GLOBALIZATION AND PAKISTAN A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF CONCEPT OF GLOBALIZATION AND CASE STUDY OF PAKISTAN BY ATHAR BAHZAD Globalization is probably

the most discussed about concept of our times. Some consider it a challenge to face; and other a threat to resist. Some consider it an opportunity to expand ones area of influence; and others consider globalization a conspiracy to encroach upon their resources. Some cherish the cultural uniformity initiated by globalization; others lament vanishing cultural diversity in the wake of globalization. From the head of states to lone blogger geeks and from the policy makers in capitals of powerful countries to protesters in the third world countries, all talk about or protest about globalization to justify and advance their stance and reinforce their rhetoric. But, what is globalization? Is it a threat or opportunity? Is it a new phenomenon or continuity of an old pattern? Is it conspiracy to rob the poor country or is it giving undeveloped countries an access to markets of developed countries? Is it preserving the traditional cultures or is it destroying the much cherished old traditions? The answers of theses pertinent questions have not yet been found. And, if there are answers to these questions, not all agree to the answers. It is beyond our scope to find all and satisfactory answers to these questions. But in this essay, we will try to understand the phenomenon of globalizations, its salient features, its critical aspects, and, most importantly, the impact of globalization on Pakistan. Defining globalization Usually, to understand any phenomenon, it is wise to start with defining the concept. But globalization is a very difficult and elusive concept. The difficulty in defining globalization arises from the fact that globalization is not a single process. It has different meaning and connotations for different people. Sometimes these meaning are even contradictory to each other. This is the reason the term globalization is interpreted in different way. Anthony Giddens has rightly pointed out that: Globalization is not a single set of processes and does not lead in a single direction. It produces solidarities in some places and destroys them in others. It has quite different consequences on one side of the world from the other. In other words, it is a wholly contradictory process. 1.

What is not globalization? As stated earlier, globalization is an elusive concept. So, instead of starting defining globalization, first we should try to understand what not globalization is. Let us start our critical inquiry by evaluating some of the misconceptions about globalization. For many academics the term globalization and internationalization are synonyms and interchangeable. As Robert Cox puts it, the characteristics of the globalization trend include the internationalizing of production, the new international division of labor, ...... the new competitive environment that accelerates these processes, and the internationalizing of the statemaking states into agencies of the globalizing world. 2 But if globalization is nothing more than internationalization than what is need of this new term? If viewed in historical context, internationalization of trade is not a new phenomenon. It means globalization implies more than just crossing of borders and international exchange of goods and people. Others equate the notion of globalization with liberalization. For them, globalization signifies a process of doing away with restrictions on movements of trade and services between countries in order to achieve the aim of borderless global economy. In other words, globalization happens with abolishment of trade barriers, currency restrictions and visa regimes. Ulrich Beck goes to a further extent and suggests that Globalization however the word is understood - implies the weakening of state sovereignty and state structures. 3 This concept of globalization has already caused much resentment among smaller states and anti-globalization protesters. For them this aspect of globalization would only produces greater poverty, disparity, social conflict, cultural annihilation, ecological damage and political harm. Lots of academics also reject the idea of restricting globalization with mere liberalization. For them the canvas and scope of globalization is much wider than this. For some globalization is nothing but universalization. In this case globalization is considered as a process of scattering various objects and trends to people worldwide and everywhere. However, universalization is an ancient feature of history. The human beings have spread themselves through transcontinental journeys for a million years. From philosophy and science in ancient times to technology and fashion in modern times, every strong idea has always a universal appeal. Yet for some globalization is defined as westernization. For these academics and analysts, globalization stands for colonization and imperialism of American way of life. This westernization of whole process indeed gives impression of imperialism. As Malcolm Waters puts it Globalization is the

