《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》49 One World, One Economy

　　Unit 49
One World, One Economy
The trends toward globalization began in earnest in the 1970s when the system of fixed¹ exchange rates, set up after WW II, was disrupted. This meant that the value of currencies would now be determined² by the markets instead of individual governments. Over the next two decades, countries slowly began to remove their exchange controls. By 1990, nearly all major economies had got rid of restrictions³ on how much money could be moved in and out their countries. Other factors contributing to the rise of globalization are new communications technologies, and better transportation systems. These have enabled companies to grow into multinationals⁴ -- producing goods on one side of the planet and selling them on the other. Lower costs have also helped -- the price of telephone calls, for instance, is cheaper now than at any time in history.
But adjusting to this "economic order" is proving difficult. In the developed world globalization is facing widespread public resistance. Critics complain that, without the protection of trade barriers, jobs are being lost to workers in poorer countries, and wages for employees in rich counties are stagnant⁵, except for a privileged few.
Opponents of globalization also point to its effects on the workers in poorer countries. They agree that multinationals may be helping⁶ to reduce unemployment in the developing world, but they argue that the jobs are hardly worth having since they are low paid and exploitative.
Those in favor of globalization accuse their critics of being shortsighted protectionists. They claim a more integrated global economy will ultimately benefit everyone because it will enable countries to specialize in those areas where they perform lest. Developing countries, with their higher populations and lower wages, will concentrate on labor⁷-intensive industries, such as raw materials and manufacturing, in much the same way as Western countries did during the industrial revolution. The ricer countries, on the other hand, will diversify⁸ into hi-tech industry. The effect of this, say supporters, will be to improve productivity in all countries, leading to higher living standards. The free movement of capital will also help poorer countries to develop so they can play a full and active role in the world economy.
Even supporters of globalization acknowledge, however, that there will be losers. At present, those suffering most are people working in labor-intensive industries in the developed world. Without the protection of trade barriers and the welfare states, their chances of improving their skills and living standards will disappear, resulting in a growing divide between rich and poor.
But how close are we to a truly global economy? For the losers, probably too close. But in terms of real economic integration⁹, there is still a long way to go. What is really holding globalization back is the lack of labor mobility¹⁰. Labor markets remain overwhelmingly national, even in areas like the European Union, where citizens live and work in any EU country. The main reasons for this are language and cultural barriers; the lack of internationally-recognized qualifications; and, in some areas, strict immigration controls.

1 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

2 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

3 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

4 multinationals   

跨国公司( multinational的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These local companies are only small fry compared with the huge multinationals. 同那些跨国公司比，这些当地的公司不过是小鱼小虾。
• Some people believe that the multinationals have too much power. 有人认为跨国公司的权力太大了。

5 stagnant   

adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的

参考例句：

• Due to low investment,industrial output has remained stagnant.由于投资少，工业生产一直停滞不前。
• Their national economy is stagnant.他们的国家经济停滞不前。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

8 diversify   

v.（使）不同，（使）变得多样化

参考例句：

• Our company is trying to diversify.我们公司正力图往多样化方面发展。
• Hills and woods diversify the landscape.山陵和树木点缀景色。

9 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

10 mobility   

n.可动性，变动性，情感不定

参考例句：

• The difference in regional house prices acts as an obstacle to mobility of labour.不同地区房价的差异阻碍了劳动力的流动。
• Mobility is very important in guerrilla warfare.机动性在游击战中至关重要。