Pros and Cons of Globalization
Ronik & Christina
Positive Impacts
Spreads Knowledge and Technology
Moderna and BioNTech researchers used the genetic sequence released from Chinese scientists to develop their mRNA vaccines. (Kolata, 2021)
Image from (Brothers, 2020)
Increased global cooperation
Globalization increases interdependence between nations who aren't always friendly. This global cooperation boosts the economies of both countries, giving a mutual benefit. A prime example of this is the cooperation between China and the United States. China delivers goods, while the states deliver jobs. This interdependence is keeping China or the States from raising their conflict. China was the United States’ third-largest trade partner in 2021. In 2021, 8.6% of total U.S. exports of $1.8 trillion to the World were exported to China and 17.9% of total U.S. imports of $2.8 trillion were imported from China.
Lowering Cost of Creating Products
Globalization has changed the lives of first world countries across the globe. Western manufacturers are able to take advantage of low labor costs in countries like China, Indonesia, and India. Goods such as clothes, smartphones, and automobiles are much more accessible in our society. Globalization helped to reduce high inflation rates in Western economies, giving consumers more “bang for the buck”.
Image: One million workers in China work to create iphones. Paid very low wages with 17 suicides last year.
Negative Impacts
As sales increase, production increases.
More resources and more labour is needed, causing an increase in energy production. (Wu et al., 2022)
In 2020,the manufacturing of Samsung chips produced a total of 12.9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. (Shead, 2021)
Image from (Hosokawa, 2021)
Lost of Jobs
Jobs like manufacturing, would be transferred to other countries where people have lower wages. (Jaffee, 2005)
Heavy Interdependence
Although trade and cooperation may be beneficial to a country's economy, heavy interdependence over a long period of time may put a country at a disadvantage. Essentially, when more money is spent on imports over exports, a country is losing money. After Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, gas prices across Europe increased by 60%. Europe's dependency on Russia for gasoline eventually led to their citizens having to pay more.
References
Ronik's References
Federle, J., Meier, A., Müller, G. J., & Sehn, V. (2022). Proximity to War: The stock market response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Johnson, D. G. (2002). Globalization: what it is and who benefits. Journal of Asian Economics, 13(4), 427-439.
Thompson, R. L. (2007). Globalization and the benefits of trade. Chicago Fed Letter”, The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 236.
Erixon, F. (2018). The economic benefits of globalization for business and consumers. European Centre for International Political Economy
6 pros and cons of globalization in business to consider. Business Insights Blog. (2021, April 1). Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/pros-and-cons-of-globalization
Brown, T. (n.d.). Effects of economic globalization. National Geographic Society. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/effects-economic-globalization