PROGLOBALIZATION OR ANTI GLOBALIZATION

PROGLOBALIZATION OR ANTI GLOBALIZATION

PRE READING

1. ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

a.      Have you read anything about globalization?

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b.      Do you have any opinions on globalization? Are you “Pro” or “Anti”?

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Now, Read this text.

ü  Don´t stop if you find an unknown word.

ü  Try to guess unknown words by using the context.

ü  Try to understand the meaning of the unknown words through (prefix – suffix).

ü  I f you can´t understand use a dictionary.

The concept of globalization is very controversial. There are different opinions concerning this issue. For example, some people believe that it is undermining countries because corporations have been empowered at the expense of the nation state. They also believe that on top of that, international institutions, such as the World Bank, are not very democratic in their decision making instances.

The World Trade Organization (WTO), The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the Organization and Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are some of the institutions in favor of globalization.

Other people believe that the gap between rich and poor nations is increasing and this is the inevitable result of the market forces: free trade does nothing to re-distribute wealth. But, there are no grounds for blaming multinational corporations. The causes of poverty are complex, and include poor health and education along with weak and corrupt governments.

Environmentalists such as Friends of The earth, and Greenpeace, organizations such as Group 77 and Third World Network, business organizations threatened by international competition, unions in rich countries and cultural nationalists, all criticize globalization. They say that one of the consequences of globalization with the end of cultural diversity and the triumph of a uniform culture serving the needs of transnational corporations such as Coca - Cola and Mc Donald’s.

Whatever the stance taken regarding globalization, it will no doubt bring about changes in the countries it touches, but traditional values will not be abolished. On the contrary, traditions will be known all over the world. It may well become something positive for humankind because it will eliminate the isolating of countries.

2. Write the meaning of the following words in Spanish.

a) Globalization:_________________________________________________

b) Corporation:_________________________________________________

c) Democracy:_________________________________________________

d) Controversial:_______________________________________________

3. What are the most important points of the text?. (English or Spanish).

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4. Read and write TRUE (T) or FALSE (F), according to your opinion.

____ Corporations are getting more power thanks to Globalization.

____ The world Trade Organization and the World Bank are in favor of Globalization.

____ Free trade doesn´t redistribute wealth.

___ Globalization will change traditional values around the world.

____  Poverty is caused by multinational corporations in favor of Globalization.

____ Coca-Cola and Mc  Donald´s will help with the creation of a cultural diversity.

____ Countries will be eliminated by Globalization.

5. MATCH WORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS.

a)  Gap               (      ) To put and end to a system or practice formally.

b) Blame             (      )  A large business.

c) Poverty           (     ) A company with branches around the world.

d) Abolish           (      ) The state of being extremely poor.

e)  Undermine     (      )  To intimidate or scare.

f)  Multinational   (      ) An empty space in the middle or between two things.

g) Threaten        (      )  To damage or impair.

h) Corporation    (      ) To make someone responsible for something that is wrong.

i) Diversity         (       ) The act of process of corrupting; the state of being corrupt.

j) Corruption       (      ) The fact of quality of being diverse, difference.

6. Put the phrases under the corresponding heading.

Globalization	Internalization

7. READ AND WRITE True (T) or False (F)

_____ Globalization and internalization aren´t the same.

_____ Internalization refers to economic integration.

_____ Globalization means erasure of national boundaries.

_____ Internalization means international treaties and alliances.

8.  WRITE TWO SENTENCES “AGAINST” AND TWO “IN FAVOR OF” GLOBALIZATION.

AGAINST	IN FAVOR OF