SONGSOPTOK INTERVIEW
FACES AND FACETS OF
GLOBALIZATION
“Globalization is the process of international integration
arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas and mutual
sharing, and other aspects of culture” (Wikipedia)
SONGSOPTOK:
What are you views about globalization? In the country and the society
you live in, is globalization a threat or an opportunity?
ARIN: I live in New Zealand, the newest country in the world, where
people started settling since the early nineteenth century but Maoris arrived
here around the first century. For many years, NZ maintained a closed door
policy with only Europeans were preferred to arrive and settle here. Since the
mid nineties, NZ adopted a more open policy and people from all over the world
came and settled in the NZ. So, based on the patterns of migration and recent
history, globalization is a matter of life in NZ. At any point, in cities such
as Auckland and Christchurch the two main cities in the two main islands of the
country), you can mix with Europeans, Asians, Africans from different
countries. It is amazing how diverse is a small country such as New Zealand.
Does diversity bring in an outlook of globalization? Indeed it
does to some extent. You get to see people and learn to be open to ideas from
people who come from other parts of the world. As a result, you too, start
feeling that you are part of a wider world. The society starts adjusting to the
styles and demands of the new people who bring in ideas and concepts from far
and close, and sooner or later, the place you live in, and your outlooks
broaden and resembles what would be if you were a world citizen.
This is a natural process that happens as you get to see, and
start living with other people, and diversity around you. Is that a threat? If
there is a threat, that threat is a perception. That threat is a threat of
feeling uncomfortable with hanging out with others who may not be like you, or
your immediate family, or friends of like physical or social environment, and
who belong to the other. There could be other existential threats as well, as
for many white young people, immigrants often take away jobs that they could
otherwise engage in. Increased movement of people and exposure to culture can
pose other kinds of “threats” as well, in terms of adjustments and
maladjustments and need to adjust to a new order in the society. But there are
equally, opportunities worth considering.
One of the great opportunities is the opportunity to know the
world that is beyond your immediate neighborhood and learning that there is so
much similarities across cultures that it defies your perception of the
narrowness of life. Beyond knowledge, if you are curious about another part of
the world, or if you are interested to travel, it opens up opportunities for
you to travel the world as a more knowledgable traveller, perhaps even as a
safe traveller. The second opportunity is to learn about cuisines, arts, social
structures, that many immigrants and people from other parts of the world bring
with them. LIkewise, for an immigrant, it is an opportunity to learn about the
culture and traditions of the native country they are coming in, and freedom
from traditional or one dimensional thinking. So, globalization presents both
opportunities and threats, but these are of different natures, and not
necessary either/or, but could be “both”.
SONGSOPTOK:
To what extent is the society you live in is globalized? What are the
outward manifestations, if any, in the everyday lives of the citizens?
ARIN: I live in a globalised country and a globalised society.
I work at a university as a professor of health sciences and in the University
of Canterbury, 75% of our faculty members had done their PhDs in a country
other than New Zealand. We also have a diverse student and fellow faculty
composition, and thus, it is fair to say, that my workplace is diverse and global.
I live in a rural county, not far from the main city of Christchurch. While my
immediate surroundings are more homogeneous, there are also people who are well
travelled, and NZ as a country is well connected with the rest of the world for
tourism and commerce. The globe is here. If you consider globalisation as
manifestation of how connected you are with the rest of the world, then almost
all parts of the world today are to some extent globalised. Our food is sourced
from all over the world (the fish comes from East Asia, the rice from India,
the wine is from Australia, the tea from Sri Lanka, the coffee from Brazil,
meat from Argentina, I could name it).
SONGSOPTOK:
In your opinion, has the process of globalization improved the quality
of life in your country? In what way?
ARIN: Yes,
of course. By connecting to other countries and increased exchange of goods and
ideas, things have become easier to purchase, prices have come down, fostered
creativity. As people moved in from other countries in search of work, NZ has
gained positively with people being engaged in farm work and elsewhere. More
cultural diversity and sensitivity have developed. All of these have reflected
in people living richer lives.
SONGSOPTOK:
One of the major effects of globalization is the significant increase in
the volume of trade and monetary transactions between the different nations. Do
you think that your country has benefited from this? In what way?
ARIN:
See above response.
SONGSOPTOK:
Do you think that globalization serve to make the already strong
economies even stronger and weaker economies weaker and more dependent? Can you
give us a few examples to illustrate your answer?
ARIN: No, it is the other way round. Richer economies have
gained, so have the weaker economies. Case in point is India’s engagement with
the world and increased income for people engaged in outsourcing business, and
increased trade and movement of people.
SONGSOPTOK:
What, according to you, is the role played by the major multinational
companies in of globalization? Do you think that the entire process was
actually put in motion by the large MNC’s for their personal profits or do you
think that there has been a trickle-down effect to the economy of your country?
ARIN: I do not know
enough about this to answer this question.
SONGSOPTOK:
Many economists claim that globalization is a major factor for
disseminating knowledge and technology across continents and borders within a
very short time. Do you support this view? Has your country benefited from
this? Can you give us some examples?
ARIN:
No comments.
SONGSOPTOK:
Do you think that globalization actually breeds a homogenous culture?
What, if any, has been the effect of globalization in the cultural sphere of
your country? In your opinion, has it been positive or negative?
ARIN: As the world becomes increasingly connected, certain
aspects of that connectivity and bridge building will lead to certain levels of
homogeneity of culture and ideas. For instance, tools of networking such as
Twitter or Facebook will come to be accepted as media and likewise products such
as personal computers, and cellphones and oil companies and personal cosmetic
equipments and dress materials become increasingly adopted by people across the
world. Food cross borders. Yet, there is diversity. Each part of the world
retains its uniqueness in the face of increasing availability of products and
tools and ideas that flow across borders.
To that extent, it is not black and white, neither entirely positive,
nor entirely negative, but across a continuum. There are some great aspects
such as increasing awareness of the other (think of Sushi as a food that brings
the awareness of Japanese cuisine and Umami and frees up the world to enjoy
which otherwise would be confined to a small part of the world); on the other
hand, think of the impact of fast food and instant beverages that lead to a
culture of high calorie dietary pattern that lead to toxin consumption that is
not wholesome at all and may lead to illnesses.
And anything in between.
SONGSOPTOK: What, in your opinion, is the
impact of globalization on environment? Do you think that the capitalistic
growth model used by the large multinationals have a negative effect on the
environment? In what way?
ARIN: Environment suffers but that is in spite of globalization
and not because of it. Environmental destruction is brought about by corporate
greed for profit, globalisation has really nothing to do with it. If anything,
it brings to the attention of the global citizens the problem of environmental
destruction and therefore helps to create pressure to save the environment.
SONGSOPTOK:
Is it possible to imagine a world today with an alternative mode of
production and consumption? Is it at all necessary? If so, will you share your
ideas with us? How can we, as ordinary citizens, contribute to such a model?
ARIN: This is not an easy question to answer. One possible way
might be to create a community of Interbeings, who will live by the principle
that everyone and every object in the world are interconnected. So, strife and
isolation and walls and silos have no place in such a world. But that is ideal.
There is both a need for globalization and a need for sanity.
We sincerely thank you for your time and hope we shall have
your continued support.
Aparajita Sen
(Editor: Songsoptok)
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