Conclusion

We live in a very dangerous, dirty, and sometimes deadly world, however it is also a world filled with hope, beauty, peace, and countless possibilities for good. In this unit we have discovered how we as a society and as individuals can effect the world and influence globalization for a better world. The key to doing this is to raise the awareness levels of people worldwide so that we can actively work for change. This requires cooperation from all nationalities, races, and cultures, which can together unite governments, businesses and the civil society; and with this unity will come peace, peace for all peoples and there can be a free society where Americans, (both North and South) Africans, Europeans, and Asians can peacefully work together in unity and brotherhood to repair the damages of the past and a future of freedom.

Active Awareness

In order to affect change we have learned that we must increase our awareness, but this is not enough we then have the obligation to act upon our knowledge to help others and ourselves. There are many ways we can be active, we can join organization that are fighting for a just cause like NGO's and add our voice to many others which gives more power. Another way we can actively be involved is through our consumer choices. If for example we choose not to purchase items that have been made where people were receiving low wages, or work in terrible or even dangerous conditions, or where basic human rights are being denied; then we can change these conditions for these people simply by choosing a different item to purchase. Decisions like these ultimately lead to major business decisions which can be beneficial to both humans and the environment.

Global Citizens

In this rapidly globalizing world a type of status, global citizenship is evolving around the world and these people will have the largest effect on the course globalization takes. To become a global citizen we have to constantly be aware of current issues in order that that you can influence a change in the unjust policies of both the governments and transnational corporations. The only way to create a genuinely free society is for complete cooperation from all nations, religions, and races in the single cause of a better world.

My Stand on our Response to Globalization

Throughout this unit I have discovered many aspects of globalization and how it effects myself and others, and I have come to the conclusion that we as a society cannot stand idly by, but that we our effect on globalization has to be a large. Globalization affects society imensly in many ways both good and bad, and it would seem that for the most part there are many more negative effects of globalization than the positive effects. If this cycle is to be reversed then people around the world need to be aware of the myriad of situations so that together we may take a stand to control globalization and our futures.

The Three Contributors of Globalization

Three major groupings have the power and voice to affect the direction of globalization and these are: business, government, and civil society. The first two groups we have discussed in quite detail in the past couple entries, however the third group, civil society, is a rather newly formed group. This group is to which the majority of the population of the world belongs to and is the group that ordinary people can control. Organizations such as NGO's, community groups, universities etc. are the dominant voices of civil society, but they allow an opportunity for you and I to help influence the path of globalization in the future.

Oil Sands

Today's age of globalization is run on electricity which is generally made from fossil fuels for example; oil and natural gas. Many other technology's rely on oil and natural gas as well, like automobiles and heating our houses. Electricity production and automotive are two of the largest and most lucrative industries in the world, which means competition for oil is extremely and blood is often shed in obtaining it (Iraq, Sudan, U.S., Britain, and many other countries have gone to war). As well as the loss of lives the process of obtaining the oil destroys large areas of natural environment. The huge demand for oil has caused many problems and so far not many solutions have been found, but it is definitely an area of globalization that effects all of us so in turn we need to effect it and how it will shape the future.

Global Communities

We all live in communities however large or small it is and this community can be a physical, geographical location or a group of people with similar interests. These communities have a large impact on our lives and experiences and as we grow our communities often grow as well, as we meet more people around the world and expand our interests. Immigration is a major component of the expanding of our communities, many people move in or out of our physical areas from many nations around the world and through this process our communitys grow. As the people move in or out of our areas we also have the opportunity to experience other cultures and our communitys become much more diverse.