Globalization and Social Movements

Paper Summary:

The paper explains that the free trade opposition movement is an attempt to warn blind consumers about the dangers of "free trade" where corporations exploit cheap labor. The paper discusses how developed nations invest in markets that might provide jobs to poor people but they do not pay enough to provide relief from poverty. The paper looks at the assertion that the poorest countries remain so poor because they have no real voice in setting the prices for goods.

From the Paper:

"In part the protests are linked to the indifference that has been shown developing nations, with regard to policy development and agenda. Yet, the opponents of free trade have a broader list of complaints that have to do with overall economic dominance of the "free trade" movement by the developed nations. The fears of the opposition are that trade, in this venue will further tax, rather than assist poorer countries, due to its aggressive emphasis on the bottom line. The "free trade" movement may allow new markets to open in these previously isolated economies but at what cost?"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Burtless, G. Progressive Policy Institute, Robert Z Lawrence & Twentieth Century Fund, (1998) Globaphobia: Confronting Fears About Open Trade , New York: Brookings Institution Press February, pg. 1
• Jatkar, S. A. (2002, April). Debating Reconstruction in Afghanistan: The World Bank and Pakistani NGOs. Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, 21, 88.
• Kamat, S. (2003). NGOs and the New Democracy: The False Saviors of International Development. Harvard International Review, 25(1), 65.
• Saving Rainforests May Be Doomed. (1994, April). USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), 122, 15.
• Siddiqui, M. (2003, November). Cancun a Cause for Celebration: For Once, the Developing World Found Its Voice and Would Not Allow Itself to Be Trodden over by the Richer Countries at the WTO Conference in Cancun, Mexico (10-14september). in the Ashes of Cancun Rose a New Lobby Group for the Poor-The G21. It Was a Cause for Celebration. New African 64.

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