A Toolkit Orientation Programme on Rethinking Rights, Justice, and Development

Section 2: Programme Methodology
MODULE B:
Setting the Agenda of Rights and Justice in the Age of Globalisation

The question of rights and its sustainability in the era of globalisation is quite complex and is indicative of the constant tension between the ‘social’ yearning for democratic values, and ‘economic’ pursuits for unhindered profit, trade, and movement of capital at the peril of social. The neo-liberal model of globalisation vigorously promotes the rights of free trade and capital bringing it in direct conflict with the two essential rights of marginalized communities right to ‘food’ and ‘work’. The actors in the process are a) Nation states, b) International Institutions (UN, WTO, World Bank, IMF), c) Multinational Corporations, and d) Global Civil Society. The conflict of interests among them is primarily a rights conflict. Nation states fighting to hold their sovereignty, international institutions for right of global governance, multinational corporations for right of free trade and commerce, and global civil society for the basic human rights.

The process of globalisation means different things to different people in different contexts and persuasions. It means formation of a global village with freedom and ability of individuals and firms to initiate voluntary economic transactions with residents of other countries; neo-liberal economic globalisation represented by four different flows across boundaries, namely of goods/services, i.e. 'free trade’, of people (migration), of capital, and of technology; spread of capitalism from developed to developing nations; compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole. Due to its inherent multi-faced nature, its meaning, origin, dynamics and different aspects are shrouded in controversy. Some consider it to be a product of 20th – 21st century where as some argue for a date much before it. There is a strand of thought, which doesn’t see any link between growing poverty and globalisation and blame it on inefficient administration, corruption and poor implementation in the system. This module would look at the various controversies surround its meaning, origin, dynamics and its impact on other processes and systems.

The breakdown of social security mechanisms in the third world due to rapid privatisation has led to increased inequality and hardship especially to marginalised communities. It has impacted the rights scenario and justice delivery mechanisms in an unprecedented way and to an extent eroded the authority and responsibility of the state. Post 9/11 the link between multinational corporations, conflict, and struggle for control over resources has assumed a new proportion. This has raised important questions related to control over resources by the people on one hand for now and for the future generations. The role of World Bank, IMF and WTO in third world countries has also been criticised for leading to crises mainly in Latin America and Africa. This module would not go in to the finer aspects of these situations but would take a critical look at the role of globalisation process on the agenda of rights and justice.

Apart from the controversies this module would discuss in particular impact of globalisation on common property resources (CPRs), livelihood issues, and sustainability of rights of women, farmers, Dalits, indigenous people and other marginalised communities. Emphasis will be also to find answers to these questions:

  • How the economic reforms have impacted different classes in the society, especially marginalised communities?
  • How has globalisation contributed towards an increase in inequality in the society?
  • How has it penetrated into the rural hinterland and attacked on the CPRs?
  • What is the relationship of the process of globalisation with nation states and questions of sovereignty and identity?
  • What is the relation between the globalisation process, ethnic conflicts, development patterns, ensuing internal displacement and human rights of marginalised communities all over South Asia? 
What has been the impact of the International Financial Institutions on the development patterns, rights and justice delivery systems and processes?