Globalisation relation with Democracy – UPSC GS1

Critically analyse the relationship between globalisation and democracy. (200 Words)

Globalisation is the movement of goods, people and ideas across the world. It has affected every section of the society and every sphere of the country that is economic, political and social. Its relationship on democracy is mixed.
Globalisation promoting democracy:
  1. Spread of ideas of the western democracies such as liberty, fraternity, equality, individuality etc. to the developing countries has made its people demand for democracy on western lines.
  2. Influx of progressive ideals of secularism, equality and justice lead to liberalising of prejudicial predispositions in a conservative society making it more open, tolerant and harmonious.
  3. Migration of people has raised demands for accommodating the minorities something which can be done in democracies.
  4. Role played by multilateral bodies like UN, World Bank in making countries subscribe to democratic practices and standards such as good governance is responsible for maturing of democracies.
  5. It brings much needed aid, capital, entrepreneurship and expertize into the struggling countries, helping them grow faster, reducing poverty and inequality- strengthening economic democracy.
Globalisation denouncing democracy:
  1. As Globalisation makes movement of ideas easier, governments have become more authoritarian to restrict such flow.
  2. In search for global markets, western developed nations establish puppet authoritarian governments in developing nations.
  3. Multinational corporations influence decision making in developing countries especially the African countries undermining peoples will.
  4. Globalisation has promoted only a particular concept of democracy i.e. the western model, it disregards the variations in developing countries which value different ideals.
  5. Supranational bodies such as WTO and UNSC often bind national governments with their decisions, making them act against the will of the electorate sometimes. This gives wind to notions of surrender of sovereignty under international pressure.
  6. Growth of counter cultural movements because of dilution of traditions and perversion of traditional social values.
  7. It promotes various divides in the society: rural-urban, gender and digital divides, thus weakening the foundations of social democracy
  8. Benefits of globalization have not been evenly spread throughout the society. They have bypassed the most deprived sections of citizens in countries of the global south e.g. Tribal, Dalit and rural folk in India.
Globalisation on the whole, has had a mixed relationship with democracy. But experience suggest that countries which have adopted the ideals of democracy historically have better dealt with Globalisation whereas others have become subservient to Globalisation.

 

 

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