3.6C - Opposition to Globalisation
Concern about cultural impacts, economic and environmental exploitation has led to opposition to globalisation from some groups. (A: attitudes of pro- and anti- globalisation groups, environmental movement)
Protest groups such as Occupy Wall Street and the Global Justice Movement argue that globalisation has:
- Dramatically increased resource consumption through exploiting the natural environment, leading to problems like deforestation, water pollution, global warming and biodiversity loss.
- Exploited workers, especially in emerging countries, who suffer low wages, dangerous working conditions and lack any form of union representation.
- Passed political and economic power into the hands of TNCs and uncaring governments, especially at the expense of ordinay people.
- Created increased inequality, i.e. a small group of very rich, powerful people (sometimes called the 1%) at the expense of others.
- Caused cultural erosion, meaning that traditional lifestyles are degraded by the spread of western culture, and local dress, art and architectural styles are lost.