What is Global Citizenship?

Global citizenship

In the 21st century, the world has become a global village which has dramatically been accelerated by improved technology, which allows people from all over the world to instantaneously share their different cultures, hence making the world’s culture to shrink and expand at the same time. Digital technology and sharing of information from one point to another from anywhere in the world instantaneously have enabled people to communicate with each other from time to time, and therefore one is not limited to having friends from the same geographical area. Communication between people is no longer hindered by a physical distance, which leads to social domains being expanded greatly by web openness and by how easily people can search for information online. Therefore, this paper will explore the advantages and disadvantages of global citizenship.

According to Falk (p41), global citizenship can be described as “all about encouraging young people to develop the knowledge, skills, and values they need to engage with the world.” It is more about being openminded and be willing to accept and appreciate different cultures rather than having dual citizenship. Global citizenship enables citizens to respect others since they understand others’ cultural beliefs and practices, and they are hence able to solve any conflicts arising between individuals. A global citizen participates in the community either locally, nationally, or internationally and can make the world a better place by making it more sustainable and equitable since they understand the world at a better perspective.

Many advantages arising from global citizenship include access to the worldwide economy, which is an opportunity the world gives to its people, which allows global citizens to take advantage of economic opportunities in the world. Global citizens can comfortably solve conflict among people since they understand their cultural practices and beliefs, the best ethical way to bridge differences between people. They also respect and protect human rights and stand up to human rights’ violators. Global citizenship also reduces international poverty as everyone has equal access to wealth that is produced globally, and this also reduces the gap between the rich and the poor as wealth is distributed fairly. Trade ties are formed and strengthened among nations as citizens among different countries must trade once they become global citizens. There is an increase in profits in companies as they can sell their products and services to more people as they can reach out to more significant numbers primarily through the internet, which leads to economic development in the country and the world as well.

Some of the disadvantages that come across are such as ruining of local economies due to the high demand of imported goods, which might be better and cheaper than the locally made items (Gay-Perret and Jiaman 148). The world can also be fleeced with influential people since they can control every aspect of life using their power. Developing countries will be exploited, and developed countries will dominate world trade at developing countries’ expense. Cultural homogenization also arises as a global culture, which is homogeneous arises as a result of global citizenship (Houlihan 6).

To conclude, global citizenship is advantageous, both to developing and developed countries, since global citizens get access to the worldwide economy, solve conflicts among themselves and between other people, protect human rights. Trade ties are strengthened among nations, and poverty reduced in developing countries. Companies attain more profits hence increased economic development in the states and the world. Global citizenship also has its disadvantages, which include ruining of local economies, influential people fleecing the world, developing countries being exploited by developed countries, among others. Therefore, obtaining global citizenship is highly recommended, and youths should be educated on global citizenship.

Works cited

Falk, Richard. "The making of global citizenship." Global visions: Beyond the new world order 39 (1993): 50.

Gay-Perret, David, and Jiaman Tang. A veiled effect of Globalization: when Chinese companies seek to enter the European market. 2010.

Houlihan, Barrie. "Homogenization, Americanization, and creolization of sport: Varieties of globalization." Sociology of Sport Journal 11.4 (1994): 356-375.