Negative Effects Of Globalization And Its Effects On West Africa

Many different contexts group together to make up the term “globalization” such as: technology, trade, offshoring, outsourcing integration, migration, transportation, and environmental pollution. In plain terms, globalization can be described as a process that embraces economic and cultural transmissions between countries. This process is intended to improve the function of economic activities worldwide. The movement also supports the idea of internationalism. Influencing a nation to adopt new political views and educational values can be a potentially positive way to help a struggling nation develop. However, economic improvement in this situation is not always the case. Research provides an irregular pattern concerning economic development. Focusing in on the impact of globalization in South Africa, both positives and negatives have played a part in this country’s struggle to compete with the rest of the world.

Recently, rapper Kanye West raised the issue of conflict “blood” diamonds in his song “Diamonds” (featuring Jay-Z). Conflict diamonds — diamonds mined and traded by rebel groups — have been the source of murder and mutilation in the small, west-African country of Sierra Leone. In the song, West voices his own inner conflict with diamonds:

In one online article, the author quotes a man that was a part of the mining in Congo, and shows how the trade of conflict minerals across the world is funding a war. He says that more

The Congolese who mine these materials do not even know what they are extracting, and have no use for them in their daily lives. In spite of the fact that the Congo is blessed with a wealth of common assets, including diamonds, gold, cobalt, copper, tin and tantalum, this valuable focal point is not utilized to expand on the nations riches as a result of the little advancement that has happened since

Diamond revenues also contribute to finding ways to fight as HIV/AIDS. Africa has long dealt with the HIV/AIDS crisis so revenue from diamonds would help healthcare in Africa all-around. The revenue also helps provide low-cost healthcare, more available facilities and clean water, which means lower infections being spread and longer life expectancy. The diamond industry also provides many jobs for the citizens in Africa. Jobs that people are employed in mining, cutting, and diamond manufacturing. These employment opportunities allow thousands of Africans to make money, get healthcare, and provide education for their children.

Little things in life can impact the world in many ways whether it's good or bad. In this case right now the Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a big conflict with these minerals. The type of minerals people are fighting for are mined from the floor tantalum, tungsten, tin, and gold are the one that they're looking for. This is a big deal because the mineral trade has been linked to other crimes that rebel groups who commit mass atrocities, including rape and murder. It may not seem like a big deal but numbers don't lie , but you'll be surprised what they use these minerals for. They use these minerals to make phones,laptops(which I'm using right now so ironic right), light bulbs , a pair of earrings you name it. We are preventing

The conflict diamonds started to be present and problematic in Sierra Leone as soon as DeBeers mining company took control of all diamond prospects throughout this region. Although DeBeers was keeping a moderate watch on the trading and actions being taken through it, traders from Lebanon (bordered by Syria and Israel to the south) were able to easily smuggle and mine diamonds out through the company. Later towards the 1950s, countries, such as Sierra Leone, had to give up the chance of regulating the illicit diamond industry, thus having to warn owners of the mines to provide their own security measures for the mines and land they owned. The issue wasn’t justly political or economic until Sierra Leone gained its independence in 1961, letting Siaka Stevens enroll as Prime minister, therefore having a one-party ruler. Stevens took control, and monopolized the diamond mines, as well as encouraging them to gain power and fame nationwide. Things were looking austere for diamond control rights and regulations, not only to watch a civil war emerge, surging through the country as fire fought fire and brother fought against brother. As the war extended from 1991 to 1999, it brought forth other problems as a result of citizen on citizen warfare for the diamonds such as rape, murder, and sex slaves. Once 75,000 lives were claimed, the people of Sierra Leone finally realized that victims and executors of these terrible crimes has emerged from the cash crop known as diamonds.

