Me, My Country and globalisation

Name for the process of increasing the connectivity and interdependence of the world's markets and businesses I used to see globalization like a kind of panacea for all economies, cultures and people of the world problems, by being connected and well integrated in one same sphere. But seeing how things are like today makes me quite doubtful about the effects of globalisation, especially in south countries like Cameroon, where I do live. Yes, globalisation is a reality. It affects me and, that sort of standardization of world’s systems makes me anxious about my future.

The way globalization affects me
● The more obvious effects are positive ones like access to information, knowledges, “cultures” from other countries. Thanks to Internet and other Medias I learn many things from around the world everyday. Today, I use Facebook, Myspace…, I do exchange and I’m connected with other persons from everywhere. I do consume products from many countries. In a nutshell, I can say that I’m a “globalized man”. But the other side of the medal is not so glittering.

● “Afro-pessimistic” people always say that globalization is a threat to south countries economies and cultures. In some way, it’s true. It’s clear that cultures are to change in times, but globalization also trend to lead to some bad changes.
For example, as I am opened to other cultures, some people in my country see me as an “uprooted man”. According to them, being so opened to stranger cultures makes me loose my own one. I sometimes feel like I’m not enough “Cameroonian”, neither European, nor American, Asian…in my habits. It’s like I’m from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Concerning economy, globalisation is more a threat to my country ones. national enterprises are not strong enough to face globalisation effects. We are literally “invaded” by products from coming from outside, particularly from developed countries like USA, France, and especially nowadays from China! Because some of those products (Chinese ones) have low cost, we buy them more than local ones, and this contribute to kill our national economy.

Some options for the future
With the increasing polarisation of world’s economic activities in developed countries ( USA, England, Japan…), I think in countries like mine, as we don’t possess enough means to face the growing influence of globalization, we have to elaborate real strong and sustainable development plans for the future. Otherwise, we’ll always leeway to make up compared with developed ones, while trying to benefit from globalization too. We have to purpose our knowledge; promote our local know-how, to benefit from it, like countries like China, India, Vietnam…did. But sadly, with our social realities (particularly our bad mentalities) i think globalization will continue to affect me and all my society, more in bad manner.

Philippe, Cameroon

Posted by: Dave, 01 Apr 10, 5:33pm

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