Chapter 11, Globalization, Scholte

Globalization and Un-Democracy

This chapter puts forth the premise that our traditional Democratic systems and values are not an adequate method to use to promote Globalization. In fact, Democracy actually is a force that runs contrary to established democratic principles that are based on territorial national boundries and established state systems.

There are several reasons for this. First of all, the people of a nation are sometimes ignorant of the true meaning of Globalization and the extent to which their counties are involved in a global world. Todays formal education process is limited in its approach to Globalization. In addition, the effect of mass media has proven to be a strong contributing factor to the effects of Globalization. Most knowledge that people obtain in relation to the subject usually is obtained from various mass media outlets, such as, newspapers, the Internet, and television. As a result, people are unaware and technically uninvolved with the systems that are at play in the global system and this runs contrary to one of the standard principles of democracy. That is, that all people in a democratic system should be involved in their states' decision making processes.

Civil society groups , such as, community organizations and faith based networks have attempted to fill the void left over from our education process, but their efforts have fallen short of the needed level of understanding. Many government agencies have recently attempted to provide for an open door policy through the Internet or other public awareness forums, but they have also fallen short of the needed level of citizen education.

Another factor to examine is the failure of institutional systems to properly involve their citizens in the decision making process within their government. To correct this the public should become more involved through public referenda such as polls and systems of accountability among public officials. In addition, legislation, can also provide an important input. The legislative process can help establish stronger oversight and provide public officials the oversight that is needed. The judiciary process can also provide significant input and influence over government oversight. finally the involvement of the civil society in the decision making process can help insure public input into the forces of Globalization within their individual territorial state.

Finally, structural inequalities exist throught the democratic system. This refers to social inequalities and the influence that a stronger nation has upon its weaker neighbor. Inequalities are stretched across a broad spectrum that includes inequalities between the individual nation-states and also, class and cultural inequalities. Genderdifferences also play an important part in the democratic systems failure to fully grasp the needs of Globalization.

As we can see there is a variety of reasons for the failure of liberal democracies to fully embrace Globalization. Education, failure of our elected leaders, the lack of oversight and structural inequalities have all played a part in the failure of the Democratic system within the global system.