Lecture Notes: Resistance Movements Against Globalization
Introduction
- Focus on resistance movements against globalization in the past 100+ years.
- Globalization has significantly altered the world since 1900, but not all changes have been positive.
Positive Effects of Globalization
- Economic Growth: Largest economic growth in history; global economy output increased 40 times while the population quadrupled in the 20th century.
- Resulted in improved living standards, better healthcare, extended lifespans, and widespread education and literacy.
- Cultural Interconnections: Promoted global human rights movements on a massive scale.
Negative Effects of Globalization
- Unequal Economic Benefits: Economic growth was not evenly distributed.
- Critics argue that globalization marginalizes populations in the global South for the benefit of the global North, akin to old imperialism practices.
- Global economic policies enable multinational corporations to exploit laborers in developing countries.
- Local economic decisions are undermined by global economic standards.
International Economic Institutions
- Bretton Woods Conference (1944):
- Aimed to create a stable post-war economy.
- Established two major organizations:
- World Bank: Initially for post-WWII Europe reconstruction, later provided loans/technical assistance to developing countries.
- International Monetary Fund (IMF): Facilitates monetary cooperation and stable global currency values.
- These institutions aimed to promote free trade and economic flourishing.
Anti-Globalization Movements
- Criticism of Global Institutions: Argued to benefit the global North at the expense of the South.
- Battle of Seattle (1999):
- Major anti-globalization protest against the World Trade Organization's meeting.
- Protestors included 40,000 people from diverse backgrounds.
- Marked the beginning of a larger anti-globalization movement.
- Harsh police response used tear gas and rubber bullets.
Cultural Resistance
- Spread of Globalized Culture: Driven by social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
- State Resistance: Some states, like China, resisted global cultural influence by developing local social media platforms.
- China's Response: Blocked Facebook and Twitter, introduced Weibo to control and filter information flow.
- Example: 2009 riot between Han and Uighur minorities blamed on social media, leading to restrictions.
Conclusion
- Globalization has led to significant economic and cultural changes, but also sparked resistance movements.
- Resistance movements focus on both economic globalization and cultural influences.
Additional Study Resources
- Check out AP World History review guides for comprehensive unit reviews, practice questions, and exams.