GP002.BAS.txt

Problem: Globalization is seen as a phenomenon harmful to the developing countries.

Solution: Globalization should be seen as a natural process of human evolution. The problems resulting from globalization are due to paradigm shift. The solution to its problems, to attain the well-being of humanity, may be sought through global governance.

THE CONCEPT OF GLOBALIZATION
Farhang Sefidvash, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Globalization is a word understood by many, in the third world countries, as a kind of political strategy invented by some industrial nations to exploit the poor developing countries. This is because they observe that its consequences have been that the rich is becoming richer and poor is turning poorer. Therefore the real concept of globalization and the problems associated with this phenomenon must be better understood.

Humanity, through the process of evolution, has grown from the condition of single families into tribes, then emerged into city-states and nations and now the world has reached the state of what is known as "global village" where all the nations and the peoples of the world have become highly interdependent. The phenomenon of globalization is the result of natural process of evolution and reaching this state of total interdepence has been the destiny of mankind. It is not the invention of anyone or any nation.

The problem that many feel about globalization is the abuse of some powerful groups or nations, taking advantage of this new reality for their own immediate egoistic benefits determinant to others. We are living in a new world under a new reality, while most still think and behave under the old paradigms. They still try to apply solutions motivated by limited nationalistic vision to a world which requires a global vision.

For example, we try to use the old obsolete concept of "competition" for progress in a new world where only "cooperation" can guarantee the prosperity of the nations. This is because that the industrial nations, while compete with each other, they are at the same time clients of each others. Economic destruction of any one is a loss of market for themselves, so they need to cooperate to avoid the economic destruction of any nation. They are also allies of each other against those with different ideologies. The rich nations can not afford the absolute poverty of the rest of the world as their international security is dependent on a certain level of well-being of the rest of the humanity.

Therefore the problem of the world is not with globalization, but is with not knowing how to live under the new reality. On the contrary, the globalization, which came about due to the rapid development of systems of communication and transportation, may be considered a wonderful opportunity for the peoples of the world to unite and harmonize their interests in order to best benefit from the material and cultural resources of the world.

The global governance is defined as the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, public and private, manage their affairs. It is a continuing process through which conflicting or diverse interests may be accommodated and cooperative action may be taken. Global governance involves non-governmental as well as governmental organizations, citizen's movements, multinational corporations and the global capital market. Interacting with these are global mass media.

The Research Centre for Global Governance (RCGG) is searching for lasting solutions to the problems arising from globalization. It is providing a Think Tank for all the thinkers of the world to contribute with their thoughts and ideas motivated by diverse political, religious or ideological principles.

Farhang Sefidvash is a Professor of Nuclear Engineering, Ph.D. from Imperial College of University of London, inventor of a new nuclear reactor concept, and author of more than 95 scientific publications.