The World as a Global Village

Introduction: Globalization has become a buzzword in the new era of international relations. Basically it is a process of expanding trade and commerce all over the world by creating a borderless market. Now it has had a far-reaching effect on many aspects of life. With the development of hi-tech communication media and rapid transportation facilities, the whole world has squeezed and people have come closer to one another. Now we can learn in an instant what is happening in the farthest corner of the globe. In fact, globalization is currently understood mainly in terms of inter-connectedness of nations and regions in economic domain. In particular, trade, financial flows and traditional corporations. In other words globalization is seen as an economic parallel to internationalization in the form of the universal rule of the market, notwithstanding the fact that there has been an interlined process of political and cultural globalization exemplified by Increasing democratization, spread of English translocations of media, particularly television programs and movies and wide awareness of global environmental problems. Impact of globalization on Bangladesh: Impact of globalization is obvious in the following spheres (a) Impact on communication: With the impact of high-tech communication media and ultramodern transpiration facilities, the world has come closer. Now we can learn instantly what is happening in the farthest region. Countries of the world have become like families in a village. They can share their joys and sorrows like next door neighbors. (b) Impact on the economy: The impact of globalization on Bangladesh economy cannot be denied in any way. Like the developing countries of the world our country is getting benefit out of borderless market. Our GDP has increased. Garment industries are considered the foreign exchange earner. In terms of investment, employment and exports, the functioning EPZs have been greatly successful. (C) Impact on modern technology: Globalization is now largely based on a strong technological foundation. The electronic transfer of Information via the Internet has now created an instantaneous and inter connected world of information resulting in a 24-hour trading network. This technology has largely changed banking and financial activities. Worldwide money transfer and transaction of businesses have now become a matter of clicking the mouse of a computer. Some products like software and TV programmes are also amenable to digital or electronic transmission. We can now buy and sell goods through the electronic screen. Globalization is now only what technology makes possible. (d) Impact on politics: After the fall of Soviet Union Communism fell down and the east-west conflict was resolved. Moscow was no more rival to Washington. Each and every country turned into competitive economic market. The wave of globalization has also touched our politics. We can learn the democratic norms and values now. Bangladesh has got the taste of democracy. (e) Impact on sports and recreation Sports play an important role in the development of International relationship. Many international sporting events are organized from time to time. These events are telecast worldwide by satellite and people all over the world watch them live. The sports venue becomes a meeting place of people from different countries. They come closer to each other, sharing views, opinions and friendship. Bangladesh is also the beneficiary of this opportunity. (1) Impact on education: Like other developing countries of the world, Bangladesh has identified education as the key to prosperity and progress. Donor countries are contributing to the progress of our literacy rate and overall education. Various international organisati9ns have responded dramatically with their generous aid in education sector. Many non-formal schools are being run. Meritorious students are availing themselves of the foreign study scholarship. (g) Impact on our culture: Although globalization is mainly connected with business, trade and international relations, it is no longer viewed from that perspective alone. The tide of globalization is now encroaching into other spheres too. Satellite television channels and the internet are bringing all sorts of different customs and behavior into our homes. Under the Influence is globalization. Global cultures are steadily getting integrated with local cultures. Different cultures are constantly interacting. As an independent nation, we have our own traditional social values, beliefs and attitudes. But in the globalizing process, many foreign customs and beliefs are intruding on them. (h) Impact on family Globalization exerts influences on our concepts of family. Commercialization and rapid urbanization have resulted in breakdown of traditional large families into nuclear ones. Expanded rate of female education is another example of the impact of globalization. Demerits: Taking the advantage of the idea of globalization. Capitalist countries are exploiting and impoverishing the workers of the developing countries. In the name of help and cooperation, the industrially developed capitalist countries are exploiting the cheap labor available in poorer countries. This actually paves the way for a lasting poverty so that the capitalists can continue to have a pool of cheap labor to draw from. The exploited and impoverished workers of the developing countries are no match for a globalizing powerful capitalism. As a result, the gap between wealth and poverty is ever widening. Globalization has put the people of the world on the same vessel but in different cabins. Conclusion It is true that globalization has produced a window of opportunity for more counters to Join the mainstream of world economy. Through globalization process. The world can be knit together, cross-fertilization of culture can take place, and transfer of knowledge can become a reality. It has the hazards too and in the ultimate analysis no country is safe from the hazards of globalization. We can conclude by quoting the Appollo-7 astronaut that, the thing that impressed me about looking to the earth from outer space was that the borders between countries were not visible. National borders are virtually meaningless today. If we want to be advanced, we should have co-operation and interdependence but not conflict arid dependence. If we can build up an atmosphere of mutual understanding and co-operation through the globalization process, our world can certainly be a better place to live in.