Professor John Kenneth Galbraith, former US Ambassador to India, was presented the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship award at the start of EPIIC's keynote panel on Friday. Reminiscing about his relationship with former University President Jean Mayer, Galbraith enthusiastically accepted his award before his son, James K. Galbraith, delivered the symposium's keynote address on "Inequality in the Age of Globalization."
The senior Galbraith, who has completed extensive work in the field of economics, also received the presidential Medal of Freedom in 1946 and again in 2000. He ended his remarks by saying that it was a pleasure for him celebrate his award at Tufts.
University President Larry Bacow began the panel, stating his pride in Tufts' ability to hold such distinguished symposiums. He went on to say that with its international student body and strong international relations major, the University is one of the most global institutions nationwide.
The younger Galbraith, a professor of Public Affairs and Government at the University of Texas, spoke about the effects of globalization on developing countries, particularly China and India. He added that countries such as Mexico, Uganda, and Vietnam are examples of successful globalization, whereas most countries have run into significant problems.
Globalization, he said, has not resolved inequalities in regional economic realities. He added that there are inequalities in education and taxes, citing mostly local factors as the culprit, not the lack of globalization. Even in the world's most populous country success is due to local efforts, he said.
"Is the economic wealth in China due to globalization?" he asked. "The poverty has fallen shortly but what is responsible for that? Not globalization, China owes it to agricultural reform, and that China's trade policy supported growth."
Citing statistical facts from a University of Texas study titled "Globalization and Inequality: Fact, ideology and the ethical dimensions," he compared the economic strengths of various countries.
According to the study, Mexico has an inclining level of economic inequality, there is more inequality in Australia than in Indonesia, and France is the poorest country in Europe. The study also found that Eastern European countries, influenced by a communist past, generally have low incomes.
Before Galbraith ended his speech, he also spoke on the existence of global pay inequalities.
After the keynote address, Lisa Lynch, Academic Dean, and William L. Clayton, Professor of International Economic Affairs at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, talked more about the subject. As a panel debater, she expressed her opinion about the study, emphasizing the importance of fact measuring. She added that if we can not agree to a conclusion concerning the results, we can agree on the facts.
Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate president Eric Greenberg spoke of EPIIC's ability to give students a strong background in international affairs. He added that the Senate was happy to be financially and intellectually supporting the day's event.
@s:Keynote addresses inequities in Europe, Asia
