The costs of globalization : producing new forms of risk to health and well-being.

Abstract

Processes of contemporary globalization generate a particular landscape of risk. This landscape is shaped by the economic imperatives that lead to the export of hazardous activities, processes and materials in combination with the uneven regulatory spaces within which these activities are placed. The perceptible neo-liberal shift in the regulation of economies has resulted in considerable emphasis on 'freeing up' of market forces nationally and opening national and sub-national economies and labour markets to the disciplining forces of international markets. These are changes with direct consequences in terms of enhanced risks to the health and well-being of millions of people, although their effects have been experienced to differing degrees in different parts of the world. This paper explores these issues and raises questions about the long-term implications that these shifts may have for public health risk, especially in recently developing countries and emerging economies.