local foods or export of Hollywood movies. However, these ties may also cause strains: for example Western ideas of freedom and expression may clash with Islamic views on Religious tolerance. Moreover, the imported culture may easily supplant the local culture, causing reduction in diversity through hybridization or even assimilation. The most prominent form of this is Westernization, but Chinization of cultures also takes place.
One more aspect of globalization is the revolutionary change in technology, particularly, in transport and communication, which ostensibly creates a global village. In 1850 it took nearly a year to sail around the world. Now you can fly around the world in a day and send an email anywhere almost instantly. Transportation costs have come down as a result of technological advances that make foreign markets more accessible to trade.
Currently, globalization has become identified with a number of trends and processes, most of which may have developed or accelerated since World War II. On the one hand, they include greater international movement of commodities, money, information, and people; and on the other hand, the development of technology, organizations, legal systems, and infrastructures to allow this movement. These include:
increase in international trade;
increase in international flow of capital;
greater immigration, including illegal immigration;
development of global financial system;
increased role of such international organizations a WTO, OPEK (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) IMF, etc.
greater international cultural exchange,
spreading of multiculturalism, and better individual access to cultural diversity;
greater international travel and tourism;
spread of local consumer products (e.g., food) to other countries;
world-wide sporting events such as FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games;
development of a global telecommunications infrastructure, using such technologies as the Internet, communication satellites, wireless telephones and so on;
increase in the number of standards applied globally; e.g. copyright laws, patents and world trade agreements, etc.
There is much academic debate about whether globalization is a real phenomenon or a myth, whether globalization is good or bad, and what proper term should be applied to this phenomenon: “globalization” or “internalization”, has global integration had positive or negative effect on economic fortunes and environment? Critics have not reached a consensus yet because beneath the relatively simple questions there is a host of more complex questions.
Some (pro-globalists) think that globalization is economically, socially and ecologically positive: as an engine of commerce, which brings an increased standard of living to Third World countries and further wealth to First World countries. It leads to lower prices, more employment and higher output.
Others (anti-globalists), contend that globalization is economically, socially, politically, and ecologically negative: as an engine of "corporate imperialism;" one which tramples over human rights in developing societies, claims to bring prosperity, yet often simply amounts to plundering and profiteering. Negative effects include cultural assimilation via cultural imperialism, the export of artificial wants, and the destruction of local and global community, ecology and cultures. Their argument is that global integration harms the interests of poor people and poor countries. Although globalization and trade liberalization may foster economic growth, this growth is unequally distributed between groups in society.
One more anti-globalists group claims that "globalization" is another term for a form of Americanization, as it is believed that the United States could be one of the few countries (if not the only one) to truly profit from globalization.
People can share the opponents’ points of view or deny them. But what is actually indisputable and cannot be ignored – is the emergence of the global movement and process towards a global human society of societies. The world is increasingly confronted with problems that can not be solved by individual nation-states acting alone. Examples include cross-boundary air and water pollution, over-fishing of the oceans and other degradations of the natural environment, global warming, international terrorist networks, global trade and finance, and so on. Solutions to these problems necessitate new forms of cooperation and the creation of new global institutions. The exact form and character of the global society is contested and will be determined by the choice we make in the critical decades ahead.
Task 3. Answer the following questions using the information of the text
What does the term “Globalization” describe?
What kind of process is globalization?
What are the aspects, which contribute to the effect of globalization?
What is the relationship between all aspects of globalization?
What do the economic aspects comprise?
What does the globalization of trade entail?
Why are the critics opposed to the globalization of trade?
How is the globalization of investments realized?
Why do the opponents confront the globalization of investment?
What negative consequences may free migration entail?
What do supporters of democratic globalization consider?
What do critics of political aspect of globalization fear?
Why do cultural global ties grow?
What do the cultural ties spread?
Why may these ties cause strains?
What may the imported culture supplant?
What does the technological globalization bring with it to people of the world?
Why have transportation costs come down?
What trends has the globalization been identified with lately?
What do these trends include?
What are academic debates concerning globalization about?
Have critics reached a consensus yet?
What do pro-globalists claim?
What do anti-globalists contend about?
What indisputable reality are we approaching?
What serious problems is the contemporary world confronted with?
Task 4. Fill in the blanks with the words from the box
set policies labor shortages host country evidenced subvert clash remote displacement identified with profiteering diversity interdependence strains supplant ostensibly host tramples interaction foster contend plundering confronted necessitate contested |
“Globalization” is a term describing the increasing ______, integration and ______ among people, companies and corporations around the world.
Informational globalization represents an increase in information flows between geographically ______ locations.
Critics of free trade ______ that it may lead to the destruction of a country’s native industry, environment an/or a loss of jobs.
Critics of international investment contend that by accepting these financial scheme a country loses its economic sovereignty and may be forced to ______ that are contrary to its citizen’s interests.
Free migration allows individuals to find employment in countries where there are _____.
There is a concern that migration may lead to the exploitation of workers from a migrant country and the _______of workers from a _______.
The political aspects of globalization are _______ when governments create international rules and institutions to deal with issues such as human rights, environment, etc.
