Globalization has changed the functioning of local governments.
The interdependence between countries on a global scale has been growing rapidly. Economies, populations, and cultures interact more freely throughout the word. The fact is; everyone is involved in globalization. Although the benefits of globalization outweigh the challenges, some people have noted that it has disrupted the rigid and functional structure of public policies across nations. Globalization has changed the way decisions are made, affecting the production and marketing of goods and services. International financial institutions have come into play, demanding that local governments enact certain policies. This paper focuses on the impact of globalization on the functioning of local governments.
Originally, the local governments were meant to provide and govern its people internally and act on behalf of international politics. With the rise in globalization, the role of the local governments has been altered. Today, local governments have different roles to play economically, socially, technologically, and politically. Globalization can affect the functioning of local governments from a bottom-up perspective and top-down perspectives. As international organizations make rules, local governments have to implement them locally. Since globalization has attracted investors, local governments have to enact policies that enhance trade relations with foreign nations while protecting its citizens from exploitation.
From the top-bottom perspective, we can see that local governments have been charged with the role of human rights protection. The United Nations is an international body comprised of leaders from a different state who meet in New York to enact policies to be followed by all member states. The U.N. has required all its member states to ensure its citizens are protected against torture, hunger, and any forms of maltreatment. In this way, the local governments have turned from being just governors to protectors of human rights. The local governments have to plan their budgets to allocate sufficient funds for the human rights program.
Secondly, globalization has led to challenges of terrorism, which local governments have to deal with. In countering terrorism, local governments had to enact several policies (Kiras, 2016). First, the recruitment and training of law enforcement officers have taken priority. The government decides on the location of training facilities and finances its officers’ training to protect their countries. This has an impact on budget allocation. Governments have spent a significant portion of their budgets in solving the terrorism challenge. Also, some of the decisions made by local governments in combatting terrorism have impacted international relations. For instance, when governments authorize drones strikes on terrorist bases, affected countries may raise issues which can sever international relations.
The expanding AIDS epidemic is another social challenge that has significantly altered the role of the state. Over the years, the number of HIV-infected patients has increased exponentially courtesy of globalization (Zhou * & Coleman **, 2018). Non-governmental organizations, public and private partnerships, and international organizations have all come together to offer support in combating the disease. However, the role of limiting the rate of infections and treatment policies has been lying heavily on local governments. Throughout the world, local governments had to activate their public health systems and coordinate with several international bodies such as the United Nations Health Program.
Technological advancement and the development of interstate shared media have also altered the role of local governments. Originally, the local governments were in charge of controlling the information shared to the public through a basis such as the communications authority. However, with globalization, worldwide newspapers and TV stations have changed the control level that governments have over their information (McGrew, 2019). A good example is the BBC worldwide. An event happening in Kenya is captured, shared, and viewed by anyone on the globe. Some of the things governments would want to be kept secret can no longer be hidden. Through trade agreements and interstate relations, local governments are no longer able to obstruct information sharing to foreign media.
The local government’s role in influencing market relations has been altered by increased globalization. With the free movement of goods and services across countries, governments have gained increased revenues (Otenyo, 2018). However, increased competition from foreign goods has had a negative effect on local industries. For example, a farmer in Kenya complains of competition from cheap rice imported from China. The Local government may step in and impose several restrictions to limit imports to support local industries. However, such bans and restrictions will affect local industries that benefit from cheap clothes imported from the same country.
Local governments need to carefully consider globalization’s effects on their countries’ economies, politics, and social institutions. Despite the numerous challenges, governments can take advantage of globalization’s many opportunities and turn the situation to their advantage. For instance, with the increased number of investors, governments can form partnerships, which may lead to industries’ growth, thus promoting national growth. The government can also invest in building international schools to encourage students from foreign countries to join these institutions (Bakhtiari & Shajar, 2016). These increased interactions will generate more revenue for the government and enhance good relations, which are beneficial for national growth.
In conclusion, globalization has impacted local governments both positively and negatively. From politics to economic decisions and social interactions, local governments have to adjust their programs to accommodate the changes that have been brought about by globalization. For countries to excel in this globalization era, they have to be more adaptive to change by looking for effective ways of utilizing international relations. I reckon that local governments’ most important role lies in protecting its citizens and ensuring national development. Every form of interaction should be done with the citizens’ interest at heart. Governments need to lower their restrictions on imports and exports as it will benefit the country economically, socially, and politically (Kettl, 2017). Globalization has led to the development of new industries, new curricula for students, and revolution in the way politics are handled. In a nutshell, the impact depends on the handling of globalization effects by local government and the enforcement of international laws.
References
Bakhtiari, S., & Shajar, H. (2016). Globalization and education: Challenges and opportunities. International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER), 5(2).
Kettl, D. F. (2017). The transformation of governance: Globalization, devolution, and the role of government. Public administration review, 60(6), 488-497.
Kiras, J. D. (2016). 25. Terrorism and globalization. The Globalization of World Politics. https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198739852.003.0025
McGrew, A. (2019). 1. Globalization and global politics. The Globalization of World Politics, 19-35. https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198825548.003.0001
Otenyo, E. E. (2018). Local governments connecting to the global economy: Globalization as a catalyst in the governance of African cities. Public Organization Review, 4(4), 339- 360.
Zhou *, Y. R., & Coleman **, W. D. (2018). Accelerated contagion and response: Understanding the relationships among globalization, time, and disease. Time and Globalization, 42-56. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315233093-4