Globalization is “the process of changing to an integrated world from an isolated one” (Gibson, 2014). It is seen in artwork, migration, and linguistic changes (Green, Globalization I). Globalization has been made possible by technology and international trade. For example, a t-shirt made from American cotton gets sent to a lower wage countries (China, India, Guatemala), then sent to Europe or the United States for screen printing (Green, Globalization I). Globalization can be viewed as a positive and negative aspect to a country. It has led to individualism, increasing population, improved health care, and many other things (Green, Globalization II). Technology is a greta advancement in history, although it can be a “type of individualism that we usually don’t celebrate” - sitting alone in front of your screen, sharing fewer experiences (Green, Globalization II). Increasing population and globalization has lead to a negative affects on the environment; for example, what’s happening in the Amazon and climate change (Green, Globalization II).
Globalization in Thailand has been “welcomed as a means to increase opportunity, investment, and economic growth” (Voss, 2009). One aspect that globalization in Thailand has focused on is “rapid industrialization and urbanization” (Voss, 2009). Construction of dams along Thai waters has been one of the dominate industrializations. These dams provide two goals: providing water for irrigation and generating electricity. Unfortunately, most of the dams have failed and have resulted in “a decline of the overall livelihood and well-being of nearby communities” (Voss, 2009). For example, “the construction of a damn in the north-eastern region has caused natural disasters affecting food production” (Sitthi-amorn, 2001). I believe these dams had good intentions, and if executed properly would have been great advancements for the Thai people; unfortunately, environmental factors and proper locations seem to have been overlooked. Although the overall income per person has increased, “the gap between the income of rich and poor has also enlarged” (Voss, 2009). There is an expansive inequality in the distribution of wealth in Thailand. This large gap between social classes leads to a variety of issues. The most important effect of globalization on health in Thailand is “unequal access to medical care by different social groups” (Sitthi-amorn, 2001). Thailand’s economy is highly dependent on international forces, leading to advances in health care technology and improvements in living standard. This rise in imported technologies has increased costs of receiving medical care, leading to only the wealthy being able to afford it. “Infant mortality in the poorest regions was twice as high as in the richest ones” (Sitthi-amorn, 2001). In my opinion, globalization in Thailand can be viewed as a good thing and a bad thing. Although it has lead to many great economic advances, it has also made overall living in the country harder for the less fortunate. Health care has made major advances in Thailand, but it is too expensive and can only be received by the rich. I believe one major benefit from globalization includes Thailand being the biggest rice exporter; being able to export mass quantities of rice around the world yearly due to its agriculture and vast fields of rice. This has produced many jobs and brought in an increased income to the country; also opening up Thailand as a trader for other countries. Sources: Gibson, N. (2014, March 26). Pros and Cons of Globalization: Controversy and Discussion. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from https://blog.udemy.com/pros-and-cons-of-globalization/ Green, J. (Director). (2012, November 2). Globalization I - The Upside: Crash Course World History #41 [Video file]. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SnR-e0S6Ic&feature=youtu.be Green, J. (Director). (2012, November 9). Globalization II - Good or Bad?: Crash Course World History #42 [Video file]. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_iwrt7D5OA&feature=youtu.be Sitthi-amorn, C. (2001). Globalization and health viewed from three parts of the world. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 889-890. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2566639/pdf/11584739.pdf Voss, K. (2009, October 13). Katalyn Voss on Development and Globalization in Thailand. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/letters/katalyn-voss-on-development-and-globalization-in-thailand
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AuthorKristin Wenzel Archives
April 2016
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