5.2. Globalisation: The Spirit serving Matter
Our world today is characterised by the process of
globalisation. Globalisation is a phenomenon that expands interconnectedness in
the world. It is not just an economic phenomenon because it also affects
cultural, political, social, legal and religious life. These aspects of
globalisation interact with each other and there are feedback loops between
them. Also, experiences of globalisation differ. Our geographical, cultural,
political, economic and social location will influence our conception of
globalisation either as mainly an opportunity or as mainly a threat. Moreover,
the same person may experience both positive and negative aspects of
globalisation.
The current globalisation is a geohistorical process of
gradual worldwide expansion of capitalism according to the formula of Laurent
CarrouéI, is both an ideology: liberalism, a currency: the
dollar, an instrument: capitalism, a political system: democracy and one
language: English.
This phenomenon results in many consequences leading to the
alienation of man, life and the environment. Today, we are faced with an
increase in the hunt for power and wealth. This quest for material goods is
what seems to be at the basis of human relationships so much that spiritual
values are neglected and even abandoned and replaced by wealth. The treasure of
contemporary man seems to be in wealth and we remember, where our treasure is,
there too is our heart2. Globalisation is sustained by the
technoscientific rationality which places the value of profit, benefit and
money above all other values.
I L. Carroue, D. Collet and C. Ruiz, La
Mondialisation. Genese, acteurs et enjeux, Breal, 2005. 2 Matt.
6:2I: Jesus told to his disciples "where your treasure is, there too your
heart will be."
We are witnessing nowadays, under the Neoliberal ideology, the
dehumanisation of the individual person who is considered only in so far as he
can produce as much wealth as possible; so much that euthanasia, abortion,
kamikaze operations and other forms of killing seem to become common practices
as they are legalised and even encouraged in some parts of the world. Hence,
the present situation of our globe is a deplorable one and globalisation
appears to be as the rule of matter over the spirit.
5.2.1. Globalisation and Mercantilism
The current globalisation is first and foremost a financial
globalisation, with the creation of a global capital market and the explosion
of hedge funds. The end of State regulation that had been established just
after World War II occurred in three stages: first, deregulation, that is, the
disappearance in I97I of parity stable currencies, which began to float at the
option of supply and demand, then disintermediation, the opportunity for
private borrowers to finance themselves on financial markets without resorting
to bank loans; and the opening of markets : borders that used to
compartmentalise different careers in finance are abolished, allowing operators
to have multiple opportunities. Thanks to satellite, to computers and the
Internet, globalisation has resulted in the instantaneous transfer of capital
from a bank to another depending on the profit outlook in the short term. The
stock markets of the world being interconnected; the finance market is always
opened. A virtual economy is born, disconnected from the production system:
depending on changes in interest rates of currencies and prospects for profit.
Financial investments become more important than productive functions.
Investors can choose to liquidate a company and to lay off employees.
Jacques Adda declares to this effect:
K La mondialisation s'inscrirait ainsi dans une tendance
plus
longue, celle de la soumission progressive de tout espace
physique et
social a la loi du capital, loi d'accumulation sans fin qui est
la
finalite ultime du systeme economique invente il y a pres
d'un millenaire par les cites marchandes de Mediterranee.
»1
Globalisation is therefore essentially capitalist with a
reckless pursuit of profit resulting in immediate loss of those who cannot
afford to deal with this phenomenon both economically and politically, and
enriching those who can afford this economic policy.
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