LESSON 6

MORAL CHALLENGES OF GLOBALIZATION

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the important moral challenges of globalization;
2. Compare responses to shared moral dilemma of baby boomers and millennials;
3. State the qualities of the filennials;
4. Construct a plan for coping up the challenges of globalization;
5. Differentiate ethics from religion; and
6. Appreciate the role of religion to a globalized world.

Globalization and Ethical Challenges

According to Sarah Oelberg who delivered a sermon on January 11, 2002, globalization
is the name given the reality that the world is becoming more and more closely linked by
ETHICS
international trade, monetary policy, investments and high-speed communication. In (HUM102)
a world of
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limited resource, we are faced with the competing values of politics, corporate power, religion
and simple humanity.
Globalization per se is not evil; in fact, it is both inevitable and desirable. The world is
not the same as it was in the past; we are necessarily part of a world community, and that
community needs to work together to make life better for everyone. That is the promise of
globalization, and that is why many people support it. In the eyes of its proponents, it is the result
of forces driving a powerful engine of technological innovation and economic growth that is
strengthening human freedom, spreading democracy and creating the wealth needed to end
poverty and save the environment throughout the globe – the interdependent web made manifest.
It certainly sounds good; it even appears to fit right into our UU principles. We should all be for
globalization, right? So when “Economic Globalization” was put forth as one of the proposed
study-action issues to be voted upon at the General Assembly last June, we did not vote for it.
For one thing, we had swallowed the claim that this was a humanitarian movement, designed to
bring a higher standard of living and more equality to people all over the world. Oh, I knew there
were some problems with it, problems that had concerned many people to the point that they had
protested meetings where globalization was discussed, but we thought most of these protesters
were single-issue demagogues who were using globalization as a way to raise their issues.
Economic globalization is the ultimate threat to humanity.
In the same vein, Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 discussed
about the moral challenges of globalization. He said that there is economic crisis now with nearly
 a billion and half people who have no access to clean water, and a billion lives is miserably
substandard housing, it is a leadership crisis when we allow wealth to be concentrated in fewer
and fewer hands, so that the world’s three richest individuals have assets that exceed the
combined gross domestic product of the poorest 48 countries. There is spiritual crisis when
Gandhi said that many people are so poor that they can only see God in the form of break, and
when other individuals seen only to have faith in a capricious God whose “invisible hand” guide
the free market. It is a democratic crisis when 1.3 billion people live an income of less than one
dollar a day, and in their unrelenting poverty are totally excluded from public decision-making.
In times of crisis many father; they think only in terms of the individual and fail to accept
their human obligations. But this cowardice is a choice. It is our choice, and we have another
option. Instead of permitting the dominant values of selfishness, military build-up, and a love of
money to prevail, we can choose to reclaim our most noble aspirations. This means affirming
some of the ethical maxims that guide virtuous communities, but that have been too quickly
overlooked in recent times: that all people have a right to work for a living wage. That all have a
responsibility to think sustainably, to live in harmony with the natural environment. And that all
people should have equal opportunity to access educational, cultural and financial resources at
the same time that we look back to these established principles, we must seek to broaden the
scope of our moral concern more than ever before. In recent years as the world has emerged from
the painful experiences of colonialism, genocide, and superpower tensions, the nascent structures
of an international humanism have appeared. The challenge of the current generation is to
embrace this global citizenship S to think about security, democracy and justice ETHICS
on a (HUM102)
worldwide
2 scale. FINALS

