State,market and civil society in the era of globalisation

Abstract

While globalisation and the increasing clout of the market hold forth the promise of prosperity, they also have an underside. The global majrket place is not a level playing field, it is dominated by developed countries that use their political clout to adopt protectionist measures and deny these to the poorer countries. IMF styled cuts on public spending then have an adverse effect on the poor. The State, in this context, needs to ensure that the market behaves humanely, apart of course from its role of providing stability and law and order, which are needed for the market to function in the first place. The State however is influenced by vested interests and does not necessarily act in the interests of the people. It is in this context that civil society - that section of society that is distinct from the State and the market, must seek to ensure that the government is transparent and accountable and upholds human rights.