Norma Garcia

Professor Shari Sowards

POLS 2100

20 November 2018

“McDonalds in Moscow and Coke in China will do more to create a global culture than

military colonization ever could.” Benjamin Barber is acknowledging the dominant role

multinational corporations have and their effect on globalization. “As independent actors in the

international arena, multinational corporations are increasingly powerful” (Goldstein and

Pevehouse 214). Globalization refers to “the increasing integration of the world in terms of

communications, culture, and economics” (Goldstein and Pevehouse 18). The world does seem

to be moving towards a global culture, although U.S. pop culture seems to heavily influence it.

Free trade has led to this prediction. “Multinational corporations are, overall, a strong

force for liberalism in the world economy, despite the fact that particular multinational

corporations in particular industries push for certain mercantilist policies to protect their own

interests” (Goldstein and Pevehouse 214). Multinational corporations need a cooperative,

interconnected world that supports freedom of trade, to succeed. It is not easy since reciprocity

plays a major role when trying to enforce rules of trade because there is no world government.

In class, we discussed how nations with a middle class are less likely to go to war, since

the presence of a middle class shows stability and development. Nations that have a coke plant

and McDonalds are less likely to go to war, because the presence of these multinational

corporations shows the emergence of a middle class and they do not want to hurt that.

“Multinational corporations provide poor states with much-needed foreign investment and tax

revenues. Multination corporations in turn depend on states to provide protection, well regulated
markets, and a stable political environment” (Goldstein and Pevehouse 15). Some of the

countries U.S. businesses are settling in are unstable.

To some extent, it is desirable to create a global culture. However, I think it is important

that countries maintain their uniqueness. The streets of foreign countries are starting to look like

the U.S. because they have our fast food franchises and stores. The presence of multinational

corporations also has some drawbacks. Foreign governments can break their agreements. Also,

there is potential for conflict when deciding how to deal with monetary policy and international

security.

“Individual nations can advance their own short-term interests by seizing territory

militarily, cheating on trade agreements, and refusing to contribute to international efforts such

as peacekeeping or vaccination campaigns” (Goldstein and Pevehouse 3-4). Today’s world

frowns upon these tactics. Instead, multinational corporations can help influence other nations

simply by showing up. These corporations promote policies that benefit them, but the host

country also reaps the benefit of economic growth. “We do not yet live in a world without

national borders – not by a long shot – but the international activities of multinational

corporations are moving us in that direction” (Goldstein and Pevehouse 218).

 Works Cited

Goldstein, Joshua S., and Pevehouse, Jon C. W. International Relations, Brief Edition. Pearson

Education. Kindle Edition, pp. 3-218.