Critics, on the other hand, fear that economic interests will _______ the nation state in its ability to protect its citizens from economic exploitation.
Cultural global ties spread multiculturalism and better individual access to cultural _____.
However, these ties may also cause ______, for example Western ideas of freedom and expression may _______ with Islamic views on Religious tolerance.
Moreover, the imported culture may easily _______ the local culture, causing reduction in diversity through hybridization or even assimilation.
One more aspect of globalization is the revolutionary change in technology, particularly, in transport and communication, which ______ creates a global village.
Currently, globalization has become ________ a number of trends, most of which may have developed or accelerated since World War II.
Critics have not reached a consensus yet because beneath the relatively simple questions there is a ______of more complex questions.
Others (anti-globalists), contend that globalization is economically, socially, politically, and ecologically negative: as an engine of "corporate imperialism;" one which ______ over human rights in developing societies, claims to bring prosperity, yet often simply amounts to _______ and _______.
Although globalization and trade liberalization may _______ economic growth, this growth is unequally distributed between groups in society.
The world is increasingly ________ with problems that can not be solved by individual nation-states acting alone.
Solutions to these problems ________ new forms of cooperation and the creation of new global institutions.
The exact form and character of the global society is ________ and will be determined by the choice we make in the critical decades ahead.
Task 5. Mark the sentences as True or False.
“Globalization” is a term describing the growing interdependence, integration and interaction among people, companies and corporations around the world.
“Globalization” is a term, which describes how human beings are becoming more separated from each other economically, politically and culturally.
Globalization has a number of different aspects, which contribute to the effect of globalization across the globe: economical and financial globalization, political globalization, cultural globalization, etc.
All these aspects are closely bound and intertwined.
The economic aspects stressed in globalization are free trade, investment and immigration.
The globalization of investment entails to greater access of all people to a variety of goods and services.
Critics of free trade argue that it may lead to the destruction of a country’s domestic industry, environment and/or a loss of jobs.
Critics of international investment argue that by accepting this financial scheme a country loses its economic sovereignty and may be forced to pursue policies that contradict to its citizen’s interests or desires.
Free migration allows individuals to find jobs in countries where there is unemployment.
Migration may lead to the exploitation of workers from a host country and the displacement of workers from a migrant country.
Supporters of democratic globalization suppose that the first phase of globalization, which was market-oriented, should be completed by a phase of building global political institutions representing the will of world citizens.
Cultural global ties also grow as new ideas and fashions move around the globe at lightning speed through newspapers, TV and Internet
However, these ties may also cause tension: for example Western ideas of freedom and expression may contradict Islamic views on Religious tolerance.
The imported culture may easily replace the local culture, causing decrease in diversity through hybridization or even assimilation.
Currently, globalization has become identified with a number of trends, most of which may have developed or accelerated since World War I.
There is much academic debate about whether globalization is a real phenomenon or a myth, whether globalization is good or bad, etc.
Some (pro-globalists) think that globalization is economically, socially and ecologically negative, others (anti-globalists), contend that globalization is economically, socially, politically, and ecologically positive.
What is actually indisputable and cannot be ignored – is the emergence of the global movement and process towards a global human society of societies.
Task 6. Translate the following:
Взаимодействие, cross-cultural, устанавливать политику, labor shortage, host country, to subvert, to clash, отдаленный, host of, displacement, to be identified with, наживаться, interdependence, strain, to supplant, ostensibly, to trample on, to foster, to plunder, to be confronted with, неизбежно влечет, to contest, emergence, to contend, commodities, a flow of capital, cultural diversity, over-fishing.
Task 7. Match the following words and word combinations with the appropriate synonyms on the right
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commodities |
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suppress (ignore) |
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purchase |
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great number of |
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set policies |
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goods |
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contend |
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entail |
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necessitate |
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pursue policies |
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supplant |
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variety |
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acquire |
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conflict, contradict |
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subvert |
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stimulate |
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trample on |
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rob, steal |
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foster |
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destruct |
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diversity |
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displace |
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plunder |
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distant |
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clash |
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receive |
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remote |
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buy |
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host |
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argue |
Task 8. Match the words and word combinations with their Russian equivalents
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Task 9. Complete the sentences with the endings from the text
“Globalization” is a term describing the increasing interdependence, integration and …
“Globalization” is a term which describes how human beings are becoming more intertwined with …
Globalization is the "process by which the experience of everyday life is becoming …
Globalization has a number of different aspects, which …
The economic aspects stressed in globalization are free trade…
The globalization of trade entails to greater access of all people to a variety of goods and …
Critics of free trade contend that it may lead to …
The globalization of investment takes place through foreign direct investment, where multinational companies directly invest assets in a foreign country, or by…
Critics of international investment contend that by accepting these financial schemes a country loses its economic sovereignty and may be forced to set policies that …
Moreover, multinational companies that invest in a country also acquire too much political and …
Free migration allows individuals to find employment in countries where …
There is a concern that migration may lead to the exploitation of workers from a migrant country and ….
