When Human Capital Becomes a Commodity: Philippines in Global Economic Changes and the Implications for the Development of Non-State Institutions

Abstract

The human cost of globalisation has been widely discussed, but the specific process by which human beings are exported as commodities is a lesser known aspect. Studying this phenomenon is not only ethically important, but illustrative of the unique ways globalisation plays out in developing countries. The human cost of globalisation is not simply a result of a developed country exploiting developing countries but rather can be the conscious policy of the developing country itself. This thesis will explain how human exports are a major element in the Philippine economy due to recent government policy. By means of case study of migrant Filipino nurses, it shows how exporting citizens, although to some extent beneficial is ultimately costly both to the individuals and to Filipino society. An extended study of ASEAN, an East Asian economic bloc, shows that regional blocs cannot ultimately protect transmigrant workers. In a final case study, the thesis also shows that a multinational corporation (MNC) like Western Union fills in an economic vacuum and though appearing to help the plight of transmigrant labourers, ultimately exploits them. The thesis has chosen as its method the International Political Economy (IPE) approach because it has the advantage of making it easier to chart the interplay between a variety of economic, political and social elements. One of the contributions of the thesis is to make a compelling case for a new category of product within the IPE configuration, namely ‘non-product-based IPE’. The need for this new category poignantly underscores the dehumanisation of individuals for the sake of economic gain.