Globalization And Westernization

It's difficult not to be cynical about how “big business” treats the subject of ethics in today's world. In many corporations, where the

It's difficult not to be cynical about how “big business” treats the subject of ethics in today's world. In many corporations, where the

Over the last decade, headlines have told stories of unethical behavior from corporations such as Enron, Worldcom, Boeing, Xerox, and Rite Aid. As business continued to grow, so has the laws and regulations that govern corporations to make sure they continue to practices their business legally and ethically. Rules and regulations are made because of the unethical practices that corporations have made due to greed and power.

People know and choose Wal-Mart because of its daily low prices. Wal-Mart sells its bargains every opportunity it gets, and convinces customers forgetting about everything except the low prices. Undoubtedly, Wal-Mart is one of the most successful corporations of all time. However, the tremendous success of Wal-Mart certainly comes with a correspondingly massive amount of responsibility. The strategy of low prices usually comes at a deadly unethical cost. Although some of its business practices such as “Low prices, always”, and helping in saving money are ethical, most of its business practices are unethical.

Wal-Mart’s management behaves immorally towards its employees. They do not value their employees’ needs, rights, or the labor laws that the US put into place to protect them. Wal-Mart’s low price on everyday household products is what sets them apart from other discount retailers. Their employees help make it possible for them to dominate their competitors in the

“According to the Times, Wal-Mart received hundreds of internal reports of bribery and fraud every year. In Asia alone, there had been 90 reports of bribery in the previous 18 months.” (The World). The worst part is that even though the problems are apparent, they still are not being solved. These factories must be improved because they are very inhumane and unfair in their current state. Employees are treated as slaves just so that the Walton family can make more money. We need change for all of the workers and former workers. All in all, Walmart is very corrupt by the way they treat their

Zakaria describes what he terms the rise of the rest as a consequence of the continuous efforts of American politicians and diplomats urging countries to “open their markets, free up their politics, and embrace trade and technology” (60). The basis idea of this book highlights the United States road to being a global superpower and how its stagnation during recent decades have caused a striking shift from America being the world’s only actor to a weakening, less dominating player in the international system. Although this realization is alarming, this actually means good for America. Ultimately, Zakaria describes a world where countries are “more open, market friendly, and democratic” (242) because of the good old United States.

The phrase “the west and the rest” is often discussed in regards to how westernization perhaps influences and even trumps other cultures. Westernization is defined as a “cause (a country, person, or system) to adopt or be influenced by the cultural, economic, or political systems of Europe and North America” or to “be in the process of adopting or being influenced by the systems of the West” (New Oxford American Dictionary). This implies that it is frequent that other cultures are exposed to Western cultures and then adopt the customs to be their own, and indeed this has occurred in several Eastern countries. Another concept that is discussed often is globalization, which is defined as “the process by which businesses or other

Wal-Mart Ethical Dilemma Wal-Mart is a variety store that has had its up and down through the years since its first opening in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. The year was 2008 when the company decided to settle 63 federal and state lawsuits for a sum between $352 and $640 million dollars in total. This reason for this was the multiple lawsuits filed for unpaid hours most of which were in the form of overtime wages. Although this is not the only ethical dilemma the discount store, neighborhood mart, or supercenter has had to face, it raises many aspects as to how Wal-Mart handles certain dilemmas.

Wal-Mart themselves have claimed that they conduct inspections audits regularly to ensure manufacturing facilities are being run legally and ethically. Their statement is disagreeable as many MNCs, including Wal-Mart, conduct unethical auditing practices when they source from less developed nations. Firstly, audit information on

Globalization equals Westernization or Modernization? Are these two terms similar or opposite to each other? Sam seems to be against Globalization by pointing only the Westernization as a dark side of it and Jane seems to be supporting it and only seeing the Modernization good side of it.

Westernization is an ever occurring phenomenon that has existed since the 19th century when the Ottoman Empire began modernizing from the powerful, industrialized Western civilizations. According to Vocabulary.com westernization is, “The social process of becoming familiar with or converting to the customs and practices of Western civilization”. Today, westernization remains prevalent, especially in Third world countries where marketers constantly aim for increased profit. Westernization affects every individual, from someone ordering coffee at one of the thousands of Starbuck chains to the indigenous tribes portrayed in Vanishing Voices. The continued expansion of globalization has caused much debate. Many individuals argue that westernization empowers people and provides employment opportunities while others claim it has the ability to disempower people by misrepresentation and cause the loss of individualism and group identity. Such debate brings up the question: To what extent does westernization impact cultural diversities in the 21st century? Viewing the discussion from economic, ethical, and environmental lenses one can see that westernization is causing the extinction of cultural diversities while creating a more uniform world.

The rise of globalization following WWII generated three important factors that define today’s world. McNeill and McNeill agree with Pollard, Rosenberg, and Tignor that multiple economic changes, such as the creation of financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) contributed to the globalization of the world economy. Carter and Warren further this argument by claiming that globalization has caused shifts in the modern economy, namely the rise of Asian economic powers. However, all three historians agree that the rise of globalization goes hand in hand with the rise of inequality in today’s world. Gaps in power, wealth, and access to information have only widened due to the trend of globalization. The final key factor defining our world today are the ongoing processes affecting development countries. McNeill and McNeill argue similarly to Carter and Warren that the end of imperialism generated new nations who quickly realized the free market was a pathway to stability. However, Pollard et al. and McNeill and McNeill place importance on financial institutions like the IMF forcing developing nations to reform their economies to be subservient to the world’s economy. Together, these historians argue that the trend of globalization following WWII caused factors like the modern global economy, the rise in inequality, and the development of new, decolonized nations to be key determiners in the world today.

The overwhelming facts point to a shady underworld of self-dealing and opportunistic exploitation of the poor and working class, which was until recently, well hidden from the commoner. The executives of WorldCom and Enron provide real world examples of unethical business practices, where the desire to make money for their shareholders transcended into an addiction to greed and self-dealing that were displayed by their, “excessive pay, perks, and golden parachutes”(Carson 392) at the expense of all stakeholders. All is not lost, there are corporations that pride themselves in their sound business model and commitment to ethical business practices. Such companies as Eaton Corporation, and Weyerhaeuser, who according to Ethisphere.com, a business ethics watchdog, are among the “2010 World`s most ethical companies.” (Ethisphere)

1. What is the ethical dilemma facing Wal-Mart in this case ? Do Wal-Mart’s associates also face an ethical dilemma? If so, what is it ?