A Project of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, Liberal Party of the Philippines and Friedrich Naumann Foundation

INTRODUCTION                                                             top^

Technological progress and the increasing global integration that follows it, are in some ways natural and self-fuelling processes, depending chiefly on human ingenuity and ambition. In that sense, globalization is something that has been around a long time and we all have to live with, making use, as we can, of the opportunities it presents and responding as we variously see fit to the threats it generates.

The dominant aspect of globalization is the emergence of a truly global market economy. Globalization, however, involves an assault on local, national and regional political and cultural practices, by powerfully marketed ideas and cultural products of modern, mass communication. 

Global economic integration has not occurred simply because of technological advances, it also reflects consciously pursued policies of economic freedom. Those policies are by no means universally welcomed and are actively contested. While exponents of global economic freedom argue that globalization can create, through economic growth, a better world for all, others point at evidence of continuing, even increasing,  poverty. Ultimately, globalization is about policy-making at the national level, policy-making about whether and how to integrate national economies into the global market or to resist pressures to do so because of the perceived threats that represents. 

What is the CALD Globalization                                 top^

Conference about?

This conference attempts to describe the impact of globalization in the Asian region and to provide an opportunity for participants to encounter a wide range of views about appropriate responses. The conference covers a range of issues thought to be the most salient ones for policy-makers in the region. In some sessions panelists have been assembled who are clearly in dispute. In others, the intention is to provide a range of complementary perspectives emphasizing different aspects of rather broad topics.

The conference is an opportunity to:

• take part in discussion about the political impact of globalization in the region,

• survey the regional responses to globalization and

• examine policy issues likely to concern CALD member parties

The conference is addressed, as were earlier CALD conferences, to liberal minded people in pro-democratic political organizations, political practitioners and policy-makers, helping them to understand globalization and how to address the numerous problems that go with it.

Plenary Session 1 :                                                        top^

Globalization: Boon or Bane?

Background

What are the major opinions about globalization?

There are those who see the benefits of the greater openness which is associated with globalization—faster growth, cheaper imports, new technologies, the spur of foreign competition and, in the end, better living and working conditions and greater prosperity.

There are others who attack globalization, saying that it advances the interests of big companies at the expense of jobs and the environment and widens the social and economic divide that separates those who consume the products of global production and those who labour cheaply to produce them. They see international financial agencies dictating unpalatable policies to national governments and those involved in international currency trading as able to directly threaten governments.

Two keynote speakers will be invited to present their viewpoints.  The aim is to present the conference participants with different perspectives on globalization and its impact and to identify the major issues for policy makers.

Plenary Session II :                                                        top^

Free Trade and Economic Freedom

Background

A significant aspect of globalization is the promotion of global economic freedom and global free trade as being crucial prerequisites for economic growth. Multinational companies, the governments that support their activities and the international agencies that control international finance and trade, press for the opening up of national markets to international competition.  National businesses are increasingly unable to justify protection behind tariff walls and other favoured treatment and are pressed to be willing to compete with international producers. The exposure to international competition leaves local goods, services and labor in some cases exposed and vulnerable, and where unable to adapt to competition, economic hardship can result. In parallel with globalization, there is an apparent trend towards a growing economic gap between rich and poor, reinforced now by a gap between those who are able to access new communication technology and those who cannot.  

Questions to be addressed by panelists:

What are the challenges for policy makers? What kinds of economic, financial, monetary, investment and trade policies have been developed at the national level in response to the challenge of globalization and with what economic, social and political results? What steps need to be taken to increase the competitiveness of Asian economies? What legal, institutional, structural and political reforms are needed to make them stronger players in the global market? What are the key barriers to effective reform in Asia?

Special Session :                                                            top^

International Terrorism

Background

September 11, 2001 has brought to light the degree of damage and anxiety that one act of terror can bring to the world. Whatever may happen in the weeks, months or years following the September 11 disaster, the fact is that the world’s most powerful nation was attacked and that there was nothing they or the world could do, but watch, while the events unfolded.

This of course raises serious questions of how secure we, in the region, really are? If the United States could not prevent the terrorist attacks from happening, how can considerably less developed, less sophisticated and less powerful nations that make up most of East and Southeast Asia, expect to do so?

