Globalization, Neoliberal Reforms and Inequality: A Review of Conceptual Tools, Competing Discourses, Responses, and Alternatives

In the relevant literature, there is an ongoing debate about the nature, merits, and outcomes of globalization as they apply to the Global South. The questions about the merits of neoliberal economic globalization as a vehicle for alleviating poverty is one of the most prominent in the literature on globalization. The shifting of power from the nation-state to international and regional centers with a controlling or hegemonic slant is an important discourse with regard to political globalization. There is another important discourse about the trends in cultural globalization, for example, homogenization (uniform culture) vs. heterogeneity (cultural diversity). This article primarily focuses on the discourse about neoliberal economic globalization and its effects on developing countries, especially in the context of poverty alleviation, social welfare provision, marginalization of intact communities, and inequality. The article centers on a critical review of the available literature, and a contribution to the substantive topics indicated in the title. Case studies are used to support the arguments presented wherever possible.