Written: 09 Dec 2018
Area of Study: English Research Paper
As the modern world progresses, connections make the world seem smaller. A key factor in the creation of these connections is the emergence of an economy centered on international trade and commerce, a process known as globalization. Although the main goals of globalization are mutually-beneficial cultural and capital exchanges, what often occurs is expansionism and a sort of economic conquest, wherein one party monopolizes resources and profit. Garfolo and L’Huillier explains that the result of globalization is a pseudo-imperialist economic power, a type of neocolonialism: “the practice of using capitalism…and cultural forces to control a country in lieu of direct military or political control” (“Economic Colonialism” 49). Many believe we live in a post-colonialist society, yet “have we really decolonized or have we substituted one style of colonization control for another?” (49). Pia Mikander asserts the latter in her research, suggesting instead that we are merely continuing colonialism (72). Globalization is a softer way of referring to neocolonialism, while also erasing historical context and ignoring the erosion of cultures globally. This essay explores the assertion that globalization is neocolonialism due to the usage of aggressive business practices, perpetuation of Western supremacy, and the enforcement of the Three Worlds model.
All too often, businesses prioritize capital gain and treat workers as a “cog in the machine”...
Globalization is a word frequently used by businesses and business schools to demonstrate that they are progressive and personal in their international endeavors. Yet as Garfolo and L’Huillier point out, “one byproduct of globalization is an observable ethical failure at world level” (“Ethics, Globalization” 214), meaning that the word is not as benign and progressive as businesses suggest. All too often, businesses prioritize capital gain and treat workers as a “cog in the machine” (Hall par. 3; Whitfield par. 2), referring to these practices as best for business, a disregard for humanity. The failing of ethics from businesses is derived from a failure in educating business students. A study reveals that fifty-six percent of MBA students are likely to graduate without ever having taken an ethics course (“Ethics, Globalization” 219). Furthermore, business schools present globalization as a tool to play the global market in their favor. These students are unable to practice humane methods because globalization is “generally taught without any serious cultural or historical reference” (“Ethics, Globalization” 214). The problem with this teaching method is that it erases the underlying context that “big companies are said to have taken the role of the former colonial powers” (Mikander 5), leaving students without a nuanced awareness that would otherwise give them the skills to tackle ethically complex situations in business (“Ethics, Globalization” 216). Additionally, globalization is taught from a North American perspective, where practices include capitalism and Westernization (“Ethics, Globalization” 220; Mikander 72). When globalization is taught with the practices of Westernization, it inherently places the West as the dominant players.
Modern colonialism is reinforced and demonstrated through Western supremacy, which is defined as a belief that North Americans are superior to other parts of the world, especially those countries dubbed as less civilized. As David Moore of Huffington Post describes it, “a worldview of rationalism, hyper-capitalism and imperialism, while explaining away generations of colonization” (par. 7). Globalization, as presented by the West, upholds capitalism and the ruthless pursuit of power as primary values. In practice, this ensures that developing countries have no choice but to accrue debt and agree to the terms provided by the West (“Economic Colonialism” 50). Globalization practices by the West “uses debt to keep the ‘new colonies’ under control” (“Economic Colonialism” 52), the “new colonies” being developing or non-Western countries. This benefits the West because it ensures the rich stay in power through the additional profits from the interest of the debts accrued (“Economic Colonialism” 52). This power play serves to widen the “gap between the world’s rich…and the world’s [poor, where the gap appears] to be bigger today” (Mikander 70). Power dynamics require a dominant group to subjugate and undermine subordinate groups, the West perpetuates this domination over non-Western countries through its practices of globalization. This form of domination is not different from colonial times, when European peoples dominated and subjugated indigenous peoples, but is instead a new form of colonialism (Fleras 7-9). The usage of unethical global domination for capital gain is a primary feature of colonialism, and perpetuates neo-colonialism.
Power dynamics require a dominant group to subjugate and undermine subordinate groups, the West perpetuates this domination over non-Western countries through its practices of globalization.
For this level of global domination to be maintained, a hierarchy needs to be in place. A product of historical colonialism, the Three Worlds model preserves the hierarchy and power dynamics at play globally. While the world today may not actively consist of colonies and colonial powers, “there are structures that affect people in the same way” (Mikander 70). Neocolonialism comprises of these structures, which include the First World and Eurocentrism. Formerly, a country was said to be Third World if it did not align with Communist bloc nations (such as the Soviet Union) or non-Communist Western nations (such as the United States) (“Third World” [definition]). The Three Worlds model determined political affiliations, where a Third World country was one that was not a part of the arms race during the Cold War (Dirlik 443; Andrews par. 2). In not participating in the arms race, Third World countries became estranged from the First world.
Today, globalization replaces the previous definitions by which a Third World country is described. “The ‘Third World’, the location for neo- and postcolonialisms, [is] a product of a systemic understanding of the world in terms of capitalism” (Dirlik 443), where capitalism upholds standards of economic development, industrialization, and low levels of poverty (“Third World”). Through a First World lens today, capitalism and economic standards determine a country to be Third World, instead of previous political definitions. Through the interconnectedness of globalization, First World countries exercise economic power and control over Third World countries. For example, “two European nations have more voting power in the [International Monetary Fund] than all the African nations combined” (Mikander 70). Effectively, former colonizers maintain their status as superior over countries that were once colonized or are developing. Naturally, neo-colonialist states, those being the First World countries, ignore the legacy of colonialism because “forgetting makes for easier assimilation – and acceptance” (Dirlik 440). First World countries opt into the ideals of post-colonialism, subscribing to the belief that colonialism plays no impact into the ways the world is shaped today and how the world identifies. If the global hierarchy between First and Third World countries remains, structures of colonialism will continue through globalization, ensuring Third World countries to be at the mercy of the First World.
Historically, defenses for enlightenment and colonialism have always been justified by the dominant groups (Fleras 38-39), permitting structures of oppression to continue. Dominant groups oppress others through inhumane and unethical economic practices. Subordinate groups are assigned by the First World, who present standards by which groups are measured. Applications of imperial expansionism ensure that former colonial powers remain active and in the lead. Western business practices use these applications and “are complicit in promoting this devastating global philosophy of economic colonialism” (“Ethics, Globalization” 215). It is without a doubt that globalization is a word used to ignore the reality that colonialism continues to marginalize and harm subordinate groups through modern methods, that globalization is neo-colonialism.
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