Micklethwait and Woolridge assert that among the benefits of globalization is freedom from the “tyranny of place” (13). They describe this as an extension of individual liberty that allows people to move about the globe freely in order to practice their “God-given talents.” Yes, this is an excellent advantage for select individuals, one that has been brought about by technological advances in transportation and the ability to immigrate to other countries of greater opportunity. However, the countries that continue to receive these “talented” individuals are countries with already substantial economic power on the global playing field. They are usually Western countries that would in many cases already have native inhabitants to fill an employment opportunity. It is the immigrant’s home country that truly loses economic advantages and opportunity when more and more skilled workers take their knowledge to use elsewhere, known as brain drain. While this happens, countries already at an economically advantageous position receive even more skilled work while countries of lesser opportunity are losing the very people that could serve to benefit their country’s economy. This leaves many unskilled workers in these usually underdeveloped countries to which Western countries and corporations will most likely outsource jobs to for cheap labor. The idea of escapism from one’s home country to pursue individual prosperity is also a Western idea that promotes this phenomenon and behavior. It is one way that globalization (currently under extreme Western influence) creates an international setting that is beneficial to those in power and allows maximum profit with little attention brought to the “underdogs.”