Human Security
The first step toward global thinking requires that we adopt a definition of peace that
goes beyond the short-sighted demands of national security. To this and, the United Nations
Human Development Program stresses the need for us instead to think of peace in terms of
human security. This distinction bears frequent repetition. Human security is not just a concern
with weapons S it is a concern with human life and dignity. The martyred Salvadoran
Archbishop, Oscar Romero, eloquently expressed this idea. He told his people that “the only
peace God wants is a peace based on justice.”
Indeed, how can we say that there is peace when thousands are made to work in
dehumanizing conditions? How can we say that there is peace when the United States builds
more prisons and fewer schools? How can we say that there is peace when millions go hungry?
In the age of globalization, those who make peaceful changes in our economy, politics, and
morality will make inevitable the future conflicts arising from the unacceptable inequalities that
we described earlier.
 Democratic Values
The second step in global thinking is to expand our understanding of democracy. Too
often, democracy is discussed only in its most formal mode. People are satisfied that democracy
in the constitution of the state but make no room for democracy in the constitution of their own
soul. They do not let it affect their daily interactions, their personal relationships, or their
professional ambitions.
For this reason, some of our greatest leaders have called for profound change in our
values. But a democratic revolution is not merely sentimental and individualistic. Yes, it
demands changes in the way we live and the way we understand ourselves, but it also promises
to change the structures that govern our society. For, at its core, democracy is a radical
philosophy of civic participation. It is the faith that through public dialogue and inclusive
deliberation, ordinary individuals can build ever better systems for living together. Democracy
rests on the need for all citizens, not only the most powerful people, to be able to influence
meaningfully the political and economic institutions that affect their lives.
As people begin to renew their faith in democracy, each of them must reconsider the
privileges they enjoy as citizens in a prosperous country such as the Philippines and as
beneficiaries of this fine college/university. As students you must embrace the responsibility that
comes with this privilege. In this democratic country there is no room for guilt, but only for
compassion: the point is not to feel guilty about the privileges you have received, but to feel
ETHICSlives.
always committed to the struggle to guarantee that all people may live such dignified (HUM102)
There
3 is no place for resignation, but only determination: although world problems may seem FINALS
overwhelming, you must be determined to make your mark against poverty, terrorism,
corruption, inequality, etc. There is no stopping now, instead you must expand your solidarity,
your concern for the health and well-being of others and of course don’t forget yourselves.
Remember the saying in Tagalog: “Sipag, Tiyaga at Determinasyon” (STD) to finish your career
so as to reach your goal.

Millennials and Filennials: Ethical Challenges and Responses

Millennials are roughly defined as those who were born between 1980 and 1996. They
are also known as Generation Y following Generation X. They are the generational demographic
cohort following Generation X. There are no precise dates for when this cohort starts or ends;
demographers and researchers typically use the early 1980’s as starting birth years and the mid
1990’s to early 2000s as ending birth years. Millennials are sometimes referred to as “echo
boomers” due to a major surge in birth rates in the 1980s and 1900s, and because millennials are
often the children of the baby boomers. The 20 th-century trend toward smaller families in
developed countries continued, however, so the relative impact of the “baby boom echo” was
generally less pronounced than the post-World War II baby boom.
In the Philippines, millennials make up almost one third of the total population. They are
the “youth” marketers, business leaders, employers and some politicians who try to provide for
 their business endeavors. This year arguably, the oldest millennials are 40 years old. As
millennials enter their prime years, they are not just defining their community and workplace.
They are starting to take care of a new generation as the “hope of the fatherland”.
Although Millennial characteristics vary by regions, depending on social and economic
conditions, the Generation Y population is generally marked by an increased use and familiarity
with communications, media, and digital technologies. In most parts of the world, their
upbringing was marked by an increase in liberal approach to politics and economics; the effects
of this environment is undisputed. The Great Recession has had a major impact on this
generation because it has caused historically high levels of unemployment among young people
and has led to speculation about possible long-term economic and social damage to this
generation.

Traits/Qualities of Millennials
Millennials in South Africa are labelled as “youths” but regardless of the place,
millennials are have a set of particular traits.
Changing one’s marketing tune according to how the market itself is changing is an
imperative trait of successful marketers. Whether you are balanced Gen X or an open-minded
Gen Y/Millennial/Gen Me, the facts are that this generation is a force to be reckoned with. This
new generation “youth” holds more power than ever before yet are so different ETHICS
to(HUM102)
any other
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generations.
Many other marketers are making the fundamental mistake of underestimating or even
avoiding this target group simply because of the belief of their “lack of understanding of other
aspects of life.”
It is estimated that 85% of the current workforce are made up of the Generation
Y/Millennial. This means that these individuals making and influencing the buying decisions,
even in industry, are Millennials. They are good marketers of business and industrial products.
The traditionalists Gen X are not to be forgotten too. It is important for the industry
giants, in whichever sector they may be, to understand this segment and draft their strategies
accordingly.
This new group possesses a few similar traits which marketers can utilise to their benefit.
By understanding these traits, a marketer can tweak their existing tactics to better suits and be
better received by this power house group.
Here are the traits/qualities that they possessed, in general:
1. They are confidently independent.
2. Comfort in the flock
3. Simplicity
4. They want to experience engaging in business.
 5. Creatively achievers
6. Uniquely
7. No brand boundaries
8. Multitaskers

