Globalization and welfare of people Essay

DSL and wireless internet services are also provided by BTL which has been expanded in 2007 (BTL, 2008). Business and home users are provided various packages by the use of partnerships with international service providers. The coverage of internet has also been increased in rural areas like Teakettle and Pomona. Other rural areas like Roaring Creek Village, Riviera Area, Flores, etc were also provided better internet services. BTL will also implement wireless communication system in different parts of the country. This will assist the company in increasing its coverage of rural areas. The number of internet users increased to six thousand in 2007. The company also provides links to smaller internet service providers. Over a period of five years the demand for internet has increased with the company decreasing prices, improving service, and allowing customers to pay fixed charges. Revenues from internet services remain a small proportion of the company’s revenue. They account for seven percent of the total revenue of BTL. Globalization has also allowed the company to increase its profits from the international services which it provides. The reduction in international tariffs was also widely implemented in 2007 which allows people to make international calls to Belize at substantially lower rates. WebTalk was a popular service which was launched for internet users. This service allowed users to make international calls using VoIP connections (BTL, 2008). The minute rates are some of the cheapest as compared with other neighboring countries. Prepaid cards have also been launched which allow people to call at discounted rates. BTL charges the majority of its revenue on a per minute basis for fixed and cellular services. Internet and fixed line charges account for fourteen percent of the total revenue. The company experienced an increase of six million dollars by its provision of pre paid services. It also reported a profit of two million dollars increase in cellular phone services. Another three million dollars increase was reported for the provision of internet and data communication services (BTL, 2008). However these profits were negated by the reduction in several types of domestic and international customer tariffs. Cellular phone continues to remain the most attractive and growing market for BTL. The company also reported a decline of three million for outbound revenues. The year 2007 also witnessed substantial phasing out of obsolete and outdated equipment and systems (BTL, 2008). Operating costs were increased as the company implemented state of the art billing and customer care systems. New information technology systems were also implemented which increased the efficiency and effectiveness of the administrative, financial, and technical functions of the organization. The company managed to improve its capital ratio and cash in hand and on short term deposits. An estimated nineteen million dollars were spent to purchase property from the Belizean government. The company also witnessed a reduction in its debt due to the fiscal discipline and prudent financial policies of the management. Shareholders of the company also witnessed increased returns from their shares in 2007. An estimated forty one million dollars was increased in shares for stakeholders in 2007 (BTL, 2008). Globalization has impacted the welfare of the Belizean people. Some values of globalization have led to the replacement of traditional values with new ideas. Workers have been working for longer hours. On an optimistic note, it is linked with the spread of democracy in reality and with increasing public consciousness on issues such as gender partiality, human rights and ability to maintain progress. The people of Belize are helping to form ethical framework laid on the foundations of universal morals, values and principles. The challenge for them is to implement these rights in practice. Globalization has significant positive effects on the livelihood of people of Belize. Since 1990s, several foreign corporations have been established in Belize (Fernandez 52, 2006). People over there have started to capture these chances. They have started their own businesses and expanded them within the country as well across borders. Gradually, they have made investments and produced job opportunities for others. Growing and increasing these opportunities is the key to maintain growth and prosperity in Belize. Consumers in Belize also benefit from globalization because it allows them to access to a broad and extensive option of superior quality products. The higher wages and lower prices which are the result from dedicated and expert manufacture and international exchange mean that the consumers of Belize also get improved worth for their money. However, the result was that people from rural regions abandoned their homes and moved to cities for better working conditions in Belize. Privatization and other policies have also sped up the political-economic corruption in Belize which has tarnished the reputation of democracy, fortified the general height of political apathy and encouraged the de-politicization of Belize society. As a result, the development in Belize society is subjected to inefficient management of country’s affair, political corruption, inefficient legal structure, etc. Globalization is creating a new Belize socio-cultural identity, one that is generated by personal success, ground-breaking entrepreneurialism, the obvious use of foreign products, secularization, privatization social welfare and international accessibility and mobility. Belizean women have also gained from globalization as the workforce has increased. Education has helped the Belizean woman to become better equipped and independent (Jeffrey 70, 2006). They have mastered the necessary skills which are vital in modern society. They have created opportunities by improving communications skills. Globalization has also helped Belizean women in obtaining computer literacy. Information technology skills have been enhanced which are the requirements of globalization. The internet has helped created opportunities for female workers. Belize has benefited from globalization as the strides in communication, national banks, and investment companies have created new opportunities for finance. This has generated income programs like trading of money, stock, and bonds. These communication techniques have radically reduced communication costs and time to a bare minimum. Belizean people have also found that they can access a wide variety of services as a result of globalization. The internet has become a popular tool for sale and purchase of goods and commodities (Jeffrey 70, 2006). The policies of free trade also ensure that the vital necessities of life like food, clothes, equipment, products, etc are easy to obtain. Technology has also opened new mediums of communications while reducing the costs. Belizean people have found cheap and effective means of communication with each other. Societies have become united while being exposed to different cultures. Belizean government also has more efficient access to pharmaceuticals, health equipment, and educational equipment because of globalization. Health statistics have substantially improved as citizens can now obtain better health care and modern educational tools. Transportation system has improved in Belize which allows citizens to move to other countries at cheap rates (Barnett 65, 2000). Tourism which is the backbone of the economy has also flourished because of the globalization. Regional tourists visit the country purchasing goods for personal use. This increases the revenue of the state. Cultural events are also held which attract large number of domestic and regional tourists. This generates revenue for the Belizean government. The improvement in transportation and communication allows international tourists to visit Belize at cheap and less time consuming rates. Business has also been enhanced because of the investments in transportation as it makes it easier for companies to sell or purchase goods from other countries. Belize exports agricultural products which require efficient transportation methods to reduce the incidence of spoilage (Barnett 66, 2000). The expansion of companies to other countries is also beneficial because it provides important links between Belize and its neighbors. It acts as a type of advertisement for people who seek to invest in Belize. Globalization has provided a framework for progress along political, social and economic spheres.