SONGSOPTOK
INTERVIEW
FACES AND FACETS OF
GLOBALIZATION
“Globalization is the process of international integration
arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas and mutual
sharing, and other aspects of culture” (Wikipedia)
SONGSOPTOK: What are you views about globalization? In the country and the
society you live in, is globalization a threat or an opportunity?
MARY:
Globalization is the modern form of colonialism which falls hardest on the
plundered countries.
SONGSOPTOK:
To what extent is the society you
live in is globalized? What are the outward manifestations, if any, in the
everyday lives of the citizens?
MARY: The US
is not globalized in any meaningful use of that word. As the US corporations
see it, globalzation is for brown-skinned people. But chickens come home to
roost for US workers who do not oppose this in terms of drastic reduction in
workers’ rights and wages because cheap labor undercuts US labor.
SONGSOPTOK:
In your opinion, has the process of
globalization improved the quality of life in your country? In what way?
MARY: No,
but more importantly it has devastated the lives of workers in plundered
countries.
SONGSOPTOK:
One of the major effects of
globalization is the significant increase in the volume of trade and monetary
transactions between the different nations. Do you think that your country has
benefited from this? In what way?
MARY: The
corporations and banks in the US have.
SONGSOPTOK:
Do you think that globalization serve
to make the already strong economies even stronger and weaker economies weaker
and more dependent? Can you give us a few examples to illustrate your answer?
MARY:
Capitalism is in crisis. Globalization is a strategy to resolve that on the
backs of working people. That falls hardest on peoples in the plundered
nations.
SONGSOPTOK:
What, according to you, is the role
played by the major multinational companies in of globalization? Do you think
that the entire process was actually put in motion by the large MNC’s for their
personal profits or do you think that there has been a trickle-down effect to
the economy of your country?
MARY: There
has never been a trickle down effect in capitalist economics. The economic
polarization around the world is more profound than ever. I don’t feel sorry
for US workers who think it’s okay for the US to use sweatshops overseas and
then suffer the loss of their jobs to sweatshops. They need to smarten up
politically or suffer the consequences.
SONGSOPTOK:
Many economists claim that
globalization is a major factor for disseminating knowledge and technology
across continents and borders within a very short time. Do you support this
view? Has your country benefited from this? Can you give us some examples?
MARY: The
internet is a primary tool of globalization both economically and militarily.
But it also incidentally been a boon to activists opposing globalization and
militarism.
SONGSOPTOK:
Do you think that globalization
actually breeds a homogenous culture? What, if any, has been the effect of
globalization in the cultural sphere of your country? In your opinion, has it
been positive or negative?
MARY::
Globalization is a form of colonialism and imposes US and European culture on
other peoples. I consider that repugnant.
SONGSOPTOK: What, in your opinion, is the impact of globalization on
environment? Do you think that the capitalistic growth model used by the large
multinationals have a negative effect on the environment? In what way?
MARY: It’s
the primary factor in climate change. Deforestation, destruction of wetlands,
tropical forests, converting land to plantations, building dams that impede agriculture and
destroy the environment, mines that contaminate entire ecological systems.
SONGSOPTOK:
Is it possible to imagine a world
today with an alternative mode of production and consumption? Is it at all
necessary? If so, will you share your ideas with us? How can we, as ordinary
citizens, contribute to such a model?
MARY: I’m a
socialist and would under social, economic, and political relations of
dominance and subordination, of plunder and profit.
MARY SCULLY: 71 years old and has been a political activist and writer for 50 years in
antiwar, immigration rights, women’s rights, civil rights, LGBT rights,
disability rights, and animal rights. She is running for socialist president of
the US in the 2016 elections.
We sincerely thank you for your time and hope we shall have
your continued support.
Aparajita Sen
(Editor: Songsoptok)
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