Strength in Numbers for Globalization’s Critics

Criticism of globalization is commonplace, with calls to limit corporations’ power streaming from environmentalists, church groups, trade unions, farmers and more. Political scientist and author of Die Globalisierung und ihre Gegner, or Globalization and Its Critics, Claus Leggewie divided the critics of globalization into five groups: leftists and radical leftists, the academic left, reformers from the business world, critics with a religious base and right-winged opponent. He notes that, in general, the anti-globalization movement “is characterized precisely by a high level of heterogeneity and loose connections.” This allows the movement to distribute various tasks among many organizations. Leggewie suggests that the anti-globalization movement has achieved some success in raising awareness about problems associated with globalization, but points out that diverse groups must work together if they want to achieve long-term goals, such as ensuring economic justice, expanding democracy and decreasing corporate power. – YaleGlobal