extra globalization

            Even after attending an entire lecture devoted to the explanation of the popular term globalization, it seems I’m still at odds with the universal definition. As I observed in the Ronda Lee talk, globalization is a term that generates indistinguishable feelings from the phrase “borderless world.” To summarize briefly, the global market, according to Lee, is out of anyone country’s control; it can no longer be curbed or restrained, only directed by the constant flow of income. Refocusing this ongoing discussion to the CNN segment on Raj Patel, author of Stuffed and Starved, I will address which narrative I favor. Hopefully, this article of realization will produce a coherent, straightforward preference; which narrative do I favor? Is the progression of globalization in its current state causing more growth or destruction to today’s world?

            Taking into account the first side of the argument, that globalization is beneficial, it seems right to compound all of the advantages of a world without borders. In a planet that houses workers from one country, for example: America, in another country, for example India, there are benefits. Young Indian workers, as shown on the in class clip of Thomas Friedman’s documentary on globalization, have been recently dominating the market of telemarketing, especially outsourcing from the U.S. These college graduates and overachievers dedicate much of their lives to the perfection of the English language as well as the toughening of their skins to American style, abrupt phone disconnections. Because these people and many other outsourced workers do dedicate so completely to these positions, it seems only fair that they be rewarded with the disposable time and income growing numbers are able to flaunt.

            Shifting to an alternative lens with which to view the situation, consider the detriment that this free market causes. Apparently, less affluent countries are undergoing a “nutrition transition.” Evolving from a culture mainly fed by rice products and heavily dependant on vegetables as a source of nutrition, many third-worlded peoples are adopting more meat into their diets. This change is supposedly a potential factor in more world obesity. Also, grains are being taken away from unfortunate human mouths and used instead to feed livestock. Nourishing a cow or a pig in favor of an actual human being is a sickening thought. Even though this shift may not be a direct transaction, Raj Patel claims it is happening. “Food riots” are a reality as a consequence to this ration deprivation. Sometimes it makes more sense to keep the local environment restricted to just the people of that specific community. Building up a town seems be most effective if those that are directly affected are the only ones involved in its development.