In the light of the recent political mood throughout the world, one can observe that the word globalisation is gaining currency everywhere. From Japan to the United Kingdom to the Indian sub-continent, it is the current obsession among the political elites in those countries.

However, what does globalisation actually mean to these men and women standing on their national pedestals?

Being a resident in Japan, I observed that for the political elite here, globalisation does not merely mean an exchange of cultures in its original etymological meaning. Sinisterly, globalisation, which the elite had committed to in the spirit of 'kaikaku' or reform, means these things: privatisation of government bodies including hospitals and universities, encouragement of cut-throat corporate competition and hostile takeovers.

Now, do these things ring a bell with you?