Assessing Globalisation: Benefits and Drawbacks of Trade and Integration (Reader Response)

In Assessing globalisation: Benefits and Drawbacks of Trade and Integration, Kohut and Wike (2008) discussed the pros and cons of globalisation. The authors started off by stating the benefits of globalisation before proceeding to the drawbacks such as uneven benefits among the people - resulting in the widening income gap - the negative impact on the environment and the demise of their own cultures and traditions. In addition, the influx of immigrants is another rising problem due to globalisation. The authors then further explained the diverse opinions on globalisation and how the people are embracing it with the data collected through surveys from both the developing and developed countries.   

One issue stated by the authors that arises from globalisation is the influx of immigrants. In the article, when the people are questioned for their main reason to leave, most of them in 35 out of 36 countries quoted jobs, while a small part quoted education. This has been caused by the tremendous development of global trade over the years, causing people to move across borders to look for a better job.  However, the increase in immigrants may also be triggered by other reasons - such as a potential war outbreak. For example, the war in Iraq has resulted in the people migrating to a safer location and hence, leading to a rapid increase in immigrants in neighbouring countries like Jordan.

Although it is undeniable that the increase in immigrants has aided in the growth of the country’s economy, it has also increased the competition for jobs between the locals and immigrants. This has been one of the major threat felt by the people. This problem can be seen in Singapore. From a report in The Straits Times (2013), Worker’s Party (WP) stated that the influx of immigrants since 2005 due to the immigration policy has been the source of many problems. It also stated that the nation is slowly losing its own identity, another drawback that was mentioned in this article. Thus, this shows that the drawbacks are not solely on its own but can be one problem leading to another.

In a nutshell, I agree that the prominent drawbacks surfacing have to be taken into deep consideration so as to ensure that our future generations do not live in a polluted world with rising environmental problems, uneven benefits among the people and in a country that is occupied by immigrants and is slowing losing its own identity.  

Assessing Globalisation: Benefits and Drawbacks of Trade and Integration ( Final Draft)

According to Kohut (2008), people around the world have diversed opinions on globalisation. The support for globalisation ultimately depends on what it can bring to individuals and the countries. Globalisation has boosted economic growth and is welcomed in developing nations but losing support in the richer nations. Furthermore, people are starting to notice the drawbacks like uneven benefits among the people, resulting in the widening income gap. Also, the environment has been compromised, and more people are willing to forgo economic growth to reverse it. Other issues include the loss of native cultures and traditions. Many hold the United States responsible as its economy and culture have the most impact on globalisation. In addition, influx of immigrants is also seen as a problem. Although there are other reasons like potential war, majorities have chosen to leave to look for better job opportunities and education.   (144 words)

Assessing Globalisation: Benefits and Drawbacks of Trade and Integration

According to Kohut (2008), people around the world have diverse opinions on globalisation. The support for globalisation ultimately depends on what it can bring to individuals and the countries. Globalisation has boost economic growth through trades, investment and free enterprise. This is largely welcomed in developing nations but losing support in the richer nations such as America and Italy. In addition, people around the world have started to notice the drawbacks such as uneven benefits among the people, resulting in widening income gap. Also, the environment has been compromised, and more people are willing to forgo economic boost to reverse the situation. Other issues include the loss of native cultures and traditions. Many consider the United States as the cause for these concerns, as its economy and culture have the most impact on globalisation. In addition, influx of immigrants is also seen as a problem due to globalisation. Although the increase may be due to other reason such as potential war, most of them had moved to look for better job opportunity and education in the more developed countries. Increase in immigrants often results in anxiety and is seen as a big problem by the natives. 

My English Learning Journey

As I am from a Chinese speaking family, I was not exposed to English until the day I went to school. Thus, English has always been a challenge for me. As I grew older, I began to understand the importance of English. It is a common language that we have to use due to the multi-racial culture we have in Singapore. In school, we were given newspapers every Monday to read for 30 minutes. However, we would spend most of the time talking to our friends instead of reading. Throughout my four years of secondary school, English was the subject that I would score the lowest for. Thus, on the day when the O’level results were released, I was happy that I had managed to pass but sad at the same time as I did not do well. Hence, I chose to enter polytechnic to avoid general paper in junior college. However, after entering polytechnic, I realised that English is still an important part of my studies. We were required to write reports and essays and English does play an important role in helping us deliver the accurate information and data.