Globalization

In his Essay “The Clash of Civilizations?,” Samuel P. Huntington sets forth his hypothesis that the fundamental source of conflict in the future will not be primarily ideological or economic, but rather culturally based.   Specifically, according to Mr. Huntington “it is far more meaningful now to group countries not in terms of their political or economic systems or in terms of their level of economic development but rather in terms of their culture and civilization.”   Mr. Huntington also goes on to state in support of his thesis that “economic regionalism is increasing.   The proportions of total trade that were intraregional rose between 1980 and 1989… [On] the one hand, successful economic regionalism will reinforce civilization-consciousness.   On the other hand, economic regionalism may succeed only when it is rooted in a common civilization…”   However, I disagree with Mr. Huntington’s theory and counter instead that it is the resultant effect of increased economic globalization and competition that will be the fundamental source of future conflict.
    “Globalization” is “the process of international integration, required due to the increasing connectivity and interdependence of the world's markets and businesses.”   Advances in telecommunications infrastructure, including the rise of the internet, represent major driving forces toward globalization and the increased international connectedness of many economies, all of which lead to the further intertwining of economic and cultural activity.   While this has increased opportunity, it has also, at the same time, increased competition.   For example, in 2000, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) identified four basic aspects of globalization: (1) Trade and transactions; (2) Capital and investment movements, (3) Migration and movement of people; and, (4) The dissemination of knowledge.  
    “Economic Globalization” refers to increasing the economic interdependence of national economies across the world...