Abstract
While women are obviously a diverse group, compared to men they are overwhelmingly disadvantaged economically. This is shown starkly with redundancy in U.N. data. The question here, however, is whether globalization improves women's situation or makes them worse. The answer, of course, depends on which women we are talking about and what is being measured. This paper addresses the question from two perspectives. First, it draws on the recent work of economists to provide an overview of globalization, then it takes a close look at trends and counter-trends regarding women's participation in the global economy. Even the most robust economic model, however, cannot convey the subjective experience of economically marginalized women. The second part of this section concludes, accordingly, with a series of brief narratives or "snapshots." "Globalization" refers to the free flow of capital and the removal of trade barriers between states, as well as to the accompanying cultural transformations and exchange. The relationship between the globalization of capital and markets, on the one hand, and the globalization of culture, on the other, varies depending on the context.
