現(xiàn)代大學(xué)英語精讀4 lesson 8 Globalizations Dual Power

1、ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention ENTER Globalization is a trendy word today. More and more people now believe that the world is becoming more integrated. Indeed, people now think that it is becoming a small global village. Globalization. They say .is not just

2、 an irresistible trend .It is already a fact. Actually, in its broadest sense, globalization started a long time e ago, one could trace it to the curly caravans across the Sahara Desert and along the Silk Road; the trade around the Mediterranean or in the wake of the Crusaders, or across the At-lact

3、ic after Columbus discovered America. The process To be continued on the next page.The process reached its first peak around the end of the nineteenth century, and although it was temporarily suspended by widespread protectionism, which led to the two world wars in the first half of the twentieth ce

4、ntury, the tide returned in the latter half with more tranquil inter-national relations supported by the United Nations, GATT (today the WTO, the World Bank and IMF .The pace of international economic integration accelerated in the 1980s and 1990s, especially after the Cold War ended . To be continu

5、ed on the next page. To be continued on the next page.However, this is only one side of the story. There also exists the opposite tendency, the tendency of protectionism, regionalism, unilateralist, separatism, anti-globalization. The reason for this is simple .As the author puts it, globalization i

6、s a double-edged sword .It cuts both ways .On the one hand, it can bring new products and services; new investment and markets; new technologies and management skills and generally higher living standards. But it can also bring more debt, more instability, a greater gap between the rich and poor, fa

7、r worse environmental degradation and the loss of national and cultural identity. To be continued on the next page. In spite of all the promises of a win win situation, in this game, nations are not equally positioned. They do not have a level playground. Therefore, there are bound to be winners and

8、 losers. People in many developing countries are afraid they stand to lose their hard won independence. They suspect that globalization is just another name for Americanization. They feel they are being marginalized rather than integrated .No wonder there has been an increasingly intense mass protes

9、t against globalization around the world in recent years. To be continued on the next page.This does not mean of course that globalization is completely wrong .It simply means that it is more complicated than we thought .It means that many mew problems will have to be looked into and properly resolv

10、ed. Globalization probably will eventually prevail. But it will have to be a more equitable, more humane, more universally beneficial kind of globalization .In this essay written at the edge of the twenty-first century, the author draws our attention to the dual character of this trend and urges peo

11、ple to deal with the new problems.To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention Chinas 15-year-iong unremitting efforts to join the WTO show that we have made our choice. We have decided, after weighing the pros and cons carefully, that we cannot afford to be left out of this

12、 trend, the trend that we decided to embrace in 1978.Our achievements since that tine have proved the wisdom of this policy. However, we must not forget that there is the other side .Our real challenges are still ahead when globalization requires big changes in ideas, attitudes, practices, policies

13、and institutional structures. To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention It is for this reason that we believe our students ought to kwon about globalization in all its subtlety and complexity. They should think about how they, as individuals, can adjust themselves to the

14、challenges of a more open country and avail themselves of the new opportunities. To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 1.At the edge of a new century, globalization is a double edged sword; a powerful vehicle that economic and social instability.As the new century app

15、roaches, Globalization means two different things .It can have both negative and positive effects. To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention On the one hand, it can greatly increase economic production, spread new technology and improve the living standards in both rich a

16、nd poor countries; on the other hand, it is highly controversial because it threatens national sovereignty, destroys local culture and traditions, and is likely to cause economic and social instability.To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention The edge: (fig) It was repor

17、ted in to days paper that the company is on the edge of (or :on the verge of) collapse. The opposition leader claimed that the government had brought the country to the edge of a catastrophe.Double-edged: Sth that is double edged acts in two ways, both positive and negative, e.g. The increase in pet

18、rol prices is double edged because it will make life harder for some, but it will reduce congestion and pollution.She paid me a double-edged compliment, saying my work was excellent for a beginner.The successful program to grow cash crops for export turned out to be a double edged sword because it c

19、reates a local food shortage.To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 2.A daunting question of the 21st century is whether nations will con troll this great upheaval or whether it will come to control them.Daunting: intimidating; disheartening; discouraging, e. g. In spi

20、te of unification, the country was still faced with the daunting prospect of overcoming four decades of division.Upheaval: a great change, esp. causing or involving much difficulty, activity or trouble ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention n3.In some respects, globalization is merely a trendy word fo

21、r an old process.nTo some extent, globalization is not new .The world has always been in the process of market nExpansion. What is new is the term “globalization”, which became fashionable only recently.nTrendy: (infml) modern and unconventional; of the latest fad or fashion ELBTWLesson 7 The Greate

