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Globalization and Germany In this day and age, globalization shines above all. It leads the world into its next level of evolution, forcing its countries’ social and economic developments into full swing with each passing moment. What is globalization? It is the unifying element brought on by the economies and cultures of the world joining together. There are countries that gain benefits, but others that lose theirs. For Germany, globalization is not beneficial. So what is globalization? It unifies everyone. But it always existed in some way. Whether t was the Egyptians trading camels with the British, or Asians trading with Muslims, globalization is a deep part of our planet’s history. The effects of globalization are seen everywhere. In America, one institution that does this is McDonald’s. McDonald’s exists in other countries like Ecuador and Japan. In terms of the global markets, globalization has helped them gain as much influence as politicians. It truly unifies the world, as money is something everyone needs, and “any nation with heavy debt, including the US, is vulnerable” (Ganguly 1). Globalization has brought about many kinds of benefits, some which are felt everyday.
Thanks to globalization, there is “a steady cash flow” (Ganguly 1) going to developing countries. That in turn will allow them to boost their own economies. Also, it means that developing countries are now a part of the global market, and can begin building their own credibility in the world. With globalization, production of materials has spread to other countries, and that means more options for companies when it comes to cost cuts and labor. As a result, the countries that spend less with sending production overseas get their cheap labor, and the countries themselves re allowed to jump on the bandwagon in the company’s success. Politics are a part of the developments, as countries are now made to interact with each other and can come up with solutions to each others’ problems. The biggest benefit would be the culture exchange. With globalization comes information exchange, and now people from across the world can share their language, art, religion, and ideas. Globalization has also brought upon the world many disadvantages. One of them is economical. Europeans are now losing jobs due to outsourcing (sending labor to be done overseas for cheaper costs, a popular action for companies).
These same companies are always under threat of being outsourced and other countries now include the US. In return, countries like China, the Sleeping Giant, are gaining a distinct advantage in the global market thanks to the deals that overseas companies make for their labor. With the aforementioned advantage of markets gaining more influence than politicians, there is a fear that corporations will take over the world and that government in turn will lose their standing, making decisions based on economy than people. Another disadvantage stems from an advantage mentioned earlier as well.
With cultures now being easily accessible through mediums like the Internet and TV, it’s hard to maintain individuality. People can now not only mix in much faster, but in doing so will lose their own sense of nationalism. For Germany, globalization is definitely a bad element introduced into its existence. One key industry that it dominates is automobile manufacturing. Volkswagen, a symbol of said industry, is sinking along with Ford and two other main automobile industries, three of which are stationed in the US. The jobs offered at the Volkswagen company were passed onto outsiders rom Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Most jobs are suffering the same fate, outsourcing stripping its own people of opportunities to make money and in turn saving themselves from bankruptcy. Since the 1990’s, at least two million people have lost their jobs, at a rate of 600 per day. This was in 2005. Since then, larger corporations have been moving suit to countries to the East, further fueling China’s power with the cheap labor they offer. As a matter of fact, 60 percent of businesses reported wishing to move out while 32 percent actually did.
Based on economy, Germany cannot fix itself without some major shift. Its labor laws are limiting, the tax system is poor, and the wages are “inflexible”. At worst, the decline of Germany will continue itself will instead be sent overseas to China. Socially, Germany has always been an attraction, so its allure to tourists will most likely help the economy. Globalization hasn’t helped Germany much in the global market. According to Frank Jurgen Richter, “Germany’s ranking in the Globalization Index compiled by the Foreign Policy Magazine worsened dramatically during the last few years.
Germany now occupies rank 17 whereas supposedly backward places like Slovenia and Portugal show better results. The bad ranking symbolizes the increasing self-focus on national interests and the de-globalization of this formerly so mighty country. ” It is an example of the smaller countries falling to the wayside due to other core countries taking advantage of the periphery countries that are forced to go in the direction the money is. Works Cited “Debt and Unemployment: Is Global Capitalism Responsible? a?? Part I. ” YaleGlobal Online Magazine. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. . Ganguly, Poushali. Pros and Cons of Globalization. ” Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. . “Germany and Globalization – Frank Richter. ” Strategic Foresight Group. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. . “Globalization’s Toll: Goodbye ‘Made in Germany’? – SPIEGEL ONLINE – News – International. ” SPIEGEL ONLINE – Nachrichten. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. . Moses, Jonathon Wayne. “The Moral Argument. ” International Migration: Globalization’s Last Frontier. Bangkok, Thailand: White Lotus, 2006. Print. Richter, Frank J. “Germany and Globalization. ” Strategic Foresight Group, Oct. 2005. Web. 17 Apr. 2010. .