direct consequence of the expansion of European culture across the planet via settlement, colonization and cultural replication. It is also bound up intrinsically with the pattern of capitalist development as it has ramified through political and cultural arenas. However, it does not imply that every corner of the planet must become Westernized and capitalist but rather that every set of social arrangements must establish its position in relation to the capitalist West - to use Robertsons term, it must relativize itself. 4 This is probably the most controversial aspect of globalization. Because, equating globalization with westernization puts question mark on the whole process and its intended results and outcomes. Many in Eastern countries, specially in Islamic countries, view the whole process of globalization with suspicion and consider it yet another attempt of western countries to re-colonize the East. What exactly is globalization? But if, globalization is not mere internalization, liberalization, universlaization or westernization, then what exactly is globalization? To answer this question, we must understand that reducing globalization to a single phenomenon would be fallacious. From the very outset we have made it clear that that globalization is not a single process. Not only Globalization is not a single concept but it cannot be covered within a set time frame with a definite beginning or end. Moreover, it includes many processes which have relevant significance for different people in different situations. Globalization involves economic integration as well as transfer of expertise and policies beyond national borders. Globalization includes transmission of knowledge and an effort in spread certain cultural practices. It includes creation of corporate hegemonies and doing away with protection to indigenous products. Globalization includes all of these things and much more. Todaro and Smith approach globalization as the process by which the economies of the world become increasingly integrated, leading to a global economy and, increasingly, global economic policymaking, e.g., through international agencies such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). They also argue that globalization refers to an emerging global culture in which people more often consume similar goods and services across countries and use a common language of business, e.g. English. These changes facilitate economic integration and in turn are further promoted by it.5 Anthony McGrews elaborates the concept by saying: globalization [is] a process which generates flows and connections, not simply across nationstates and national territorial boundaries, but between global regions,

continents and civilizations. This invites a definition of globalization as: an historical process which engenders a significant shift in the spatial reach of networks and systems of social relations to transcontinental or interregional patterns of human organization, activity and the exercise of power. 6 Though, broadly speaking, most of the people view globalization in terms of free trade and spread of technology but even this flow of trade carries a lot of baggage. The unrestricted and rapid flow of goods and capital is the uppermost modality of globalization; but, along with the trade come international economic management organizations and economy entities as well as international exchanges, collision, conflict and integration of cultures, lifestyles, values and ideologies. Weng Fengxiang rightly says that Globalization normally means a decoupling of space and time, emphasizing that with international communication, knowledge and culture can be shared around the world simultaneously. 7 Salient features of globalization There are some features of globalization that most of academics agree. These features are: Creation, expansion and intensification of new and the multiplication of existing social networks and activities that increasingly overcome traditional political, economic, cultural, and geographical boundaries. Abolishing excessive governmental control over trade and making the movements of good among countries un-restricted Softening of national geographical boundaries and creation of interconnectedness Fostering greater mobility among people in search of a new home, a new job, or to flee a place of danger Diffusion of Knowledge through new technologies and abolishment the monopoly over dissemination and transfer of information Making distances irrelevant, relative or at the very least less important. Freeing intellectual and entertainments products from language or geographical and striving to produce single global culture. Is globalization a new phenomenon? After stating the main features of globalization, the question comes to mind that is globalization a new phenomenon? Or is it continuation of historical process which spanned to thousand of years. After all, movement of trade, exchange of ideas and technologies and migration of people is definitely something that has been witnessed before since last thousand of years.

Some scholars consciously limit the historical scope of globalization to the only last four decades of post-industrialism. For others, timeframe of globalization starts with revolutionary developments of the 19th century. Still others argue that globalization really represents the continuation and extension of complex processes that set in motion with the emergence of capitalist world system few centuries back. But, there are academics, who refuse to confine globalization to mere decades or centuries. For them, these processes have been unfolding for millennia. As Majid Tehranian, says Globalization is a process that has been going on for the past 5000 years, but it has significantly accelerated since the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991. 8 Claims of globalization Though globalization is not a new process, but it has certainly achieved hype, magnitude and speed which have not been witnessed before. Specially the proponents of globalization consider this phenomenon as something which is panacea for all the ills of the world. Manfred b. Steger in his book Globalization A very short Introduction has critically evaluated the claims of neo-liberal advocates of globalization. The first claim made by the supporters of globalization is that globalization is about the liberalization and global integration of markets. But if the claim is viewed on deeper level it bags question that how such ideological efforts insisting on a single economic strategy for all countries can be made compatible with a process alleged to contribute to the spread of freedom, choice, and openness in the world. Second claim of globalization is that Globalization is inevitable and irreversible. Even former US President Bill Clinton claimed that Today we must embrace the inexorable logic of globalization - that everything from the strength of our economy to the safety of our cities, to the health of our people, depends on events not only within our borders, but half a world away.. . Globalization is irreversible. But the fact is that no process is irreversible or inevitable. Marxists used to make such claims but nobody would believe these claims anymore. On the wake of attacks of 9/11 some experts even began to believe the imminent collapse of globalism, worrying that the terrorist attacks would usher in a new age of cultural particularism and economic protectionism. 9 Next claim of advocates of globalization is that nobody is in charge of globalization. For example, Robert Hormats, vice chairman of Goldman Sachs International, emphasized that, The great beauty of globalization is that no one is in control. The great beauty of globalization is that it is not

