One argument in the debate surrounding globalization is about the inequality between nations. Discuss the major points of the inequality between nations argument and describe how falling barriers to trade and investment might help reduce the inequality between nations.
Answer: The inequality between nations debate questions the widening of the gap in average incomes between rich and poor nations. A widening gap is noticed if the average incomes in high-income countries are compared with the average incomes in middle- and low-income nations. But averages conceal differences between nations. The gap between rich and poor nations is not occurring everywhere: one group of poor nations is closing the gap with rich economies, while a second group of poor countries is falling further behind. For example, China is narrowing the income gap between itself and the United States as measured by GDP per capita, but the gap between Africa and the United States is widening. China's progress is no doubt a result of its integration with the world economy and annual economic growth rates of around 9 percent. Another emerging market, India, is also narrowing its income gap with the United States by embracing globalization. Developing countries that embrace globalization are increasing personal incomes, extending life expectancies, and improving education systems. In addition, post-communist countries that welcomed world trade and investment experienced high growth rates in GDP per capita. But nations that remain closed off from the world economy have performed far worse.
Falling barriers to trade and investment may help reduce the inequality between nations by leveling the global business playing field. Specifically, the WTO launched a new round of negotiations in Doha, Qatar, in late 2001. The renewed negotiations were designed to lower trade barriers further and to help poor nations in particular. Agricultural subsidies that rich countries pay to their own farmers are worth $1 billion per day—more than six times the value of their combined aid budgets to poor nations. Because 70 percent of poor nations' exports are agricultural products and textiles, wealthy nations had intended to further open these and other labor-intensive industries. Poor nations were encouraged to reduce tariffs among themselves and were to receive help in integrating themselves into the global trading system. Although the Doha round was to conclude by the end of 2004, negotiations are proceeding more slowly than was anticipated.