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.

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.

The result is more jobs in countries where jobs are needed. More jobs make people's lives more comfortable. People who buy the products are doing better, too. In general, globalization makes prices of goods lower. For example, globalization makes t-shirts cheaper. Also, there are more goods for people to choose from.

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.
After reading the article answer the following:
Identify the author’s perspective.
Are they in favor of a person or a policy?
Who is left out of the article?

Answer 1

The author's perspective on globalization is a balanced one, presenting both its benefits and downsides. They acknowledge that globalization has improved lives in some poorer countries by creating jobs and lowering prices for goods, while also highlighting the negative aspects, such as job loss in wealthier countries and poor working conditions in developing countries.

In terms of being in favor of a person or a policy, the author does not explicitly support a specific individual or policy. Instead, they provide an overview of globalization, suggesting that it is an ongoing process that has both positive and negative implications. The author seems to imply that while globalization brings opportunities, it also requires critical examination and consideration of its impacts, especially on vulnerable populations.

Those left out of the article may include specific examples of individuals affected by globalization, such as workers in both developed and developing countries, unions advocating for labor rights, and communities that face the negative consequences of globalization. Additionally, voices from varying perspectives—such as economists who might argue for or against globalization, or local activists advocating for fair labor practices—are also not represented. The article focuses primarily on the general concepts rather than on personal or localized experiences.