The effects of globalization in Colombia

Globalization is a process by which economy, culture and politics of a less developed country are influenced or absorbed by a highly developed country. Taking in to account this concept, I think that globalization does not make possible the cultural and economic development of Colombia.

First, Colombia is replicating ways of life of other industrialised countries like the United States. As a consequence, people do not have a proper identity. In Colombia, people follow other fashion styles, sports, music and social attitudes, losing their customs. For instance, the native languages of the indigenous cultures of Colombia are disappearing due to the wrong ideas of globalization. Thus, the languages of the dominant countries have been imposed on these cultures making them disappear. In this sense, William Ospina points out that we pretend to be a colonized society, ashamed of itself and doubtful in assuming the challenge of reacting and developing itself.

Second, Colombia does not have a good technological and scientific advance to compete on the market. It is clear that the most advanced countries in international trade have more capacity to influence the regional markets, because their biggest transnational companies take control of complete sectors. Most of these companies are key for the national production. As a result, the Colombian companies only have one alternative: to check their strategies and policies to achieve some level of competitiveness that allows them at least to survive.

In conclusion, globalization brings lots of negative consequences to our country because opportunities are not homogeneous in the economic field and the cultural development is threatened by the presence of developed countries. It is a policy of arrogance to expect that Colombia must live with political and economic systems that removed its idiosyncrasy and tradition. It occurs because the United States and other developed countries believe unilaterally that this is the best for Colombian people.