Globalization: A View From Africa

The effects of globalization, both positive and negative, vary across a wide spectrum, from society to culture to religion to economics. According to this commentary in Botswana's Mmegi newspaper, the process of globalization is fueled by the interaction of transnational corporations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. The issue of trade liberalization demonstrates the role of such organizations in shaping the process to selectively desired ends. This commentary poses several pointed question: Who does trade liberalization – or subsidies or currency revaluation, for that matter – really benefit? From the African perspective, it is certainly not the world's poor. Wealthy nations, who aim to keep commodity prices low and subsidize agriculture, seem to reap most of the economic benefits. "Free market competition postulated by trade liberalization is meant to take the African pseudo economist for a ride," writes the author. – YaleGlobal