controlled by any individual, any government, any institution. 10 Despite the wide claims of the self-regulating market, it is clear now that the survival of globalization depended on the political leadership of the United States. Thus it is USA and some of western partners of USA that control the process of globalization. Probably the most fanciful claim is that Globalization benefits everyone. The benefits of globalization appear to have gone to those who already have the most; on the other hand many of the poorest have failed to benefit fully and some have even been made poorer. Critique of globalization Despite the tall of claims of supporters of globalization, the critics of globalization are not silent. They voice the negative effect of globalization. These negative effects of globalization can be seen everywhere, from developed countries to poor countries. Though the proponents of globalization claim that globalization has produced a number of positive outcomes like noteworthy increase in international economic prosperity; the spread of democracy; the free flow of ideas and capital; and increased competition etc. They also claim that the spread of globalization and economic interdependence have acted as a check on outbreak of any world war. But detractors of globalization also points out the negative aspects of globalization. One of the major negative effects of globalization is widening disparities between the Rich North and Poor South. These rich developed countries in league with international economic institutions have imposed their economic conditions and political policies on developing countries. This economic disparity, uneven trade relationships and economic mismanagement have led to an increase in civil wars and economic collapse of many developing countries. Some critics of globalization also allege that globalization has led to an increase in activities such as child labor and slavery. They argue that in poor countries where there is little or no accountability or regard for rules and regulations, corporations, in order to garner maximum profit at low cost, employ children by bribing the officials. Not only the people of developing countries, but working class of developed countries, are also showing resentment against globalization. Their resentment comes from that fact that many multi-nation firms, in order to reduce cost in competitive global market, outsourced many jobs to countries like India and China where the cost of labour is low. This has led to rise in unemployment in many western

countries. But this out sourcing has also bred anger among the people of these countries. They often grumble that their cities have been reduced to garbage-dumps by developed countries. They complain that rise in industrial activities in their countries have also led to increase pollution levels. Critics of globalization also blame the rise in health issue due to increase of cross border movement of people. They blame the spread of diseases like AIDS and spread of infectious diseases like SARS and bird flu on globalization. Further more, the spread of international franchises like McDonalds and KFC have made people to consume more junk food which has an undesirable impact on their health. Not only health but globalization has also resulted in Environmental degradation. The amount of raw materials needed to run industries and factories is seriously affecting natural sources of planet earth. Perhaps the most ominous problem associated with globalization of environmental degradation in the contemporary era is the worldwide destruction of biodiversity. Experts believe the world is now in the midst of the fastest mass extinction of living species in the 4.5-billion-year history of the planet. Along with this, pollution has put even the survival of human beings at risk due to adverse climatic change. The release of vast amounts of synthetic chemicals into the air and water has created conditions which put question mark on the survival for human and animal life. Critics also disagree with the notion that globalization has increased security or forestalled war. Globalization rests on the idea that human beings and goods should have unrestricted flow across the border. But events of 9/11 that people with evil intentions can use it as an opportunity and cause damage. In a sense 9/11 is one of the bye products of globalization. But perhaps the most controversial issue related to globalization is its impact on culture. The widespread use of the English language can be seen as one of the impact of globalizations. Due to spread of English, a growing number of languages and dialects are in danger of extinction. The number of spoken languages in the world has dropped from about 14,500 in 1500 to less than 7,000 in 2000. Given the current rate of decline, some linguists predict that 50-90% of the currently existing languages will have disappeared by the end of the 21st century. Some linguists and cultural historians even use the term linguistic genocide to describe the large number of languages which have died down due to hegemony of English. As an academic describes Among

the principal perpetrators of this linguistic (and cultural) genocide are formal education and mass media and behind them are economic and political actors on a macro- level 11 Not only are the languages of world threatened by rise of globalization but the cultural diversity is also in danger because of globalization. Critics raise concern over spread of Western ideals which are falsely established as universal, overriding local traditions. There is a deliberate attempt by multinational corporations to promote a certain kind of consumerist culture. Production distribution and consumption of cultural goods and services have become commodities along with the essentials of life. Western music, food, clothes, fashion, art, sports images, etc are now the marketed in remote corners of the world in such aggressive way that has threatened the survival of local culture, tradition and life style. To a large extent, the singular global cultural is generated and directed by global media empires that rely on powerful communication technologies to spread their message. Inundating the minds of people formulaic TV shows and mindless advertisements, these global media moguls increasingly shape people's cultural identities. Critics argue that cultural globalization will result in cultural dominance and supremacy of west with emphasis on promoting excessive consumption and dominance of the economic and information technology powers of the developed world. Probably for this reason Coleman James express dissatisfaction with the globalization. He notes the alienation of societies with their history and their fascination with foreign values. These new values and beliefs have no root or connection to their national identity. Therefore, globalization weakens the traditions and values of local cultures for the sake of universal uniformity and dominance of a commanding culture through the formidable power of international media.

