Globalization, the Two-edged Sword Phenomenon—Reflections of Its Impact on Global Peace and Security

Abstract

The phenomenon of globalization has a dynamism of its own, entailing complex processes and transboundary transactions that influence many areas of global governance and international relations. The benefits of globalization are multifaceted, justifying the saying that, ‘the world through globalization has become a global village’. The two-edged sword, however, has its shortfalls. In exploring the nexus between globalization and peace, this paper sought to examine the impact the phenomenon has on global peace and security. In that regard, the study mainly employed an exploratory quantitative approach involving 627 respondents across Ghana, even though secondary data was also used. The research questionnaire was administered using online survey tools (google) where the data were analyzed using survey analytics software. The study revealed a nexus between globalization and peace, and that globalization has both negatively and positively impacted global peace and security. Further, the benefits emanating from globalization including technological advancement, interconnectedness of nations, and the growth of national economies far exceed its excesses and shortfalls such as national cultural distortions, human rights aberrations, and the advancement of international crime. The paper argues that globalization in its current state needs improvement and this can take place when the international community learns to avoid pervasive attitudes in their implementation processes. Further, the United Nations Security Council must put in place sanction regimes against companies and countries that engage in the production and transfer of injurious goods and services that tend to plague global peace and security. The paper aside from adding to the scholarly literature on the subject area also provides insights for policy implementers to adopt the best practices within the terrain of globalization in safeguarding global peace and security.

Keywords and expressions: globalization, global peace, reflections, security, and two-sword phenomenon

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/130-03

Publication date:March 31^st 2023