Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Negative Effects of Globalization and Outsourcing

Although the integration of cultures, societies, and economies can sometimes be a good thing, and although the convenience of modern day technology has made it easier to communicate and work across the entire globe, there is a negative aspect to this issue as well.
For example, in developing countries like China or India, where manufacturing and wage costs are lower, developed countries like the United States are outsourcing. Because of this, our own people are losing their jobs due to outsourcing. Also, the workforces in the outsourced areas are being mistreated in inhumane ways with little regard for the laws against prisoners and child workers. Now that a number of companies have become integrated in other countries, the pollution rate has increased. Negative aspects of certain cultures are being shared with people from other cultures such as bad eating habits from McDonald's. Lastly, there is a large increase in human trafficking.

Questions that I still have after reading this:
-What other countries are being outsourced and taken over by globalization?
-What are some more positive effects of Outsourcing?
-How are restrictions against things like child workers and prisoners being over-looked?

Globalization

Globalization is when economies and societies integrate and become widespread. This is a very controversial subject as well because in places like China and India, where about two decades ago the countries were poor, globalization has reduced the poverty rate and created a positive affect. At the same time, some believe that globalization has decreased equality between societies and posed a threat to the environment.

Questions I still have after reading this:
-What are some specific examples of globalization?
-What are the more negative details and affects of globalization?
-What specifically does globalization due that is positive outside of economies or corporations?