The Impacts of Globalization on the Development of Small Communities
First of all, let us take a look at the literature meaning of the title. This is the first section of my essay. “Impact” means “a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person “(Cambridge Dictionary 3rd edition, 2008). It could be anything or any system. In our case, the positive impact of community development is improving the ability of communities (Shaffer, unpublished).
definition I want to highlight is globalization which a process that encompasses the causes, course, and consequences of transnational and transcultural integration of human and non-human activities (Al-Rodhan, 2006).
“Development” is a process that increases choices. It means new options, diversification, thinking about apparent issues differently and anticipating change (Christenson et.al., 1989). It involves cultural, social, physical and economic changes in community. Development can also sometimes mean less or fewer people in a community, or the loss of a manufacturing plant for example could improve the circumstances of what people value in the community and can occur without growth and growth can occur without development (Cavaye, 2001).
Second section of this assignment, I would like to talk about a) the concept of Globalization and b) development of small community.
Among globalization concepts are organizations, governance, economy and E-community. Firstly, E-organization is established and operated, based on the Internet and other related technologies in an environment referred to as Internet Culture, whereby organisation will be placing the Internet at the center of their business and encouraging ubiquitous use of
networked technologies (Azumah, 2009). Many companies in Malaysia nowadays were founded by this concept such as Maybank, Planner consultancy companies and others. Secondly is E-Governance which means governments that uses Internet and communication technologies to automate governance in innovative ways, so that it becomes more efficient, more cost-effective, and empowers the human race even more (Bhogle,2009). Malaysia is now reaching full e-governance in every level and agencies. Prime Minister Office Malaysia (PMO Websites) handles Waqf, religion department, social and welfare of the citizens by using internet. Next, E-economy is a modification in the behaviour of economic agents and citizens resulting from the possibilities offered by the spectacular development and reduction in price of ICT and, in particular, from the development of the Internet (Brussels, 2001). E-economy increased competition, resulting from lower barriers and the creation of new channels for delivery of products and services. It also provides new business models, with cost savings, better quality and customer-driven innovation. Moreover, there is creation of new ways of buying and selling, with a further customisation of products and services and produces new skills requirements. For an example, people nowadays conduct online business such as tudung (Rebels Collection), Clothes (ZALORA), and Insurance company (Zurich formerly known as MAA). Furthermore,
Next concept is the Development of Small Communities. Cavaye (2001) stated that the “concrete” benefits of community development, such as employment and infrastructure, come through local people changing attitudes, mobilising existing skills, improving networks, thinking differently about problems, and using community assets in new ways. Meaning that, the small community itself engages in a process aimed at improving the social, economic and
environmental situation of the community. Moreover, community development is a process where people are united with those of governmental authorities to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of communities and communities are integrated into the life of the nation enabling them to contribute fully to national progress (Biggs, 1999). Aspen Institute, (2000) has also stated that community capacity is the combined influence of a community’s commitment, resources and skills that can be deployed to build on community strengths and address
community problems and opportunities. Personally, I concluded that development of small communities includes economy, physical, cultural, social, environmental and political development. Economic development involves many of the elements of community
development, such as participation, rethinking, action learning etc. and specifically aims to improve the relative economic position of the community. (Flora et. al., 1992). Physical
development of community means infrastructure and facilities development in small community. For an example, near my house in Muar, there is Fishing Village that been developed as
homestay (Trata’ Leka Homestay Muar). There is significant development houses quality, architecture, landscape, and environmental quality. Because of globalization, this homestay has able to commercial its SME products to international tourists and trade. Subsequently, it enables economic growth of the villagers. In social development, the villagers are participating to develop their village to become tourist attractions. Moreover, the concept of small community development also includes social changes. For an example, there is urban residents in Shah Alam which has succeed in solving crime issues in their residents through cooperation which is
In this third section of this assignment, I would like to talk about the Impacts of Globalization on the Development of Small Communities. I have divided into positive and negative impacts.
