A supporter of globalization would agree that:
a. environmental regulations need to be standardized around the world to ensure equality. b. free trade agreements should be tied to higher environmental standards. c. tougher environmental regulations ultimately result in economic progress. d. a lack of environmental standards results in more job opportunities in developing countries. e. stricter labor standards eventually result in an economic advantage.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: b. free trade agreements should be tied to higher environmental standards.
Explanation:
A supporter of globalization typically believes that integrating economies through trade, investment, and technology sharing can lead to economic growth, increased efficiency, and improved living standards. However, they also recognize that this process needs to be managed to avoid negative consequences like environmental degradation and exploitation of workers.
Answer choice b suggests that free trade agreements should be linked with higher environmental standards, which aligns with a more sustainable version of globalization. Supporters of this view argue that it is essential to balance economic growth with environmental preservation. By setting global standards through trade agreements, nations can be incentivized to adopt greener technologies and practices. This would lead to economic development without sacrificing the planet’s health.
This approach sees globalization as a way to promote environmentally responsible policies and improve the quality of life, particularly in developing countries. For example, multinational corporations that expand into these markets can be encouraged to adopt sustainable business practices that reduce their carbon footprint and promote cleaner energy use. This is a win-win scenario because it drives economic growth while also ensuring that environmental protections are in place to prevent long-term ecological harm.
In contrast, the other options do not fully capture the balanced perspective typically associated with supporters of globalization. Option a (standardizing environmental regulations) may overlook the unique circumstances of individual countries. Option c is overly simplistic, as stricter regulations can sometimes hinder immediate economic growth. Option d does not address the potential long-term costs of neglecting environmental standards. Option e focuses more on labor standards than on the environment, making it less relevant to the specific issue of environmental responsibility in globalization.