Cross- cultural Communication This page intentionally left blank

Opposition to globalization
The main arguments against globalization can be summarized as follows:
Individual cultures are under threat of becoming more like each other 
because of the pressure of perceived cultural imperialism.
Global companies do not always observe the minimum standards of 
health and safety for their workforce, with unfair wages and no trade 
union representation. These concerns are seen in the employment of 
children, poor safety at work, particularly in mines, such as in South 
America and China, and the exploitation of migrant workers, including 
people trafficking.
The pervasive inroads of ‘global soft power’, as exemplified by the global 
branding of products, aggressive advertising by the media and their influ-
ence, particularly on the younger generation.
Advanced economies move their manufacturing to LDCs for cheaper 
labour, thus causing employment problems in the home country, particu-
larly for unskilled workers.
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The increased danger of protectionism because of the loss of manufacturing 
jobs and the stagnation of lower- and middle- class wage levels.
Global companies should pay taxes in those countries where they make 
their profits. Instead of repatriating them to their home country, they 
should invest in the country where they are based.
Global companies that pollute the environment should be made to pay 
for the clean-up costs. The principle of ‘the polluter pays’ should be 
enforced, as has been the case with BP following the huge oil spill in the 
Gulf of Mexico.
Globalization is often used as an excuse for the transfer of moral respon-
sibility and inertia in the face of social and economic deprivation.
Global companies can be seen as a threat to the independence of 
the nation state, which appears to be subordinate to their power and 
influence.
The outsourcing of employment, particularly in IT and the financial 
services sectors, to overseas countries can have negative effects on the 
home country economy.
The demise of local languages caused by the widespread use of English.