Just a Tool

January 12, 2004

A few weeks back I found myself discussing the effects of free trade and globalization on developing countries on a left-leaning anti-globalization website (No URL as I refuse to promote such a web site here). My main argument was that although by no means perfect globalization and free trade can be one of several tools to eradicate abject poverty in the world. Please note I said one of several tools and not a panacea.

The result of the discussion was several people telling me that big evil corporations can in no way elevate standards of living in developing countries and that abject poverty was no excuse to let those big companies into developing countries. As someone told me:

When Wal-Mart begins to spread across the world, an irresistible force that seemingly nothing can stop, a presence that seems poised to totally swallow everything and everyone in its relentless path, it's in the interest of GLOBAL human dignity to stop it.

After going back and forth for a while I came to the following conclusion. The people I was arguing with have no clue of what abject poverty means.

So for all of you people out there sipping on your lattes while discussing how terrible globalization is for everyone, take a good look at the picture above. The street performer spitting gas while on fire for a few coins, a scene seen in many places of the developing world. That picture above my friends shows real poverty and lack of human dignity. All of a sudden the idea of working at Wal-Mart is not as bad as it seems. Get some perspective please.