GroundReport | Bangladesh | Globalization and Bangladesh

Globalization and Bangladesh

Shovon Chowdhury March 03, 2008

According to Oxford Dictionary “Globalization is the fact that different cultures and economic systems around the world are becoming connected and similar to each other because, of the influence of large multinational companies and of improved communication”.

According to Wikipedia (an web encyclopedia) Globalization refers to increasing global connectivity, integration and interdependence in the economic, social, technological, cultural, political, and ecological spheres.

Shahzaman Mozumdar (IT Professional and Freedom Figher) says, "Globalization evokes different feelings to different people. Some look at globalization as "the panacea,"-the elixir that will eradicate all poverty, remove disparity, and enable the global citizens to enjoy a decent lifestyle-the lure of globalization. Others view globalization as "the evil" that will further enslave them to the rich”

In the broadest sense, Globalization implies integration of economies and societies across the globe through flows of technology, trade and capital. Integration of production, accelerated cross-border investments and more trade are the logical outcomes of this process. It is a phenomenon of 21^st century.

When I think of globalization in the context of Bangladesh, I think of a person like Hosne Ara Begum, a 40-year-old garments worker at Dekko Apparels Ltd. Hosne Ara, living with her unemployed husband and two children, was driven out of her village in Comilla because of poverty and hunger. With her limited education, she hardly had a chance for a decent job. However, she got a job two years ago at Dekko Apparels and now Hosne Ara can not only survive physically, but also dream of a future in which her school-going children would have much better prospects. Hosne Ara is not looking back anymore. She is striding forward to that future. For a Hosne Ara, the access of Bangladesh’s garments industry to the global market was a blessing (Frederick T. Temple, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh).

When I think globalization in Bangladesh, I visualized the young boys who wear baggy jeans, fitting short shirt, bracelet, and chain; also have weird & colored hairstyle, smoking like Hollywood superstars, using slang words. Beside the boys, girls dressed themselves as Indian heroine like Katrina Kaief, Awsawria Rai (Dr. Brian Shoesmith, Director of Media Studies & Journalism Department in ULAB).

Though it assumed that globalization in Bangladesh started from the period of Colonization but the actual flow began after the Second World War in 1945. I assume globalization a new form of colonization, which is not only exploits us but also hegemonies us for doing what they (1st world) want. Since 1944 from now on, the term that is invented by United States as a tool of new form of colonization has two way approach in our country. Some view this term as a form of economical freedom and some the domination of the west in Bangladesh. But, is it the soft truth? The irony matter is, it associates with global businesses, the allies, and a newly powerful centralized global trade bureaucracy. The debate goes so far, when people tell, for globalization; we have an open market economy, free flow of information and a new form of living condition. It is difficult and sometimes impossible to find out that how the west is grabbing our economy, politics and culture. Actually, they colonized our mind by various form of dissemination on the name information and global economy.

Developing countries like Bangladesh with vulnerable geopolitical locations and weak economies are now depends on globalization to strengthen their economy to fight any upcoming threats. But the role of globalization played by the western dominated institutions such as, the World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The agenda of the Bangladesh’s economical sector and upcoming debt formulated by these kinds of organizations, which are running on the process of economic exploitation of a country. For this, they are willing to give money for construct a road rather than a factory. Beside this for every debt they are selling there product in our country without any tax.

However, a closer look at the globalization will show that it has both positive and negative impacts on the economy of Bangladesh. A thorough understanding of the effect of globalization is needed to use its advantages to improve her economy. This may also help Bangladesh maintain a sustained growth in the face of likely economic peril. Though some view NGO (Non Government Organization) as a tool of economic exploitation but it brings changes on the living condition and status of the poor and rural people. Excludes are now becoming Includes. The garment sector opens the door of sufficiency to the people who previously live in a hurdle living. The most beneficiaries are the women who were deprived from the society but now they have power to earn. This economic revaluation is not only creates a skilled sector but also gradually decreased unemployment problem.

At last, I want to say, Globalization is a well excepted term all over the world, but developed countries are the real beneficiaries of the concept; where as the developing countries are in a confused situation to relate the term on there economic, social, political and personal life and it can not helps to reduce the gap between haves and have not.

References:

S. R. Osmani, Working paper no 65, The impact of globalization on poverty in Bangladesh, Published by Policy Integration Department, National Policy Group, International Labor Office, Geneva, November 2005.
Frederick T. Temple (World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh), Evidence Shows Globalization Has Benefited the Poor.
Wahiduddin Mahmud, Bangladesh Faces the Challenge of Globalization, YaleGlobalOnline, 22 October 2003.
Ronjit Kumar Nath ( Lecturer of Economics in Notre Dame Collage)