Essay on Globalization and International Security

The pace of globalization has greatly increased over the past few years hence spurring more integration and interactions between the cultures of the world, economies, and governments. It is a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing various aspects in the modern world (Beck 2015, p. 2). One of the aspects of globalization is information technology which has developed and spread rapidly in different regions of the world. Another aspect is trade which has expanded globally thereby increasing the flow of investments and private capital. Such developments have resulted in interdependence among different countries (p. 2). Though globalization creates real possibilities such as the achievement of economic prosperity, political freedom, and greater social and cultural integration, it also produces powerful forces that may have negative impacts on various aspects of the life of humans. Globalization can create social fragmentation, foster violence, and conflict, and create other critical vulnerabilities in some countries (Hirst et al. 2015, p. 4). One of the main issue that is of key importance when looking at globalization is the impact it has on international security. Various aspects of globalization have increased the dangers of transnational threats from cyber-attacks, weapons proliferation, global crime, ethnic violence, drug trafficking, the spread of infectious diseases, and environmental degradation. Therefore there needs to be appropriate actions and strategies to combat these threats.

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Globalization and Cyber Security Threats

One of the main threat of globalization on international security is the increased risk of cyber-attacks globally. Any nation can field a powerful cyber technology and can either use it for legitimate or illegitimate purposes (Collins 2016, p. 400). The cyber technologies are not only used by state actors as even non-state actors, for instance, ISIS can build powerful cyber units that have the capability of hacking sensitive networks in both small and large nations. Advancement in cyber technologies and increased globalization in the modern world pose a major problem in international security. For instance, the Russians and the Chinese have demonstrated the challenges of globalization and cyber technologies on international security on several occasions. Russians hacked into the digital networks of the American White House and secretly extracted sensitive data (Perez and Prokupecz 2015). Similarly, the Chinese hacked into the United States government systems and stole sensitive data on various weapons systems of the United States (Nakashima 2015). Many other incidences of stealing sensitive data have occurred and have been perpetrated by both state and non-state actors.

While information spying has been a dangerous threat to many nations for some time now, there are some other forms of cyber warfare that are weapons of mass destruction. For instance, a cyber-attack on a countrys power grid would have devastating consequences since all the systems that depend on electric power would stop functioning (Collins 2016, p. 301). Computer systems would fail and in turn shut down all financial systems in the country. Various communication systems would cease to function. There would be no pumping of fuel that is needed for heating, transportation, and use in many other industries. These are just among many of the systems that will be affected when a critical structure of a country has been hacked. Even if there is a rapid recovery of a critical system that has been under cyber attack, there would already have been a massive economic disruption which may result in massive chaos that can produce monumental losses (Collins 2016, p. 302). Thus, though there have been an increase in globalization and advancement and widespread use of cyber technology all over the world, there needs to be a strategic intelligence system for countries that would minimize cyber attacks.

The increased complexities of international cyber security threats facing different nations of the world have led to an intensified need for the development of careers in counterterrorism, intelligence, security protection, and law enforcement (Collins 2016, p. 417). All these opportunities require people to have strong educational backgrounds needed for such tasks. Therefore, countries should invest in the development of systems with necessary resources that will allow individuals to acquire the specialized knowledge needed for a countrys intelligence and security.

Globalization and Global Crime

The increased number of cyber attacks is not the only impact that the increased pace of globalization has had on international security. Globalization has also resulted in increased cases of organized global crime. Some of these crimes include human trafficking, smuggling of drugs and firearms, and production of counterfeit products among others (Madsen 2009, p. 25). Human trafficking continues to be one of the major global crimes of concern to many nations, particularly the developing ones. The crime involves the use of men, women, and children as products for labor or sexual exploitation (p. 26). Another lucrative form illicit business for criminals is that of drug trafficking. With international borders becoming more pervious, criminals have been able to reap a lot of profits from drug trafficking since they can easily move from one country to another (p. 28). Finally, globalization as resulted in the increase of counterfeit products in various markets in the world. It has increased the ease with which counterfeit products can be distributed in different parts of the world hence making counterfeiters have great returns on their investments (p. 31). Also, globalization has strained the resources of a countrys customs department hence making it harder for officials to prevent counterfeit products from entering the borders of the country. Organized global crime does not remain stagnant but changes over time with the ever-changing world so as to adapt to new markets thus leading to new types of crimes (Von 2012, p.2). In a nutshell, global organized crime is an illegal business that goes beyond social, cultural, and geographical boundaries since it knows neither borders nor rules.

