 'Globalization'
is a modern buzzword that is used to describe a wide spectrum
of changes that have been taking place in the world economy
for the past 30 years since the breakdown of big business regulation
in the most developed countries. Many people, when using the
word 'globalization' tend to refer to a growing interdependence
and interconnection of national economies brought on by the
onset of market-led neo-liberalism and increased technological
capabilities. For many, the rise of globalization has meant
the demise of economic 'development' for the world's poorest
countries as strong, state-centered strategies of advancement
give way to the interests of international financial institutions
and transnational corporations. Yet despite this trend, globalization is sold to us by politicians
and business leaders alike as some neutral process that happily
brings the world's cultures together to share in the global
communion of MTV and American consumerism. The political and
historical realities of this process are normally left out
of the equation. The fact that the globalization agenda represents
the goals and beliefs of society's wealthiest strata is conspicuously
missing from the debate. What else is obvious is that globalization,
as it is carried out by the world's most powerful actors,
is detrimental to American labor and the world's poorest people.
Corporate globalization is profoundly biased and the rules
of international trade, far from being 'free', are rigged
to favor the wealthiest interests of the most developed countries.
While trade liberalization is being heralded as the way forward
for the world's poorest economies, the fact of the matter
is that such liberalization, forced upon underdeveloped countries
by institutions like the IMF and World Bank, has led to an
increase in absolute inequality around the world. Indeed,
the fact that 85% of world income goes to 20% of the world's
population with only 6% of income going to 60% of the population
(based on market exchange) speaks for itself. This, compounded
by the loosening of regulations on national capital accounts,
privatization, and the prevention of technological diffusion
due to copyright laws, has made globalization less a picture
of an ideal world and more a problem in desperate need of
a solution.
By partnering with the Western New York Fair Trade Coalition,
CEJ is actively engaged in the struggle for global justice.
We stand united in our opposition to the Free Trade Area of
the Americas (FTAA), a trade agreement that seeks to turn
all of North, South and Central America (except Cuba) into
a free trade zone. It has been described as 'NAFTA times ten'
and like NAFTA, the FTAA offers no benefits to working people
in any country. Both NAFTA and the FTAA are transnational
capital's attack on organized labor. Already 750,000 manufacturing
jobs have already been lost in the United States due to the
North American Free Trade Agreement as 'footloose' factories
relocate to regions where wages are low and workers' rights
are not enforced. Although Mexico has seen an increase in
employment due to this shift, the living standards of its
people have plummeted as the 'maquiladora' industry booms.
Join CEJ and progressive minded people everywhere in confronting
this global beast that puts corporate profits before the needs
of the world's people.
CEJ GLOBALIZATION INVOLVEMENT |
