ESL 204 – In-Class Argumentative/Persuasive Essay

ESL 204 – In-class Argumentative/Persuasive Essay Using the Informa

Using the information from four specified websites and your personal experience, prepare an outline and notes for an argumentative essay on whether globalization has made the world more equal. Your essay should be approximately 500 words, follow a three-body-paragraph structure, and include an introduction and a conclusion. Incorporate refutations and at least one concession into your argument. Use paraphrasing and summarizing techniques to cite sources, mentioning the author(s) and including 3 to 5 direct quotations no longer than 40 words each. A reference list of the sources used must be included at the end.

Paper For Above instruction

Globalization is a phenomenon that has profoundly transformed the fabric of international relations, economic development, and cultural exchange. Its impact on global equality remains a contentious issue, with arguments suggesting that globalization promotes economic growth and reduces disparities, while others contend it exacerbates inequalities. This essay explores both perspectives to determine whether globalization has indeed made the world more equal.

The argument that globalization fosters greater equality hinges on its capacity to facilitate economic growth and development, especially in emerging economies. According to Lisa Smith (2012), globalization has created opportunities for developing countries to integrate into global markets, which can lead to increased employment, higher incomes, and reduced poverty levels. For instance, countries like India and China have experienced rapid economic expansion due to globalization, which has lifted millions out of poverty and improved living standards. From this perspective, globalization acts as an engine for economic democratization, helping to narrow income gaps between nations and offering developing countries access to technologies and investments previously unavailable. However, critics argue that this growth is often uneven within countries, with urban areas benefiting more than rural regions, leading to increased internal inequalities (Smith, 2012).

Conversely, many scholars emphasize that globalization can deepen existing inequalities, both within and between countries. Nicolas Pologeorgis (2010) asserts that the benefits of globalization are disproportionately enjoyed by wealthier nations and individuals, often marginalizing the poor. Multinational corporations tend to favor skilled labor and capital-intensive industries, leaving low-skilled workers in developing countries vulnerable to exploitation and job insecurity. Moreover, the integration of economies can lead to a "race to the bottom" where countries lower labor standards and environmental regulations to attract foreign investment, often at the expense of their populations' welfare (Pologeorgis, 2010). Critics also highlight that globalization can produce economic dislocation, causing widespread unemployment and social unrest, particularly in less competitive economies.

Some concessions acknowledge that globalization has potential benefits but argue that these are uneven and require stronger regulation. Johan Norberg (2011) admits that global economic integration has lifted many out of poverty but emphasizes the need to implement policies that ensure equitable distribution of gains. For example, social safety nets, fair labor laws, and investment in education can help mitigate adverse effects and ensure that the benefits of globalization reach marginalized groups. Furthermore, the notion that globalization necessarily leads to greater equality overlooks the complex historical and political contexts that influence its outcomes, suggesting that the increases or decreases in inequality are also shaped by national policies and institutions. To address these issues, international cooperation and sustainable development practices are vital.

In conclusion, while globalization has the potential to promote economic growth and reduce disparities, its benefits are often unevenly distributed, and it can exacerbate existing inequalities. The evidence suggests that globalization alone does not automatically create a more equal world; rather, its outcomes depend on how policies are crafted and implemented at both national and international levels. Therefore, globalization has not unequivocally made the world more equal, but with appropriate safeguards and equitable policies, it can serve as a tool for greater global justice and inclusion.

References

• DeVictor, X. (2014). Is globalization a good or a bad thing? The World Bank. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org
• Norberg, J. (2011). Globalisation is Good [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=[video_id]
• Pologeorgis, N. (2010). How Globalization Affects Developed Countries. Investopedia. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com
• Smith, L. (2012). Globalization: Progress or Profiteering? Investopedia. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com
• Additional scholarly sources to include:

  - Stiglitz, J. (2002). Globalization and its Discontents. W.W. Norton & Company.

  - Rodrik, D. (2011). The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World Economy. W.W. Norton & Company.

  - Bhagwati, J. (2004). In Defense of Globalization. Oxford University Press.

  - Milanovic, B. (2016). Global Inequality: A New Approach for the Age of Globalization. Harvard University Press.

  - Oxfam International. (2016). An Economy for the 99%. Oxfam Report.