22、st Invention 4.The Cold War, from the late 1940s through the 1980s, communism.The Cold War was a state of extreme hostility between countries with opposing political systems existing after the Second World War to the demise of the Soviet Unionthe “socialist camp” headed by the Soviet Union and the “

23、free world headed by the United States, which expressed itself not though shooting wars, but through fierce economic competition, as well as through political and military pressure and threats. ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention During the Cold War, the United States enthusiastically fought shooti

24、ng wars, but through fierce economic competition, as well as through political and military pressure and threats. During the Cold War, the United States enthusiastically fought for trade liberalization partly in order to prevent communism.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention n5.Europeans saw economi

25、c unification as an antidote to deadly nationalism.nEuropeans regarded economic unification as a way to prevent nationalism. They knew that what had caused two world wars could cause more if they could not curb this nationalism by turning Europe into a common market first and then organizing it into

26、 some kind of political union. This was the vision of a few far sighted politicians in Europe. Today, after nearly half a century s Herculean effort, this dream is beginning to come true. nAntidote: a chemical, esp, a drug, which limits the effects of a poison (fig) a way of preventing or acting aga

27、inst sth bad, e .g. n Humor can be an effective antidote to hostility.n High interest rates are the only known antidote to a persistent consumer boom.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 6.As recently as 1990,governmentseither individually or through such multilateral institutions as the World Bankp

28、rovided half the loans and credits to 29 major developing countries.Multilateral: involving more than two groups or countries. Notice the prefix “multi ”, which he may draw.信貸The World Bank: an international organization, which was formed in 1945 to help rebuild war torn Europe, but soon afterward b

29、egan to focus on the underdeveloped world to bring them into the international economy.To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention n7.A decade later, even after Asia s 1997-98 financial crisis, private capital flows dwarf governmental flows.nTen years later, even after Asia

30、 s financial crisis of 1997-98,private capital flows are still greater in number than governmental capital flows.nTo dwarf: to make sth seem small by comparison n The new skyscraper will dwarf all those near it.nFlow: movement in one direction. esp. continuously and easily, e .g .n The flow of traff

31、ic /goods /supplies /information ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 8.Meanwhile, multinational companies have gone .in both advanced and developing countries.To go on a binge :(infml) to do too much of sth, such as eating, drinking, shoppingCross-border: between countries Notice the prefix “cross-

32、”. Also: cross-culture, cross-state, cross-breed, cross-examination Mergers and acquisitions: 兼并與收購ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention n9The recent takeover struggle between British and German wireless giants is exceptional only for its size and bitterness.nThe only difference the recent takeover s

33、truggle between British and German radio giants and other cases is that this takeover is much bigger and a lot bitterer. nTakeover: the act of assuming control or management of 接管；合并nExceptional: being an exception; uncommon; extraordinaryn She has exceptional ability as a pianist. n The company has

34、 shown exceptional growth over the past two years.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 10.behind the merger boom lies the growing corporate conviction that many markets have become truly global.The reason for the merger boom is that more and more business people now believe that many markets have tr

35、uly become global. They are no longer producing just for the people in their own country. They want to combine or merge with others to become multinational companies.Corporate: of corporations Conviction: a firm belief or a fixed opinion. e. g . She had a firm conviction that life would be better.To

36、 be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention n11.in Europe, the relentless pursuit of the single market . are hamstrung by fragmented national markets.nIn Europe ,the persistent and unremitting effort to turn all countries on the continent into a single market show that there

37、is a general agreement that if the European market remains divided into many small parts behind motional borders ,their companies will not be able to compete in the international market .ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention Relentless: steady and persistent; unremitting, e.g. He believes that the re

38、lentless push for economic growth is damaging the environmenta widespread recognition: a genera opinion; a general agreement; a general consensus to be hard pressed : to be heavily burdened ;to have serious difficulties to hamstring: to cripple ; to destroy or hinder the efficiency of ,e. g. The com

39、pany is hamstrung by its poor management.Operation: business operation 企業(yè)運(yùn)營；經(jīng)營；業(yè)務(wù)Fragmented: broken into parts ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 12.Despite its financial crisis, rapid trade expansion and economic growth sharply cut the number of the desperately poor.In spite of the financial cris

40、is, rapid increase of trade and economic growth drastically reduced the number of the very poor people.To cut the number : to reduce the number Desperately poor : extremely poorTo be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention n13.Meanwhile ,Latin American and sub Saharan Africa

41、whose embrace of the world economy has been lat or limited were not so lucky.nSub Saharan Africa : the African countries south of the Sahara Desert (See Notes to the Text )nSub 1)below or under ,e.g. sub Sahara ;submarinen2)almost or nearly e.g. subtropical ;subhuman; subconsciousn3)less important o

