Instead of globalization reducing poverty by making people around the world richer, the modern process of globalization is exacerbating inequality. Globalization could be considered a new form of colonialism. Companies can set up shop and step on the cultures and people of the region to which they are trying to expand their global reach. Globalization brings wealth, but where there is great wealth, there is also great poverty. Globalization can lead to poverty because the rich exploit the poor all over the world. The way their operations operate makes it difficult to hold companies accountable for the effects of their operations on people living in poverty. With the influence of globalization, people can purchase goods for a lower amount. But these goods actually cost more. The effects that businesses have on the environment, along with the minimum wage given to people working in factories around the world, is the cost of making items so cheaply.