Filennials
Filennials or Filipino Millennials are confident and driven. This was one of the findings
in an online survey conducted among Filipino youth aged 18 – 35. The survey was conducted
from August 19 to October 2016. There were 612 respondents – millennials across Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao, with the largest age subgroup being those in their late 20’s (54%) and
majority of respondents (53%) hailing from the National Capital Region. The survey showed
Filipino millennials outlook on their goals, career, financing, and advocacies.
In terms of attitude, the top 5 words respondents used to describe Filipino millennials are
“confident, driven, self-centered, ambitious, and passionate.” Other answers such as “optimistic,
independent, idealistic, or positive,” appeared in less frequency but had similar meani gs to the
top responses, the results show.
The responses mirror the results of a larger global survey on millennials conducted by the
World Economic Forum, where 70% or respondents said that they see the world as full of
opportunities, and 50% believe they can actively contribute to decision-makingETHICS
in their(HUM102)
countries.
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According to the survey: Filipino millennials naturally link their personal dreams with
their careers. When asked to describe their goals, most respondents used the words “ambitious,”
followed by “success”, “high”, “financial stability/money” and “career”.
When asked to describe their priorities in one word, the top response was “career”,
followed by “self, family and studies”. Surprisingly, “confused” was the fifth most-used word to
describe priorities.
When respondents were asked to choose which word best defines success for them, most
of the respondents chose “following passion” (43.1%) over “financial independence” (37.9%).
However, among the respondents in their late 30s, majority (49%) choose “financial
independence” as indicator of success following passion.
It is interesting to note that for those who typed out their responses, “success” and
“fulfilment” were defined as a combination of 2 or all of the choices. Others chose to define
success as “contentment, living in the moment,” or “achieving personal goals.”
When asked if they would consider working abroad if given the chance, majority (84%)
answered yes. Likewise, those respondents in their late 30s were very much interested in
working abroad, as noted by with 91%, by answering YES and followed by (87%) of the teenage
respondents.
 A recent worldwide survey conducted by Deloitte, which focused on millennials’ outlook
on career and ambition, similarly highlighted how this generation prioritized personal fulfilment
in the workforce. The survey indicated that most millennials are willing to leave their current
jobs within the next two years if they feel that company’s goals are not aligned with their own.
They are also more protective of their personal ambitions in their career.
Having career and finances as top goal and priority do not dissuade Filipino millennials
from marrying or having children. Majority of the surveyed respondents believe that millennials
still prefer to be married (62.4%) more than to being single (37.4%) in the future. Above 80% of
respondents still also prefer to have kids in the future.
When asked what they are saving for their money, travel is the top priority of respondents
(49.8%), followed by business (11.3%). The two least priorities are luxury goods (4.9%) and
gadgets (4.7%).

Difference between Ethics and Religion

Ethics is a code of conduct, or in a more verbose definition, moral principles that govern
a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity.
Religion is a way of life: “He drank coffee for breakfast religiously.”
One’s way of life typically includes a code of conduct, but not all ETHICS
codes (HUM102)
of conduct
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require a specific way of life. Abrahamic religions typically agree that “Thou shalt not murder”
is divine direction from God that man should live by. ”Thou shalt not murder”, is good conduct,
regardless of one’s religious belief about the supernatural.
Another way of differentiating this:
All religion is a means of providing ethical compass for the common man. Hinduism (at a
later date) or any religion for that matter, by creating a fear for vindictive God, and a prosperous
after life, instilled fear in the minds of the uneducated masses. Without that fear like an ignorant
child, man would not have an incentive to follow ethical values.
Abhyuday Singh (December 20, 2015) differentiate ethics and religion like this:
 Religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems and world views that
relates humanity to an order of existence.
 Ethics (also moral philosophy) is the branch of philosophy that involves systematizing,
defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct.
 Religion can provide you with the knowledge of the self, God, world and customs related
to it. It purifies the inner being through loving, devotion, and service to God. Inner
purification leads to receiving the never ending grace of God, his limitless love, his
endless goodness and his measureless mercy. Religion in forms like Varna Ashram
Dharma tells how we can achieve our material goals and spiritual liberation. Truth,
justice, love and good deeds are the pillars of religion.
  Ethics would teach you what is right and what is wrong in a certain action, speech or
thought, the sense of right and/or wrong. If the action, speech, thought promotes sins
(whether crime of seven deadly sins) then it is wrong, if it promotes well-being of all
with justice to all, it is correct. On a personal level action, speech or thought for self-
defense, self-maintenance by right way for example right livelihood, service in a long
devoted manner and guidance for betterment of the individual of humanity without
involving sin is correct.

