The term globalization encompasses the idea that the world is becoming increasingly connected—both economically and culturally. Thomas Friedman, author of The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization, describes globalization as “the integration of everything with everything else . . . Globalization is the integration of markets, finance, and technology in a way that shrinks the world from a size medium to a size small.”

It seems like a simple idea, but globalization is a highly complex—and much contested—concept. Researchers argue about its definition, whether it is occurring or not, and whether it primarily affects economies or cultures. At the heart of many of these debates is whether globalization benefits or harms developing nations.

Critics of globalization argue that it exploits and oppresses the poor in developing nations. Of key concern is the role of transnational corporations...