The Globalization of Economic Life: Challenge to the Church – A Study Paper

This is the first of four papers developed by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy ACSWP and made available to the church for study, reflection and feedback on issues related to globalization and international trade and the church's advocacy on trade issues in the public arena. In this paper, Gordon Douglass examines the impact of economic growth and the challenges brought by the new political dynamic experienced in globalization. This paper serves to define economic globalization and introduces the theological and ethical considerations for the foloowing three papers in this series.

In its broadest sense, globalization refers to the rapid growth of linkages and interconnections between nations and social communities which make up the present world system. Thus, any meaningful discussion of globalization must begin with a recognition that it may mean different things to different people: For some it refers primarily to the vast spread of global communication. Others think it best conveys the homogenization of consumer cultures. For still others, it is mostly a way of drawing attention to the emerging consciousness of our mutual dependence on the life support system of a small planet. Many others believe it is best reserved to describe economic globalization - the erasing of economic borders to allow the free flow of goods and money. And still others wonder if it might best be used to acknowledge the spread of global civil society - a force that questions other forms of globalization, especially economic globalization