How exactly does this globalisation stuff work? In a globalised economy, shouldn't people be able to move around with the same ease products and money do? Should it not be possible for South Africa to dump some of its unfortunate unemployed on the US the same way the US intends dumping its "bone-in brown chicken" on South Africa?Consider the irony of what is going on in Europe right now.story_article_left1The UK is trying very hard to find ways to stop the influx of humans from countries outside the European Union. There are, however, no plans to look at ways of slowing down the influx of dodgy money into London's big banks from the countries from which many of these humans are escaping. That dodgy money has helped to make London the financial capital of the world.Of course, it's not just British banks: European banks, and to a decreasing extent US banks, are also awash with proceeds from corrupt practices in Africa and other parts of the developing world. For decades, billions of dollars, euros and pounds have been stashed away in European and US banks by corrupt politicians and business people who are bleeding developing countries dry.Their corrupt activities leave the developing countries much poorer, and ensure they are less able to develop sustainable economic systems that can provide employment and hope for their citizens.For proof that globalisation isn't about striving for some pure notion of free markets in which labour and capital are able to move to where they can secure the best returns, you need look no further than the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership being negotiated between the European Commission and the US government. If concluded, it would be the world's biggest trade deal.The details behind the deal, as far as they are known, highlight what is driving globalisation. It is all about removing regulatory barriers to the movement of goods and, given that negotiations also include financial regulations, the movement of money. To this end, it also enshrines the rights of foreign investors to sue governments.In addition, the partnership will open the way for private sector companies (US or European) to compete for services now provided by governments.story_article_right2The scariest part of the deal is the secrecy that has shrouded the negotiations since they began in 2013. The EU has imposed a 30-year ban on public access to the negotiating documents on the grounds that sensitive proprietary information is involved.The little that is known has emerged as a result of persistent efforts by a few committed European politicians and the use of freedom of information challenges. Public opposition is mounting and no doubt protests planned for Europe's autumn will cause some politicians to review their support of the globalisation of goods and finance. But it may not be sufficient to slow down this particular juggernaut, which is being driven by the world's largest companies and their powerful lobbyists.Ironically, while these negotiations are going on, the individual leaders of the EU member states are trying very hard to work out how best to erect barriers that will block the movement of people into their countries. This is happening against the backdrop of stories about tens of thousands of desperate people crossing the Mediterranean in search of a better life.Even South Africa has got in on the act.As if to demonstrate just how sophisticated we are, our government seems intent on throwing up barriers to the movement of people into this country.The main reasons for blocking people from entering your country is the fear that they will settle and be a drain on the resources of the host nation, or the suspicion that they are terrorists intent on doing harm. The result is that everybody trying to enter a country these days is treated as a potential social welfare scab or terrorist.How bizarre to think they would be treated better if they were a piece of bone-in brown chicken meat...