UNIT 6. GLOBALIZATION

SECTION A

I

1. Read the interview and look up the meaning of the underlined words and phrases in the dictionary.

Kofi Annan of Ghana is the seventh person to hold the post of U. Secretary General since 1946. Yet he was the first secretary general ever to be elected from the ranks of the United Nations staff. Prior to his appointment, he served as Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations. Mr. Annan lays out his thoughts on the importance — and limitations — of globalization.

What is your view on globalization?

«It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity».

How crucial is the role of governments?

«We cannot wait for governments to do it all. Globalization operates on Internet time. Governments tend to be slow moving by nature, because they have to build political support for every step».

How important are open markets?

«Open markets offer the only realistic hope of pulling billions of people in developing countries out of poverty, while keeping prosperity in the industrialized world».

What are the limits of the global market?

«We must ensure that the global market is based on broadly shared values and practices that reflect global social needs, and that all the world's people share the benefits of globalization».

How can one make the global market more attractive?

«We have to choose between a global market driven only by calculations of short-term profit, and one which has a human face».

What needs to happen to make the global village a reality?

«Business, labor and civil society organizations have skills and resources that are vital in helping to build a more robust global community».

How strong is the global economy?

«Globalization is a fact of life. But I believe we have underestimated its fragility».

How important are women in bringing about global change?

«There is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole — women and men alike — than the one which involves women as central players».

«More countries have understood that women's equality is a prerequisite for development».

Where do you see the primary role of the UN?

«If the United Nations does not attempt to chart a course for the world's people in the first decades of the new millennium, who will?»

What is the major challenge for the UN?

«We have the means and the capacity to deal with our problems, if only we can find the political will».

(On the UN's goal of cutting the level of global poverty in half by 2015)

2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.

Slow moving; short-term profit; equality; to hold the post; vital; to deal with

.(problems); a prerequisite; to lay out one's thoughts; beneficial; shared values; political will; to pull out of poverty; laws of gravity; by nature; prosperity; the means and capacity; fragility; underestimate; decade.

3. Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases.

Благосостояние; политическая воля; краткосрочная выгода; общие ценности; занимать пост; недооценивать; выгодный; обязательное условие; изложить мысли; медленно действующий; равенство; жизненно важный; вытащить из нищеты; средства и силы; хрупкость; решать проблемы; десятилетие; законы земного тяготения; по природе.

4.Complete the following statements using the active vocabulary

1.We have to choose between a global market driven only by...

2.Arguing against globalization is like arguing...

3.We have the means and capacity to ...

4.Women's equality is...

5.Governments tend to be slow moving ...

6.Open markets offer the only realistic hope of...

7.We shouldn't underestimate ...

5.Give your own answers to the questions that Mr. Annan was asked.

6.Questions for discussion.

1.What are shared values? What shared values can you think of?

2.What to your mind did Mr. Annan mean by «a global market which has a human face»?

3.What skills and resources do you consider vital «in helping to build a more robust global community»?

4.Why do you think Mr. Annan is worried that the fragility of the global world is being underestimated?

5.Can the United Nations really influence the direction of globalization?

II

1. Read the interviews and look up the meaning of the underlined words and phrases in the dictionary.

Women are playing a central role in contributing to the growth of the global economy. This is increasingly true in business and in politics — two realms traditionally dominated by men. Some of the global economy's leading women thinkers lay out their views.

Are the fruits of globalization available to all?

«It would be wrong to be blind to the economic benefits that globalization has brought to some. The real question is how can we humanize globalization, how can we shape it in such a way that it can benefit all — instead of some».

(Mary Robinson, UN high commissioner for human rights, September 2000)

What risks come with globalization?

«Polarization rather than progressive globalization is what is in the future — unless corrective actions are taken in time».

(Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratung, Sri Lanka's President, on unchecked economic liberalization, October 1997)

What is an example of this polarization?

«My 26-year-old daughter in London is earning almost as much money as I do — and she is just working as a secretary».

(Helen Clark, New Zealand's Prime Minister, on why many young professionals leave New Zealand for good, February 2001)

(Sharan Burrow, President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, on globalization, September 2000)

How does one succeed in the business world today?

«You shouldn't have a long-term strategy anymore, because you won't be able to move fast enough».

(Orit Gadish, chairman of Bain & Co., April 2001)

2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.

Foundations; to benefit; a long-term strategy; to take actions; to ensure smth; a benefit; to contribute to; to require; realm; justice.

3. Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases.

Принимать меры; долгосрочная программа/стратегия; приносить пользу; основа/ фундамент; требовать; выгода/польза; справедливость; область/сфера; обеспечивать; способствовать/вносить вклад.

4.Say whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Use introductory phrases for agreement and disagreement.

Agreement: Yes, I agree with it. /I can't agree more. /Absolutely/It's obvious /Exactly. Disagreement: I'm afraid I can't agree. /I'm sorry, but that's not quite right. /To my mind it's wrong.

1.There is no denying that globalization will bring economic benefits to all.

2.Globalization doesn't carry any risks.

3.Globalization could be the answer to many of the world's hard problems.

4.To ensure equality and justice strong democratic foundations are needed.

5.You won't be able to move fast enough in a global world.

6.Women are playing a central role in contributing to global economy.

7.Business and politics are the two realms that are dominated by men.

8.We can make globalization work for all today.

5.Questions for discussion.

1.What role do women play in the modern world? Is this role changing?

2.Are the fruits of globalization available to all? Can it bring real benefits to poor nations?

3.What risks can globalization bring?

4.Why do you think women are still not fairly represented in the global economy?

5.Can you open up your country and at the same time protect your national industry?

6.Do you think globalization is a natural process?

III

Translate the following texts into English.

1

Приведет ли глобализация к более справедливому распределению богатства в мире? Независимо от того, что могут говорить критики глобализации, она скорее всего не приведет нас к неравенству. Если же такое случится, то глобализация потерпит неудачу.

2

В эпоху глобализации возрастет роль ООН и некоторых региональных организаций в улаживании внутренних конфликтов, так как ведущие державы в силу своих собственных проблем, отсутствия доброй воли или ограниченности ресурсов постараются минимизировать свое прямое вовлечение во внутренние конфликты других стран.

3

Однако глобализация может ослабить некоторые страны. Дело в том, что распространение рыночных отношений опережает возможности некоторых стран, где отсутствует рыночная экономика, адаптироваться к этим отношениям. Тем более глобализация не может влиять на политические системы этих стран.