I was quite turned off from Group B’s argument on these bases and their thematic approach which suggested that gold, a material good, was more precious and valuable than actual people and their sacred cultural practices. While I understand that this case study is comprised of fictitious issues based in a made up country, the knowledge of the human rights issues fixed around blood diamonds I acquired from our pre-class reading and quiz helped me to take a real world stance on people verses government in the case of natural resources. Prior to the Jacqueline Soloway reading and our class discussion, I was only vaguely aware of the political and economic conversations surrounding the mining of war diamonds. For quite some time I had known that a surplus of diamonds were harvested from the overworked hands of children and impoverished peoples, unfortunately I had no exposure to multiple government’s complacent or supportive roles in having people to mine for diamonds in unsafe, war torn territories. In my daily life I advocate for fair trade, therefore I would never knowingly perpetuate the atrocities of blood diamond mining by purchasing products that result from such human rights violations; because of this I practically knew my decision before I entered the lecture hall and either group presented. I did, however, want to hear both groups out in class and make the decision I felt

The beliefs for having this type of mining band are due to the huge impact on how removing soil along the coast forever changes the shorelines and the expansion of mining destroys natural animal habitats which intern is decreasing wildlife populations. Any kind of mining process is hurtful to our environment by polluting our soil, water and air. Diamond Mining is no different. The carbons are released in our air come from the use of diesel fuels, electricity and hydrocarbons. These chemicals are known to cause smog, climate change and other environmental hazards yet to be

Adding to that, diamond mining produces many jobs and economic growth (Diamond Facts website, 2016). Globally, ten million people are employed due to the diamond industry (Diamond Facts website, 2016). Most diamonds come from less developed countries (Diamond Facts website, 2016). These countries use the revenue produced by diamond mining to better their country (Diamond Facts website, 2016). Much of the revenue goes to building infrastructure like hospitals, schools, roads, and clean water systems (Diamond Facts website, 2016). The diamond trade produces eight point four billion dollars to Africa (Diamond Facts website, 2016). Countries within Africa such as Botswana and Namibia have evidenced that profits from diamonds aid less developed countries have substantial benefits like economic growth and stability (Diamond Facts website, 2016). Profits from mining diamonds has shown to play an important role in turning war-torn countries into economically stable places (Diamond Facts website, 2016). Botswana has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, chiefly due to the diamond industry (Diamond Facts website, 2016). Without diamond mining, Botswana would lose three billion dollars in profits per year (Diamond Facts website, 2016). The result would be devastating to

However there is also a advantage for mining diamonds. This is most effective in Africa, diamonds is an essential part in Africa to increase the economic growth and therefore again increasing the GDP per capita in Africa. Some statistics have shown that if there wasn’t diamond mining in Africa.(DTC Indian Diamond shortage, n.d.) Africa will be in a even worse situation. An approximate 65% of the diamonds comes from Africa and some African countries such as Namibia have an annual export earning of 40%, therefore an big impact in the Namibia society. Also there it is known that because of diamond industry in Botswana children are able to have free education until the age of 13. (DTC Indian Diamond shortage, n.d.) Therefore from these sources it is shown that although the profit that is earned by mining diamonds are used in an incorrect way. However there are also positive impact on the society, as said above.

Have you ever glanced at your ring finger and admired the beautiful diamond on it? Now have you ever wondered where that diamond came from or how many lives were affected just to get it? Those are the questions you should ask yourself the next time you visit your local jewelry store for a visit. People worldwide should make an effort to stop buying conflict diamonds. They are funding wars in Africa everyday. Workers working in the mining business are in a danger zone. Innocent men, women, and children are getting caught in between the conflict and are being forced to work. If people would stop buying conflict diamonds from conflict areas, Africa would be a better and more productive place.

Across the world, globalization is one of the most significant aspects that has occurred over the last fifty years. It allows a country to integrate economically with other countries through a global network comprised of people, trade, and transportation. With the global landscape only becoming more intertwined, globalization and its inherent pros and cons seem to be here to stay. In many areas, global powers tend to lack in rectifying the negative aspects and only focus on the positive side. America, for example, is a leader in the globalization efforts, even though it has greatly effected job opportunities at home, widening income gaps, and an increased standard of living due to fluctuating world markets.

Globalization is the interaction of people due to the growth of international flow of different types of global markets such as business, finances, international and domestic trades, information technology, investments, and different ideas and cultures.

3. Description of the IMF Project to Help Africa Crack Down on Illicit Diamond Trade