 As
you reach upper levels of business, or learn about the economy, you will
encounter the topic of globalization. Globalization, a process of denationalization
of economy, markets, laws, and politics, revolves around the concept of
turning many nations into one global society [an idea far far away?].
However, globalization does not come without consequences.
The consequences result from the restructuring of human welfare, environment,
local economies, governmental institutions, and international organizations.
Many nations find this type of restructuring threatenting to them and
their roots to which they hold so dear.
A
Global Outlet
The
trick to the process of globalization is through one major portal, business.
Businesses such as Coca-Cola and McDonald's have capitalized on foreign
markets and this is how it is done. At a business stand point, globalization
begins when companies start to take part in the global economy and, therefore,
extablish themselves in foriegn markets. Thanks to the booming internet,
companies are finding more, and easier, outlets to reach destined markets.
The difficulty resides in a companies ability to find suitable ways to
satisfy the global economy; such as the task of being multi-lingual.
What
Does this Mean for Globalization?
So
far globalization has been promising. Lets take it from the stand point
of McDonald's. By a nation allowing the existance of this burger franchise
and by McDonald's agreeing to invest in a foreign market, the market of
the foreign nation must resemble one that McDonald's has encountered efore
or be suited enough forMcDonald's added investment. At this point markets
start to become more entwined and complicated. Because of this, nations
are supposedly less likely to have conflict.
The idea of less
conflict between nations sharing a global market was heavily introduced
by Tom Freedman in 1996.  He
stated that no two countries with a McDonald's have ever gone to war.
He also based his facts on the growing global economy by the presense
of fast food chains [US based] such as Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and KFC.
So, was he correct in his statement? Tom's statement had success up until
NATO declared war against Yugoslavia; a nation with McDonald's against
many with many McDonald's.
Tom
Was Wrong?
Not
exactly. The NATO declaration was joint action and any such declaration
would have been unlikely by a single entity. Also, as anti-Americanism
took hold of Yugoslavia, one of hte first buildings burnt down was a McDonald's.
The destruction of a symbol of an entwined global economy.
May
Be Better Down the Road
Whether
Tom Freedman will be found corrected or proven false, globalization offers
promis [especially during a period of war] for unity and less conflict.
However, for this globalization to occur, conflict will arise and must
be overcome. To foreign consumers globalization may only wet appetites
while it leaves us all still unequal.
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