Globalization affects various aspects of human activity globally, attracting researchers’ attention and provoking a debate about its impact. This process reflects the integration and close interaction between countries, companies, and people worldwide (Gautam, 2021, p. 1). The International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlights such fundamental globalization aspects as knowledge dissemination, migration, trade, and investment movement (Gautam, 2021, p. 3). The current paper considers globalization’s impact on the European region and its beneficial and adverse outcomes. Despite the fears that globalization causes in the population, this process also leads to positive changes.
Globalization has contributed to the movement of people between cities, countries, and continents, making migration a critical aspect. This factor suggests that people are moving to find employment opportunities. At the same time, military conflicts or low living standards can lead to relocation in search of asylum or illegal migration. The increase in migration flows to Europe is one of the two most important demographic trends on par with the aging nation in the region (Estevens, 2018, p. 1). Migrants constantly arrive in search of work; a significant flow came due to conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Migration has a substantial impact on the people of the region. Considering the economic consequences, Noja et al. (2018, p. 20-22) note that migration leads to positive changes in the labor market, namely filling vacancies and skills, increasing GDP, and promoting innovation. European countries need to attract skilled migrants to sustain the economy amid an aging nation. However, at the social and political level, increased migration raises population fears and leads to nationalist narratives, discrimination, and tension (Estevens, 2018, p. 18). There is a fear that migrants will take citizens’ jobs. Moreover, differences in cultures lead to the division of society into those who support multiculturalism and those who adhere to traditional values (Milner, 2021, pp. 2289-2290). As a result, migration has become a challenge for European governments, as it requires careful regulation to support economic advantages, promote multiculturalism, and reduce nationalist sentiment.
Close interaction between countries within globalization is significantly manifested through trade and implies the goods flow increase. Following the European Parliament, the globalization consequences are positive for Europe because exports increase, businesses develop, new jobs appear, and goods prices decline (‘Facts’, 2019, para. 4-10). However, the close relations in the exchange of goods make countries dependent on each other, which has an ambiguous effect in times of crises and shocks. For example, Milner’s (2021, p. 2313) study shows that shocks lead to job uncertainty, lack of wage growth, and inequality. Guinea and Forsthuber (2020, p. 16), on the contrary, argue that the imports diversification and products from other countries during crises increase the region’s resilience. Socially, economic change still provokes concern among the population, causing tension and cultural division (Milner, 2021, p. 2290). Politically, instability leads to distrust in existing institutions and new voting preferences in favor of right-wing populist parties (Milner, 2021, p. 2313). Consequently, trade has a controversial effect, also challenging European governments.
Another essential aspect of globalization that has impacted Europe is knowledge and technology dissemination. As a result, expertise, a developed information structure, and technologies have become critical for economic growth and region competitiveness (Širá et al., 2020, p. 1). Knowledge and technology significantly change workflows, and citizens fear job losses, leading to the same tensions as economic instability (Milner, 2021, p. 2314). In particular, automation contributes to replacing many employees in places where processes are routine and do not require high qualifications (Milner, 2021, p. 2292). A crucial social outcome is a need for continuing education for individuals to remain competitive and develop careers (Dima et al., 2018, p. 10). Technological development and knowledge exchange contribute to progress and create new jobs for the population, for example, work related to data management.
Knowledge and technology also have important implications for the environment and medicine, these disciplines’ development, and the solution of existing problems. This aspect contributes to health care innovations, improving the population’s quality of life, which is essential for the country’s global competitiveness (Dima et al., 2018, p. 2). Although progress initially harmed the environment, modern research strives for environmental support. As a consequence, this aspect strongly influences the region, changing society.
Thus, aspects of globalization such as migration, trade, and the dissemination of knowledge have had a significant impact on Europe. Experts’ opinion about their effect differs, as both positive and negative results stand out. Economically, globalization provides development opportunities, changes the labor market, gives new jobs, and brings new skills requirements. At the same time, the connectivity of world countries leads to the fact that any shocks are reflected everywhere. This feature makes the population afraid of instability and causes tension. Nevertheless, given the nation aging in Europe, the impact of globalization supports the region, which is necessary and beneficial.
Reference List
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Estevens, J. (2018) ‘Migration crisis in the EU: developing a framework for analysis of national security and defence strategies’, Comparative Migration Studies, 6(1), pp.1-21.
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Guinea, O. and Forsthuber, F. (2020) Globalization comes to the rescue: how dependency makes us more resilient. Web.
Milner, H. V. (2021) ‘Voting for populism in Europe: globalization, technological change, and the extreme right’, Comparative Political Studies, 54(13), pp. 2286–2320.
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