The Book “Global Issues: Politics, Economics, and Culture” by Richard Payne

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Summary
Critique
Application
Policy Review
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Globalization is an inevitable consequence of human development due to advanced technology and more efficient transport and communication solutions to allow the movement of people and the transfer of goods. However, globalization is a phenomenon with both positive and negative implications on human society since it exposes individuals to adversities such as inequality, poverty, and stalled development in some nations because powerful countries take advantage of others’ resources to oversee their interests. Global Issues: Politics, Economics, and Culture by Richard Payne addresses the emergence of globalization and the factors individuals worldwide deal with due to its effects. The author sheds light on how globalization has altered human constructs and why it is necessary for people to familiarize themselves with its concepts. Learning about the issues, challenges, and opportunities of globalization can aid in better decision-making and the establishment of reliable solutions to factors such as poverty, economic instability, and insecurity.

Summary

In his book, Richard Payne dwells on international issues that students, teachers, and researchers are passionate about worldwide. Nevertheless, the mentioned issues are integral to human life because individuals experience and are always exposed to the implications of globalization. The author mentions that globalization is a consequence of human migration, efficient transport and communication, and economic factors. However, governments and state actors are often held liable for the outcomes of globalization because of the central role they play in its facilitation (Payne, 2014). Even so, countries with a well-managed political system, military capacity, and economic stability spread their cultures and intend to exercise their powers over others. Eventually, excessive power, imperial arrogance, and pride are reasons why powerful nations fall (Payne, 2014). Although the US has strengthened its position as a superpower nation, its supremacy is threatened by internal issues and domestic problems such as budget deficits and external issues like terrorism.

Throughout the book, the author explains various aspects of globalization that have taken center stage in world affairs. For example, equality, justice, democracy, and human rights are contentious issues that warrant the contributions of both governmental and non-governmental organizations such as the United Nations and Amnesty international (Payne, 2014). However, several other aspects of globalization have garnered the attention of world governments and collective action to diminish undesirable effects. For example, terrorism is a vice that has advanced through several stages, allowing terrorist groups to infiltrate world governments and use weapons of mass destruction to spread fear and oversee their interests (Dalby, 2020). However, terror and global criminal activities stem from the implications of globalization including the proliferation of weapons, radicalization, and resistance to democracy. Therefore, associating various aspects of globalization can enable policy-makers to establish better approaches to dealing with issues.

The author also touches on administrative, natural, and social factors that constitute globalization and its facets. For example, global trade has encouraged sustainable developments a nation can rely on others’ resources while sharing what they produce. However, issues such as financial crises significantly affect business activities and expose individuals to hardships (Payne, 2014). In addition, concerns such as environmental degradation, global health challenges, and an uncontrollable increase in the human population pose issues to national governments, requiring valuable contributions from international players to curb associated issues. Regardless of the developments the human race has made over the past millennia, conflicts and cultural clashes still cause divisions that threaten positive human development. Therefore, collective action is critical to deal with issues that matter the most while alleviating the negative effects of globalization.

Critique

Global Issues: Politics, Economics, and Culture highlights the current features of globalization, the relationship between globalization, human culture, and international relations, and the positive and adverse implications of globalization. As a result, the author touches on critical aspects of human life and the obligations of governments toward their people. A notable strength of the book is its comprehensive evaluation of the critical problems affecting the world. Although many students are aware of the global issues that impact positive development, they are not familiar with the relationship between these issues and their correlations (Sayed, 2022). However, throughout the chapters, the author associates globalization and other factors with positive and negative outcomes. The author talks about nations’ struggle for primacy and the divisions that occur due to conflicting interests, human rights and violence against women, terrorism, the environment, migration, global health, and cultural clashes as a result of migration. Thus, the author allows the reader to gain a broad understanding of what most countries deal with on a global scale.

A weakness of the book is that it does not focus on a single issue or a particular phenomenon about globalization that the human race should pay more attention to or acknowledge to improve outcomes. In other words, the book does not have a thesis or illustrative position to guide decision-making. Hence, it does not offer recommendations or solutions to limit the effects of globalization and enhance human life. Evidence-based research should advance knowledge that is beneficial and concepts applicable in solving problems in real-life (Edwards Jr & Means, 2019). However, Payne focuses on breaking down the components of globalization and its implications. Even so, the author is successful in explaining the concepts of globalization, its causes, and its effects on countries and individuals. Thus, the book is effective in providing information to guide intensive research on various aspects of globalization and help students understand its development.

Richard Payne focuses on various issues associated with globalization including the positive and negative attributes of globalization. However, the book does not adopt an organized structure since it jumps from one topic to the next without establishing a connection between concepts. Even so, the topics mentioned in the book are all associated with the effects of globalization including poverty and inequality, global economic challenges, terrorism, environmental degradation, cultural clashes, and the struggle for power and resources (Payne, 2014). Moreover, the author touches on the contributions of advanced technology, efficient communication, trade, and migration to countries’ economies, security, and stability. Hence, although the work is less organized, it is not deficient in information since the author explains the reasons why these issues are problematic or beneficial and informs the audience of their role in positively contributing to national and inter-state initiatives.

Application

Going through the book by Richard Payne allowed me to associate various government initiatives with their obligations to other nations and the global community. Although globalization has contributed to some adversities, it has facilitated cooperation between global players with similar interests and unified several nations (Payne, 2014). Particularly, I have gained an understanding of why less powerful nations are more vulnerable and may suffer more due to unprecedented global events. The Coronavirus Pandemic is an example of a worldwide health concern that interfered with world economies and limited the positive developments of globalization such as efficient transport and business (Farrell & Newman, 2020). Therefore, learning about the various factors of globalization can allow individuals to take the necessary reparations and contribute toward regional development since more nations will accept and appreciate their dependence on others.

Globalization has notable effects on several aspects of a country. Therefore, the topic is important because it influences nations’ initiatives, including their approaches to policy formulation and foreign relations. International organizations have enhanced their influence in countries worldwide, thus obligating them to conform to the demands of their external environments (Walter, 2021). Issues such as drugs, trade, social welfare, and the environment were once national concerns but have advanced to become global concerns. Consequently, policies in various countries are established with regard to these issues, making it important to investigate the attributes of globalization and how individuals, private organizations, and governments can collaborate to prevent negative outcomes.

Policy Review

Over the years, the US has altered its foreign policy initiatives to target positive developments, economic stability, and democracy in other nations to ensure its security. For example, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 transformed socio-economic developments in marginalized countries. Most recently, the act facilitated the establishment of the USAID economic growth policy intended to promote private-sector-based economic advancements in developing countries (USAID’S Economic Growth Policy, 2022). Through the USAID economic growth policy initiatives, the US can ensure sustainable trade and improve its security partnerships with other nations. Moreover, international business partnerships with other nations foster positive relations and allow the US to address other areas of globalization including environmental conservation, labor and human rights, and democracy, thus allowing it to play a major role in the process of globalization.

The US is a dominant political and economic actor in global affairs, meaning that its actions can influence the pace and direction of globalization. Therefore, engaging with other nations to spearhead economic benefits its interests since it enhances the value of trade activities and enables it to play its role of championing a world order guided by liberalism and democracy (Elson, 2019). Similarly, the position of the US as a powerful nation makes it a target for powers that do not appreciate their influence or approaches. However, strengthening the interdependence of the US with other nations assures it of allies who can offer assistance in case of security threats (Sayed, 2022). Moreover, the policy better positions the US to use its power for positive outcomes instead of conflicts and strife. Thus, the policy is beneficial and critical for future excellence.

Conclusion

Globalization is inevitable in a developing world due to more efficient communication, advanced technology, and reliable transport systems. Thus, issues such as medical epidemics, crime, and drug abuse, once perceived as national concerns have taken root in the international scene due to the influence of global players. However, Richard Payne dives deep into various globalization aspects and informs readers of how it has shaped the current human landscape. Although the author does not focus on a single concept, the book touches on all the relevant constituents of globalization, including its causes, implications, and benefits. Therefore, the book provides reliable information to guide policies such as the recently formulated USAID economic growth policy designed to empower struggling nations to achieve stability. Hence, the explanations provided in the book offer reliable guidance on the issues to consider when discussing globalization, hence its valuable application in research and academic studies.

References

Dalby, S. (2020). Anthropocene geopolitics: Globalization, security, sustainability. University of Ottawa Press.

Edwards Jr, D. B., & Means, A. (2019). Globalization, privatization, marginalization: Mapping and assessing connections and consequences in/through education. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 27, 123-123. Web.

Elson, A. (2019). Current US economic policy and the outlook for globalization. In Elson, A. (Ed.) The United States in the world economy (pp. 151-171). Palgrave Macmillan.

Farrell, H., & Newman, A. (2020). Will the coronavirus end globalization as we know it. Foreign Affairs, 16(3), 1-4. Web.

Payne, R. J. (2016). Global issues: Politics, Economics, and Culture (5^th e.d). Pearson.

Sayed, M. H. (2022). Risks, challenges and opportunities in globalization. In Hippler, J., & Ahmed, V., (Eds.) Global Pakistan: Pakistan’s role in the international system, 1(1), 221. Web.

USAID’S Economic Growth Policy. (2022). U.S. Agency for International Development. Web.

Walter, S. (2021). The backlash against globalization. Annual Review of Political Science, 24(1), 421-442. Web.

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