*The Debatewise Blog
Roxy James’ Globalisation Blog
Second in our list of blogs about Globalisation (as part of our link with Future Stories) comes Roxy James' view of the impact of Globalisation on the Caribbean and in particular, TrinidadLooking at a map, there are definite boundaries that separate the various countries and cities of the world which serve to reinforce a sense of territoriality, nationality and indemnity. However, these physical distinctions are constantly being eroding in today’s society, simply because they have become undermined by the phenomenon of globalization.
Globalization can be defined as the integration of economic, political and social cultures, and is encompassed in the modernization theory, where there is an almost uncharacteristic and startling diffusion of cultural mores and ideas throughout the globe.
Countries in the Caribbean region-particularly Jamaica and Barbados- have been actively pursuing policies to aid in the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) which are driving the globalization process to create a knowledge-based society that would contribute positively to the economic growth and development of the region.
The advantages of MNCs in the Caribbean are undeniable-employment and the multiplier effect on the local economy that facilitates and promotes the growth of support services. Many countries have profited from the increased foreign exchange flows from multinational investments- Barbados and the Bahamas have benefited from tourism, Jamaica through bauxite and alumina and Trinidad through petroleum. According to Lent, “The strong presence of TNCs in the Caribbean has tied the economy and politics of each country to those of the large industrial nations, particularly the United States” (Lent 1991, 74).
Despite this, developing countries, such as those in the Caribbean, often feel a threat to their independence in having to deal with large corporations possibly because of the delicate reminder of the past as a colonized region and the submission to the more powerful, imperial nations. MNCs are also accused of merely investing in countries like Jamaica and Guyana without a single care for the environment. They are solely concerned with economic growth as opposed to sustainable development and thus, they neglect aspects such as pollution control and safety for workers.
Globalization, is accused of widening the gap between the rich and the poor, something completely contradictory to what it was originally intended to do (erode distinctions and level the playing field). This rapid growth in the disparity between the information-rich and in the information-poor is becoming increasingly noticeable especially since the process is occurring between the largely underdeveloped (the majority of the world’s population) and the industrialised countries, which form a small elite.
An aspect of globalization is therefore the introduction of crime into the Caribbean region, as the people who are the lower end of the poverty line are exposed to various types of criminal activities ranging from drugs, prostitution, trafficking, child labour-just a few forms of corruption that has been enhanced by globalization.
Globalisation is related to what I’d call the invasion of foreign media, often in an uncontrolled way. This flow of images from foreign countries has many negative aspects such as cultural erasure where our local Caribbean culture is disappearing in favour for the glitz and glam of North America.
Despite these negativities, I credit globalization since it provides the necessary forums needed to place the Caribbean on the international stage. For instance, the international diffusion of Jamaican popular culture throughout the globe, and Trinidad’s Carnival and its followers that are “a popular globalised celebration of hybridity and cultural identity...which facilitates the centring of the periphery” (Nurse, 200,109).
The dawn of globalization has produced its fair share of advantages as well as issues, ranging from critical issues from the economic, social and political spheres-communications, ecology, biotechnology and genetic engineering, health and education (provision of distance and interactive self-teaching facilities), food, employment and quality of life. It has promoted a degree of interconnectedness between states and people.
Although globalization has certainly done its share in terms of demolishing previous physical boundaries, it has simultaneously created a subtle divide, creating more pronounced distinctions between developed and developing countries.
Additionally, despite the fact that globalization may have resulted in the deliberate and unintentional hegemony of foreign giants as well as subjected the region to US and European sovereignty, it’s good to know that the Caribbean has not been just standing by sponging in foreign culture, but rather, a vibrant producer and exporter of popular culture.
Comments
thanks man