The consequences of Globalisation are either very good or they are very bad.
The two main companies that spring to mind when talking about globalisation are of course, McDonald’s and Coca Cola. But is it a good thing that these companies have done so well recently?
Thinking about it, I’m completely against it. Such companies setting up offices in countries can force smaller rivals out of business or stop local people setting up similar businesses.
I expect some of you living in the UK will have heard of the shock announcement by Prudential (aka “The Pru”). Due to losses, they were moving their call centres to India but they wouldn’t be taking 800 of their call centre staff with them. Of course, not good news for the people of the United Kingdom but great news for the population of India. New jobs would do wonders for their economy. For the price one British worker would be paid annually, the company could get around 10 staff in India. Another reason why I see gloablisation to be bad. I don’t know though, views will vary.
McDonald’s recently announced that they would be closing down some of their restaurants in un-named countries. These countries were in South America and the Middle East. The reasons for this are unclear, is it because they have made their first loss for 47 years or is it because McDonald’s represents America and could be a potential target for terrorists in what they assume to be high-risk countries.
Russia and France have two geniuses who have created an alternative, high caffeine, vegetable extract drink which apparently looks and tastes like Coca Cola. Russia saw the introduction of Kvas and France I understand to be Mecca Cola. These retail at the same price as Coca Cola, but consumers can be assured that the Coca Cola giants won’t be getting any of their money!
I think globalisation is greed. McDonald’s and Coca Cola, two internationally recognised brands even work together – selling Coca Cola in McDonald’s restaurants.
American giant, WalMart, saw the takeover of Asda as a potentially profitable move. They took the risk and now little over 5% of their profits are from Asda.
What do you think about Globalisation? FOR or AGAINST?
By: Rabie - 29th January 2003 at 12:56
RE: Your thoughts on Globalisation?
i think its great all thoses anoying inefficent industries in the west like coal mining, steel works, farming of some goods, etc
the west has great education and hence the west will do the jobs the nations without the education can’t do
thsoes nations without loads of education will be doing the jobs like famring, mining, etc and in the process the stnadard of living for everyone will improve (hopefully)
imena we’ve seen the transformation of the asian nations as they have induistrilised due to gloabalisation
persoanlly im waitng for a huge no US name to be doing stuff in america so they cna cry cultural invaion
eg BA or lufhansa running the airlines, etc, etc
rabie :9
By: Arthur - 29th January 2003 at 10:06
RE: Your thoughts on Globalisation?
If economic globalisation will eventually turn out to be some kind of vanguard for political and social globalisation, i’m all for it. In that sence i absolutely agree with Eric: those self-proclaimed leftists who get beaten up in anti-globalisation protests seem to forget long-term consequences, and how nicely they fit into Marx’ theories of global unification. Arise, ye supressed workers of the Earth 😀
And i do think that economical globalisation will eventually have beneficial effects on the world’s social and political climates. No matter what you think of it, companies like McD (yuk, i prefer BK) or CC do offer global opportunities for the creation of a middle class: small shopkeepers, franchiseholders, stuff like that. A solid middle class is what prevents the world from either going into extreme capitalism (basically your everyday African or Latin-American cleptocracy) or into extreme leftism (Communism). A solid middle class is also an excellent base to form a democracy on.
Nevertheless, i do despise it when large multinationals take abuse of their often monopolistic positions. While most Western countries have various anti-trust laws and regulations, these don’t exist in many other countries which almost always leads to abuse, both on the labour side (Nike’s exploited shoemakers) as on the trade side (unfair coffee prizes). To prevent this i would like to see some kind of a global anti-trust organisation (details of which have to be worked out 😉 ) – which will of course be a nice step further to political globalisation as well.
Oh, and which idiot stated kvas is a “Coca Cola substitute”? That’s the biggest nonsense i’ve ever heard: kvas is a proto-beer made from fermented rye bread. It is absolutely delicious and very refreshing and it’s dark, but it has absolutely nothing to do with Coca Cola. Kvas is also a few thousand years older, for instance…
By: ELP - 29th January 2003 at 04:42
RE: Your thoughts on Globalisation?
There should be a balance. You can’t have companies steamrollering whole industries. Having said that; I enjoy seeing all the anti-Globalisation protestors ( that look like rejects from the 60s ) get bashed by police. }>
By: KabirT - 28th January 2003 at 15:35
RE: Your thoughts on Globalisation?
I would say somewhere between FOR and AGAINST…it has its bad and good sides. Multinatinal companies are bound to do this, you expect this from them and if they are getting succes everywhere where they set a foot upon they are bound to take there succes to greater heights, and this also creates employment, its not that multi-nationals dont give oppurtunities but just destroy samller industries. All thse brands Coke and McDonalds were once small companies only and they worked for there succes. Although yes benifits should be gven to smaller industries too as these MNCs take most of the market specialy in urban areas.
Let me take the case of India, in the past Indian cottage industries were very succesful not only in India but around the world……and there works are still populor around the world BUT they are loosing there grip on India. Why? Simply because a normal Indian is not interested in this, he will look to products and services being offered by MNCs as the quality obviosuly differs on a great ratio. Again, this is not good for Indian rural sector, most of the people there are poor people who depend on there cottage industries for there living….and there industry is deteriorating at a rapid pace. Now here is the place where the world needs to look with a concentarted mind…..there should be laws restricitng MNCs till some extent specialy in poor countries. Call centers are coming to India for one main reason….cheap labour and of-course this is effecting countries like USA, UK etc. as well.
Globalisation is not greed….its a scent of success.
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January 28, 2003 at 12:25 pm