Globalization: The Double-Edged Sword of Humanity’s Progress

If Plato were alive today, scholars believe that he would have hated globalization just as much as he hated democracy. Globalization has received both adulation and criticism throughout its existence, making it an interesting idea that still garners the attention of contemporary scholars and philosophers who debate its benefits and shortcomings for humanity, the world, and biodiversity.

These debates often lead to more discussions exploring how globalization could have been better in certain areas while acknowledging its benefits in others. Although there is no simple answer to whether globalization has done more harm than good, a more acceptable response would be that it has benefited humans in tangible ways that have covered even the worst-performing sectors.

Globalization, as we know it today, began roughly 400 years ago with the establishment of scientific methods during the European Renaissance and exploration era. While a more primitive form of globalization existed before this time, such as during the agrarian revolution, it has nonetheless brought wealth, spread knowledge, diseases, culture, ideas, and technology to many humans over the centuries.

However, globalization has also exposed humanity’s deepest and darkest sides, where people have killed, maimed, taken prisoners, enslaved, and taken advantage of others for profit. The colonization of India, the genocide of Africans by Europeans, the wiping out of Native Americans, and the actions of conquistadors are all examples of this darker side of globalization. But does this make globalization an entirely evil idea?

The answer is no! Globalization has proven that if used effectively, it can benefit humans regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, or location. It has the ability to pull millions out of poverty, eradicate diseases, and achieve many other positive outcomes. However, to reap the true benefits of globalization, it must be used in a sensible way, which can be achieved through the redistribution of wealth, restructuring of the world economy, decoupling of corporate greed and exploitative policies from capitalism, and the spread of democracy.