2014届高考英语一轮复习话题阅读素材49_高考复习指南

2014届高考英语一轮复习话题阅读素材49

One World, One Economy The trends toward globalization began in earnest in the 1970s when the system of fixed exchange rates, set up after WW II, was disrupted. This meant that the value of currencies would now be determined by the markets instead of individual governments.

Over the next two decades, countries slowly began to remove their exchange controls. By 1990, nearly all major economies had got rid of restrictions on how much money could be moved in and out their countries. Other factors contributing to the rise of globalization are new communications technologies, and better transportation systems. These have enabled companies to grow into multinationals -- producing goods on one side of the planet and selling them on the other. Lower costs have also helped -- the price of telephone calls, for instance, is cheaper now than at any time in history. But adjusting to this "economic order" is proving difficult. In the developed world globalization is facing widespread public resistance. Critics complain that, without the protection of trade barriers, jobs are being lost to workers in poorer countries, and wages for employees in rich counties are stagnant, except for a privileged few.

Opponents of globalization also point to its effects on the workers in poorer countries. They agree that multinationals may be helping to reduce unemployment in the developing world, but they argue that the jobs are hardly worth having since they are low paid and exploitative. Those in favor of globalization accuse their critics of being shortsighted protectionists. They claim a more integrated global economy will ultimately benefit everyone because it will enable countries to specialize in those areas where they perform lest.