Trends in Globalization

Globalization from the Middle Ages Unitl Current
Janet Johnson
Global Socioeconomic Perspectives
Errol G. Palmer
June 1, 2008

Trends in Globalization from the Middle Ages Until Current
Summary:
Globalization means different things to different states. In the United States of America, it might mean that we have access to fresh strawberries year around, in Iran, it might mean that their leader has a higher level of accountability than ever before.(Douglass, J.A., Dec 2005), As globalization continues, quality of life and standards of living dramatically improves for all the countries involved. (Turri, A., Maniam, B. & Leavell, H., 2006). My research shows a trend toward more treaties and agreements exist between more states, covering more complex problems and that these treaties and agreements are employing more liberal and inventive methods for solving problems. (Harnecker, M, 2005). I will look at the trends in globalization from the Middle Ages until now, and I will try to prove, using economic success, desire for peace, and quality of life as the assumed goals, that interdependence is inevitable and will continue.


History of Globalization
The Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, travel was a moderately uncomfortable and dangerous undertaking. However, travel in Europe, Africa, and Asia was common and the search for new commodities and new trade routes were often undertaken. (Macdonald, F, 1984) This growth continued until the Black Plague (1347-1349), which wiped out more than one third of Europe’s population. The economy and the trade didn’t fully restore itself until the early 1400’s. (Applied History Research Group, 1997)
Renaissance
By the 15th century many of the fruits and spices that are available now were starting to show up at town markets. Trade routes from the Middle Ages had resumed and because of new inventions and reliable maps, routes were increasing . (Burckhardt, 1878)
Christopher Columbus and other explorers discovered the Americas and all the riches that they brought (gold, new foods, spices, and land). The European states were expanding and colonizing, the desire for freedom and opportunity brought settlers to these new colonies. (Social Studies For Kids webpage)
The New World
By the time the United States of America was formed in 1776, worldwide trade was firmly established. Exotic food was available to those who could afford it. Fashion standards were becoming global. The Christianity crusades were slowing. Tobacco, food, textiles, and paper were being shipped out of the United States and tea, coffee, and textiles were being imported. (Social Studies for Kids webpage)
Discussion
There were treaties and agreements between heads of state, generally as the result of war. For instance, there was a peace settlement which consisted of a group of treaties called the Peace of Utrecht (1713) which was a result of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). (Viotti, P & Kauppi, M, 2009) This was not only to decide who controlled what land, and decide who won the war, but it also began commerce regulation (Gave British the sole right to slave trade in the Americas). (Microsoft Encarta, 2008)
This type of agreement became more common as conflicts erupted over rights to trade, and how to keep peace. (Viotti, P & Kauppi, M, 2009) The formation of Leagues and Groups became more formal. After World War I (1914-1918) the League of Nations and World Court was formed to help healing and keep world peace. This grouping of allies has continued until today, when diplomacy is a larger force in determining how states interact than even war.
Economic Success
My research has shown that increased globalization has a positive effect on economics. In order to show that globalization has a positive impact economically on the world overall and on individual states, I’ve looked at studies concerning the computer hardware and the cost of computers. (Turri, et al, 2006)
The major computer manufactures, Dell, HP, IBM, and Gateway outsourced their support help desks to lower the operating costs and the costs of the computers that have technical support as part of the product. India, who has a slowly recovering economy where over one third of it’s population still lives below the poverty level, provides 30 to 40 % of the computer industry’s software production. (Dunlop, J.E. & Velkoff, V.A., 1999) This lowers the cost of the computer and the operating costs of the company. With what is being called “follow the sun support”, having employees in all time zones so that companies can be productive twenty-four hours per day.
As the cost of the personal computer lowers, the impact on the United States’ job market might be called into question. Research done by Arora & Gambardella (2005) were reported to have concluded that “although export-oriented software activities have been completed in countries outside of the United Sates, they are complementary to activities which are still being completed inside of the United States and typically at a lower level such as product support and maintenance rather than initial product development. (Turri et al, 2006)
Globalization will continue to increase competition in the technology and other marketplaces. Stronger competition, more access to higher education, less expensive base materials, and cheaper unskilled labor: all of this will bring the cost of products down and the quality of the products available continually higher.
War and Peace
When individual states enter into the different treaties and agreements with other countries, their continued peace becomes more certain. Since the inception of the United Nations peacekeepers in 1945, the multinational organizations have become central to preserving peace and preventing war.
According to the United Nations’ own records, the peacekeeping missions are strategic in keeping military action from occurring. Having over eighty-five thousand uniformed personnel, highly trained and from a variety of countries, the United Nations peacekeepers are effective in maintaining order when called upon to do so.
According to the U.N. Charter, Article 4, Chapter 2:
"Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations.The admission of any such state to membership in the United Nations will be effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council."
There are 192, including the recent addition of the state of Montenegro, member states currently in the United Nations, including almost all recognized independent states.
Quality of Life
As trade increases and negotiations bring about more fair trade practices, quality of life improves for those at all economic strata. I will look at the history of the coffee bean farmer and the growth of the Fair Trade Coffee branding to give an example of how increased globalization can improve quality of life.
The primary goal of the Fair Trade movement has been to only use coffee from coffee farmers (who are generally small holders) that get a fair price for their harvests in order to achieve a decent living wage. Fair Trade was designed independently of any government as a watchdog group for consumers who wish to be aware of the impact of their purchase.
Coffee farming has been an traditional way of life for many in South America, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. With coffee getting as low as fifty cents per pound from the small farmer, the gourmet coffee industry has enormous profits. Without organized multinational oversight, the coffee farmer is left out of the profit increase. The Fair Trade movement is simply a branding that allows the consumer to know that this product bought at a fair price from the farmer.
The existence of an independently organized group like Fair Trade is evidence that in time, increased globalization will stop the “sweatshops” of some countries. People with choices are often willing to pay more for quality products which don’t exploit any given group.
Conclusion
The research on the history of globalization shows how increasingly complex agreements regarding trade and war have brought about a more peaceful planet. The improved economic success of the participating states, the decrease in armed conflicts, and the improved living conditions for the middle classes and the impoverished would make it extremely unlikely that globalization would decrease.

