Group+1+Midterm

Leader(Question): Shantaya Ross (1), Rocio L. Chavez(2), Natalie Gillespie(3), Stephanie Castellanos (4), Juanita Flores(5)

== 1. What is globalization? Describe some of the differing characteristics of globalization offered by experts from the course readings. What are the various dimensions and dynamics of globalization discussed thus far in the Eitzen & Zinn book? Provide some description of each dimension and/or explain the 'dynamic' nature of globalization? What are the dangers or cautions of globalization? Include examples from the films, related readings and other sources.==

Globalization is the movement of culture around national boundaries, or in other words a commerce of culture (Eitzen & Zinn, 2012). It can be thought of as a network of transactions and connectivity that expand globally. Eitzen and Zinn (2012) state that the process of Globalization exercises many vehicles to carry out these global inter-relations and is not limited to any particular trade of ideas or things which are distributes across nations. G lobalization is undoubtedly driven by the process of international trade and investments. It has opened a way for greater and easier communication among many people worldwide. Globalization began thousands of years ago, and is believed to have started with trade. The process of globalization has gained “force”, with meaning to communication and transports and has already improved drastically. Expressed in the film //The Big Sellout,// private companies focused on marketing as a way to not only privatize and gain more money, but to profit as a world wide trade as well(The Big Sellout, 2007). In a reading titled “Globalization,” the author Giddens suggested that globalization has shifted life circumstances for good as well as bad purposes (Eitzen & Zinn, 2012). The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have shaped globalization drastically. Poor and undeveloped nations resort to borrowing money from the World Bank to help expand and develop their countries but at a substantial cost. Poor counties that borrow from the World Bank must abide by the rules and limitations placed on them from the International Monetary Fund. Usually these countries have no other option than to be submissive to these limitations, but the residents in those countries are the ones who suffer. For example, the privatization of water in Bolivia caused major controversy. Water is a natural resource that is needed to survive but since money was borrowed from the World Bank, Bolivia's government must abide by the IMF policies and privatize water as well as other government and economic stipulations. (Nicole Roberts, 2009) In conjunction, globalization has various attributes that was discussed in the Eitzen & Zinn book. Such as: Production, Markets, Neo-imperialism, and Global institutions; just to name a few. **Production** plays a dynamic role in globalization in which it helps corporations build factories and buy manufactured goods from low-wage countries. Production is also known as the “global assembly line”(Eitzen& Zinn, 2012). **Markets** tie into production in which they buy and sell goods, services, and often times labor. Once the factories where established the corporations increased the entire world as a “Single” market **(Eitzen & Zinn, 2012).** That record alone brings great dynamics to globalization. **Neo-imperialism** holds great value for imperialist powers, such as the United States. After the collapse of communism; globalization has taken control and is handling economic polices and first world investors. This has intensified the subordinate “foreign” corporations, institutions, and dominant states **(Eitzen & Zinn, 2012)**. **Global Institutions** are institutions that are on a territorial level that have developed greater power and has used them to further intensify globalization. The (WTO) The World Trade Organization; was established after the world war II (1995). The main purpose was for the international institutional trade. Furthermore, globalization benefits the connection between production, technologies, and markets. For example Mc Donald’s is a world wide corporation that even outlets the street of Asia, and how the popular Japanese cartoon **(Anime)** are successfully booming the streets of the USA. It accelerates the communication between people in different countries, companies and government. Even though it seems like it is progressing locally, globalization is impacting every aspect of the world in a huge way. It is also important to note that globalization includes not only the transfer of economic, cultural, and political information, but the the physical movement of plants and animals. The migration of animals across countries has brought different food sources and general knowledge that would otherwise not have been shared. The movement of plants has also provided many benefits in that it enables regions to grow different crops, sell them, make a profit, and has also benefited scientific research and the development of various technologies. Informatively, in spite of all the benefits we have from globalization there are some dangers and cautions. Globalization can lead to the loss of cultural identity to some extent and its repercussions can be felt on a cultural level. Also the main part of globalization is privatization, which is followed by national governments all around the world. As this is seen in the film, The Big Sellout. Outsourcing is another negative effect that Globalization has. We see this in our own country where jobs are taken away here in the United States and flourishly provided to many in another country. This leaves many Americans without opportunities to pay their own survival expenses. To conclude, culture and globalization are forces that ultimately shape or could shape global identities of individuals. Since globalization is the process of cultures being integrated with other cultures, it can never be stopped and is why I believe it is what makes society function so efficiently. It does have both its positive and negative effects causing dangers and cautions to many. However, governmental institutions are the ones who will more or less be deciding wether or not a country benefits from globalization and how much and to whom these benefits are distributed to throughout society(Your Knowledge). REFERENCES: Eitzen, D.S. & Zinn, M.B. (2012). Globalisation: An introduction. D.S. Eitzen & M.B. Zinn (Eds.), // Globalization: The transformation of social worlds // (pp. 1-9). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Eitzen, D. S., & Zinn, M. B. (2012). //Globalization, the transformation of social worlds//. Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Nicole Roberts. (2009, November). //Privatization of water in bolivia//. Retrieved from []

