Program : Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Course :Contemporary World

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Objectives:
At the end of this module you are expected to:
 articulate a personal definition of global citizenship; and
 appreciate the ethical obligations of global citizenship.

Global Citizenship
What is Global Citizenship?

Citizenship in a narrower concept pertains to legal relationship between a state and a

person. It gives that person certain rights and responsibilities. For instance, full political
rights such as the right to vote and to hold public office. Conversely, the usual
responsibilities of the citizens like allegiance and taxation. But how can the idea of
citizenship be transferred to the global level?

According to Peski (as cited in Baraldi, 2012) global citizenship can be defined “as a moral
and ethical disposition that can guide the understanding of individuals or groups of local
and global contexts, and remind them of their relative responsibilities within various
communities.” The global citizens act as glue which binds individuals together in an
increasingly globalized world. Furthermore, he added that “global citizens might be a new
type of people that can travel within these various boundaries and somehow still make
sense of the world”.

We must remember that globalization should not be singled out as there are many forms of
globalizations. While some need to be resisted, others must be welcomedand encouraged
too. They are bound to be multiple futures for multiple globalizations and it created
enemies. According to one broad view, globalization failed to deliver its promises (Cohen,
2006). The so-called bottom billion lacks infrastructures and has been disenfranchised. The
opponents of globalization blame either the Westernization or global capitalism. As a result,
they resist globalization especially on matters associated with global economy and global
governance.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Prepared by: Brent Deleyos

Page 1 of 3
Program : Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Course :Contemporary World

_____________________________________________________________________________________

In line with global economy, created three approaches to global economic resistance. This
includes namely trade protectionism, fair trade, and helping the bottom billion. Firstly,
trade protectionism, is the deliberate attempt to intervene in foreign trade by putting up
barriers to trade. McAleese (as cited in Aldama, 2018) trade protectionism involves
systematic government intervention in foreign trade through tariffs and non- tariffs barriers
in order to encourage domestic producers and deter their foreign competitors. Despite a
widespread consensus as regard its inefficiency, protectionism is still widely practiced. Fair
trade in economic globalization comes in a different approach. It counters the neoliberal
“free trade” principles. Fair trade aims at a more moral and equitable global economic
system. The price is not set by the market rather it is transparently negotiated by both
producers and consumers. However, despite its popularity in the North, its acceptance is
limited among producers doubting its ability to supply mass market as well as, applicability
to manufacture products. Lastly relates to helping the bottom billion. Increasing aid is one
of the many measures that are needed. Their needs can be adapted in the international
norms and standards. Reducing the trade barriers would also reduce the economic
marginalization of these people and their nations.

Resistance to globalization is multiple, complex, contradictory and ambiguous. The

resistance has the potential to emerge as the new public sphere, which may
upholdprogressive values such as autonomy, democracy, peace, ecological sustainability
and social justice. These forces are the very product of globalization. According to Porta et
al. (as cited in Aldama, 2018), the impetus for such a movement comes from individuals,
groups, and organizations which are oppressed by globalization from above. They seek to a
more democratic process of globalization.

In any case, given the there is no world government, the idea of global citizenship demands
the creation of rights and responsibilities. In the same manner that fulfilling the promises of
globalization and the solution to the problem of contemporary world does not lie on a
single individual but rather on citizens, the community and different organization in
societies. Our world is an increasingly complex web of connections and interdependencies;
it requires reforms in global governance in order to allow citizens to take more part directly
in all aspects of human life at the global level.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Prepared by: Brent Deleyos

Page 2 of 3
Program : Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Course :Contemporary World

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Prepared by: Brent Deleyos

Page 3 of 3