Thinking About Globalization Michael Goheen Trinity Western University

Thinking About Globalization Michael Goheen Trinity Western University Langley, B. C.

New World Order 20 th Century: Bipolar (US, USSR) u Fall of Communism u New world order: u • One world order: economic globalization and modernization • Bipolar: north/south; east/west • Chaos • Clash of civilizations

Major Forces of Global Power West: economic globalization and modernization u Islam u China and economic power u Third world church and Pentecostalism u

Why is it important to understand? The reality of our world is not the end of grand narratives, but the increasing dominance of the narrative of economic globalization. . This is the new imperialism. . . (Richard Bauckham) Economic globalization is the greatest challenge that the Christian mission faces (Rene Padilla).

Importance of Understanding Globalization ‘This moment, at the turn of the millennium, appears to me to be one of the most critical points in human history. Powerful, untruthful, hypnotic ideologies corrupted societies and destroyed millions of people throughout the twentieth century. Yet none of them had the instruments of communication available to it to infiltrate the human mind the way the present ideology of limitless economic and technological expansion can do. ’ (Goudzwaard)

Enlightenment Vision: Seeds of Economic Globalization Progress ‘The golden age does not lie behind us, but ahead of us’ (Saint-Simon, 17801825). u

Enlightenment Vision: Seeds of Economic Globalization Progress u Paradise images ‘. . . whatever was the beginning of this world, the end will be glorious and paradisiacal, beyond what our imaginations can now conceive. . . nature. . . will be more at our command; men will make their situation in this world abundantly more easy and comfortable’ (Joseph Priestly 1733 -1804). u

Enlightenment Vision: Seeds of Economic Globalization u u u Progress Paradise images Material prosperity ‘Humanly speaking, the greatest happiness possible for us consists in the greatest possible abundance of objects suitable for our enjoyment and in the greatest liberty to profit by them’ (Mercier de la Rivière, 1767). ‘Human happiness, according to Adam Smith and his followers, depends on large measure on the possession and use of material prosperity’ (Myint, contemporary economist).

Enlightenment Vision: Seeds of Economic Globalization Progress u Paradise images u Material prosperity u Reached by reason ‘The essential articles of the religion of the Enlightenment may be stated thus: . . . (3) man is capable, guided solely by the light of reason and experience, of perfecting the good life on earth; . . . ’ (Becker). u

Enlightenment Vision: Seeds of Economic Globalization u u u Progress Paradise images Material prosperity Reached by reason Discerning natural laws Translated into technology ‘Where can the perfectibility of man stop, armed with geometry and the mechanical arts [technology] and chemistry? ’ (Sébastien Mercier, 1770).

Enlightenment Vision: Seeds of Economic Globalization u u u u Progress Paradise images Material prosperity Reached by reason Discerning natural laws Translated into technology Society reorganized according to reason ‘. . . a new social machinery could alter human nature and create a heaven upon earth’ (Bury).

Enlightenment Vision: Seeds of Economic Globalization u u u u Progress Paradise images Material prosperity Reached by reason Discerning natural laws Translated into technology Society reorganized according to reason Exaggerated place of economics

Classical Economics u u u Leading role Mechanistic economic laws Smith’s ‘invisible hand’ Self-interested individuals acting according to self-interest harmony of conflicting interests material prosperity trickle down to prosper poor ‘The rich are led by an invisible hand to make nearly the same distribution of the necessaries of life, which would have been made had the earth been divided into equal portions among all its inhabitants; and thus, without intending it, without knowing it, advance the interest of society’ (Adam Smith).

Classical Economics Leading role u Mechanistic economic laws u Smith’s ‘invisible hand’ u Two gambles (leaps of faith) u • Happiness gamble: If we have more goods produced by labour we will be happy. • Market gamble: If we let the market be free for the economic self-interest of individuals then it will guide us to a better future for all.

Religious Choices of Enlightenment Vision End of human life: Material prosperity u Relationship of human beings to nature u Mechanistic understanding of law u

Vision Implemented in Industrial Revolution Science-based technology u Division and mechanization of labour u Tremendous economic growth u Evolutionary worldview deepened commitment to autonomous market u

Growth of Consumer Culture u u Early growth of consumer culture in 20 th century Changes in capitalism in late 20 th century • Less salting influence of gospel; increasing selfishness and covetousness • Wealth of today vs. need of Smith’s day • Economic totalitarianism • Technologically manipulated needs vs. existing needs • Global market

Economic Globalization: What is it? Companies expanding reach to global market u Stimulated by relaxed trade barriers and developments in information technology u Facilitated by multi- and transnational corporations and global capital u Late expression and global expansion of modern religious metanarrative u

Late Modern Story u u u Globalization is ‘a form or method of modernization on a global scale. ’ ‘Possibly never before has modernity received higher expression than in today’s process of globalization. ’ ‘. . . the word “modern” is not neutral; it cannot be divorced from a specific view of life, humanity, the world, and ultimate meaning. ’ - Bob Goudzwaard

Economic Globalization What is it? u Trusting global market u Unjustly created market u

Unjust global market ‘Asymmetric globalization’ (Stiglitz) u Market is created u Financial sector u Creation of currency u Third world debt u Third world inclusion and exclusion from global market u

Economic Globalization What is it? u Trusting global market u Unjustly created market u Growing poverty and ecological damage u Three comments about global market ideology u

Three Comments on Global Market Ideology Free market is good but twisted by natural law theory u Market is one part of social fabric but twisted by totalitarian influence u Market is creational but twisted by ‘messianic’ expectations u ‘Free trade has never worked because it has never been tried. ’ (Stiglitz)

Our Calling? u Understand! • Dynamics and facts about globalization • Potential solutions (e. g. , Goudzwaard) Bible as true story u Our part in missional encounter u Lifestyles of restraint and generosity u Suffering, spirituality, and community u