Globalization has greatly changed politics around the world. It can help improve democracy, but it can also lead to more authoritarian (or controlling) governments. This all depends on what happens in each country.
Sharing Information: Globalization helps information travel easily. According to the Freedom House 2021 report, 75% of people live in countries with internet access. This helps people learn more about their government and stay informed. When people know more, they often get more involved and hold leaders accountable, which is important for democracy.
Economic Growth and the Middle Class: Globalization can lead to more jobs and economic growth, helping to create a stronger middle class. The World Bank stated that from 1990 to 2019, worldwide poverty dropped from 36% to about 9.2%. As people become better off, they often want a say in how things are run and seek more democratic practices. Countries with a strong middle class usually see more people participating in democracy.
Global Standards for Governance: Organizations like the United Nations and the European Union promote rules for democracy. Countries that want to join these groups often change their laws to meet these global standards.
Authoritarian Backsliding: Even though globalization can help democracy, it also gives tools to dictatorships to keep control. A 2020 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit found that 68 countries saw their democratic practices weaken. This often happens when technology is misused for spying on people or silencing them.
Unequal Economic Opportunities: Globalization can worsen inequality, which makes people unhappy. The OECD noticed in 2019 that income gaps have grown wider in many countries over the years. This unhappiness can be used by populist or authoritarian leaders to weaken democratic institutions.
Power of Large Corporations: Big international companies can negatively affect democracy. A 2021 report from Oxfam showed that 50% of global wealth is owned by just 1% of the population. This gives them too much power over government decisions and elections, which pushes ordinary people away from having a voice in democracy.
In summary, globalization has both good and bad effects on democracy around the world. It can encourage people to engage more, help grow the economy, and spread democratic values. At the same time, it can support authoritarianism and increase inequality. Understanding how globalization affects politics is important to see its effects on democracy today.
Globalization has greatly changed politics around the world. It can help improve democracy, but it can also lead to more authoritarian (or controlling) governments. This all depends on what happens in each country.
Sharing Information: Globalization helps information travel easily. According to the Freedom House 2021 report, 75% of people live in countries with internet access. This helps people learn more about their government and stay informed. When people know more, they often get more involved and hold leaders accountable, which is important for democracy.
Economic Growth and the Middle Class: Globalization can lead to more jobs and economic growth, helping to create a stronger middle class. The World Bank stated that from 1990 to 2019, worldwide poverty dropped from 36% to about 9.2%. As people become better off, they often want a say in how things are run and seek more democratic practices. Countries with a strong middle class usually see more people participating in democracy.
Global Standards for Governance: Organizations like the United Nations and the European Union promote rules for democracy. Countries that want to join these groups often change their laws to meet these global standards.
Authoritarian Backsliding: Even though globalization can help democracy, it also gives tools to dictatorships to keep control. A 2020 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit found that 68 countries saw their democratic practices weaken. This often happens when technology is misused for spying on people or silencing them.
Unequal Economic Opportunities: Globalization can worsen inequality, which makes people unhappy. The OECD noticed in 2019 that income gaps have grown wider in many countries over the years. This unhappiness can be used by populist or authoritarian leaders to weaken democratic institutions.
Power of Large Corporations: Big international companies can negatively affect democracy. A 2021 report from Oxfam showed that 50% of global wealth is owned by just 1% of the population. This gives them too much power over government decisions and elections, which pushes ordinary people away from having a voice in democracy.
In summary, globalization has both good and bad effects on democracy around the world. It can encourage people to engage more, help grow the economy, and spread democratic values. At the same time, it can support authoritarianism and increase inequality. Understanding how globalization affects politics is important to see its effects on democracy today.