Oct. 4, 2001
New Research Center for Globalization Comes to GW
Four Universities Will Collaborate on Research and
on Public Education Programs Addressing Globalization Issues
By Eric
Solomon
Globalization is one of the most talked about issues today. Before the
cancellation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank
annual meetings, 100,000 protesters were expected to express their views
and the police were expecting the worst. What is globalization all about?
Why are there so many protesters? The George Washington University recently
announced the opening of the new GW Center for the Study of Globalization
(GWCSG), which is working on many projects to help answer some of those
questions. The new research center is a partner in a four-university
consortium called the Globalization Network. Joining GW in the consortium
are UCLA, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the University of South
Florida. The four universities will collaborate on research and on public
education programs addressing globalization issues.
The Globalization Network was founded by the US Congress and received
$2.5 million in funding to help the public better understand the forces
that are driving globalization and the implications of globalization.
“Globalization is the hot topic today,” says Professor John
Forrer, director of the GWCSG. “There are so many aspects to globalization
— economic, political, social, legal — and we have a limited
understanding about what they mean for us today and in the future. Our
new research center will be conducting research on some of the more
pressing issues of globalization and acting as a forum to help people
understand what role globalization will play in their day-to-day lives
— at work, at school, and at home.”
The new center will conduct research on different aspects of globalization
and use these findings to help create public education programs about
globalization. GWCSG will focus on three key aspects of globalization:
capital and financial markets, convergence of markets and governance,
and information technology. GW professors have expertise in each of
these areas.
Globalization’s effects on financial markets have become well known,
as capital market liberalization and international financial integration
shape the flows of investment around the world. Issues such as currency
contagion, controls on foreign investment, the impact of IMF loans on
a country’s development, and the increased risk and volatility
associated with international investments are challenging corporations’
international business strategy and governments’ policies.
One of the key issues of globalization and convergence is the possible
loss of governments’ jurisdiction and/or sovereignty in favor of
“global” standards promoted by international or regional trading
organizations. Examples include the World Trade Organization’s
requirements that members promote trade by reducing barriers such as
tariffs and quotas; pressure to harmonize domestic labor and environmental
standards; reforms of state-owned enterprises through privatization
and competitive markets; and the search for generalized intellectual
property laws. A key question is how multinational corporations will
address the challenge of delivering products and services on a global
scale within regulatory, social, and economic conditions that may vary
from country to country.
Information technologies have revolutionized global business, telecommunications,
and entertainment and they have created unprecedented access for people
to information, education, and communication. However, these new capabilities
raise many issues, some that are just now being recognized. Questions
to be addressed include: Is access to global telecommunications limited
to wealthy nations or wealthy groups within nations? How is the management
of information technology research and development within corporations
and government affected by globalization? How should governments address
privacy issues raised by access to personal information via the Internet?
“The GWCSG can play a valuable role as a synergist across the University,”
says Carol Sigelman, associate vice president for research and graduate
studies. “We would like to build on the research on globalization
that is taking place now and support increased collaboration across
disciplines and schools within GW. If ever a topic of study lent itself
to interdisciplinary and collaborative research, it’s globalization.”
The GWCSG has provided funding for 15 research projects on issues ranging
from the risk of global investments to the protection of national culture
to the digital divide. A full listing of all projects can be found at
the GWCSG Web site.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
