"Globalization is an objective reality underlining the fact that we are all passengers on the same vessel, that is, this planet where we all live. But passengers on this vessel are travelling in very different conditions. Trifling minorities are travelling in luxurious cabins... Overwhelming and hurting majorities are travelling in conditions that resemble the terrible slave trade from Africa to America... Obviously, this vessel is carrying too much injustice to remain afloat and it pursues such an irrational and senseless route that it cannot call on a safe port. This vessel seems destined to clash with an iceberg. If that happened, we all sink with it." (Fidel Castro, speech at the South Summit, 2000)

Social, economic and political inequities strongly influence health outcomes and, in turn, good health is an essential pre-requisite for equitable development and fairness in globalisation. This issue of New Doctor features articles on health-related aspects of globalisation, a perplexing and topical subject.

Globalisation, in itself, is not a new phenomenon. For better and worse, globalisation has occurred periodically through human history. It embraces not merely economic but political, social and environmental influences on individuals and societies. In recent decades, there has been accelerated global change driven by the strong movement to free-markets and great advances in technology and communication. Repercussions abound - the September 11 Twin Towers’ disaster, the "war on terrorism", anti-globalisation protests and Australia’s callous and myopic treatment of asylum seekers. Subtle effects extend into our daily lives.

There are endless opportunities for sharing information, technology and culture. Environmental, humanitarian aid and human rights movements have made good use of mechanisms of globalisation. International collaboration, however, needs to be distinguished from what has become known as "globalisation" - free-market, economic globalisation. Corporate interests have hijacked "globalisation" to advance their free-market idolatry. This dogmatic neo-liberalism promotes privatisation, market and capital deregulation, tax cuts for the rich and reduced social services for the poor, resulting in increased inequalities, social exclusion and poverty. Corporate globalisation is a new form of imperialism. As Jesse Jackson said, "instead of using gunboats and bombs they use bonds and bank loans with the same effect."

There are casualties and many miss out on any benefit from economic liberalisation. Growing inequalities both within nations and between nations cannot be ignored. Proponents’ justifications include claims that there are more winners than losers or that more market liberalisation is needed to fix the problem. And they always have Margaret Thatcher’s philosophy of "glory in inequality" to fall back upon. Inequality, however, is an important determinant of both individual and population health. The World Health Organisation’s Ottawa Charter affirms social justice and equity are prerequisites for health.

Markets do not deal with social justice and inequities. Political, social and legal non-market forces do. Markets may generate resources but governments are responsible for distributing and channelling resources, for instance via provision of public services such as health care. Free-market globalisation diminishes governments’ responsibilities and transfers power to corporations whose primary motive is profit. Governments are supposed to govern, not pass the buck to the free-market by privatising public services and abdicating responsibility .

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) pushes "trade liberalisation". The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the WTO threatens all public services including health care. Economic globalisation, the GATS, TRIPS and other WTO agreements affect individual health, population health and public health services. In this issue of New Doctor, Terrie Templeton from WTO Watch Qld discusses the GATS and its relevance to public health; Professor Allyson Pollock discusses her views on the implications for health care systems of WTO policies; Professor Frank Stilwell gives an economic perspective on health ramifications; and we publish the DRS submission to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade inquiry into WTO issues.

Global approaches are needed to serve the world’s population. The 2002 World Social Forum in Brazil is being held under the motto "Another World is Possible". Globalisation should bridge the gap between the fortunate and the not-so-fortunate, improve human rights, strengthen democracy and improve the human condition - not worsen the plight of the majority of the world’s population. Building community-based power is essential to counter the might of multinational corporations.

Sadly, this is the last edition to which Ben Haneman - long-term DRS member, New Doctor editorial team member and book reviewer - will contribute. Ben died recently. Ben saw the personal, thought globally and acted on his convictions. In his memory, we would like this issue to stimulate on-going debate and action.

Continuing grassroots action is essential. To quote Ben: "The fight is only beginning."

Tracy Schrader
Andrew Gunn

[ Doctors Reform Society of Australia home page]
[ About DRS ] [ Site Index ] [ Search ] [ What's New ]
[ Policies ] [ Media Releases ] [ Published Letters ]
[ Current Issues: online articles ] [ New Doctor: Journal of the DRS ]
[ Discussion Board ] [ Contacting DRS ] [ Joining DRS ]
[ Jobs] [ Links ] [ Archives ]