Opitz, F. (Director) (2007). //The big sellout// [DVD].

Your Knowledge (Negative Effects of Globalization - Corruption 83). Retrieved from http://yourknowledge.hubpages.com/hub/Negative-Effects-of-Globalization-Corruption

==2. What does Williams (Rothenberg, 2006) mean by 'empire as a way of life'? Explain his use of this term in some detail. How does he distinguish between imperialism and colonialism? How have both colonialism and imperialism shaped our modern world and our current concept of 'globalization'? [Green, Kloby, and Rodney]. How has it shaped views of race and racism? Give some detail about the ways your own understanding and definitions of colonization and imperialism have changed as a result of these readings and our class discussions. Offer some examples from the readings or your own research and experience.==

According to Williams (2006) we are all participants in an empire in one way or another by co-existing amongst each other and incorporating the ‘wholes’ beliefs in our everyday lives. In this very process the nations character is being molded into what the dominate group envisions. In other words, the people of such empires are the products of their regulations, beliefs, and means of operating. What’s more, Williams (2006) affirms, that ‘empire as a way of life’ has become an institution by which there is no escaping. Our daily practices and behaviors are those that were imposed upon us from our predecessors. An ‘empire as a way of life’ is best seen as a hierarchical system in which each group possess a specific role; corporations exploits undeveloped nations for their cheap labor; consumers purchase the items at inflated prices; and the profit that is produced is given to the wealthy investors, hence an ‘empire as a way of life’ (The Corporation, 2003). The main goal is to obtain a profit at any cost. Pollution, starvation, disease and other serious conditions are imposed on the human race and nature due to greedy people whose goal is to obtain as much global economic power as possible.

To my next point, Williams (2006) describes colonialism in two ways: the act of establishing a dominate group settlement over an inferior group, and the function of the dominate group and the impositions it imposes on the inferior group. Imperialism is when the dominate group expands to a foreign country and takes over, resulting in the loss of sovereignty. An example of this, described by Williams, would be the U.S. penetration into Africa. Another way, describes Kloby (2006), can be seen through the French entering West Africa.

Colonialism and imperialism have shaped our society in many ways with an emphasis on global economic wealth. For example, underdeveloped nations are being exploited for low-wage labor as demonstrated in the film, //The Corporation// (2003). Workers are overworked and underpaid, and living in an impoverished society while the corporations prosper. Further, in the process of establishing employment these workers are given false promises, being told that with hard work and dedication they too can live the "American Dream". The "American Dream" is quite simply a myth used to perpetuate our profit conscious society. We can see the "American Dream" here in America to be a myth as well, with only 66.4 percent of homes actually being owned. A substantial element of the "American Dream" was the naive belief that everyone would own their own home (Bloomberg).

Interestingly enough, colonialism and imperialism have shaped race and racism through the expansion of Euro-Americans, the white man’s advancement, in which non-whites are viewed as the inferior race. