Well-known sociologist Anthony Giddens claims that globalisation ?is a decoupling of space and time? and emphasises that ?with instantaneous communications, knowledge and culture can be shared around the world simultaneously.?

Over the past years, much has been said about the key issues pertaining to globalisation. Multiple definitions have been provided on the proper meaning of the term and on the growing emphasis on terms such as ?the world is a global village?, ?going global?, ?the new global media?, ?global trade? and so on.

One of the easiest ways to understand what all this means is to remember that it is no longer surprising to come across McDonald?s logos in the most remote countries. On the other hand, in many supermarkets, you can buy exotic fruits and vegetables all the year around. (Exotic can mean any part of the world, whether Europe or the Maldives). Among the various definitions linked to globalisation, we can see that: ?It is a primarily economic phenomenon, involving the increasing interaction, or integration, of national economic systems through the growth of international trade, investment or capital flows.??It is rapid increase in cross-border social, cultural and technological exchange.?

Brief summaries of all major events in world history reflect that globalisation goes right back to the 16th century with the first great expansion of European capitalism. In the late 19th century, there was another big expansion in world trade and investment. After World War I, the world witnessed the 1930 Great Depression and later on, World War II brought along a bigger development of capitalism. The rapid development of multinationals was centred on their interest in producing and selling in the domestic markets of nations around the world. The emancipation of colonies and the development of air travel, international communications together with the fall of the Berlin Wall and of the Soviet Union, have enhanced the progress of international business. The birth and growth of the Internet made possible the organisation of business on a very global scale and developed what is known as ?free trade?.

This very rapid survey of 400 years of economic change and growth, however, underlines the evident strengths as well as drawbacks of globalisation. Mauritius is a perfect example of going ?e-global? at a very rapid pace. It would be unacceptable in our new technological era to be outdated and left out. Yet, even if we will not be able to consider in detail all the issues pertaining to this topic, it is pertinent to voice pro-globalisation and anti-globalisation concerns.

Is there global inequality? What are the costs and benefits of free trade for our country?

What is the role of Internet and communications technology in globalisation? What about the environmental impacts of globalisation? Is globalisation merely Americanisation?

Pro-globalisation supporters talk of increases in employment and national income in poor countries as they have lowered tariff barriers. Anti-globalisation supporters comment on the fact that large corporations only invest in poor countries so as to make greater profits from low wage levels and to get access to the countries? national resources.

Hence, it is urgently relevant and necessary to try to find answers to these new modern dilemmas. As usual, do we have the choice? So, see you next month for another trip in ?our global world?.

<B>Pamela ARASEN-LILETTE</B>