Protectionism is being used
by industrial countries to
appease voters, writes Ed Richardson
UNITED Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan says industrialised countries are to blame for the failure of the developing world to feel the benefits of globalisation.
Developing countries were active and united, but many industrialised countries lacked the political strength to confront those who relied on protectionism, and people did not understand that all could share and benefit from a global market, said Annan.
The result was that industrialised countries were maintaining trade barriers against imports from the developing world in order to appease their own voters.
The main losers in today's unequal world were not the victims of globalisation but those left out of the process, he added.
The benefits of globalisation could be seen in the recovery of economies like Thailand's.
The country had been able to recover from the Asian economic crisis through strong exports.
Protests in Seattle and Bangkok, he continued, reflected the anxieties of many about globalisation's effect on employment, labour standards, environment, public health, human rights and cultural diversity.
Governments and the private sector had to address such anxieties, both nationally and internationally.
Universally agreed values and standards existed, but states had to live up to their obligations.
Development really meant advances in these areas of concern.
A developed country was one that allowed its people to enjoy a healthy life in a safe environment.
And a developing country was one where civil society could demand material well-being and improved human rights and environmental protection.
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