The positive impacts of globalization are various. Firstly, globalization leads to
sustainable community. A sustainable community is a community that improves and enhances its natural, social and economic capital in ways that allow current and future inhabitants of the community to have healthy, productive and happy lives (Brundtland Commission’s
Definition,n.d). Globalization in small community can improve the quality of life of both current and future generations, while safeguarding the earth’s capacity to support life in all its diversity. Globalization also makes the community abide by the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights including freedom, equal opportunities and cultural diversity. Most importantly,
globalization promotes high levels of employment in an economy whose strength is based on education, innovation, social and territorial cohesion and the protection of human health and the environment. Sustainable community is achieved when three fundamental components exist. The three components are Environmentally Sound, Economically Productive, Socially Just (Swisher, Rezola and Sterns, 2012). Environmentally sound means Decision-making focuses on reducing the impacts of population growth and development on natural resources and the environment. This only can be done with knowledgeable community. Economically productive means community members make local capital investments that will sustain local human and natural resources and yield adequate financial returns to those investments. Socially just means equitable access to resources and decision making processes foster the distribution of foods and benefits across all sectors to the community.
Example of positive globalizaiton on sustainable community is Petaling Jaya City. MBPJ has launched a Local Agenda 21 seminar on 10th May 2000 to acknowledge the participants about the goals and the first meeting between the residents was held in year 2000. The committee member of the Local Agenda 21 is formed in July 2000 and the leader is the Head of MBPJ. Basically, the sustainable Plan by MBPJ is emphasize on the awareness of environment and they focus on how to care for the environment. Few programs had been organized such as:
The pioneering project “Harmonising NEHAP policy in the local government” with Ministry of Helath.
The launched of natural and organic food fiesta with other NGO.
Globalization has empowered each individual and all small community in Petaling Jaya to ensure the success of this plan.
The second positive impact of globalization towards small community is on SOCIAL. Globalization has leads to education consciousness and made the community become
knowledgeable (Merrill, 2006; Schutt, n.d). The activists in small community will inform others about oppression, injustice, and alternative visions, thus motivate others to participate in their struggle. According to Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JKOA) many Orang Asli communities has experienced globalization in their daily lives. This can be proven through conversations with friends, street speaking, rallies, protest demonstrations, study groups, advertisements, and publishing articles, reports, and books. Globalization has leads to community empowerment (Schutt, n.d). Community empowerment processes develop a sense of responsibility,
commitment, and ability to care for collective survival, as wells as skills in problem solving, and political efficacy to influence changes in environments relevant to the quality of life (Narayan, 2000). Four elements of empowerment are access to information, inclusion and participation, accountability, and local organizational capacity. Activists encourage and support others to work for social change, often by showing them how to do it and demonstrating that the consequences. According to (10th Malaysia Plan, 2010) many small communities in rural Malaysia has
healthcare and services. Nowadays, in many rural areas, there are Klinik 1Malaysia that provide great services and latest technology for RM1 fee only. Besides, Globalization in small
community leads to population growth and people mobility (Berita Harian, 2008). The
employment is particular community will attract the immigrants. For an example, near my home town, in Pagoh Industrial Hub, there is lot of foreign low-cost workers. In addition, according to (Singapore Press, 2012), globalization has made their local community to become liveable and vibrant with the implementation of modern technology. Furthermore, globalization in small communities has enables the civilized and acceptable law and regulation to be practised. This laws pertaining to community welfare has made the community safer. Besides, globalization also encourages the community to take charge to ensure their safety and solve their community issues. In other words, it increases community participation. For an example, according to Nurul (2012) there is residents in Shah Alam has solved local issue which is thief. Community
participation also can be seen in Banghuris Homestay Community. In this homestay project, 90 houses are cooperating together to promote their places as international tourism area (Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, 2008). This also proves the success of cultural globalization. Lastly,
globalization has gendered impacts on women. Women nowadays are empowered (Fretella, 2004). There is feminization at work place. In some small community, the leader/ Penghulu are women. The women had able to influence community with the knowledge they had. Many rural women nowadays are degree or doctorate holder (Insitut Sosial Negara, 2010). Furthermore, we can see increasing in women performance in some small communities. This situation would create competition between genders to achieve high position in community.
and shorter time. Thirdly, subsequently, globalization will boost economic growth and
investment of small community. Community is able to conduct business online and this kind of business can penetrate world market (Najib, 2013). Fourthly, small community will benefit in which there will be more market competition, thus lower price and better quality (Merrill, 2006). For an example, there are few grocery stores in community. The seller/ manager will set low price to compete and attract costumer. With new technology, goods will become greater quality. Lastly, in socio-economic aspect of globalization, immigrant workers represent both alternative sources of income and consumption that boost economy by making a contribution or investment into local economies and they also are able to bring positive structural changes in local
communities because immigrant workers bring new ideas and knowledge (Orozalieva, 2010). The fourth positive impact of globalization towards small community is on PHYSICAL.
