Review: Globalization Unplugged in Globalization Term Paper

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Such an example
cannot be refuted without statistical research to make an argument against
Urmetzer, and thus his arguments refuting the impact of globalization on
eliminating the nation-state's sovereignty are strengthened.
This sets up Urmetzer's primary point, and the thesis of his argument-
it is a myth that because of globalization "national borders have become so
porous that governments are no longer able to properly manage their own
affairs" (Urmetzer 2005: 123). In the case of Canada, a welfare state,
Urmetzer even maintains globalization strengthens the welfare state. To
reach this point, and to prove that economic freedom does not ultimately
completely eliminate political power from the economic spectrum, Urmetzter
evaluates the effects of globalization on the different programs of
government involvement within the economy. For example, in regards to the
aforementioned welfare-state services, Urmetzer notes how this is an often
overlooked aspect to globalization (Urmetzer 2005: 142). By touching on
subjects typically overlooked, Urmetzer strengthens his argument.
Furthermore, he evaluates welfare-state spending on education, health, and
social services by noting their gradual rise in spending since World War II
which coincides with the upward trend of globalization. This is largely
because programs are difficult to cut and "impossible to eliminate," for
reasons of political fallout for instance (Urmetzer 2005: 158). But in his
careful evaluation of the welfare state, in which a government controls
economics to provide services to its own people, which is in sharp contrast
to the free natured capitalism encourage by globalization, Urmetzer is able
to show that the government does not lose sovereignty by giving way to
globalization. Change is welfare spending is largely political and slow to
adapt to economic necessity, and thus globalization does not slow welfare
spending. In fact, "spending is up" on welfare state services (Urmetzer
2005: 163).
Ultimately, Urmetzer's argument is systematic, straightforward, and
broad-based in its study of globalization- as both a term and process and
its consequences for Canada. By evaluating the historical process and
understanding of globalization, Urmetzer is able to define what
globalization means. He then uses statistical evidence to determine how in
fact Canada's economic history relates to what globalization is, and what
it is not. Urmetzer's argument is particularly strong in touching on all
aspects of globalization, and not just one aspect which globalization
touches. He does not just make his argument for manufacturing or the
welfare state, but for all areas I could conceive to be touched by
globalization. His conclusion is very straightforward and backed up by his
argument, which is proved by straightforward and linear means. His final
conclusion is that there is no reason to believe "trade has a negative
impact on national sovereignty" (Urmetzer 2005: 194). After reading
Globalization Unplugged, one would be obliged to believe in his argument,
at least for the case of Canada. The historical perspective he puts
globalization in is particularly impressive to his argument, as Canada's
rise in global trade has increased considerably, but "looks much less
impressive when the time span is lengthened to include the past 133 years"
(Urmetzer 2005 194). Urmetzer thinks outside of the box in making his
arguments, which contribute to the validity of Globalization Unplugged.

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Globalization Unplugged is thus a strong work, and its final
conclusion is testament to this strength. While originally appearing to
appeal to the nation-state in general, and globalization, it becomes
evident that Canada is a unique case. Because of its relations to the
Confederation and then the United States, and the level of manufacturing,
and various trading partners, Canada cannot be compared to other nation-
states. An original claim, on the evaluation of the nation-state in
general, cannot be made and Urmetzer realizes this point. At the end of
the work, Urmetzer maintains that globalization has led Canadians to
believe that what the wage earners in Taiwan, for example, earn has an
impact on Canadian economic problems. Throughout his work, Urmetzer has
debunked this "myth" and believes problems are part of "the political
process that still primarily takes places within the borders of this
country" (Urmetzer 2005: 204). He does not overstep his work and speculate
and make assumptions towards exactly what political processes he is
referring to, he just concludes that Canada must look inside its own
borders to find solutions to its problems. A broad based term
"globalization" is not and cannot be the problem of Canada, and it is a
very positive finish that Urmetzer simply recommends Canada to "make
progress towards solving" its own issues (Urmetzer 2005: 204). Although he
does not successfully prove that the issues can be solved within Canada, he
does show in numerous ways that these issues cannot be blamed on
globalization. In fact, globalization at its core is a process hundreds of
years old. By putting his recommendations into proper perspective,
Urmetzer's work has even greater strength and its implications are more
critical than they would first appear. The amount of sovereignty a nation-
state believes it has compared to what it does have will go a long way
towards determining how it will govern itself, and this connection was not
apparent to me without Urmetzer's logical connection in his conclusion that
makes his work highly relevant.
Urmetzer's thesis is sufficiently proved in Globalization Unplugged.
Where lacking in statistical evidence, he makes up for in using careful
thought and fresh insight into the topic. It would surely take a detailed
empirical study to dissuade a reader of the merits of Globalization
Unplugged, and while Urmetzer does take some liberties in correlating his
evidence to his findings, his argument is logical, methodical, and based on
careful research and analysis. He also discusses the purpose, methods,
results, and implications of his work with careful consideration and
clarity which contribute to the overall strength of Globalization
Unplugged: Sovereignty and the Canadian State in the Twenty First Century.
A fresh look at Canada's unique place in….....

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