Globalization in the Works
By Holly Wagner, 11.03.05

The question if globalization helps or hinders the reduction of poverty has academic circles buzzing with discussion.

Recently, Dr. Charles Dunn, dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University served as moderator for an event endorsed by the World Affairs Council (WAC) of Greater Hampton Roads, where the topic was deliberated.

Four panelists gathered together for a debate over whether globalization is a real phenomenon or mere myth. Regent University Government Professor and former United Nations economist Dr. Douglass Walker, was the first to speak on the matter. He said that in the long run globalization helps but in the short run it creates problems.

“The process of world development is enhanced through globalization, free trade and world developments, but it also causes contention. Many social, economic and cultural changes must occur and many countries are not equipped for that kind of change,” Dr. Walker said.

Dr. Philip Bom, International Affairs specialist at Regent University, had a similar view. He stood with a foot on either side of the line. When posed with the question of whether or not globalization helps or hinders global poverty, Dr. Bom answered, “maybe yes, and maybe no”.

Bom argued that globalization is not so much a process, but a principal to international development.

“Trade is important, but there is way to much expected of it. International trade will not necessarily contribute to world peace” Bom said.

Both Bom and Walker believe that globalization improves the income and possibilities for the poor, and eventually leads to a successful and affluent society.

Dr. Olusoji Akomolafe, of Norfolk State University; has a different belief.

“Globalization does not help world poverty. Not at all” Akomolafe said.

His point was that Globalization is like the domino effect. Globalization spurs growth, growth brings development, development promotes middle class and from the middle class we get democracy.

Akomolafe believes that the aspiration of developing countries to invite foreign investment and increase exports has led to lower environmental standards and developmental compromise.

The countries America considers to be “third world” are actually three times as rich, only, because of a corrupt government the money never gets to the people. Instead it gets hidden and squandered. The people remain poor and the powerful remain powerful.

“The people don’t care about an untouchable term that they do not understand, they care about where they are going to get their next meal from,” Akomolafe said.

Dr. Akomolafe explained that what is needed is fair international trade. It is bad government that leads to corruption in rich countries, and globalization is not going to change that.

Dr. Christine Shaw, formerly with the Office of the United Nations Secretariat and graduate of the State University of New York, agreed.

“Before any program of change, you need a strong government” Shaw said.

Backing up Akomolafe, Shaw said that in order to make the countries more competitive on international markets, (through globalization) countries compromise the peoples standard of living which then promotes the accumulation of wealth by only a few and deepens the poverty of many.

Shaw spelled out the fact that globalization is a process that has been ongoing since the beginning of time.

“There are always winners and losers due to trade policy shifts, no one is exempt” Shaw said.

Shaw pointed out that no country can be open to change, but closed to globalization.

“You can not throw out the baby with the bath water” she said.

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