Diversity and the challenge of globalization
by Michael Ochieng Odhiambo
The word 'diversity' denotes difference, distinctiveness, uniqueness and variety, what the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary refers to as 'the state of being varied'. Diversity celebrates the variety of nature, a fact that is acknowledged by all religions, customs and cultures world-wide. Throughout history, humanity has marvelled at the diversity of nature, cultures and traditions. Even with the tremendous advances made in sciences and technology, human beings are yet to discover the full depth of nature's diversity. For instance, it is estimated that there are 13-14 million different species that comprise the biological diversity of the earth; yet to date only 1.75 million of them have been scientifically described.
In a world in which globalization has become the operative term not only in economics, but also in politics, culture and even religion, it is appropriate to examine closely the prospect for diversity in the run up to the Third Millennium. Globalisation seeks to operationalise the idea of the world being one village. Propelled by the tremendous developments brought about by the revolution in information technology, this idea is now a virtual reality. Modern means of communications and information transmission ensure that what happens in one part of the globe is instantly transmitted to other parts. Television and electronic mail bring to the sitting rooms of the world the most up to date information and events literally at the touch of button.
In economics, the reality of globalisation is already here with the proliferation of the transnational corporations (TNCs). These corporations are spurred on by one over-riding purpose; the creation of global empires. As David Korten observes in his beautiful and relevant book, When Corporations Rule the World (Kumarian Press, Inc. & Barrett - Kohler Publishers, Inc. 1995), for every transnational corporation, the creation of such a global empire "means arranging its global operations to produce products where costs are lowest, sell them where markets are more lucrative, and shift the resulting profits to where tax rates are least burdensome" (p. 126). In the result, this globalisation is harmful to individual choice and beneficial only to the magnates that invest in the transnational corporations.
Yet this economic globalisation sets the agenda for globalisation in the political and cultural sectors. In the political arena globalisation translates into integration treaties which although they create political structures are actually propelled by economic considerations. With their wealth and influence the TNCs are able to influence politicians to create economic blocks to enlarge their markets and sources of raw materials.
Culturally, the TNCs are adept at the use of advertising to create a global culture. The success of these corporations is predicated on the escalation of consumption patterns on a global scale. In order for Western TNCs to maximise their sales of consumer goods, they must promote a global culture that is founded on their Western perceptions of the good life as depicted in the goods and lifestyles that they sell. In a world in which wealth, power and the control, nay manipulation of communications media go hand in hand, it is only those cultures that are backed by wealth and power that can force themselves upon the world scene; hence the prevalence of Western culture on the world stage.
Yet can it be stated conclusively that globalisation has truly succeeded at the expense of diversity? In any case, are the two concepts necessarily antithetical? Is it not possible for globalisation to be a celebration of diversity?
The Industrial Revolution, the evolution of the transnational corporation and the boom in information technology have played each a significant part in the emergence of globalisation. The Industrial Revolution not only made possible the manufacture of a wide variety of goods thereby creating the need for markets outside Europe, but it also created a need for an assured supply of raw materials to feed the expanding industries and 'manufactories'. As the markets for the finished products expended, so did the demand for raw materials. The transnational corporations came into existence in response to this expansion of trade opportunities.
In time however, the transnational corporations have become much more than trading organisations. As trade and consumption have become the major preoccupation of our civilisation, TNCs have become extremely powerful and have moved from trade to politics. The vast wealth that they control assure them of influence in the corridors of political power; and they have used this influence to propagate a cultural globalisation founded on consumption.
Yet in spite of the huge investment of time and resources, and probably because of it, the globalisation drive has failed and is failing all around us. One thing that has become clear over time is that it is not sustainable. As a result, counter forces are coming into existence, forces and initiatives that seek to promote diversity. We are now enjoined to think globally while acting locally thereby keeping a balance between the local and the global. We are also being exhorted to adopt sustainable lifestyles, founded on consumption patterns that emphasise sustainable natural management.
In the run up to the Third Millennium, there are initiatives by civil society world-wide to promote diversity by empowering local grassroots organisations in the management of natural resources. This is seen as one way of countering the globalisation drive of the TNCs. Even in political circles, there are those who now recognise that diversity is the real strength of humanity.
President Samper of Colombia, the current chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) had only the NAM in mind when he uttered the following words, but they ring true about the entire international community and are as relevant to the global situation as they are to the NAM.
"Our great wealth..is our diversity and pluralism. Our rich differences should not he an excuse for conflicts, hut rather a motive for consensus. They represent opportunities for cooperation and solidarity and not reasons for not getting along. Our diversity is the material for building a new identity of the developing world based on a culture of tolerance and co-operation".
Humanity must rise to the challenge of this unity in diversity and discard the present trends that seek to globalise specific cultures at the expense and to the detriment of the diversity that gives such a rich mix to our world.
The author is a Director and Research Coordinator at the Centre for Environmental Policy and Law in Africa (CEPLA), which is an environmental policy and law research NGO based in Nairobi, Kenya. He also conducts research in the Sustainable Resource Use Program that is focused on creating policy and legal instruments that incorporate traditional resource use systems and methods, and empower traditional resource use institutions in Africa. He can be contacted at the following address: Michael Ochieng Odhiambo, Research Coordinator, CEPLA, P.O. Box 780, Nakuru, Kenya (Tel: 254-37-214200; Fax: 25437212865; E-mail:[email protected]).
