Nov 15 2008
Globalization is the Part of the Problem not the Part of the Answer
Consider the following two statements.
First, from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
2425 The Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modem times with “communism” or “socialism.” She has likewise refused to accept, in the practice of “capitalism,” individualism and the absolute primacy of the law of the marketplace over human labor. Regulating the economy solely by centralized planning perverts the basis of social bonds; regulating it solely by the law of the marketplace fails social justice, for “there are many human needs which cannot be satisfied by the market.” Reasonable regulation of the marketplace and economic initiatives, in keeping with a just hierarchy of values and a view to the common good, is to be commended.
And from Pope Benedict’s September 23, 2007 Angelus Message:
In his Encyclical Centesimus Annus, John Paul II wrote: “The modern business economy has positive aspects. Its basis is human freedom exercised in many other fields”. Yet, he adds that capitalism must not be considered as the only valid model of economic organization
Starvation and ecological emergencies stand to denounce, with increasing evidence, that the logic of profit, if it prevails, increases the disproportion between rich and poor and leads to a ruinous exploitation of the planet.
Both denote the drawback Capitalism (and socialism), but I would like to concentrate one particular type of Capitalism and that is Global Capitalism(i.e. Globalization). Just like Marxism is the ultimate form of Socialism (i.e. Global Socialism), Globalization is the ultimate form of capitalism. Just like Marxism/Socialism consolidates the resources and populace under the control of the state, this Globalization puts the power to control the majority of the resources in the hands of a limited number of powerful global corporations thus enslaving the populace for both its necessities and livelihood.
Yes, one can say there are still many small businesses, but even there, much of the goods and services supplied by them are obtained from these global corporations.
The effects of Globalization on society are immense. Materialism alone which these corporations encourage just to drive their profits has drawn a vast percentage of the populace away from God and family. The “next big thing” seems to be the most important thing in people’s lives.
Another effect is how a crisis in one part of the world sends shockwaves to every part of the world. A good example of this is the current financial crisis. It has caused economic uncertainty that is causing panic among many. Before the Industrial Revolution, the effects were usually relegated to local or regional range.
Finally, there is the effect on impoverished areas of the world. Many have advocated that globalization would bring prosperity to these parts of the world. This has not only been not the case, but has made things worse. Yes, corporations drive for profit has brought jobs to these parts of the world, but has not improved conditions. In fact, wages these parts of the world are kept artificially low so the “bottom line” can be maintained. This is coupled by the fact that, since a large portion of the populate has been taken away from more traditional types of occupations like agriculture, factories taking up and polluting prime arable land, the are more dependent on other and starvation is more common. In addition, many of the social ills (due to the effects of relativism and liberalism) affecting developed parts of the world are being imported to these areas.
One has to wonder how much longer this globalization can last before it spirals of control. This is only one more pressure that is pushing civilization closer to implosion. What can be done? That is a question that has to be answered sooner than later. Breaking the bonds of globalization will not be easy, but it must be done in many (not all) cases. Only getting back to a local and family type economy/society one that is God centered can save civilization.
