Yashasvi Jain

All India Rank: 19

Prize: CL UPSC Course worth Rs. 10k

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• UPSC attempt given before- Yes
• Pre-qualified - Yes
• Main Qualified- No
• Final Selected - No
• Graduation: B. Tech. ( Information Technology)
• College: JECRC, Rajasthan University, Jaipur

Globalization & its impact on Democracy

Globalization is characterised as free flow of ideas, people, information and capital across the borders. While Kenichi Ohmae calls it as 'Borderless World', Mcluhan describe it as 'Global Village'. Globalization is not a new phenomenon however its pace has increased in twenty first century through the revolution of information and communication technology. Currently its impact on democracy can be presented in two broad scenarios. First, in time of Covid-19 pandemic, South Korea, a democratic country in East Asia has handled pandemic through a pro-active and people led approach. Despite being a neighbour of China, a original hot spot of Covid-19, it has not only contained the spread of disease and also gave an example of leadership in democratic world by method of social provisioning of resources and public oriented health infrastructure. On the other hand, in India which is the largest democracy in the world. Here a one year old child was trying to wake his mother up who was died of Covid-19 lying on railway station. The exorbitant migration fueled by globalization has led to migration crisis in India. This migration has prompted mainly suffering to labour class who has no social Security, distant from home and bereft of basic supply of food, Personal protective instruments and livelihood. For understanding the impact of globalization on democracy, we have to first understand ' What is democracy? ' Democracy is a form of government as well as a way of life. While the above first scenario of South Korea represent it as a form of government, the scenario of India represent it as a way of life. Now, firstly we talk about globalization. The present world order is attributed to globalization through high level of interconnectedness and interdependence. Globalization is also said to be a tool of 'American hegemony' to create political economy suited to interest of capitalism. It means promotion of materialistic culture, freedom to all individuals and technology as a right. Globalization has created an atmosphere of free trade and wider choices for products and services. This has strengthened the power of people at large. For instance, good governance approaches like PRAGATI portal and CPGRAMS have ensured accountable nad transparent governance in India. Almost all governments have opened up their economies for free trade and investment. This has given rise to global supply chain, which has increased efficiency and productivity. This in turn has increased better standard of life and rising prosperity. Democracy is now not 'from above' phenomenon but it is a 'bottom up approach'. Technology like AI, Data analytics has created people-centric products and evidence based policy making. Globalization led service oriented economy has provided equal opportunities of job and social mobility to hitherto marginalized class like women, rural people. As PM Modi said, ' Global technology has played an important role in democratizing our discourses'. For instance, the worldwide MeTooMovement on social media has given voice to fearful women to openly speak about sexual harassment in patriarchal society. Similarly, global civil society like greeepeace and Amnesty International are promoting inclusive, sustainable and corruption free government. Now, on gloomy note, Globalization also has created thriving conditions fir terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, ISIS through social media linkage and free flow of funding. Cyber attacks like recent on kudankulam nuclear plant, ransomware attacks like Petya give new challenges. Besides rise of protectionism, refugee crisis are also side effects of globalization which are threat to democracy. To improve above scenario, we need inclusive governance and democratising global institutions like WHO. In line of this, we can take hint from ancient Indian thought of 'Vasudhev kutumbakam' to promote globalization as per democratic values.