42、r lower in rank e.g. subordinate ;substandardn4)a smaller part of a whole e.g. subcontinent ,subcommittee ,subculturenFare : (slightly dated) to get along ;to turn out ,e.g.nHow did you fare in your exams?nThe coal miners have fared badly in recent years because the coal mine is epleted.ELBTWLesson

43、7 The Greatest Invention 14 two problems could neutralize its potential benefits.Two problems could offset the possible benefits.This is a transitory sentence. The following paragraphs are going to discuss the negative aspects of globalization.To neutralize : to offset ;to negate ; to make ineffecti

44、veELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 15.The global economy may be prone to harsher boom bust .The capital flows in and out a country ,for example, can create a boom or bust very quickly and with much harsher effects.To be prone to sth : liable to sth; likely or inclined to do sth ,e.g.The fierce c

45、ompetition makes students more prone to nervous breakdowns.Workers who are forced to work long hours are prone to accident.She is prone to asking stupid questions on such occasions.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention Boom : a period of sudden economic growth or prosperity as opposed to bustThere ar

46、e many idiomatic pairs of nouns like boom and bust . for examples:She walked out ,bag and baggage ,and left him.I am all for it ,body and soul.It was just a bread and butter (not every interesting ) job.Modern spices no longer fit in with our traditional image of cloak and dagger adventure.A new nat

47、ion was born through the test of fire and sword.To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention nWe will never go to war against our own flesh and blood.nThey were bound hand and foot.nOther examples : friend and foe ,land and sea, heart and soul ,part and parcel ,vice and virt

48、ue ,skin and bone ,profit and loss ,pins and needlesELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 16.The Asian financial crises raised questions on both counts.The Asian financial crises brought these two questions to peoples attention : investment funds were not well used and trade flows became too lopsided

49、.On both counts : on both points under discussion ,e.g.Im afraid I do not agree with you on all counts.To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 17.The ensuring spending boom in turn aided Europe ,Japan ,and the United States by increasing imports form them.The growth in

50、spending that followed helped Europe ,Japan and the United States by increasing imports frim them .To ensue : (fml) to happen as a result of sth e.g.If the Middle East crises is not resolved ,terrible problems will ensure.An argument broke out between them and a knife fight ensued.To be continued on

51、 the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 18. . it become apparent that as a result of “crony capitalism” , inept ,office buildings and apartments.It became clear that because of the corruption in those countries where political and financial resources are in the hands of a few privileged

52、people along with their dishonest friends ,their foolish government policies and unreasonable optimism ,much of the investment was wasted on unneeded factories and a real estate bubble.Crony : a close friend or companionCrony capitalism : an economic ,political and social system controlled by a smal

53、l gang of people bonded by private interests and based on favoritismInept : not effective ;foolish clumsyTo be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 19.What prevented the Asian crises from becoming a full scale economic downturn has been the astonishing U.S. economy .It was

54、 the surprisingly vigorous growth of the U.S. economy that saved the Asian crises from escalating into an all round economic depression.Downturn : a reduction in the amount or success of sth ,such as a countrys economic activity ,e.g.There is evidence of a downturn in the building trade.Notice the s

55、tructure of the word ( adverb + noun = noun)To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 20.Since 1996 ,the U.S. current account deficit in its balance of payments Current account : (here ) an account of credits ,receipts ,and expenditures between two countries 經(jīng)常項(xiàng)目帳目Balance

56、 of payments : the difference between a countrys imports and exports國際收支Balance of payments surplus國際收支順差/贏余Balance of payments deficit國際收?qǐng)?zhí)逆差/虧損To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 21. The world economy has been flying on one engine.The world economy has been driven

57、by only one countrys economy ,namely the economy of the United States. In other words ,the word has become too dependent on one country prosperity.22 a slowdown or recession reflecting a decline in the stock market ,a loss of consumer confidence or higher interest rates might snowball into an intern

58、ational slump.A slowdown of the U.S. economy might develop into a serious inter national depression because the world economy is so dependent on it .To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention To snowball in to : to grow into ; to escalate into ; to develop into with escala

59、ting speed e.g.This project will have a snowball effect in creating a lot of new possibilities for the company.Ten years ago ,we started raising money for helping poor childrens education. Soon the project snowballed into a nationwide campaign.Poor economic performance is usually described as econom

60、ic stagnation ,a slowdown ,a slackening ,a downturn ,a decline ,a setback ,a recession ,a depression ,a slump ,or a crises ,roughly in this order of seriousness.To be continued on the next page.ELBTWLesson 7 The Greatest Invention 23.In 2000 ,the European Unions gross domestic product will grow 2.8p