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| Beyond Protesting: The Ascending "Anti-Globalization" Movement
You have probably seen some news coverage in the past few years about protests happening at various trade meetings around the world. Unfortunately, most news reports give sparse consideration (at best) to the root issues behind the protests. These issues are serious. This is not a fringe movement or the latest youth trend, this is part of history and it's happening out there right now. News reports may make it seem as if the protesters are a disorganized mob that can't decide if they are promoting AIDS awareness, forgiving the debts of third world nations, boycotting companies that use child labor, cleaning up the air, or saving sea turtles. This apparent disorganization comes from the fact that the protesters are not part of one unified group (no hierarchy, no leader) but rather represent a large (and increasing) number of individuals that are unsatisfied with the current world order. My intention with these words is to address some of the important points raised by the protesters, which I would like you to consider whether you agree with their tactics or not. I also stress that what follows is my interpretation (which has an American slant and is peppered heavily with opinion) and that the motivations and viewpoints involved are as diverse as the millions worldwide who are speaking out against the status quo. The protesters are often referred to as members of the "Anti-globalization Movement," a name which can easily be misinterpreted. Globalization is already happening, and in many ways already here. This is not a protest against social progress, technology development, or global cooperation. Instead, the issues lie in the unethical and dangerously unsustainable way that economic globalization is being accomplished. Thousands of people have chosen to gather in protest at the sites of trade meetings (often traveling long distances and at considerable personal expense) in order to raise awareness around the world that the majority of the social, economic, and environmental problems we're facing on Earth right now are symptoms of one root cause: On an increasingly global basis, corrupt government officials are giving away power to large corporations for their own personal gain. Human rights, the environment, public health, the economy, and democracy are all at risk. Anti-globalization protests do not come out of simplistic "anti-capitalist," "anti-business," or "anti-American" sentiments. The original ideals of American free enterprise are not being disputed. Instead, the problem lies in the perversion of these ideals which has given corporations too much power over our lives.
Today, fifty-one of the top one hundred economies in the world are corporations (the other forty-nine are entire countries.) The largest corporation in the world is Wal-Mart, which takes in several billion dollars of profit every year. When Wal-Mart comes to town, shoppers stop going to the locally owned shops to save money, the local shops close down, then eventually there is simply no where else nearby to go for many needed items. Thirty years ago, money spent in the community had a tendency to circulate around the community. Now a good chunk of local shoppers' money leaves town.
There have been attempts to change the laws surrounding money in politics but somehow there are always loopholes available. What politician would vote to cut off their own personal funding? This will not happen until the public demands campaign spending limits (and if we really want democracy, a ban on paid advertising.)
Tax Inequity & Corporate Welfare The most gigantic corporations often get away with paying no income tax in the United States. The biggest companies often have the smallest tax bills. How do they do it? Lawmakers have created special corporate tax credits for things like drilling for oil, issuing stock options, and depreciation of manufacturing equipment. There are even tax incentives for laying off employees! Despite the growing size and net worth of the biggest corporations, the percentage of federal revenue that comes from corporate taxes has been going down. In 1961, 22.2% of federal revenue came from corporate taxes. In 1971 it was 14.3%, in 1981 it was 10.3%, and in 2001 it was down to 7.3%!
Other types of corporate welfare include giveaways of publicly owned land and natural resources, financial rights to patent the results of government funded research, extensive agricultural subsidies, and the expensive bailouts which are the only thing that keeps many of them afloat. The tax dollars given away annually to the world's wealthiest businesses represent hundreds of billions of dollars that are not being spent on schools, decaying inner cities, poverty, or other key threads of America's fraying social fabric. These companies would never have been able to get as large as they are today without this government help. This is not a free market economy. Corporations are the real welfare cheats.
