A GLOBALIZATION THAT WILL BENEFIT YOU

AS Kofi Annan pointed out, a truly successful globalization would improve the life of every inhabitant of the global neighborhood.  But what we have seen in recent years falls short of that ideal.  Human rights and social equity  have lagged far behind technical and material progress.

The principal problem is that economic globalization is driven by the desire to make money.  The profit motive rarely takes into account the poor and disadvantaged or the long-term needs of the planet.  (and they will regret it in the end, you can bet your booties on that) "An unregulated global economy dominated by corporations that recognize money as their only value is inherently  unstable . . . and is impoverishing humanity in real terms," argues Dr. David C. Korten.

Will the governments of the world be able to regulate the global economy in such a way that it provided social justice?  ( Note: heck, they can't even run the country correctly, plus, they are only in this for their benefit and no one else's)  That seems unlikely. So far, governments have found it difficult to solve any global problem-whether it be global crime, global warming, or global poverty.  "Collective action is needed to safeguard global interests," explains Annan, "but in today's globalized world, the mechanisms available for global action are hardly more than embryonic."

Global mechanisms for handling global problems are not the only requirement. The Commission on Global Governance argues that the world also needs ethical values.  "Without a global ethic,"  Their report points out, "the frictions and tensions of living in the global neighborhood will multiply without leadership, even the best-designed institutions and strategies will fail." 

What sort of global ethic did they recommend?  "People should treat others as they would themselves wish to be treated," the report stated.  Jesus Christ, the greatest leader the world has ever known, taught this standard  of behavior some two thousand years ago.  (Matthew 7:12)  But the principle is still as valid as ever.  A globalization that hinged on that standard would undoubtedly be beneficial for everyone.  Could that ever come about?  (Note: No, because the corporations etc. are too greedy and selfish.  But they will be punished when Armageddon comes and this will be Jesus' time to straighten things out) 

Next time: A Global Solution of a Different Kind

From the Awake magazine, 2002