Globalization is Good

Whatever your opinion is on globalization, this documentary makes a powerful contribution to a debate that surfaces worldwide.

The destinations include:

TAIWAN

Taiwan is as an example of how a country can benefit by consciously embracing global capitalism. Less than 30 years ago people in Taiwan were poorer than Africans, many suffered from malnutrition and cheap labour was widespread. However, in the 1960s Taiwan entered the free economy and discovered how they could make their wealth by producing millions of characteristic plastic toys which proved to be the crucial stage for Taiwan’s road to riches. Remarkably, Norberg argues that this is linked to the country’s adoption of democracy.

VIETNAM

Vietnam is considered one of the world’s poorest countries and the majority of people still live off the land but Johan believes that this is beginning to change. He challenges the assumption that the cheap labour in Vietnam’s notorious sweatshops are the key to the country’s future prosperity. He believes that the notorious sweatshops are the stepping-stone to progress. Johan visits the NIKE sweatshop to find out the views of the people that work there. In 1988 Vietnam outlawed child labour but the economy was still weak and parents relied on their children to work in order for the family to survive. However, over the last ten years the figures have begun to drop thanks to the sweatshops, which are providing a source of income for the families, which means that children can go to school. Johan’s interaction with the workers and factory owners raises some questions surrounding the myths of child labour.

KENYA

People here are poor because they closed their doors to globalization. One in three Kenyans are suffering from poverty and more than half of the population still work on the land. Most farmers are still poor because the Kenyan government will not give them property rights. Therefore, capitalism cannot develop, as the workers are unable to expand their businesses because their situation relies on help from the government but the country is hampered with bureaucracy. There are also export restrictions which means the only way of earning money is through the black market. The flower industry in Kenya is one of the few businesses that the European industry has granted especially low tariffs so it is no surprise that this is one of the largest exports from Kenya. Globalisation Is Good is an insightful documentary offering intelligent arguments, inviting the viewer to take a look from the other side of the anti-capitalist debate.

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