Privatization Companies that are listed on stock markets are under great pressure to continually increase profits. Slow and steady is inadequate. Investors want their money to grow, and many people's jobs are dependent on this process. With the high stakes pressure to constantly grow larger and increase profits, big companies are always on the lookout for new markets to expand into, which is very competitive as others are trying to do the same thing. One way to create new markets is through privatization. This is the process of transferring a public institution to private ownership. All over the world, formerly publicly held banks, telephone companies, airlines, power companies, water utilities, prisons, and even schools are being privatized by both local and national governments. That government then gets a cash infusion, and the expense and bother of the institution's administration is transferred. Unfortunately, when essential services are managed by profit-driven companies, the public's interest is not always going to be served. For example, when police and prisons are privatized, police unions and related groups lobby the government to get "tough on crime" (such as the "three strikes and you're out" law in California) and put people in jail for petty offenses. When medical care is privatized, costs soar and today, many Americans find themselves facing bankruptcy because of illness. When medical research is left to private industry, new medicines are developed based on profit potential rather than on how many lives can be saved. One company stopped making the drug Eflornithine (which was badly needed to save lives in Africa) because there was no market for it in wealthy countries. Despite years of international pleas, production resumed only after one of the drug's side effects was discovered to be profitable (it's used in a facial hair removal cream!) The other big problem with privatization is that when privately run essential services run out of operating money the government has to bail them out with tax money. This has been happening most noticeably with privatized airlines, power companies, and water utilities. There are many instances of executives of these companies making out like bandits while everyone else's bills grow far faster than their salaries. The tax money that goes towards these bailouts has to be taken out of the government's budget from somewhere else. Other public services then become under-funded. The privatization trend is not slowing down. How much of our public property will governments sell? What are the long-term implications of this short-sighted economic strategy? The Environment Many people are meticulous about sorting out their plastic, glass, and paper from the rest of their garbage in an attempt to reduce their ecological footprint. I support household recycling, but it is not enough to turn our critical environmental situation around.
The majority of garbage, air pollution, and water pollution comes from corporate industry and agriculture. For environmental legislation to be effective, this fact needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, local politicians have to be careful when creating environmental statutes because companies will threaten to leave town, which can mean lost jobs and tax revenue. On the national level, too many politicians resist environmental legislation (generally because of financial considerations of their sponsors) for any meaningful protections to pass into law. When the laws that do exist are violated, the penalty is often a fine that isn't high enough to actually encourage compliance. Factory farms spray a huge quantity of chemicals into the soil including herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, ripening agents, and fertilizers. Heavy industry pollutes the environment through their smokestacks and waste. We all contribute with our fuel consumption. These environmental pollutants do not disappear. They end up in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Many of the chemicals banned in the developed world are still going into the environment from poorer countries. Pollution moves freely through national boundaries. The most remote regions of the world are being threatened by environmental pollutants. No place on Earth is immune. We need international cooperation to start phasing these pollutants out. There are people trying. The Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gases has been signed by many countries, but the United States won't ratify it. For this agreement to achieve any significant environmental improvement the world's most polluting nation has to be involved. The threat of global warming is real. The majority of the public is concerned about the environment. The term greenwash has been applied to PR campaigns from companies (and the government) that focus on cleaning up an organization's environmental image rather than their environmental mess. Don't fall for it.
Trade Agreements Since 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has used its power to police international trade. Unfortunately, they have a poor track record when it comes to human rights, public health, and the environment. One ruling declared that an American law put in place to protect endangered sea turtles was an illegal barrier to "free trade" for the shrimp fishing industry (even though there are methods of fishing available that allow turtles to escape.) Another ruling concluded that the European Community did not have the right to ban hormone laced meats because it cut into North American agricultural industry profits. The state of Massachusetts was told that they had to revoke a law that banned giving public contracts to companies that were invested in Burma. This law was created because the state did not want to support the brutal dictatorship there. If the WTO had been active during the apartheid era, the trade sanctions on South Africa which ultimately led to end of whites-only rule might never have been allowed. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has a provision that allows corporations to sue governments for creating legislation that affects profits. Mexico had to pay the California-based Metalclad Company $16.7 million because they denied a construction permit for a toxic waste facility (due to public outcry.) The Ethyl Corporation sued the government of Canada (and won) for banning a gasoline additive they manufacture. The Methanex Corporation is suing the United States Government because California banned a different additive. UPS is suing Canada Post for over $200 million because it thinks the government institution is a barrier to expanding its business! These euphemistically named "free trade" agreements are taking away the power of governments to create laws to protect their people. This is the primary reason that government needs to exist. This should be cause for alarm.
The Economy Today's global economy is formed around the principles of what is known as "neo-liberal" economics. This does not refer to being politically liberal, but rather is about pushing for the liberal removal of government controls on business. Economists of this school tell us that giving increasing freedoms to big business is good for society as it helps create new jobs and innovations which (eventually) benefit everyone through a "trickle-down" effect. In reality, this economic philosophy is designed to make the rich get richer at the expense of everyone else. These economic policies are being implemented all over the world with the help of powerful international agencies. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are organizations that give out loans to developing countries to help improve economies and lower poverty rates. This may sound like a noble idea, but the loans generally come with requirements to adopt specific policies that favor wealthy foreign investors. The "structural adjustment" requirements for Argentina (which the government there followed through the 1990s) have been blamed for pushing that country's economy into its current state of crisis and causing major problems in dozens of other countries. One of the fundamental problems here lies in the way that economic progress is being measured. The Gross Domestic Product (the value of goods and services produced in a country) is often cited by politicians and newscasters as proof that gains in the economy have been made. However, the GDP does not take into consideration that financial growth is not always good for society. Whenever there's an oil spill, someone gets a terminal illness, or a war is declared the GDP goes up because more money is being spent. Is this really the best way to measure progress? In the United States, credit card debt, bankruptcies, and the number of people without health insurance are up. Manufacturing jobs have left for other countries because it's cheaper to import goods made in distant sweatshops. Millions of educated people can't find full time work. Millions more worry that they won't ever be able to afford to retire. Many who have kept their jobs have more work to do because their old co-workers have been laid off (aka "rightsized.") Increasing numbers of people are feeling the effects of economic decay "trickle-down" to their doors.
There are reasons for the growing discontent. The bad news is that this is just the tip of an enormous iceberg. The good news is that changes are starting to happen.
There is a growing awareness of the effects of corporate power over our lives. Numerous books about globalization have become huge best sellers. Michael Moore's work is reaching millions. University campuses (and their Economics professors) have become political again. High-school students are organizing to fight sweatshop labor practices. Millions are cutting back on their intake of industrial and fast food. Doctors, journalists, scientists, and teachers are speaking out against corporate influence in their fields. Documents are being leaked from those top-secret international trade meetings by concerned staffers. There are government and corporate personnel at all levels working within their bureaucratic systems for change, including some major players. Working for a change is highly rewarding and will greatly enrich your life. There is no protesting (or tear gas dodging) required. If you have Internet access, there's a lot you can do without even getting out of your chair. Can a mere individual make any real difference? Try these suggestions and find out: Write to Your Elected Officials Participate in "by the people, for the people." Let your elected officials know how you feel! Publicize (or start!) letter writing campaigns on issues you care about. For every letter received, politicians assume that hundreds share your views but haven't taken the time to write. This can have a big impact, especially on the local level. It is also remarkably easy to do in the age of email. Vote Responsibly Don't just automatically go with the political party you and your Daddy have always voted for. Don't vote solely based on who will raise or lower your personal income tax bill, as there are many other political issues that affect your long-term financial future much more. Don't be influenced by what "the polls" say. Don't form your opinions on issues or politicians via television's influence alone. Look into a candidate's background and past political decisions. Find out where they get their campaign money! Do this for local candidates too, as their decisions will often have a more immediate bearing on your life. Explore a Broader Scope of News Most people get information about world events from television or newspapers. Increasingly, these media are owned by large corporations. ABC is owned by Disney. NBC is owned by General Electric. CBS is owned by the media giant Viacom. Many local stations and newspapers are also being bought out. Federal regulations against letting one company own too much (that were put in place to protect the public's interest) are being eroded. While there are still dedicated journalists working in the mainstream press, their editors have the power to cut or change stories as they see fit. These editors often have to answer to their corporate bosses. News stories can also be censored by advertiser interests. Major sponsors often threaten to pull their sponsorship if a story they don't like is run. Most media companies are not inclined to bite the hands that feed them. It is also important to understand that advertising revenues for television news are based upon ratings. Sensationalistic and entertaining stories are often emphasized above other events in an attempt to gain viewers. An old clichŽ about television news is, "if it bleeds, it leads." Stories about the economy aren't given much airtime compared to crime, sports scores, or the private lives of celebrities.
