CHAPTER-8

MODULE 8
The Moral Challenge of Globalization
Learning Objectives
At the end of this chapter, the learners are expected to:
1. define globalization in his own words,
2. recognize and discuss the moral challenge of globalization,
3. state and analyze the real problem of globalization in the context of
morality, and
4. provide ways to think globally in the context of morality.
What is globalization? In fact, there is no precise definition of the term
globalization. Nonetheless, globalization is the process by which countries
around the world come together to do business with less taxes to pay.
Besides, due to easy communication, such as the use if internet, the
borderlines among countries are shrinking. For example, there are many toys
which are made in China and exported in McDonald company in United
States and even here in the Philippines. Just go to Divisoria, Manila, you will
see the reality of globalization. Products from China, Korea and Japan are
proliferated in the market. Though, this is not something new today, because
the first time the west meets the east is through “galleon trade,” and
globalization begins.
Globalization is very real today. The world is shrinking and borderlines

start to disappear. Nations are gradually becoming one especially in terms of
commerce and industry. But a question is still being asked, what is the effect
of this trend in socio-political sphere and to world economy? Is this trend has
moral challenge to the world and the people in every nation?
The moral challenge of globalization is inside us not from the outside. It

is a call to change from within. Meaning, to change our perspective about
life, its meaning and values; that is, to share our talents and energy in
constructing a more compassionate, caring, loving and peaceful world.
Instead of focusing only on world economics, geopolitics, information age
and technology advancement.
Globalization is a big word for us and we are gradually being swallowed

by it. Many government from underdeveloped and developing countries like
the Philippines, can’t easily adapt to the changing time. The old economic
system has changed. Many people in the world are facing job insecurity.
Many countries in Africa and Asia are declining due to the quick phasing of
development and the fast transfer of wealth from one nation to another. It
offers an unimaginable riches to affluent citizens of this world but they are
just the minority, the great majority stays in poverty. As the saying goes, in
globalization, the rich becomes richer and the poor becomes poorer.
The Real Problem of Globalization
In globalization, the world is facing a bigger problem than financial

crisis. It is about the basic needs of the people throughout the world, like
potable water, insufficient housing, and an honest leader. More so, the world
is looking for true spirituality that will transform the heart of the oligarchs
and capitalists to be compassionate. A heart that is pro-poor, pro-
environments and pro-life. People are tired of receiving dole-outs from
foreign philanthropists and the United Nations. We need people who accept
human obligations. People who are not coward to choose what is right.
People who are not greedy, and thinks only of themselves, who are not
interested to war and violence. People who thinks of the labor sectors than
profit oriented businessmen. People who want to live harmoniously with
environment. People who are opened to education. Lastly people who are
concern with morality. In other words, in this age of globalization, we must
not allow greedy, violent, materialistic people. People who are not concerned
with mother earth and other beings. The challenge today, is for us to think
about justice and compassion on a worldwide scale.
The Right Thing to do in a Globalized World
1. The first thing to do in this globalized world should be, to adopt peace
which is beyond the meaning of national security. Human protection
means to protect human life and dignity, not by military weapons nor by
wealth, but by peace based on justice. There is no peace without justice.
How can we say that there is peace when many people get hungry?
When more people enrich themselves and fewer schools for poor children
or houses for the homeless? How can we say that there is peace when
millions of laborers receive unjust wages and salaries? These
unacceptable inequalities can’t provide lasting peace into this world.
2. The second thing do in this globalized world should be, to understand the
real meaning of democracy. Most of the times, we link democracy to
absolute freedom. In a democratic country, we do what we want and
nobody check our actions. Thus, we become selfish individuals. We don’t
mind the true value of relationships- personal, social and environmental.
Democratic revolution is not merely sentimental and individualistic. It
demands changes in the way we live and understand ourselves. It is
promises to change the structures that govern our society. It is a radical
philosophy of civic participation. It is the faith that through public
dialogue and inclusive deliberation, everybody builds ever better systems
for living together. It rests on the need for all citizens, powerful and
power-less alike to influence meaningfully the political and economic
institutions that affect their lives. It is a privilege to be with other citizens
of the world, exercising one’s own rights and practicing compassion to
all.
3. The last thing to do in this globalized world should be, the reformulation
of justice within the context of economy. True democracy is the
distribution of economic power. Today, big corporations are merging to
consolidate their wealth and forget the poor. We need to change this
trend and start to think of the poor in society, the underprivileged, the
socially disadvantaged, the oppressed and the economically deprived.
No more racial discrimination. These kind of people should be taught how
to involve themselves in making decisions – politically, economically and
socially. Telling them to be actors than spectators only in a global
society.
The Responsibility of the First World
It is the responsibility of rich and powerful countries of the world to

formulate a policy that support the poor and empower the third world to
manage themselves and attain development – financially, politically,
culturally etc. And promote a human and humane global world.
Unfortunately, many rich and developed countries have turned their backs
from this responsibility. Example, is the task of rich countries to include in
their humanitarian programs ‘debt forgiveness.’ Debt dehumanized poor
countries in most parts of Africa and Asia, due to the high interest enforced
by financial institutions owned by rich countries, the debtors, most of which
belongs to poor countries, have difficulties to pay their debt. Especially those
countries that are devastated by natural calamities. It is high time for the
rich nations to be responsible by being sensitive to the needs of the poor,
sufferings, homeless and neglected in society, and be compassionate with
them.
Security by Building Military Capability – A Wrong Perspective
Military capability, is the ability of a nation to win a war against its

enemy which include force structure, modernization, readiness, and
sustainability (https://
www.thefreedictionary.com/military+capability).
There are rich countries that build up their military capabilities instead
of formulating just aid policies and forgiving debts of poor countries for
human development, like the United States, Russia and China. Other affluent
countries continuously developing and manufacturing military hardware
instead of building houses and manufacturing foods for the underprivileged
and the socially disadvantaged in the world. All these bring about deep
human suffering, contribute to poverty and delay human development. War,
and the preparation for war, is a big obstructions to human advancement. It
brings about a ferocious series of arms build-ups, violence, and poverty.
Leaders of the world must stop showing militaristic venture as a

measure of national security, instead invest in a peaceful multilateral efforts
to avoid world war and improve poor human conditions from all nations.
Summary
Globalization is the gathering of all nations to make trade and

humanize the world. In other words , the outcome of globalization is
supposed to be human unity in a humane world. However, in globalization
today, some people become wealthy and the great majority remain poor.
The imbalance in the distribution of the wealth of the nation dichotomizes
the people and the world. The question now is, what is your contribution in
this age of globalization – injustices or protection of the dignity and life of
human persons, including other beings in our environment?
Human progress comes when we see people act for the good of all and
think to end poverty and inequality. The struggle can only happen if there is
a “collective action” of people who commit personally to justice and
compassion. It is only then, we can be more humane and live in peace.
Globalization is, indeed, a vocation to change of heart.

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MODULE 8

The Moral Challenge of Globalization

Globalization is very real today. The world is shrinking and borderlines

The moral challenge of globalization is inside us not from the outside. It

Globalization is a big word for us and we are gradually being swallowed

The Real Problem of Globalization

In globalization, the world is facing a bigger problem than financial

The Right Thing to do in a Globalized World

It is the responsibility of rich and powerful countries of the world to

Security by Building Military Capability – A Wrong Perspective

Military capability, is the ability of a nation to win a war against its

Leaders of the world must stop showing militaristic venture as a

Globalization is the gathering of all nations to make trade and

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