Globalization

Candidates' Positions on Trade Agreements

Candidates' Positions on Trade Agreements

To help voters understand where candidates stand on trade agreements, the Iowa Fair Trade Campaign (IFTC) extracted statements from responses to its set of principles (PDF) by major Democratic* candidates on the following topics:

Fair Trade Organizing Tool

Alternative Models

Alternative Economic Models, Governmental and Grassroots

Alternative economic models at the regional, national, and international levels are diverse in their strategies to reform current, failing models. However, all operate to counteract the paramount goal of today's global economy: profit. These alternative models also advocate for free trade economic models which promote basic self-sufficiency before profit maximization, and which prioritize human dignity and the rights of those disenfranchised by the present economic and political system.

Global Justice Movement

Global Justice Movement

The global social movement of groups and individuals is often referred to as a movement of movements, one which believes that a different, better world is possible. It criticizes the dominant neo-liberal economic model and its institutions, such as the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund. It also confronts the processes by which these economic policies are implemented, such as militarization, undermining democratic process, environmental degradation, and disregard for human rights.

Militarization

Militarization

Proponents of militarization claim that national security lies in military dominance both within a society and against other nations. Militarization exerts power through social control, and through weaponry and military forces. Proponents of globalization depend on militarization as a means to maintain economic power. This corporate model can dominate national budgets to fund privatized armies and to outsource wars.

Keywords: recruitment, privatization, imperialism, terrorism, fascism, and social control.

Corporate Dominance

Corporate Dominance

Corporate domination of our economic and political lives often leads to corporate crime and greed, while undermining democratic institutions. More than any time in history, today's trans-national corporate power obscures the rights of the public. Without greater accountability, corporate dominance will continue to overshadow national sovereignty and undermine the principles of the common wealth.

Keywords: Corporate accountability, corporate crime, corporate personhood, transparency

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Women and Globalization

Women and Globalization

Historically, there is extensive discrimination against women, particularly women of developing nations and women of color. Under neoliberal global economic policies, women often are forced to tolerate harsh conditions of labor-intensive work, low-wages, sexual and physical abuse, inferior education, and lack of social services. To counter these trends, women worldwide have organized to advance economic and political alternatives for their communities, and have directed key social and political movements to defend their rights.

Indigenous Struggles

Indigenous Struggles

Indigenous people represent ethnic groups with deep historical roots to their land. They have suffered huge economic, territorial and cultural consequences of colonization. Under globalization, indigenous people's communities are threatened. These communities, many still living in resource rich areas of the planet, have systemically been targeted for disempowerment and displacement by these new global economic forces. In recent years, indigenous people have effectively mobilized against the destructive impacts of neoliberal colonization.

Emigration, Immigration, and Displacement

Emigration, Immigration, and Displacement

Neoliberal globalization has resulted in the displacement of millions of workers and small farmers. Many neoliberal economies refuse to recognize that free trade policies cause many of the world's current immigration and emigration struggles. This blind eye only intensifies the lack of progress in solving these problems both in industrialized nations and in countries where people are forced to migrate.

Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice

Environmental justice unifies social and environmental movements, and is designed to address environmental inequality endured typically by underdeveloped nations, minorities, the poor, and women.