Now, in the aftermath of September 11, responses are divided, internationally, over the retaliatory US bombing of Afghanistan. Centralized regimes of the region are capitalizing on the event to legitimize continuing quelling of civic liberty, claiming that a unified citizenry under an authoritarian rule is even more necessary under such circumstances. Democratic Asian nations however, are obliged to take a different approach to the problems that societal divisions cause to the nation, and in the September 11 case, the world. Yet, is it unreasonable to assume that even in democratic countries, governments are using the public insecurity generated by the terrorist events in much the same way as their authoritarian counterparts, to remain in power?

The era of globalization has made it clear that the impact of dissent from one member of our global society is not isolated to a nation or even region. Islam’s profile in the world has risen tremendously as a consequence of this. With Islam being so prominent in the region, how are the states of the region to respond to the challenge of countering terrorism? Will the pretext of avoiding a “clash of civilizations” be used to further reinforce efforts to restrict and curtail civil liberties?

Plenary Session III :                                                       top^

Media, Communications and Culture

Background

Whatever side you are on in the debate about globalization, one thing is quite clear – new communication technology offers people new opportunities to organize, communicate in groups and take their message directly to the masses or the media. Gone are the days when hierarchical access to communications was used in the chains of command that kept the elites of centralized states in power. The use of the Internet, e-mail, mobile phones and satellite broadcasting is key to this revolution. New communication technologies are seen by some as having the potential to support the agenda of democratization in Asia. Others fear what they see as threatening traditional culture and cultural diversity and as responsible for the emergence of new, homogenized global sub-cultures.

Questions to be addressed by panelists:

How has new communication technology re-shaped politics? How do political parties, members of parliaments and governments use new technology for political communication? What are the different responses to the question of access to the new media? How have governments sought to control the use of new technology? Has new technology aided the development of democracy? What is the impact of new communication technology on local, national and regional cultures? What has been the response at the national level to the appeal of the products of the new global culture?

Plenary Session IV :                                                      top^

Global Civil Society and Democracy

Background

Alongside inter-governmental organizations and multi-national corporations, a diverse network of international NGOs has emerged that can focus on events and places anywhere on the globe. This panel examines the structure and impact of international NGOs and civil society at the international, national and local level. The NGOs are diverse in their focus, create unlikely coalitions, and are highly adept at using the media. One fascinating aspect of globalization is the emergence of an international network of activists who have created a trail of disarray wherever the official international institutions identified as the key exponents of globalization convene: the IMF and the World Bank, the World Trade Organization and summit meetings.

Questions to be addressed by panelists:

To what extent do NGOs networking internationally influence political decision-making? Are global citizens’ groups the first step towards an international civil society? Do such organizations have a political mandate? To whom are they accountable and how can they be made accountable to the constituencies they claim to represent? How should national decision-makers respond to the inputs of international NGOs?

Plenary Session V :                                                        top^

Building and Reforming Political Institutions

Background

It is necessary for political institutions in the region to have or develop the capacity to deal with new phenomena they experience because of globalization. At the same time, globalization means that local, national and regional institutions are subject to the scrutiny of observers from anywhere in the world and will be judged according to international standards and global benchmarks. Globalization also provides local, national and regional institutions with access to ideas and models from all over the world from which to learn and borrow. An enriching cross-fertilization might occur, or local, national and regional players might attempt to hide behind nationalist, cultural and ideological screens to protect themselves from scrutiny and change.

Questions to be addressed by panelists:

What are the key approaches to institutional reform? What results have been achieved through these different approaches? What are the key barriers to effective reform? Who sets “international standards” and on what basis?  From where outside and inside the region will models of ‘best practice’ be drawn?

Session VI :                                                                       top^

Concurrent Workshops The Role of Political Parties in Shaping Responses to Globalization

Background

CALD conferences have always been seen as having a practical focus for the benefit of member parties. The purpose of the concurrent workshops is to provide an opportunity for conference participants to work in small groups to draw conclusions and propose recommendations. The facilitator of each workshop group will ensure that during the workshop all participants have an opportunity to put their ideas forward. The rapporteur will report the ideas of the workshop at the final plenary session.

Questions to addressed by workshop participants:

How can liberal/democratic individuals and political parties in the region best respond to the challenges presented by globalization, as presented at the various sessions of the conference? What reforms are needed? What new approaches should be adopted by political parties in the region to better cope with the challenges presented to national policy-makers by globalization? 

Final Plenary Session                                                  top^

At this short final plenary session, rapporteurs will put forward the conclusions and recommendations of the concurrent workshops.

Closing Key-note Address                                           top^

The ‘last word’ will be provided by a visiting expert with well-developed views on globalization, who has also observed the conference proceedings.