barrier: a condition that blocks or impedes an opportunity


Over the decades, media has captured scenes of protests against globalization, international trade organizations, and meetings of the most powerful economies of the world. Organizers of the World Trade Organization and the G8 meetings defend these organizations and conferences as key to addressing global issues, and they often focus on gathering international support for least developed countries. Why are there protests?

World Trade Organization: an international organization of 152 members that works to improve trade relations between its members and to remove tariffs and trade barriers; formerly the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade page 229 has more info as well. G8 (Group of 8): a group of eight highly industrialized and democratic nations that agree to regularly meet and discuss economic and foreign policies. Check out page 231.

Internet

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Go to the Internet to examine Protest G8 – 2007, a viral video independently produced as a call for a protest at the June 2007 meeting of the G8. It presents contrasting images of quality of life and industrialization.

A key criticism by protesters is the political barrier created by the monopoly of decision making by a handful of economically powerful countries and multinational corporations. In the view of many protesters, international trade agreements and organizations are exclusive. They bar small businesses and least developing countries from participating in meaningful ways to benefit from the opportunities of economic globalization.

 

There are economic barriers that a country may face such as a lack of financial capacity to create industries, a skilled work force, and the infrastructure for production.

There may be technological barriers such as access to technology and the Digital Divide.