Globalization is how different parts of the world are connected. People, ideas and goods move more easily around the world.

Question

Globalization also changes the way companies and countries trade with each other. This shows how globalization affects economies. Globalization has improved people's lives in poor countries. However, sometimes globalization doesn't bring new jobs or money to other countries.

Globalization In the Past

Globalization is not new. People have always traded goods with their neighbors. At one point, people began traveling to distant places. People traded their own goods for other products.

The Silk Road is an example of early globalization. The Silk Road was an old system of trade routes. The routes connected the continents of Europe and Asia. China is a country in Asia. The Silk Road was helpful because there were no trains then. Europeans traded products made of glass and other goods for Chinese silk and spices.
Activities
A person lies in the center and people around him are putting vegetables on him. They are holding anti-globalization signs.
Filipino farmers place imported vegetables on top of their colleague to dramatize the alleged ill-effects of the 6th World Trade Organization Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong during a rally December 12, 2005, in Manila, Philippines. The peasant protesters alleged that globalization or the entry of imported agricultural products adversely affects the livelihood of local farmers. Photo by Aaron Favila for AP.
By National Geographic Society, adapted by Newsela staff

Words550
Published9/12/2019

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Globalization is how different parts of the world are connected. People, ideas and goods move more easily around the world.

Globalization also changes the way companies and countries trade with each other. This shows how globalization affects economies. Globalization has improved people's lives in poor countries. However, sometimes globalization doesn't bring new jobs or money to other countries.

Globalization In the Past
Globalization is not new. People have always traded goods with their neighbors. At one point, people began traveling to distant places. People traded their own goods for other products.

The Silk Road is an example of early globalization. The Silk Road was an old system of trade routes. The routes connected the continents of Europe and Asia. China is a country in Asia. The Silk Road was helpful because there were no trains then. Europeans traded products made of glass and other goods for Chinese silk and spices.

A map of the route of the Silk Road.
This map shows the main routes of the Silk Road. Photo from: Wikipedia.

Later on, trade developed between Europe, Africa and America. Sadly, most of it involved slavery. This showed how globalization can truly hurt people. European ships carried products from Europe to Africa. In Africa, the products were traded for enslaved Africans. These enslaved Africans were then forced to go to the Americas. From the Americas, the ships carried raw materials like sugar, tobacco and cotton back to Europe. In Europe, the raw materials were used to make products. Then those products were brought back to Africa again. The cycle started over. This cycle was called the Triangular Trade.

Globalization has grown in recent years. It is easier to send money and products to other countries. It is simpler for companies to contact other countries. Countries signed agreements that make it all easier for them.

Benefits Of Globalization
Globalization gives large companies an advantage. Companies can get materials for less money in poorer countries. They can pay less money to workers in those countries. Also, different parts of a product may be made in different countries. T-shirts made of cotton are one example. Cotton is a plant. It might be grown in one country. Then, in another country the T-shirt is woven from those pieces of cotton.
Downsides
Not everything about globalization is good. Many jobs were moved to different countries. The people who had those jobs before were left without jobs. In poorer countries, the working conditions of people are often very difficult. People there are paid very little for a whole month of work. A worker in the United States may get more money in one day than they do in a whole month. Also, children of poorer families may quit school so they can work.
Into The Future
Globalization is not perfect. However, globalization will continue. The result is a more connected world.

read the article and answer the following :
1. Summarize the article
2. Determine if the author had a certain perspective or bias when writing it.
3. Identify what stories are missing from the article.

Answer 1

1. Summary of the Article: The article discusses globalization, defined as the connection between different parts of the world through the movement of people, goods, and ideas. It explains the historical context of globalization, highlighting the Silk Road as an early example of global trade routes connecting Europe and Asia. It also notes the negative aspects of globalization, such as the Triangular Trade involving slavery, which shows how globalization can harm people. In modern times, globalization has facilitated easier trade and communication among nations, benefiting large companies by providing cheaper labor and materials in poorer countries. However, the article also emphasizes the downsides, like job losses in wealthier nations and poor working conditions in developing countries. Overall, while the article acknowledges the positive aspects of globalization, it highlights the significant challenges and disparities that arise from it.

2. Author's Perspective or Bias: The author presents a balanced perspective on globalization but leans toward highlighting its negative consequences. While they recognize the economic benefits globalization brings to certain countries and large companies, they also emphasize the struggles faced by local workers, particularly in poorer countries. By discussing the detrimental effects on jobs in wealthier nations and the hardships faced by workers in developing countries, the author seems to advocate for a more critical view of globalization and its implications for inequality and labor rights.

3. Missing Stories from the Article: Several stories and perspectives are missing from the article, including:

   • Success Stories of Local Economies: It could account for communities or businesses that have thrived due to globalization, illustrating how local industries have adapted and grown in response to global markets.
   • Environmental Impact: The article does not address the environmental consequences of globalization, such as increased pollution, deforestation, and climate change due to transportation of goods and industrial activities in less regulated countries.
   • Cultural Exchange: Globalization often leads to cultural exchange and enrichment, yet this aspect was not discussed in the article.
   • Different Perspectives on Labor Practices: Stories about successful advocacy for workers' rights in global supply chains could provide a more nuanced understanding of the labor situation in developing countries.
   • Technological Advances: How globalization facilitates access to technology, education, and resources can also be significant, showcasing positive changes in society.
   • Globalization's Role in Economic Crises: The article doesn't explore how globalization can contribute to or mitigate global financial crises, which is an important consideration in understanding its impacts.