Globalisation can have different meanings for different people. Some, for example see globalisation as real and beneficial to everyone; others see it as politically and economically negative. While there is no one 'true' way to interpret globalisation, power does play a role. In this context it is the powerful institutions and groups associated with neoliberalism that monopolise the meaning of globalisation.
‘Neoliberalism’ is a particular view of freedom, where money and goods can move about the globe totally unhindered and mostly unregulated. This frees money and business, the ‘markets’ from their social contexts and obligations. It gives more influence to them than many national governments and states. It is implemented mostly through economic programmes that favour:
These policies are usually implemented in developing countries at the insistence, and with the assistance, of international organisations.
In some cases, these policies can have positive effects, such as increased economic growth and expanded and diversified exports. For most developing countries, however, which have implemented these policies growth was much higher during the 1960s and 1970s, when governments invested heavily in industry, which was sheltered behind protective taxes against imports. Most income from exports goes out of the developing countries as payment of the international debt or as repatriated profits by TNCs. Furthermore, international trade is heavily weighted in favour of the rich countries, restricting the ability of developing countries to earn more for their products.
According to UNCTAD in 20 of the 50 least developed countries which implemented neoliberal programmes:
Exports did rise but not enough to encourage sustainable development and consisted of mostly low priced unprocessed commodities such as coffee. The total share of LDCs in total world trade remains tiny, accounting for only 0.42% in 1999.
Globalisation policies have also led to job insecurity and casualisation:
The result of this has been increasingly unstable and unpopular government in developing countries, as populations become increasingly frustrated with the lack of improvement in their living situations. Most of these governments are unable or unwilling to challenge the IFIs or the larger world powers, such as the US, and in effect have little power in their own countries.
Neoliberal globalisation therefore has, in general:
This has made development much more difficult and led to less power for national governments to pursue independent policies. While many of these concepts may appear to be abstract and theoretical, the impact that they have on people’s everyday lives is very real. To bring a global development perspective to your work as a volunteer, it is vital to have some knowledge of these topics. They form the wider context within which your experience will take place. Having some knowledge of the bigger picture will help you to understand the forces that might shape events at the local level of your placement.
In such a complicated context, with so many powerful forces and interests shaping peoples’ lives in developing countries, it would be reasonable to wonder if being an international volunteer can make any difference at all! Certainly, examining the context closely could easily put you off going overseas. Volunteering can make a difference, however, if it’s done with the right spirit. The next section will look at the meaning of volunteering . It also examines in more detail three important themes that need to be considered while volunteering: power relations, gender, and racism.