6.2.5. Globalisation and Political Changes

In many ways it was a major political change, namely, the collapse of the erstwhile socialist world that hastened globalisation. And also gave a specific economic and political approach to the economic policies that underpin globalisation. These changes are often termed as neo-liberal economic measures. We have already seen what concrete steps the liberalisation policy took in India. Broadly these policies reflect a political vision of free enterprise which believes that a free reign to market forces will be both efficient and fair. It is, therefore, critical of both state regulation and state subsidies.

This chunk explains how political changes, particularly the fall of socialist governments, have accelerated globalisation. The term 'neo-liberal economic measures' refers to a shift in economic policy that emphasizes minimal government intervention in the economy, promoting free markets instead. This means fewer regulations and subsidies from the state, as the belief is that market forces will create a more efficient economic system.

Think of it like running a school where the principal decides to let teachers choose their own teaching methods without strict rules. Some teachers may thrive, innovating new ways to engage students, while others might struggle without guidelines to follow.

However, the possibilities that there can be a globalisation which is different do exist. We, thus have the concept of an inclusive globalisation, that is one, which includes all the sections of society.

This chunk introduces the notion of 'inclusive globalisation.' This idea promotes the belief that globalisation shouldn't only benefit the wealthy or privileged segments of society but should also address the needs of the marginalized groups. The goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their social status, can benefit from global economic changes.

Imagine a community potluck where everyone is invited to bring a dish. Inclusive globalisation is like ensuring that everyone gets to eat from that potluck, and that no one is left out just because they didn’t bring an expensive dish.

Another significant political development which is accompanying globalisation is the growth of international and regional mechanisms for political collaboration. The European Union (EU), the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association for Regional Corporation (SAARC) are just some examples that indicate the greater role of regional associations.

This chunk discusses how globalisation has led to increased political collaboration across nations. Organizations like the EU and ASEAN exemplify how countries are working together to manage shared challenges such as trade, economic growth, and political stability. Such organizations facilitate cooperation and strengthened ties between countries.

Think of it as different schools forming a district sports team to compete in tournaments. By working together, the schools pool their resources and talent, leading to a stronger team that can perform better than if each school competed alone.

The other political dimension has been the rise of International Governmental Organisations (IGOs) and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs). An intergovernmental organisation is a body that is established by participating governments and given responsibility for regulating, or overseeing a particular domain of activity that is transnational in scope.

This chunk highlights the importance of IGOs and INGOs in the global political landscape. IGOs, like the World Trade Organisation (WTO), are created by governments to manage global issues. In contrast, INGOs operate independently and focus on humanitarian, environmental, and social issues, influencing policy and raising awareness about international matters.

Consider an organization like UNICEF, which operates globally to protect children's rights. Just as a caring friend might step in to help when someone is struggling, INGOs work to improve society and address injustices without being tied to any government.

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