TOD: 12 Reasons why Globalisation is a huge problem

[raspberry-blower]

Over at TOD, Gail Tverberg (aka Gail the Actuary) has come up with a dozen reasons about the downsides of globalisation:

Globalization seems to be looked on as an unmitigated “good” by economists. Unfortunately, economists seem to be guided by their badly flawed models; they miss real-world problems. In particular, they miss the point that the world is finite. We don’t have infinite resources, or unlimited ability to handle excess pollution. So we are setting up a “solution” that is at best temporary.

Economists also tend to look at results too narrowly–from the point of view of a business that can expand, or a worker who has plenty of money, even though these users are not typical. In real life, the business are facing increased competition, and the worker may be laid off because of greater competition.

The following is a list of reasons why globalization is not living up to what was promised, and is, in fact, a very major problem.

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/9871

This list is not exhaustive though. From an ecological point of view, you could include destruction of biodiversity and the increase in non native invasive species.
Anyone have any other reasons why globalisation is not such a good idea on a finite planet?

[nexus]

Local, small scale products/services are likely to evolve to fit the specific factors of that locality, to fit that particular niche and as such they are more likely to be both resilient and sustainable. This is the polar opposite of what globalisation offers.

[JohnB]

Local, small scale products/services are likely to evolve to fit the specific factors of that locality, to fit that particular niche and as such they are more likely to be both resilient and sustainable. This is the polar opposite of what globalisation offers.

Rather like this, although as they say, other models are available. Funnily enough, I discovered this yesterday, just as I was finishing the first draft of a proposal to set up a social enterprise that would work in almost the way they describe!

[Tarrel]

Anyone have any other reasons why globalisation is not such a good idea on a finite planet?

Yes. The globalised economy leads to increased travel and transport, which increases the chances of rapid spread of virulent organisms.

Globalisation also has a psychological impact on the way we view our localised economies. Who cares whether we can grow enough food, or produce enough energy, or are educating people in the right skills? We can just buy them in from somewhere else. It lets government (and society) off the hook of needing to take a diligent approach to creating a balanced economy.

Globalisation leads to a "race to the bottom" in employment conditions. There will always be some poor B***ard materially worse off somewhere who is prepared to work longer hours, in worse conditions and for less money than the current norm.

Globalisation leads to the sale to foreign-owned corporations of strategically important infrastructure such as power-generation, railways, airports, oil refineries, health-care, food-production, water-supply, etc.

Globalisation leads to the rise in power and influence of corporations, sometimes above sovereign nations. Such corporations, and their officers, are not always subject to international regulation such as that provided by the UN. (OK, probably not a great example, but you know what I mean.)