Globalization and General Values

• Globalization


  The process or phenomenon of growing interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, populations, and politics
• Major drivers of globalization

  1. Rapid Technology Change

  2. Changing Political Situations

  3. Global Institutions and Regional Economic Groupings

  4. Liberalization of Trade and Resources
• UNITED NATIONS was established in 1945 with 193 member countries
• INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND was established in 1944 with 190 member countries
• WORLD BANK was established in 1945 with 189 member countries
• WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION was established in 1948 as the GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) and replaced in 1995 with 164 member countries
• NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION was established in 1949 with 30 member countries
• ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH-EAST ASIAN NATIONS was established in 1967 with 10 members
• ASEAN Declaration aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region and promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law
• Liberalization of Trade and Resources: Countries are liberalizing their policies, allowing for free international trade and the free flow of labor, capital, and other resources
• Positive impacts of globalization

  • Access to a larger market
  • Increased competition
  • Economic growth and prosperity
  • Provides cheaper and wider variety of goods for consumers
  • Multifaceted cultural exchange
• Socio-cultural impacts of globalization

  • Multifaceted cultural exchange
  • Emergence of the concept of "global citizen"
• Multifaceted cultural exchange


  • Globalization has paved the way for an unprecedented exchange of cultures, traditions, and ideas fostering tolerance, empathy, and understanding of differing viewpoints
• Emergence of the concept of "global citizen"

  • Result of social globalization emphasizing the interconnectedness of individuals across the globe
• Positive political impacts of globalization

  • Rise of international bodies like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • Establishment of international norms
  • International cooperation
• Rise of international bodies

  • Help manage inter-regional transactions
• Establishment of international norms


  • Nation-states signing treaties with international bodies to abide by certain norms and standards
• International cooperation


  • Enables multinational agreements and treatises where governments work together to tackle global issues or respond to events, creating a more peaceful and harmonious world order
• Ethical issues of globalization

  • Inequality
  • Labor exploitation: low wages and poor working conditions
  • Erosion of local culture
  • Environmental concerns
  • Health concerns
• Globalization can increase inequality, making the rich richer and leaving the world's poor worse off
• Technological advancements in production companies brought by globalization can increase production rate while lowering production costs, leading to less manual labor needed
• Some companies may exploit unskilled workers in countries with less stringent labor regulations, leading to poor working conditions, low wages, and limited worker protection
• Globalization can lead to the erosion of local cultures and traditions as global culture becomes more dominant
• The globalization of industries and markets often leads to environmental degradation including overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, and climate change
• Globalization can contribute to the spread of diseases and health issues across borders
• Global ethical issues require global solutions and highlight the need for global civic moral standards grounded in universally shared values
• These issues are complex and multifaceted, requiring ongoing discussion and negotiation at the international level
• Generational Values


  The beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors shared by a group of people born and raised in the same time period
• Understanding generational values


  Can help appreciate diversity and perspectives of others, avoid conflicts and misunderstandings in the workplace and society
• Generations


  • Traditionalists
  • Baby Boomers
  • Generation X
  • Generation Y
  • Generation Z
• Major events in history

  • Traditionalists: Experienced the Great Depression and World War II
  • Baby Boomers: Grew up in the post-war era with limited resources, limited jobs, and limited schooling
  • Generation X: Witnessed the rise of technology, globalization, and social diversity
  • Generation Y: Faced challenges of the 9/11 attacks, the Great Recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Generation Z: Driven by an insatiable hunger for underlying truths and seeks freedom from any confining labels
• Strengths & Weaknesses of Traditionalists

  • Strengths: Loyal, stable, respectful of authority
  • Weaknesses: Resistant to change, competitive, less tech savvy
• Strengths & Weaknesses of Baby Boomers


  • Strengths: Workaholics, committed, good team players
  • Weaknesses: Preference for structure, less inclined to welcome change, least tech savvy
• Strengths & Weaknesses of Generation X

  • Strengths: Work-life balance, independent, flexible
  • Weaknesses: Less likely to voice disagreement with management, value speed over perfection
• Strengths & Weaknesses of Generation Y

  • Strengths: Innovative, collaborative, socially responsible
  • Weaknesses: Less interested in teamwork, lower work ethic, impatience with career growth
• Strengths & Weaknesses of Generation Z

  • Strengths: Creative, diverse, authentic
  • Weaknesses: Cynical, less focused, more anxious, reliant on technology
• References: 'Odukoya, A. (2023, October 30). The changing generational values. Imagine | Johns Hopkins University. Hendrikse, N. (2023, July 10). The Strengths and Weaknesses of Every Generation in your Workforce - GetSmarter Blog.'
• Ethical issues of globalization

  • Inequality
  • Labor exploitation
  • Erosion of local culture, food, language
  • Environmental concerns - pollution
  • Health concerns
• Generational values


  • Traditionalist/silent generation 1928 - loyal, stability, respect for authorities
  • Baby boomers - preference of structure, competitive
  • Gen X 1965-1980 - balance independence, tend to work faster
  • Generation Y Millennials - innovative, collaborative, work alone
  • Gen Z 2001-2020 - creative, realistic, diverse, more anxious, impatient
• Moral personhood


  • What constitutes a moral person
  • Nature; characteristics
  • Life theory
  • Genetic theory
  • Rational theory
  • Sentience theory
  • Relationality theory