The Implications of Globalization on Local Communities - A Microperspective of Farsund

Abstract

This thesis explores the impact globalization has on local communities. Farsund, a Norwegian town with approximately 9500 inhabitants, is studied in depth and conclusions are based on this specific community. Personal in-depth interviews are accomplished with four groups of representatives in Farsund. These four groups include representatives for employees, representatives for farmers, representatives for Norwegian companies, and representatives for international companies. The interview guide is based on a model, which combines four units of free flow with five controversies in the globalization theory. The four units of free flow are information and research, investments and capital, products and services, and people (labor). The five controversies are culture, politic, economy, security and equality. Additionally, barriers are discussed in relation to the four units of free flow. An interesting finding in this thesis, is that the view on globalization depends on which group one belongs to in the local community. The representatives for the employees, Norwegian companies and international companies argue that increased globalization has positive consequences for them. The farmers, however, believe increased globalization has negative consequences for them. The general conclusion is that globalization has an overall positive impact on local communities, even though globalization also has its disadvantages such as less power to local authorities and the risk that local communities will vanish.