Globalization research hits public policy school

By Hemesh Patel
Daily Bruin Staff

In an age of growing Internet technology and fast-paced trade,
the term “globalization” has entered the everyday
vocabulary.

To address and promote a better understanding of the issue, the
UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research launched its
Center for Globalization and Policy Research Wednesday.

“Globalization has a tremendous impact on all of our
lives,” said Allen Scott, director of the new center.
“Even though the center is in the School of Public Policy and
Social Research, it will be campuswide.”

Barbara Nelson, dean of the school, defined the term
“globalization” using the words of Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright.

“”˜Trade and technology have the capacity to bring
the world together and lift standards everywhere,'”
said Nelson. “”˜But critics argue that these forces are
instead widening the gap between rich and poor and should be
resisted at all costs.'”

The idea for the center came about last year at the Global
City-Regions Conference, which attracted 300 people from 40
countries.

The three-day conference provided a dialogue on the subject of
globalization ““ which, according to speakers, is becoming
increasingly prevalent in the modern world through the
interconnection of technology, government, economy, and even
culture.

Though many praise their possibilities, criticism has been aimed
at global organizations such as the World Trade Organization and
International Monetary Fund.

Addressing a small crowd at the Faculty Center for the
announcing of the center was Kenichi Ohmae, managing director of
the Tokyo consulting firm Ohmae & Associates, who was described
by the Financial Times as “Japan’s only management
guru.”

He presented them with his ideas and predictions for the future
of global economy, urging the leaders of the new center to address
these issues of global economy, democracy and cyberspace.

He predicted that, over the next five to 10 years, the United
States and Europe will come together with a common currency.

“I call this currency the “˜eullar’ or the
“˜doro,'” Ohmae said. “Ten years ago, nobody
could tell whether or not the euro would be used as currency; I
think this will happen whether you like it or not.”

If this does happen, Asian countries, including Japan, China and
Korea, would be left behind and have to develop a common
currency.

“Washington will have less and less control of its own
fate with the dollar,” Ohmae said.

In addition to the global economy, Ohmae touched upon the
problems associated with modern democracy. In Japan, he said, where
voter turnout is only 40 percent, the minority rules rather than
the majority.

“There really is no political party that represents 60
percent of the population of Japan ““ that means democracy is
not working,” Ohmae said.

This issue with democracy isn’t unique to Japan; the
United States has its own problems as well, Ohmae said.

He referred to the electoral college system of choosing the
president, which faults during primary elections when candidates
are chosen based on party support rather than the individual
person.

Additionally, candidates are more familiar with local issues
rather than national and foreign affairs.

“My proposal is to do the primaries outside of the United
States, starting with Papua New Guinea,” Ohmae said
jokingly.

He discussed the problems that will arise in this age of
Internet technology and advancement. “How will we trade in
cyber space?” he said. “With regard to crime, who is
the cyber-court, and is there a cyber-law?”

The new government will have to concentrate on this issue of
technology and its implications, he said.

The center will aim to address issues regarding international
studies and policy analysis in its future and will serve as a focal
point for research and activities related to global change and
policy issues.

Scott said the center will host lectures and conferences on the
effects and the issue of globalization.

Additionally, it will draw in resources spanning various
intellectual talents. Professors from the College of Letters &
Science, and the schools of medicine and law will be involved.

Maria Wrigley, director of the UCLA International Visitors
Bureau, hopes the center will attract more foreign dignitaries to
the university.

“We usually get 300 to 500 dignitaries a year and
we’re counting on the center to attract more in the
future,” she said.

Ohmae said the future of the center will be a successful one,
especially because of its position on the globe.

“UCLA is positioned right on the West Coast, getting the
breeze of the whole world,” he said.