The political aspects of globalization are evidenced when governments create international rules and institutions to deal with issues such as …
Critics, on the other hand, fear that economic interests either subvert the nation state in its ability to protect its citizens from economic exploitation, or …
Cultural global ties also grow as new ideas and fashions move around …
They spread multiculturalism and better individual access to …
However, these ties may also cause strains: for example Western ideas of freedom and expression may clash with Islamic …
Moreover, the imported culture may easily supplant the local culture, causing reduction in …
One more aspect of globalization is the revolutionary change in technology, particularly, in …
Currently, globalization has become identified with a number of trends and processes, most of which may have developed or …
On the one hand, they include greater international movement of commodities, money, information, and people; and on the other hand, …
There is much academic debate about whether globalization is a real phenomenon or a myth, whether globalization is good or bad, and what proper term should be …
The world is increasingly confronted with problems that cannot be solved by …
Examples include cross-boundary air and water pollution, over-fishing of the oceans and other degradations of the natural environment, global warming, …
Solutions to these problems necessitate new forms of cooperation and …
Task 10. Choose the correct variant
1. a) Globalization is the "process by which the experience of day-to-day life is getting standardized around the globe" influencing all spheres of our life.
b) Globalization is the "process by which the experience of everyday life is becoming standardized around the world" affected by all spheres of our life.
2. a) The economic aspects stressed in globalization are free market, investment and migration.
b) The economic aspects stressed in globalization are free trade, investment and migration.
3. a) The globalization of investment takes place through foreign direct investment, or by indirect investment where individuals and institutions purchase and sell financial assets of their own countries.
b) The globalization of investment takes place through foreign direct investment, or by indirect investment where individuals and institutions buy and sell financial assets of other countries.
4. a) Free migration permits human beings to find job in countries where there are labor shortages.
b) Free migration allows individuals to find employment in countries where there is unemployment.
5. a) The political aspects of globalization are obvious when governments create international rules and institutions to handle issues such as human rights, environment, etc.
b) The political aspects of globalization are evidenced when governments create internal rules and institutions to deal with issues such as human rights, environment, etc.
6. a) Cultural global ties also grow as new ideas and fashions move around the globe at a snail’s pace through trade, travel and media.
b) Cultural international ties also grow as new ideas and fashions move around the globe at lightning speed through trade, travel and media.
Task 11. Fill in the spider gram.
Task 12. Translate into English:
Глобализация – процесс всемирной экономической, политической и культурной интеграции и унификации. Основным следствием этого является мировое разделение труда, миграция в масштабах всей планеты капитала, человеческих и производственных ресурсов, стандартизация законодательства, экономических и технологических процессов, а также сближение культур разных стран. Это объективный, естественноисторический процесс, который носит системный характер, то есть охватывает все сферы жизни общества.
Истоки глобализации находятся в XVI и XVII веках, когда устойчивый экономический рост в Европе сочетался с успехами в мореплавании и географическими открытиями. В первой половине XX века процессы глобализации были прерваны двумя мировыми войнами и разделявшим их периодом экономического спада. После Второй мировой войны глобализация возобновилась в ускоренном темпе. Ей способствовали улучшения в технологии, которые привели к быстрым морским, железнодорожным и воздушным перевозкам, а также доступности международной телефонной связи. Устранением барьеров для международной торговли с 1947 года занималось Генеральное Соглашение по Тарифам и Торговле (GATT) – серия соглашений между основными капиталистическими и развивающимися странами. В 1995 году 75 участников GATT образовали Всемирную Торговую Организацию (ВТО).
В политике глобализация заключается в ослабевании национальных государств. С одной стороны, это происходит из-за того, что современные государства делегируют всё больше полномочий влиятельным международным организациям, таким как Организация Объединённых Наций, Всемирная торговая организация, Европейский союз, НАТО, МВФ и Мировой Банк. С другой стороны, за счёт сокращения государственного вмешательства в экономику и снижения налогов увеличивается политическое влияние предприятий (особенно крупных транснациональных корпораций). Из-за более лёгкой миграции людей и свободного перемещения капиталов за границу также уменьшается власть государств по отношению к своим гражданам.
Для экономических аспектов глобализации характерны свободная торговля, свободное движение капитала, снижение налогов на прибыль предприятий, простота перемещения отраслей промышленности между различными государствами в интересах уменьшения издержек на труд и природные ресурсы.
Для культурной глобализации характерно сближение деловой и потребительской культуры между разными странами мира и рост международного общения. Современные кинофильмы выходят на экраны одновременно во многих странах мира, книги переводятся и становятся популярными у читателей из разных стран. Огромную роль в культурной глобализации играет повсеместное распространение Интернета. Кроме того, с каждым годом всё большее распространение получает международный туризм.
Task 13. Speak on:
The process of globalization and its aspects.
Pros and cons of globalization.
The effects and problems of globalization in Europe.
East-west migration and its impact.
Task 14. Discuss the following:
Do you think globalization is a positive or negative phenomenon? Give your reasons.
Has globalization affected your country? Think about recent changes in: job opportunities, culture, fashion, ideas.
Do you think your country needs to be protected from the effects of globalization?
Do you agree that globalization creates job opportunities, causes economic growth, creates local wealth and also shares ideas around the world?
