Globalization, Justice, Ethics, and Human Rights
Global World
Economic Globalization
Economic globalization refers to the increasing internationalization of markets and businesses in recent years, driven by the expansion of capitalism. Globalization of communications, through technological development and new communication media, has effectively created a “global village.” Globalization, as an economic process, has fostered transnational relations, leading to the emergence of a global society.
Characteristics of Globalization
- Uniformity: Lifestyles, social customs, and other aspects of daily life are becoming increasingly similar in cities worldwide.
- Difference: A counter-trend emphasizes the need to feel distinct, giving rise to individualism, nationalism, and similar movements.
- Area of Consideration: Events occurring anywhere in the world can have a potential impact on us. This leads to an exaggerated perception of risk and the emergence of multiple fears.
- Globalization of Problems: Problems are increasingly global, with a direct impact on individuals across borders.
Global Ethics
Global ethics is a response to the moral problems arising from scientific and technological development, globalization, and the moral pluralism characteristic of modern societies. It is characterized by:
- Being a practical ethic: It seeks solutions to moral problems.
- Having a willingness to universality.
Minimum and Maximum Morals
Minimum morals involve establishing a series of binding moral standards for everyone. The maximum moral level involves recognizing the right to difference for all community members. Consensus is only possible from the community’s recognition of underlying differences.
Justice
From an institutional perspective, justice is administered by courts through the “veil” of the law. From a legal point of view, justice is identified with legality. In the sense of ethics, justice is the pursuit of good. In ancient Greece, justice was identified with harmony and order. For the Sophists, justice was whatever men chose it to be. For Plato, justice was achieved when citizens were equipped to fulfill their natural roles. Aristotle defined justice as obeying the law and synonymous with equality. In medieval times, a third type of justice, legal justice, was added. In the liberal state, justice is related to the ideas of freedom and respect for the individual; justice is equated with happiness.
- Rawls: Seeks to respect rights and freedoms at a level of political equality.
- Walzer: Considers inequality appropriate, as long as it doesn’t lead to domination of the powerful over the powerless.
- Habermas and Apel: Believe that what is just is decided by consensus.
Poverty, Exclusion, and Consumerism
Ethical Problems
- Global economic inequality: The widening gap between rich and poor.
- Increased migration flows: Have generated economic differences between countries.
- Poverty and exclusion: The poor lack basic goods, and the excluded are outside the system.
Consumption
Conspicuous consumption, the act of buying regardless of value, has emerged. The individual becomes colonized by the market. Consumers have conditional autonomy. Consumption should be independent, critical, moderate, and sustainable, avoiding unnecessary waste.
Human Rights
Human rights are driven by the idea of the human race, establishing the dignity of the person as a basic and universal value, as well as recognizing the essential equality of human beings. They are universal, inalienable, inviolable, and absolute.