Firstly, it gives impact on urbanization of small community. According to (MySelangorku, 2012), globalization in small communities in Selangor has rapidly occurred. It leads to opening of new small urban area. The construction cost also will be lower because abundance of smart
technology. Secondly, globalization also contributes to better life quality. For an example, near my hometown in Muar, there is village project entitled “Kampung Bestari” which promotes life and environmental quality of that small community. This can be achieved with the help of the government bodies. Thirdly, according to (Berita Harian, 2011), globalization has contributed to better infrastructures and facilities provision in small community. This can be proven when we look at Malaysian rural scenario.
The fifth positive impact of globalization towards small community is on POLITICAL.
The sixth positive impact of globalization towards small community is on
ENVIRONMENT. Globalization has impact the small community as it increases their
environmental awareness (Salleh, 2001). In Malaysia context, we can see in Local Agenda 21 implemented in Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). In this plan, the community is educated with modern sustainable eco-friendly technology and how to implement it in daily life. Through Information Technology, the local authority has conducted various seminars on the importance of environmental awareness. Secondly, globalization has introduced us with various technologies to preserve the nature (Howard, 2001). Nowadays, car smoke has been filtered, renewable energy like solar has been used, and green building index (GBI) had been implemented in daily life. Thus, it enables the human to conserve and preserved the nature at the same time minimizing bad impacts.
Like any other system or invention, there would be bad impacts. So, I would like to talk about the negative Impacts of Globalization on the Development of Small Communities. The first negative impact of globalization towards small community is on SOCIAL. Mars, (2007) stated that globalization has severe impacts on social because there is reduction in the authority of the old, a lessening in deference and respect paid to them. Basically, the youths less respect the older because there think the elders are less knowledgeable, narrow-minded and socially problematic. For an example, a child who is obsessed with modern fashion might be not respecting his parents because their parents’ fashion is outdated. Secondly, Mars, (2007) also stated that traditional household, especially in its extended forms as institutions of
space for outdoor recreation (Bella, 2003). There will be destruction of the traditions and culture of the membership, a consequence of the destruction of the traditional legitimacies (Chuceru, 2011). Fourthly, there will multiple and complex pattern of culture and fluctuate based on latest trend. A way of life which is a deeply ingrained pattern of living where individuals fulfil multiple diverse roles has been replaced by lifestyles that are purchased and easily discarded as each lifestyle fad is marketed to docile consumers (Swan, 2000). For an example, modern urban children are easily obsessed with current fashion and interest. They will experience identity and cultural confusion. Fifthly, there will be more community internal sabotage due to jealousy of someone happiness (Chuceru, 2011). In this capitalism oriented globalization, people judge a person through their wealth and more driven by profit-based. Thus, the wealthy individual in small community is more likely to be sabotaged. In Malaysia, this evil doing has been spreading to urban companies also; slander and lies everywhere.
The second negative impact of globalization towards small community is on
ECONOMY. Firstly,sometimes, corporate market surrounding gives pressure to small
The third negative impact of globalization towards small community is on POLITICAL. Politically speaking, globalization mostly will benefit the wealthy. Nation states exist to protect the property & profits of the corporations, not the health & rights of individuals in small
community (Merrill, 2006). The giant companies are well-established and supported with good lawyers, government link and inter-business connections. Small community or individual with low impact to government sometimes does not supported by government. There is biasness.
The fourth negative impact of globalization towards small community is on
ENVIRONMENT aspect. Goldsmith, (1997) stated that “our forests are overlogged, our
agricultural lands overcropped, our grasslands overgrazed, our wetlands overdrained, our groundwaters overtapped, our seas overfished, and just about the whole terrestrial and marine environment overpolluted with chemical and radioactive poisons”. Globalization which is driven by capitalism in industry will pollute small community’s water, air and noise. For an example, in small community, there is factory mass producing furniture. As a result, the surrounding
community will experience health problem due to air pollution and haze; contamination of water sources; and noise pollution as the factory is operated 24-hour a day. So, the detrimental effects are more than the positive benefits to the community (Hellia, 2003).
