Summary 'Does globalisation encourage or discourage the pursuit of good ethics as the foundation of good business?
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Course
G572 - AS Religious Ethics
Institution
OCR
Quite a complicated essay question that may be useful if you want to prepare for the harder questions!
Includes; thesis and 4 further paragraphs with case studies and scholars.
Does globalisation encourage or discourage the pursuit of good ethics as the foundation
of good business?
Thesis/introduction:
Globalisation is the process by which the world is becoming increasingly interconnected as a
result of massively increased trade and exchange leading to the expansion of companies
world-wide
Globalisation discourages good ethics through its prioritisation of profit over ethics resulting
in exploitation of workers.
Despite apparent benefits to those in poverty, the pain endured by workers outweighs any
material happiness of consumers
Paragraph 1: AGREE with thesis
Globalisation has opened up opportunities for businesses to abuse and exploit workers
without consequences
The industrial revolution transformed economies that had been based on agriculture and
handicrafts into economies based on large-scale industry, mechanised manufacturing and
the factory system
It introduced new ways of organising work, making industries more productive and efficient
However, this showed that globalisation ends with low wages, pollution and a dangerous
disregard for safety of people
For example, a building containing clothing factories, a bank, apartments and several shops
called Rana Plaza, collapsed in 2013 killing 1,134 people and injuring 2,500
The building’s owners ignored warnings to avoid using the building after cracks had
appeared the day before – workers were ordered to return the following day
At least 29 global brands were identified in the Rana Plaza building factory – all of which
were prioritising profit over the safety of their workers
Safety standards are ignored to produce cheap goods
Paragraph 2: AGREE with thesis
Being in other, less developed countries may also mean companies can avoid corporate
social responsibility resulting in poor ethics
Multinational corporations are accused of having a lack of concern for the environment as
well as mismanagement of natural resources and ecological damage
Workers are not encouraged to stand up for rights or whistle blow – primarily because they
are desperate for money and therefore cannot afford to lose their jobs
This is not ethically moral – Kant would say we are using these people as a ‘means to ends’
and taking advantage of the fact that they need the jobs in order for the Western cultures
to receive cheaper goods
Bowie suggests we should pursue meaningful work.
This is work that is freely chosen, supports the autonomy and rationality of humans,
provide a salary that is sufficient for independent living and to also ensure physical well-
being
Globalisation does not meet these guidelines
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