In the age of corporate-owned media, it is very important to explore news from a variety of sources. The best place to do this is online. The Internet is one of the biggest reasons that citizen activism in general is growing so quickly. It democratizes information and makes fast international communication easy and inexpensive. The Internet transcends national politics and corporate ownership. This is what makes it so difficult to censor. However, other aspects of it (such as pricing and personal privacy) are being targeted by business and government leaders.
There are many news agencies dedicated to independent journalism online, most of which have newsletters that make it easy to keep up with headlines through email (several are referenced below.) Reading newspaper sites from a variety of countries and localities is another good way to get differing perspectives on events as well, though it's important to realize that in many places, the press is owned by the state, or journalists are simply strongly discouraged from reporting anything controversial. This doesn't have to take up much of your time. Bookmark a few sites, rotate which ones you visit, and when you want to know more about a topic, compare varying perspectives. Even if you're not very interested in politics (and yet, you've read this far) you will find that the more you learn, the more intriguing it gets. A lot of exciting and pivotal history is being created right now and your future depends on what happens next. The importance of freedom of the press is that it protects citizens from misinformation campaigns. It is also a key factor in maintaining democracy. This may seem obvious, but it's very important to realize that the mainstream press is slowly becoming less and less free. Today, much information about world events comes directly from "government news sources" without any fact-checking, because any investigation beyond attending press conferences is often prohibited. It is also interesting to note that the Bush administration has hired a former corporate public relations expert to "re-brand" American foreign policy to the media.
There are reasons the globalization movement isn't being covered very deeply in the mainstream press, though a story about how the movement is "dead" occasionally surfaces. The protests haven't died down, they've been beaten down (with unduly harsh police tactics) in an attempt to scare people away. Yet people still attend. Most media outlets have done their part by offering shallow (or distorted) coverage that focuses on a few violent incidents, or no coverage at all. Fortunately, the number of people concerned about globalization is growing quickly. Most have never attended a protest. This movement has gone mainstream, and now includes church groups, senior citizens, and parents concerned about what commercialism is doing to their kids.
This trend has not gone unnoticed. In the wake of the fall of the undeniably corrupt Enron, the government has started a "corporate crackdown" in an attempt to convince the public that they are hard at work on solving the problem of corporate corruption. This "crackdown" consists of implicating a (very) few hand-selected individuals allegedly guilty of stock market related transgressions for prosecution. While it may be fun to hate Martha Stewart, her alleged crimes are extremely minor compared to many who are not facing charges. She was been chosen in order to draw public attention to the campaign and to distract the public from the hypocrisy of it all. Donate Money Wisely Guns are largely unregulated in the United States because of the gun lobby. Think about giving money to lobbying organizations that champion causes you care about! Unfortunately, these donations aren't tax deductible, but that's exactly why these groups especially need your help. If you give money to charities, find out where that money goes. Find out how it is spent and whether anything is actually being accomplished. For example, cancer cure charities have been collecting millions for years, yet cancer rates continue to go up. In the search for a cure the root causes aren't being addressed. Make sure your contributions are actually helping.
Think About Your Own Participation in the Global Economy Though our economic situation is primarily a political issue, consumer habits can have an impact as well. Many people have begun to examine the effects of their own buying habits, fuel use, investments, charitable donations, and employment. Due to price, availability, and circumstances, it's impossible to be perfect about this, but millions of individuals doing what they can does add up. Here are a few actions to consider: Support small business and family farms. Supporting small business is good for your local economy. Local merchants pay local taxes which go towards services in your neighborhood. Choose independently owned shops and restaurants over chains. Consider buying gifts from local artisans, clothing designers, or boutiques rather than the mall. Purchasing used items is also an excellent form of economic recycling (old houses, vintage clothing, and antique furniture count!) Shopping for produce at farmers' markets or through community supported agriculture supports family farms, many of which have suffered greatly from the effects of corporate agribusiness. You'll generally get fresher food and better quality this way too. Pay attention to "made in" labels. Try to buy products that have been made in a country that has actual labor laws. Think about avoiding clothing, toys, and other items made in third world countries or China, where dangerous sweatshop conditions (and in some countries, child labor) prevail. Try to resist those low-low prices (a better quality item will last longer anyway.) Research the background of companies and brand names. A good place to start is with Responsibleshopper.org. Compare what it says there with official (and unofficial!) company sites. Decide for yourself which ones you want to support or conversely to boycott. Spread the word. Choose ecological products such as "green" cleaning agents, recycled paper, and organic food. These products are becoming more available (and less expensive) as consumer demand goes up. Your financial support helps push this process along. Consumer decisions drive the consumer economy. Companies spend a great deal of money on advertising designed to influence consumer preference because they understand its power. Apply your influence as a consumer thoughtfully. Use Your Powers For Good While it may be overwhelming (or depressing!) at times to ponder the current state of the world, from a longer-term historical perspective, American society has made a great deal of social progress. The end of slavery, a woman's right to vote, laws against using child labor in America, and many other important advances would have never happened without the work of ordinary citizens. Individual actions do matter and can leave lingering consequences. Think about how someone with your skills and abilities could make a difference out there. Amateur and professional carpenters are helping build houses for poor families. Engineers are rapidly developing less polluting forms of energy. Some of America's brightest college graduates are signing up to teach in poor urban or rural areas, directly influencing the lives of many children. Computer geeks are using their genius to help defend the liberty of the Internet. Small business owners are deciding to make their businesses more ethical, which often has the added bonus of making them more popular with consumers, and thus more profitable. In America, true conservatives and liberals are starting to understand the prime importance of meaningful campaign finance reform!
Don't know what to do? There are thousands of organizations out there that are working for change. Find one that you support and volunteer your time. The future of humanity hinges on having a lot more individuals aware of and involved in the society around them. I believe that this is happening. A growing number of people are becoming politically aware because they or their families have been directly affected. Young people are becoming activists because they are angry about what has been done to the world they have inherited. Many others simply realize that though it may not be profitable to work for social justice or the environment, it is right. I have optimism about humanity's survival into the long-term future, but think it's going to be a close call. I urge you to participate.
Nov 2002 Resources and Further Reading: No Logo The New Gilded Age and its Discontents (cached) Global Exchange: Global Economy Before the Corporate I Opensecrets.org Mediachannel.org: Media Concentration Congress.org: Elected Officials Responsibleshopper.org Business for Social Responsibility Idealist.org This Rare Historical Moment (cached) People Before Profits (cached) Independent News Sources Please bookmark some of these sites or sign up for their email newsletters! The Guardian CorpWatch Disinformation Alternet.org Common Dreams Independent Media Center TomPaine.com PR Watch Environmental Media Services Foreign Policy Magazine Books: Please don't forget about your local library and independent bookstores! Culture Jam: How to Reverse America's Suicidal Consumer Binge -- And Why we Must No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies Fences and Windows: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Globalization Debate Globalization and its Discontents When Corporations Rule the World Unequal Protection: The Rise of Corporate Dominance and the Theft of Human Rights Silent Theft: The Private Plunder of our Common Wealth All You Can Eat: Greed, Lust, and the New Capitalism Alternatives to Economic Globalization Rethinking Globalization: Teaching for Justice in an Unjust World Opposing Viewpoints: Pro-Globalization Resources Cato Institute: Globalization The Privatization Revolution (cached) Anxietycenter.com Counteracting Anti-Corporate Activism on the Net (cached) Protesting for Whom? (cached) International Monetary Fund World Bank World Trade Organization |