In this last section of this assignment, I would like to discuss about the Globalization on the Development of Small Communities and suggest techniques to improve them.
Basically, we cannot stop the globalization from happening and how it changes our local community. This is because, globalization affect severely towards rural community and change it to modern lifestyles. The impacts of corporate globalization reach far past the economic into the socio-cultural lives of people in rural communities. Globalization, essentially, analyzed in consideration of communicative instruments and many rurals have access to modern
community. The globalization has affected how the community thinks, behaves and conducts business in their lives. The eco-friendly technique definitely must be implemented. It requires comprehensive action from authority and the community itself. At the same time, the community itself must assertively take initiative to improve themselves by participating in decision-making, business opportunity, community building and etc.
In social aspects, community or society must be united and cooperated as to strengthen
the internal and external community. They must make sure that the bonding between them would not erode because of globalization. Small community must have firm stand on particular issue. They also should uphold their cultural value. Their history of community must not be forgotten because if they forget, they tend to repeat it. The Malay should not influenced by hedonism value of evil and destructive American. So, it is very important to the community leaders to take charge in driving and leading their community. The leader should maintain good bonding between societies so that they can tackle community issues peacefully such as cleanliness issues, crime and etc. In addition, the intelligent people in community should educate and guide the others so that everyone in the community has the knowledge and ability to participate in community and promote education consciousness. Most importantly, everyone in small community must take advantage of advanced technology to build good business and network with government, NGO, private companies and other agencies. They must strive to make their village as livable and vibrant so that economic growth can be boosted. In addition, nowadays, women are more empowered. In Malaysia also, government has promoted women role in high government position. This is to ensure that women also can become an asset to the nation; not just cooking and taking care of children. Those jobs are now for Indon Ammah. At the same time, youngsters in small community should respects their elders event though some elders are liability to the community because unable to benefit the community. Hopefully, the community can solve their internal and external problems such as slander, sabotage and others. When the community is united and adheres to each other, nothing that cannot be achieved. Even crime issues also can be solved, such as thief in residents. Basically, small community must be able to adapt to
globalization without diminishing positive value of the community.
In economy aspects, small community must grab the opportunity given by the
bigger with great connections. Community is also encouraged to be more hardworking, more creative, more innovative and more competitive. At the same time, in a challenging world, they must learn how to use computer, internet, and modern machines to increase production of their small community business. On the other hand, government must help the poor community and narrow the poor-rich gap. It should be fair distribution of nation’s wealth; not just enriching the cronies. Steps to reduce poverty must be implemented in policymaking to encounter rural poverty as is one of the most important priorities in rural development (Taherkhani, 2005). Smart moves must be taken so there are no impoverishing small ranchers and farmers, forcing them to sell out, depopulating large chunks of rural America changing the way Americans get their food (Sumner, 2001). Nowadays, there is erosion of the power of the nation-state transforms
institutions of the state from being protectors of the health and rights of people to protectors of the property and profits of corporations (Sumner, 2001).
In physical aspects, urbanization caused by urbanization must be guided as to mitigate
bad impacts to small community. The community is reminded not to misuse and vandalise the facilities provided by the authority. We must not be influenced by western culture. They must work together to maintain the well-being and cleanliness of the infrastructure. At the same time, small community must utilize the existing facilities to prevent wastage. For an example, in small community, sometimes they neglect and don’t use the bus station provided. Instead, they tend to use private transport.
In political aspects, community must abide by the law set by authority. Globalization has
Lastly, in environment aspects, with the help of globalization and information
technology, small community are becoming aware of the environment. Their knowledge about environmental preservations is also higher. The community is more open and volunteer to participate in environmental activities. For an example, one of Shah Alam residents has
organized environmental awareness campaign. Besides, small community is more encouraged to practice safe technology in their business life such as solar energy and others. As a result, they can minimize the bad impact of globalization towards environment.
In a nutshell, the degradation of the natural environment has led to a drastic degradation of the living environment of the population, in general and especially of the rural communities. Thus, small community must be matured enough and only take the positive impacts of
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Lecture Notes:
