Government Restrictions on Globalization
- Imagine living in a world where your access to information is tightly controlled, and the products you use are limited by government policies.
- This is the reality in many countries where governments impose restrictions on globalization to protect their interests, maintain control, or preserve cultural identity.
- In some places governments do not control the entire territory of a country which creates favourable conditions for local militias to emerge.
- These militias, usually heavily armed and violent, gain the power to control and restrict different interactions. They operate on a local scale, but sometimes become more powerful.
- For example The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took advantage of weak governance in Iraq and civil war in Syria and self-declared a caliphate introducing extreme version of Islamic law and controlling fully economic, social, cultural, and political interactions within and between their quasi-state and the external world.
Personal Freedoms: Internet Censorship and Surveillance
The Great Firewall of China
- China's Great Firewall is one of the most well-known examples of internet censorship.
- It restricts access to global websites like Google, Facebook, and X (Twitter), replacing them with domestic alternatives such as Baidu and WeChat.
- It blocks information about topics related to human rights violations and political oppression in China.
- The Great Firewall is part of a broader strategy to control information and maintain political stability by limiting exposure to foreign ideas.
- The most profound example of a country strictly following this strategy is Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).
Why Do Governments Censor the Internet and Media?
- Political Control: Preventing the spread of dissenting opinions or organizing protests.
- Cultural Preservation: Protecting local values from foreign influence.
- Economic Protection: Supporting domestic tech and media companies by limiting competition.
Think about how internet censorship affects not just individuals but also businesses and the economy. Consider both the short-term and long-term impacts.
Example- Freedom House - an NGO - rates people’s access to political rights and civil liberties in 210 countries and territories.
- 68 places were identified as “not free”.
- These places include LICs (e.g. South Sudan) and HICs (e.g. Saudi Arabia); powerful countries (Russia), occupied territories (Donbas), autonomous territories (Gaza Strip) or regions claimed by different countries (Kashmir); countries in conflict (Yemen), as well as in peace (Rwanda).
Anti-Immigration Policies: Restricted Mobility and Border Walls
US Migration Policy
- In recent years US Migration Policy has become more strict introducing new policies, like "Remain in Mexico," to manage border traffic and deter unauthorized immigration.
- They include legal attempts to close the US borders entirely for citizens of selected countries, family separations and deportations of undocumented migrants.
Why Do Governments Impose Anti-Immigration Policies?
- Increased Security Measures: Anti-immigration policies often lead to the implementation of stricter border control measures, including physical barriers like walls, aimed at reducing unauthorized entry and enhancing national security.
- Economic Concerns: Governments advocate for restricted mobility as a response to perceived economic pressures from immigration, arguing that it protects local jobs and resources for citizens.
- Cultural Identity: Such policies are frequently framed around preserving national identity and culture, reflecting societal anxieties about the impacts of immigration on social cohesion and traditional values.
Trade Restrictions: Tariffs and Protectionism
The US–China Trade War
- The US–China Trade War is a prime example of how governments use tariffs to restrict globalization.
- Beginning in 2018, the US imposed tariffs on Chinese goods to reduce its trade deficit and protect domestic industries.
- China retaliated with tariffs on US products, including soybeans and technology.
- The same scheme was repeated in 2025, but to a far larger extent.
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, making them more expensive and less competitive compared to domestic products.
Why Do Governments Impose Trade Restrictions?
- Protecting Domestic Industries: Shielding local businesses from foreign competition.
- National Security: Preventing dependency on foreign countries for critical resources.
- Political Leverage: Using tariffs as a bargaining tool in international negotiations.
A common misconception is that tariffs only affect the countries involved. In reality, they can disrupt global supply chains, impacting businesses and consumers worldwide.
Resource Nationalism: Securing Benefits Beyond Ideology
Diamond Industry in Botswana
- Botswana has embraced resource nationalism by prioritizing the management of its diamond resources, aiming to ensure that the benefits of diamond mining contribute significantly to national development and socio-economic growth.
- The Debswana Diamond Company, a collaboration between the Botswana government and De Beers TNC, has a monopolistic right to extract diamonds, reflecting Botswana's commitment to optimizing resource management for national benefit.
- Consequently, Botswana's government fully control the diamond industry (extraction, processing, and exports) in the country.
Why Do Governments Introduce Resource Nationalism?
- Resource nationalism occurs when governments restrict foreign access to natural resources to prioritize domestic needs.
- This can include limiting exports or nationalizing industries and is introduced to secure the economic and political benefits coming from extraction of natural resources.
The Pros and Cons of Restrictions
Benefits of Restrictions
- Economic Protection: Safeguarding domestic industries and jobs.
- Cultural Preservation: Maintaining local traditions and values.
- National Security: Reducing dependency on foreign countries.
Drawbacks of Restrictions
- Isolation: Limited access to global markets and ideas.
- Higher Costs: Increased prices for consumers and businesses.
- Stifled Innovation: Reduced collaboration and technological progress.
- To what extent should governments prioritize national interests over global cooperation?
- How do cultural perspectives influence these decisions?
Reflection and Broader Implications
- Government restrictions on globalization highlight the tension between national interests and global interconnectedness.
- While these policies can protect domestic industries and maintain control, they also limit access to global markets, ideas, and innovations.
- Finally, these policies may be justified by national security or economic benefits, but they usually reflect certain political ideology and lead to limiting individual freedoms.
