Globalization

Globalization
Name
Institution
Globalization
Both the European Union and the NAFTA face some common challenges that need more in-depth assessment. The first challenge shared across the two blocs is the issue an ongoing economic difficulty in the world. The recent case of financial hardship is 2008-2009 recession witnessed globally and the Eurozone debts. In Europe, for example, the economies within the bloc faced an increase in unemployment which mainly affected banking system. Even though reports indicate that some countries are slowly recovering, the growth is still sluggish with unemployment still significantly high (Menz, 2015). In NAFTA, the global economic crisis is also an issue that poses a challenge. The global recession has seen some companies in Mexico, and Canada cut down the number of their employees. NAFTA in several occasions has bailed out Mexico during economic crises. A number of American companies have set up in Mexico taking advantage of the abundant and labor in the country in the process killing native companies.
The second challenge EU and NAFTA face is the concern of environmental degradation. Environmental interest in NAFTA, for instance, comes as a result of competition among the member states on agribusiness. Mexico responded to the NAFTA competitive pressure by the use of chemical fertilizers the environment and their rural farmers also engaged in practices that resulted in deforestation (Menz, 2015). In the EU reports on social erosion due to human activities have grown to be a primary concern and challenge that the bloc faces.

Finally, the two blocks battle with the challenge of immigration and mobility of labor. With the ongoing crises in Syria and other Middle East nations, a number of refugees seek asylum in Europe putting pressure on the economy of the bloc. NAFTA also face this challenge with the majority of immigrants coming from Mexico. The issue of human rights has been raised in cases where the laws on immigration are tight thus the challenge.
After some silence of BRIC, many Western Countries assumed that the alliance died. But with the recent ongoing where the heads of states from the nation met and talked with one voice, it is clear that BRIC is coming back. The creation of New Development headquartered in China, the alliance confirmed its active presence. From my assessment, I agree with the tenets of this alliance. For example, Bank intends to assist the member countries during tough financial times through the provision of liquidation. The liquidation is a sure way of pulling from financial mess a nation might be in at any given moment.
The first advantage of European Union is that the bloc promotes stronger economic ties among the member states. As the Union membership grew, it opened up for free trade hence expanding their market (Menz, 2015). On the other hand, the stronger ties have the disadvantage of loss of autonomy and sovereignty as the governing rules of European Union apply to every member. The effects of these pros and cons manifest in international relation as European Union represent a countries interest as a bloc.
The Union should consider making changes related to immigration laws. Given the increasing wars and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, if not looked into, immigrants may pose a significant international challenge in the region. States should have the power to vet immigrants and allow them entry to control the effects of potential terrorism in Europe. Secondly, provision climate change and renewable energy is also an important provision that the bloc should tighten. The emission of green gas should be cut even further to comply with the internationally set standards.

Reference
Menz, G. (2015). Framing the matter differently: the political dynamics of European Union labour migration policymaking. Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 28(4), 554-570.