The Social Dimension of Globalization: A Review of the Literature

43 Pages Posted: 11 Jan 2007

See all articles by Bernhard G. Gunter

Bernhard G. Gunter

Bangladesh Development Research Center (BDRC); American University - Department of Economics

Rolph van der Hoeven

International Labour Organization (ILO) - Policy Integration Department

Date Written: June, 2004

Abstract

One of the worldwide goals is to make globalization a fairer and more suitable process for all. Therefore, this paper provides an analysis of the literature encompassing globalization so as to ultimately get a better understanding on how to attain this goal. The authors separate globalization in two categories: the first contains factors such as trade, investment, technology, cross-border production systems, information flows, and communication and is characterized as irreversible; and the second concerns the increased homogenization of policies and institutions across the world, which is the result of policy choices. Furthermore, the social dimension of globalization is described as the effect globalization can have on the life and work of people, their families, and their societies. Therefore the paper recommends a set of policies that can help make globalization fairer overall. Some of these suggestions include for national governments to invest in education and training, adopt core labour standards, provide and improve social protection, tackle national inequality, and discuss globalisation. On an international level, creating a development round of trade negotiations and new financial architecture is also recommended to start reforming the way the world has dealt with globalization so far.

This paper was written as an insight into the work of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization 2004 that aims to provide a fairer globalization for all.

Keywords: social dimension, globalization, review, literature

JEL Classification: F16, F02, I31

Suggested Citation

Gunter, Bernhard G. and van der Hoeven, Rolph, The Social Dimension of Globalization: A Review of the Literature (June, 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=908172 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.908172

Bernhard G. Gunter

Bangladesh Development Research Center (BDRC) ( email )

2508 Fowler Street
Falls Church, VA 22046-2012
United States

American University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20016-8029
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.american.edu/cas/faculty/gunter.cfm

Rolph Van der Hoeven (Contact Author)

International Labour Organization (ILO) - Policy Integration Department ( email )

4 route des Morillons
Geneva 22, 1211
Switzerland

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