I think the globalisation protests are ridiculous, and self-defeating. Any blanket, generalised statement such as "globalisation bad" fails to encapsulate the complexity of the process...compromise and acceptance of the situation and active involvement to improve the current situation (i.e assistance to help poorer nations develop legal/capital markets and boost trade volumes would probably be more helpful). Most of the protesters would also be hypocrites...eating maccas, drinking coke, wearing nike, watching cnn, using the net all = globalisation.
Yes there are disparities between the developing and developed nations, but studies show that those developing nations that HAVE embraced globalisation are improving their economic development, standard of living and levels of growth far more than those who have not. So rather than just looking at comparisons with rich countries, altruistically it can also be good for teh residents of those globalising nations.
Also - A country like China needs to create over 10million jobs a year just to absorb population growth - it is through globalisation that these opportunities are presented. Some call it "exploitation", but if the TNCs were not involved, there would be widespread unemployment and even more pverty. Ideally yes, I would prefer that they were paid more, but it doesn't help these exploited workers to protest against their source of income, meagre as it may be.
ALso, globalisation brings medicines, technology, education and overseas employment opportunities. At Doha, provisions were made to offer subsidised generic drugs to the poorer nations for TB, malaria and AIDS *oh yes! Thats despicable*
Yes, there are negatives to globalisation, like almost any situation in life. But rather embrace the change (ugh! area of study) and try to improve the conditions and modify them, rather than outright oppose them, because realistically, is the world just going to pack things in and go.."Yes, they're right. Shut down the internet, stop trade, halt investment...."
Hmmm, I'm quite clearly an eco student, and i think the fact that China was my case study was also fairly evident. Thanks for listening/reading.