While organized crime remains a global threat, its impacts are also felt locally. When such crimes take root in a country, they can destabilize the entire region hence weakening the development efforts in those areas (Abadinsky 2012, p. 80). At times, the organized crime groups may collaborate with local criminals in certain activities hence resulting in extortion, an increase in corruption, violence, and other sophisticated crimes. The global organized crimes affect both developed and developing nations. They hinder legitimate business success by distributing counterfeit products, traffic women and children for sexual exploitation, and distribution of illicit drugs which damage the productivity of a nation. In turn, the effects of global crime lead to increased public spending for policing and security measures aimed at reducing such actions (Abadinsky 2012, p. 379). Nations thus end up suffering as a result of their productivity and efforts for development being significantly affected.

Dealing with a global phenomenon requires strong partnerships at all levels. Governments, the civil society, international organizations, business, and people from all over the world have an important role in minimizing such crime. Some of the aspects that are crucial in combating global organized crime include coordination, education and awareness campaigns, intelligence and technology, and providing assistance to nations that need them (Madsen 2009, p. 94). Coordination at an international level is critical to the identification, investigation, and prosecution of individuals and groups who are involved in these crimes (p. 94). On the other hand, providing education and awareness about the issue enables citizens to learn more about global organized crime and how their daily lives are affected by it. They will then be able to express their concerns to policy makers so that they can consider it a top priority and do what is necessary to fight the crimes (p. 95). Apart from coordination and provision of education and awareness, intelligence and technology also play a critical role in combating global organized crime. Countries need to develop better intelligence method and increase the number of specialized law enforcement agencies that are equipped with up-to-date and state-of-the-art technology (p. 97). Finally, assistance should be offered to developing nations so that they can build their capacity to counter such threats. With such issues taken into consideration, then the fight against global organized crimes will be effective.

Globalization and Ethnic Violence

Apart from cyber security threats and global crimes, globalization has also resulted in the escalation of ethnic violence. There are different views on how globalization and economic integration foster ethnic violence. Two of the prevailing views identified by Ishiyama (2004) are that globalization stirs ethnopolitical forces and it has intensified conflicts due to a backlash against identity encroachment. The first observation is that globalization and economic integration heightens the inclination of politicized ethnic groups to demand political independence and autonomy. Therefore, there may be resistance around different regions of the world against the convergences brought about by globalization and economic integration (Ishiyama 2004, p. 2). Some people may argue that globalization generates inequalities which in turn results in increased level of poverty and crimes. The environment fostered by such conditions is usually conducive for politicians to mobilize multitudes of people by appealing to particular ethnic group bonds. Time and again, politicians stir hatred of a minority ethnic group with the aim of strengthening their position in the society (p.3). In worst case scenarios, such propagandas can result in ethnic cleansing or even genocide. In response, the minority groups may demand equal rights or secession which may eventually lead to civil wars.

In many cases, economic globalization can be seen as a factor that has intensified ethnic conflicts in different parts of the world. For instance, the political turmoil and violence in West Africa can be viewed as an instinctive response that has its roots on external pressures. (Baylis et al. 2013, p. 230) Globalization has failed to help developing countries in any concrete way. In fact, some countries have been left worse than they were initially. The current globalization has strengthened developed countries more while leaving some developing countries excluded from the global economy (Harrison 2006, p. 5). Other than strengthening some countries and leaving others in bad states, the modernization, urbanization, and ethnic intermarriages that have been brought about by globalization has resulted in the less homogeneity within a particular ethnic group and hence destabilization of the society .

Another view of the effect of globalization and economic integration on ethnic violence is that globalization can result in encroachment of the identity of certain ethnic groups. Conflicts are bound to arise within different ethnic groups as they strive to redefine themselves in a world that is rapidly globalizing. Kaldor (2007, p. 70) argues that globalization is weakening the socio-economic and cultural divisions that used to define the political patterns that characterized the contemporary period. As globalization propagates socio-economic and cultural identities, ethnic groups in some countries, especially the developing ones, feel encroached upon. Therefore, suc...