Globalization and Pakistan The impact of globalization on Pakistan is more or less similar as it is on the other developing countries. In fact globalization has brought very little benefits for Pakistan in terms of trade and economy. The overall growth of the economy and the social sector development indicators, do not show any significant gains from the liberalization process. The increase in the openness of the economy did not automatically mean significantly any enhancement of growth and decrease in poverty.

But, Pakistan, being an ideological country, feels the heat of globalization on her culture and values more sensitively in comparison with other countries of the world. It is viewed that in guise of globalization a cultural invasion is a posing threat that causes serious problems for some ideological states by exposing the people to foreign content that can erode the traditional values and indigenous cultural identity. Ritzer points out that globalization brings changes in collective sentiments, which are held by any society lead towards individualization and market-oriented culture of western society. 12 There is growing concern that globalization is creating one homogeneous global culture in which people are made to be blind consumer of international products. . Kochler stated that as an ideological tool, globalization is considered to be rather crude tool in the hands of the power centers of the industrialized world to gradually impose (under the disguise of economic liberalism) global hegemony and a neocolonial order upon rest of the world. As Muzzafar points out, Doubtless, globalization has affected certain values rooted in major religions and cultures of the world. Concepts of good and evil, right and wrong, individualism and pluralism, cultural invasion and cultural imperialism, social isolation and declining social solidarity, individual interaction with the society and the very meaning of life are all warped and corrupted by global capitalism, international markets, mass media and the promotion of excessive consumption. Even some local languages and valuable traditions are on the verge of disappearance as the result of globalization. Global consumerism is now forming a homogeneous global culture where indigenous cultures of the oriental are becoming accidental is being replaced by western cultures. 13 A form of consumerism which seeks to replicate and global trends is fast taking place in Pakistan. For example food preferences of people are changing rapidly across the country, Fast food restaurants, either franchises of international food chains or native imitations, are now flourishing in many big and small cities. Similarly, mobile phone companies, are trapping the people, and making huge windfall through low tariffs, late-night packages and shiny marketing. Globalization brought new challenges to traditional Pakistani society. Those who believe in traditional values feel that the electronic and print media are demolishing local culture and values. Communication revolution initiated by the process of globalization is taking its toll. Internet is now has become the integral part of lives people, specially young generation. But one of the fallout of internet is that people are spending less time with their families. Internet is also having some negative impact on cultural values, due to easy accessibility of pornographic material.

Similarly, foreign entertainment products had a very deep impact on the content of cultural products being broadcast on local TV channels. Thus moulding Pakistani viewers, whole life style. Cable TV, showing international channels, has become source for youngsters to get the motivation to adopt new trends, fashion and dresses. People are inclined to adopt lavish way of living and tend to celebrate events and festivals which have no resonance with cultural and moral ethos of the land. Though English is colonial legacy in Pakistan, but with globalization, pressure of English has increased on all other languages. Nowhere this phenomenon is more evident than in so called elite English medium schools where proficiency English is much sought after, often at the cost of indigenous languages. It also means that the lower strata of the society is under tremendous pressure than before because they cannot afford to pay the fee of exclusive schools that sell English at the price that is beyond the reach of poor. In this way globalization is widening the gap between haves and haves not. Conclusion To conclude, though globalization is not a properly defined phenomenon, but this process of economic liberalization, softening borders, cultural hegemony and technological advancement is certainly taking place across the globe with a fast pace. We have also seen that despite the tall claims by its proponents that the globalization has brought or will bring economic prosperity, peace and development across the globe, in reality the process of globalization has only benefited few already developed countries. The rest of the world has not yet reached at the level where it can reap the windfall of the benefits of the globalization. On the other side of the picture, globalization has brought many negative effects for the developing countries in shape of widening economic disparities, foreign cultural invasion, degradation of environment and encroachment upon their resources. In the case of Pakistan, though the globalization has not yet brought any real economic benefits but it has certainly jeopardized her traditional values, affecting her linguistic diversity and undermining her cultural and religious ethos.

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