Globalization... Exchange cultures or crush privacy?

In today's world, with the communication revolution, the rise of informatics, and the spread of economic globalization, there is a widespread agreement that the world has been transformed into a global village, where the interests and fates of nations are deeply interconnected in ways that were unimaginable in ancient times. Gone are the days of isolation and self-imposed barriers, replaced instead by an era of openness and interaction with other peoples—driven by both choice and necessity. This new cultural reality brings with it both advantages and risks. While it has certainly benefited people through improved communication, education, and economic integration, it has also brought challenges and crises, particularly in terms of identity, preservation, and how to navigate these new relationships without succumbing to the dangers of conflict, war, and dominance.

The fear surrounding globalization has sparked much debate, with conflicting viewpoints and clashes between its supporters and critics. What exactly is globalization? How does it relate to people and humanity? Is it a beacon of hope that we should embrace, or is it a looming threat that we should fear?

Globalization represents the growing economic and cultural openness of the world's peoples, and it is defined by the increasing economic interdependence among nations. The driving forces behind globalization include the communication revolution, the rise of the market economy, and notably, the collapse of the communist bloc in the early 1990s. From the perspective of those who benefit from it, globalization is seen as a reflection of universal values, bringing the world closer together and transforming it into a global village. It has enabled people to equally share in the benefits of scientific and technological advancements.

The view that globalization represents the manifestation of cosmic values and a promise of life for all peoples is increasingly challenged. Critics, such as Garudi, argue that globalization is not a harmonious or positive force but rather a system that perpetuates dominant relations among nations, dividing the world into centers and peripheries, as described by Samir Amin. From this perspective, globalization is not a force for unity or progress, but a threat that imposes existential risks on nations and cultures worldwide.

Why should we fear globalization?

On one hand, globalization poses a threat to the so-called dominant peoples by undermining their economic independence. It integrates them into the global economy in ways that drain their resources, subjecting them to the pressures of capitalist forces and enforcing development models that may not align with their specific needs. This economic integration also deepens the divide between the global South and North, exacerbating inequality both within countries and between them. Social crises—such as unemployment, rising living costs, monopolies, migration, and smuggling—are intensified, further destabilizing societies. Furthermore, globalization undermines national political sovereignty by eroding the ability of states to make independent decisions, as they become increasingly beholden to global institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization.

Culturally, globalization poses a threat to diversity by spreading Western systems of living and thinking across the globe. It promotes a uniform consumer culture that undermines local traditions, eroding the cultural specificity of nations in the West, the Americas, and beyond.

On the other hand, globalization can also be seen as a threat to the very peoples who drive and benefit from it. It forces them to export not only their goods but also their values. As Western societies export their economic and cultural systems worldwide, they weaken their own human values, replacing solidarity with exploitation, liberty with consumption, and creativity with materialism. The culture of truth, beauty, and goodness is displaced by a commodified, opportunistic version of human rights, liberty, justice, and dignity—values that are used to manipulate and exert control over other nations. In this way, globalization becomes not just a threat to other peoples but also to the foundational values of the societies that promote it. 

Capitalist economic globalization, according to critics like Garudi, is not a suitable framework for balancing the preservation of what is private with openness to what is universal. Instead, it represents the opposite of this balance, posing a double threat to both privacy and universality. Garudi argues that it leads to a world order devoid of conscience and cultural diversity, one that is governed by what he terms a "new monotheistic religion—the market religion." This "market religion" places the pursuit of profit above all else, disregarding the moral and cultural values that once guided societies. In this view, globalization is not a force that harmonizes local and global interests but rather one that erases individual and cultural identities in favor of a uniform, market-driven worldview.