The world is undergoing tremendous changes. The rise of globalization, both an economic and cultural trend that has swept throughout the world, has forged new ground as we enter the 21st century. But are the effects of globalization always positive? Some say no.
Michael Tenet, head of the International Institute for Foreign Relations in Atlanta, is worried about current resentment throughout the world toward the rise of globalization. “Ever since the 1980s and the economic collapse of the Asian Tigers in the late 1990s, there has been a re-evaluation of the role of globalization as a force for good,” he said. “Incomes in many countries have declined and the gap between the most rich and the most poor has been aggravated. Without further intervention by governments, we could see a tragedy expressed in an increased level of poverty throughout the Latin America and Asia.”
Yet George Frank, an influential economist who works on Wall Street, sees no such danger. “Economic liberalization, increased transparency and market-based reforms have positive effect in the long run, even if market mechanisms can produce short-term destabilization problems,” he said. “What is most important is that barriers to trade continue to fall so that active competition for consumer goods reduces prices and in turn raises the average level of income.”
Others feel that globalization’s cultural impact may be more important than its economic implications. Janice Yawed, a native of Africa, feels strongly that globalization is undermining her local culture and language. “Most of the world’s dialects will become extinct under globalization. We’re paving the world with McDonald’s and English slang. It tears me up inside,” she said.
Governments of different countries have had mixed responses to the wave of globalization. The United States is generally seen as an active proponent of greater free trade, and it certainly has enormous cultural influence by virtue of its near monopoly on worldwide entertainment. But other countries, most notably in Europe and developing nations, have sought to reduce the impact that globalization has on their domestic affairs.
“When I was a boy we had very little to speak of,” says one Singaporean resident. “Now our country has developed into a booming hub for international finance.” Others, however, are not so optimistic. “Globalization is an evil force that must be halted,” a union official at a car plant in Detroit recently commented, “It’s sucking away jobs and killing the spirit of our country.”
1.As for globalization, Michael Tenet’s attitude to it is most probably to be in（ ） .
2.The views of Michael Tenet and George Frank on globalization are quite （ ）.
3.When mentioning Janice Yawed, the author is talking about（ ） .
4.According to paragraph 5, different countries consider globalization as （ ）.
5.The title which best expresses the main idea of the text would be（ ） .
