The Paradox of Economic Globalization: The Case of the Niger Delta Region

Abstract

Globalization presents contradictions, leading to its manifestation as good and bad – a double edged
sword. For the proponents of globalization, it is a unifying force, an economic process that offers people a
variety of choices, leading to an improved quality of life. One can also argue that globalization is good
given the example of China and Indian where most people have moved from abject poverty. However, the
negative aspect of globalization has resulted in a tremendous income inequality in most developing
nations. There is a high rate of unemployment in these countries as both skilled and unskilled youths have
become increasingly marginalized and disfranchised from the promise of “development.” The position of
this paper is that, the processes of globalization in the last few decades have continuously restricted
people’s lives, widened the gap between the rich and poor, north and south, resulting in a fragmented
globality. And for the particular case of the Niger Delta region, economic globalization has resulted in the
disenfranchisement of the youths. The discussions of this socio-economic phenomenon in this paper will be
based on the field work that commenced in 2004 to 2010 in Obagi, Obelle, Omoku, Ogbogu, and Obite
communities