The idea of globalization is a greatly misconstrued, detrimental policy to those countries and people outside of the North American sphere of life. Corporations are globalizing not only to reduce production costs, but also to expand markets, evade taxes, acquire knowledge and resources, and protect themselves against currency fluctuations and other risks (Brecher and Costello 18). Three hundred companies own an estimated one-quarter of the production assets of the world and the richest fifth receives 82.7% of the total world income (Brecher and Costello 29). The gap between rich and poor is increasing worldwide: almost one-third of the population of developing countries, 1.3 billion people, live in absolute poverty- to poor to provide the minimum diet required for full human functioning (Brecher and Costello 24). The driving force of the marketplace is competition: sales go to the company who offers the lowest price. This alone is not a maligned process as prices are lower and there is improved efficiency in production. But when corporations and governments lower costs by reducing environmental protection, wages, salaries, health care and education, the result can be malevole

Globalization, and the process of 'downward leveling', is destroying the environment at a faster rate than the environment can be replenished or improved. Global corporations' oil refineries, steel mills, chemical plants, and other factories, now located all over the world, are the main source of greenhouse gases, ozone-depleting chemicals, and toxic pollutants (Brecher and Costello 24). The attempts to modernize and improve comfort have had horrendous effects on the environment. There is a general disregard for the environment, its maintenance and protection. Those who wish to preserve the environment are labeled left-wingers, who are trying to hinder the advancement of capitalism. In "Earth and the American Dream," many figures were given on the environment that are mind-boggling. In the first half of the 20th century, more non-renewable resources were used than in all of history. On a national level, Americans are the most wasteful people the world has known. In order to cut overhead and other costs, companies spend less money on treating their hazardous wastes. Rivers and oceans are the dumping grounds for waste products. The gases produced pour into the atmosphere, afflicting damage on the deteriorating ozone. There really needs to be stricter regulations on companies to prevent the dumping of hazardous materials. People are willing to make such great sacrifices of the environment in order to better their lives, or live more comfortably. Much more is taken from the environment than is replaced. Globalization has very deleterious effects on the environment that if not closely monitored, will eventually lead to severe irreparable damage.

nt- "a downward leveling" of environmental, labor an social conditions (Brecher and Costello 20). The most prevalent symptom of globalization is the reduction in labor, social and environmental conditions that results directly from global competition for jobs and investment (Brecher and Costello 22). As the workforce seeks to become "more competitive" by reducing its wages and social and environmental overheads, income, social and material infrastructures deteriorate. Lower wages and reduced public spending mean less buying power leading to stagnation, recession and unemployment (Brecher and Costello 25). In this paper, I will evaluate globalization and show how its

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Approximate Word count = 1577
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)