Naomi Klein: Anti-Globalization: Take a moment to think...

Globalization affects all of us, but have you ever considered how it is a part of our everyday lives? Please ask yourself the following questions and please take the time to think critically.

1. Do you feel you have an abundance of options when choosing to purchase everyday products such as shampoo, coffee or even which gas to purchase?

2. Were you affected in some way by the financial crisis over the last year and a half, whether it be job loss, financial instability or even added stress from others experience?

3. Do you ever question your healthcare provider, whether it be wait times for appointments or the medication that is prescribed to you?

4. Do you ever struggle to find information in English? If your first language is not English, is the information more or less attainable?

5. Have you ever noticed that there is an infinite amount of information available via the Internet? If so, do you ever question its validity?

6. Do you feel that you need to constantly update your technologies in order to keep up with others around you?

7. Have you been told recently by companies that they are making the effort to be more eco-friendly?

8. Do you feel like your culture is being overtaken by other cultures or that your culture is less evident in society?

9. Would you willingly give up your access to the internet and/or cell phone?

10. Are you ever concerned with the food you are eating or that there will ever be a shortage of food?

The following explains how globalization has impacted the way we live in a developed country.

1. If you answered yes, this is the impact of industrial globalization. Movement of goods between foreign boundaries gives consumers more choices, and at a lower price. This increase in options also means a decrease in quality and appreciation for goods that are not easily accessible in developing countries.

2. If you answered yes, it was caused by the financial changes due to globalization. Worldwide financial markets increase financing for borrowers. Increased trade and investment was not suited for the global financial infrastructure, which caused the recent recession that has impacted almost everyone worldwide.

3. If you answered yes, this is due to the change in health policies which has become fragmented and privatized leading to overcrowding and conflicting interests between the general public and the wealthy.

4. If you answered no, this is because although the most languages spoken worldwide are Mandarin and Spanish, English is still 50% of the Internet and radio information along with 40% of cable due to powerful, developed countries ignorance to provide multi-lingual means of communication.

5. If yes, this is the informational change from globalization. With the Internet, there is an increased passing of knowledge and information. However, it must be noted that information is filtered by the powerful people in politics and media.

6. If yes, this is due to increased competition through globalization. Only those with the best will succeed and eventually commodify, forcing consumers to continue upgrading to keep up.

7. If yes, this is can be true for most organizations, however, it must be considered that many are taking their production elsewhere, often developing countries and polluting their land and water.

8. If yes, with globalization, cross-cultural contact means that varying cultures may reduce diversity and assimilation or become a monoculture in which all become one, eliminating part of our identity..

9. If yes, you have not been affected by the technical changes under globalization. Today, we are reliant on technology, which is a recent phenomenon that comes with privacy issues and depletes our personal relationships.

10. If yes, food security has decreased from globalization. An increase in production and decrease in supply means we are consuming more processed foods. As shortage may not be an immediate issue for Canada; however, falling energy sources means there will be an even greater shortage for developing countries.

Globalization has been one of the most hotly debated topics in international economics over the past few years. Globalization has also generated significant international opposition over concerns that it has increased inequality and environmental degradation. In the Midwestern United States, globalization has eaten away at its competitive edge in industry and agriculture, lowering the quality of life in locations that have not adapted to the change.