References
Applied History Research Group, (1997), The end of Europe’s middle ages, University of Calgary.
Burckhardt, Jacob, (1878), The civilization of the renaissance in Italy, the state as a work of art, foreign policy, translated by Middlemore, S.G.C. in 1878, searched on June 1, 2008, http://www.idbsu.edu/courses/hy309/docs/burckhardt/1-8.html
Douglass, J.A., (Dec 2005), How all globalization is local: countervailing forces and their
influence on higher education markets, Higher Education Policy, Houndmills, vol
18, iss 4, pg 445, retrieved from the ProQuest database on May 19, 2008
Dunlop, J.E. & Velkoff, V.A.,(January 1999) Women and the economy in India, U.S.
Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, Women of the
World, December 3, 1998
Fair Trade Website, 2008, http://www.globalexchange.org/ campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/background.html
Harnecker, M, (Apr 2005), On leftist strategy, Science & Society, New York, vol 69, iss 2,
pg 142, 11 pgs, retrieved from the ProQuest database on May 19, 2008
Macdonald, Fiona. The Middle Ages. Silver Burdett Company. London. 1984.
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008, Peace of Utrecht,
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Social Studies For Kids, Thirteen American colonies, searched on June 2, 2008, http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonies1.htm
Turri, A., Maniam, B. & Leavell, H., (December 2006), Globalization: the good, bad and
ugly, The Business review, Cambridge, Vol. 6, Iss. 1, pg. 31, 7 pgs, retrieved from
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The United Nations Website, searched on June 1, 2008
Viotti, P.R. & Kauppi, M. V.,(2009), Pearson Education, Inc. New Jersey