People are equally positive and negative about globalisation
Globalisation has been defined as “the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa”. Although it is often claimed we live in a globalised world with less borders and more connectivity, we see fences being put up on borders across the world and chronic economic crises are forcing international capital into retreat. What is our attitude towards globalisation?
The public seems to be split when it comes to globalisation, with an even number seeing themselves to have a more positive or more negative stance towards it, a new First Verdict research finds. The deep divide is obvious even when looking at the political affiliation of the panel, with almost exactly the same number of Labour and Conservative supporters opting for either the positive or the negative side of globalisation. Interestingly, men have a slightly more positive stance towards globalisation than women.
The split was reflected in the comments of the First Verdict panel: “Has it exported wealth creation or labour exploitation”, one user asks. ”It's certainly allowed a surge of cheap products into the old economies, but some of them are of low durability and questionable utility. We've probably exported environmental damage, too. But neither do I argue for isolationism, which carries its own big danger”. Another comment suggests that the definition of globalisation “has changed within the last few months: at least for me, perhaps I'm seeing a new side to the issue. If we consider the mass immigration to the EU as globalisation, I'm definitely out”.
Half of people say cities and countryside contribute equally to the British economy
It was also interesting to find that half of those who took the poll say cities and the countryside equally contribute to the British economy. In fact, the service sector – mostly concentrated in cities – accounts for some 75% of UK economy compared to just over 0.6% from agriculture.
