https://padlet.com/zionspringer/ld8eh0a3x57a Dissecting the importance of globalization on Caribbean development. en-us 2019-04-18 19:16:29 UTC 2019-04-19 01:38:23 UTC hello@padlet.com zionspringer https://padlet.com/zionspringer/ld8eh0a3x57a/wish/352657251 Globalization is the process of international integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture. Essentially, globalization refers to processes that increase world-wide exchanges of national and cultural resources. Advances in transportation and telecommunications infrastructure, including the rise of the Internet, are major factors in globalization, generating further interdependence of economic and cultural activities. Globalization can have positive and negative effects on a society. It can influence a society's culture and cultural identity is where a society's uniqueness derives from.

 Culture can be defined as a body of beliefs and practices in terms of which a group of people understand themselves and the world and organize their individual and collective lives (Parekh 2002).  Climatic and geographical features had a fundamental role in which culture derives from but the central theme is history. The Caribbean posses a unique history as we came from a plantation society. Initially the Caribbean was discovered and inhabited by the Amerindians but with the age of  Bullionism, Colonialism, Mercantilism and the widespread of Religion the Europeans traveled to the Caribbean and began to colonize. With the rise of European diseases and the use of the Encomienda system a near genocide of the Amerindian people occurred. Strands of their culture remained and went towards the make -up of Caribbean culture. The Europeans went on to introduce to the Caribbean; Africans, Indians, Portuguese, Indentured Europeans and Chinese. This can explain why the Caribbean is such a "melting pot". It was and still is a region where a collection of races were able to intermingle and create a new hybrid culture giving the Caribbean its own unique decor. 

The addition to Europeans in the Caribbean was in essence a form of globalization but the way cultures was influenced was through forced acculturation. The Africans were brought as slaves and had to basically renounce their traditions and adapt to a Western culture. The Caribbean still has European cultural retention because we dress like them, we share their religion and customs such as marriage, we possess their names and their traditions. The Caribbean has always been on the periphery of countries such as America and Europe. The Caribbean has always been used for their resources and striped away of the profits and only receive a percentage. An example of this is when King Sugar emerged in Trinidad in the past. The Europeans used us for sugar production and from sugar it transcends into oil. Trinidad thrives off our oil and gas industry and is being used as a crotch for these core countries. 

Globalization has affect the Caribbean socially, politically and economically. The Caribbean has experienced cultural acculturation whether it be forced through slavery and oppression or openly through social media or television. The global village has influenced socially and it can be witnessed in our sense of style or fashion. We follow western trends and tend to look up to idols or musicians in western culture. We mimic how they dress and even their use of jargon. Our society still operates like western cultures and it can be seen in our social institutions such as the education system.  The global village has affected us politically because Trinidad for example still operates under the Westminster system. This model has been used and operated while the queen maintain sovereign over Trinidad and since our Independence we maintained that system. Lastly the core countries still sustain stakes in the Caribbean economies. This can be identified as foreign enterprises such as BP and Atlantic LNG operates in Trinidad based oil and gas. In addition to the oil and gas industry there is the food industry. Companies such as Kentucky Fried Chicken and Starbucks are foreign owned franchises and the revenue they generate is extracted and transferred to their hubs which are based abroad. They also use our currency and convert it into US dollars placing a strain on our economy as they are depriving of foreign currency.

Nevertheless, there are ways to combat the struggles we have been facing as a region when it comes to globalization. Caribbean countries have began a form of cultural renewal and retention for our native roots. Trinidad celebrated a day just for the remembrance of the Native Americans. We also celebrate festivals such as Emancipation Day, Shouter Baptist Day, Diwali and Eid. The festivals people are allowed to practice their traditions in the form of wear, food and cultural practices. These events raise awareness, tolerance and appreciation for different cultures. Practicing cultural renewal allows citizens to appreciate their region more and deters them from adoring western culture as much. It also brings us closer as a region and strengthen our Caribbean identity. In addition to the appreciation of our culture it helps undo the slave mentality that the Caribbean endured. 

Politically we have practiced Caribbean integration with the formation of the West Indies Federation. From that we progressed into CARICOM. With this alliance between the Caribbean countries resources and deals are made more accessible so Caribbean islands can help one another. Subsequently, with this unity boards across the islands formed such as CXC and examinations such as "CSEC" and "CAPE" are used as a regional examination. This aid with Caribbean identity as we made our education system our own instead of using the British method of "GCE". Alongside this development came about our own regional university called "The University of the West Indies". These created incentives for Caribbean citizens to stay within the region instead of migrating. This caused a decrease in brain drain and allowed us to use our own resources pushing the university in the top twenty-five universities in the world. In this sense with the university providing a world class degree, when benefited from not partaking in the global village. Politics is also so diverse and continuous changing. Globalization tends to but global epidemics on display for the whole world to view. An example of this is the uprising awareness of the LGBT community. This awareness allowed citizens to speak up on their rights and now legislative have been passed to properly permit them to engage with one another.

The global village has advantages and disadvantages to it when it comes to economy.  As stated previously globalization can drain your economy when foreign companies deprive you of your natural resources. However, globalization is good as it brings us together and it is easier to promote local products on a global scale. For example Jamaica's Hot Peppers are sold and exported creating foreign revenue for the country. Countries such as Grenada and Barbados' economies are tourism based and with advertising and promoting they entice foreigners to visit their country. This is good for the economy because various job opportunities are created for citizens and small businesses. Trinidad possessing artist like Machel Montano and Kes the band who travel the world playing our local music also encourage foreigners to participate in our festivals such as Carnival. They place our events on a global scale allowing for tourist to flock to our region. This also promotes our Caribbean identity.

Our Caribbean identity consist of race, religion, festivals, music, food and traditions.  There are certain cultures that are created and derived from the Caribbean. Rastafarianism was started in the Caribbean and from this relgion the genre of reggae was made. This is authentic to the Caribbean and artist like Bob Marley place it on a global scale for the rest of the world to enjoy. Traditions like this make us unique and stand out in the world. In conclusion, the Caribbean should join the global village as it provides benefits but we should preserve our Caribbean identity so we can always remain unique and different from the world.

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