The Role of Religion in a Globalized World

One may ask: what is the relationship of religion to globalization? First, there is the way
in which globalization flattens out cultural differences, erodes local customs and beliefs, and
spread a secular, capitalist way of life that us at odds with religions of all sorts. At the same time,
there is the way in which religion serves as the source of globalization’s greatest resistance and
as a haven for those standing in opposition to its ubiquitous yet often subtle power.
In both of these views, the relationship between religion and globalization is antagonistic
– one of struggle and conflict.
While opposition is an important aspect of the relationship between religion and
globalization, to see them only as foes misses some of the complexities of their interaction, not
only in the past but in the postmodern world as well. ETHICS (HUM102)
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Religion and globalization can also be seen as partners in historical change. In times past,
religion, in various manifestations, has been a carrier of globalizing tendencies in the world. The
history of Christianity, of course, can be understood in part as an early effort to create a global
network of believers. Its extraordinary growth and influence as a world religion was a result of a
link between its own global ambition and the expansion of various political and economic
regimes. It succeeded as a globalizing force long before there was a phenomenal called
“globalization.” Elements of this historical pattern can be found in Buddhism, Islam, and other
faiths as well.
Religion is hardly epi-phenomenal to the processes of globalization in our own way. It
continues to be a player in intricate and even contradictory ways. To be sure, it was once thought
that secularization was the inevitable outcome of the processes we call “modernity”. Clearly, this
has not been the case. Religious faith persists in a complex interaction with the structures and
processes of the modern world and that complexity has only intensified under the conditions of
contemporary globalization.

Globalization Affects Religious Practices and Beliefs

Evolving trade routes led to the colonization of the Asia, Africa, Central and South
America. Religion became an integral part of colonization and later on globalization. Religion
has been a major feature in some historical conflicts and the most recent wave of modern
terrorism.
 The Impact of Globalization
 Flattens cultural differences
 Erodes local customs and beliefs
 Spreads secular, capitalist way of life

What is Religion Nowadays?

 It is no longer a set of beliefs that people arrive by reflection.
 It is a symbolic system which carries our identity and marks out social/ethic and other
boundaries.
 It marks crucial moments in the life cycle with rituals.
 It provides powerful mechanisms for psychological and social tension.

Role of Religion Today

Looking around the world today, it is clear that religion plays a role in many of the major
ETHICS (HUM102)
conflicts going on at various levels. Furthermore, religion plays an important role in people’s
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lives worldwide, and has become one of the major ways people connect with each other across
the globe. However, the role of religion in contemporary societies is still not sufficiently
understood in academic research and in the work of policy-makers, NGOs and journalist.

Role of Religion in Promoting Word Peace

Religion has a definite role to play in the people’s search for world peace. The moral
principles and values contained in the teachings of great religious teachers are essential factors
for the reduction of and ultimate eradication of greed, hatred, and delusion – which form the root
cause of various conflicts and wars, both within and without. Within oneself, these three evil or
unwholesome roots bring about great unrest in the mind, resulting in physical outbursts of
violence culminating in global warfare.
The fact that war begins in the minds of people is well recognized by certain peace-
loving people. The preamble of the UNESCO’s constitution says: “Since wars begin in the minds
of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” That is, if one
wishes to have peace of mind, one must also construct defense of peace in one’s own mind.
The world cannot have peace until nations and people begin to reduce their selfish desires
for more and more material possessions, give up their racial arrogance, and eliminate their
madness for worldly power. Material wealth alone cannot bring peace and happiness to the
minds of people. The key to real and lasting peace lies in “mental disarmaments” – disarming the
mind from all kinds of “poisonous” defilements such as greed, hatred, jealousy, egotism, etc.
 Religion not only inspires and guides people but also provides them with the necessary
tools to reduce greed with the practice of charity; to overcome hate and aversion with loving-
kindness; and to remove ignorance with the development of wisdom and insight in order to
understand the true nature of beings and “see things as they really are.”
The negative aspects of religion lie in the madness of some so-called religionists who try
to convert and win followers by hook or by crook, rather than adhering to proper instruction and
guidance. The purposeful misinterpretation of scriptural texts for various ulterior motives has led
to religious persecutions, inquisitions, and “holy wars.” These terribly awful experiences have
really marred the very name “religion.”
In the context of today’s spiritual need, religionists should work together in earnestness
and not in jealous competition with one another. They must work in harmony and cooperate in
the true spirit of service – for the welfare and happiness of the many. It is only then that they can
effectively influence the opinions of the masses and truly educate the people with some higher
values of life, which are very necessary for peaceful co-existence and integrated human
development.
Differences in religious beliefs and practices should not hinder the progress of various
religionists working for a common cause, for world peace. Let all religions teach people to be
good and proclaim the brotherhood of humankind. Let religions teach people to be kind, to be
tolerant, to be understanding.
Enough suffering and destruction have caused by human “cleverness.” It is time that we
ETHICS (HUM102)
pause and reflect upon the true values of religion and seek proper spiritual guidance to develop
9 our “goodness,” to work for peace and harmony instead of war and disunity. FINALS

For the cause of humanity and of peace, let us hope that all religious leaders will stretch
out their hands in friendship to one another and to all people irrespective of race or creed – with
a genuine feeling of love and brotherhood – to work for a peaceful world and to work for
humanity.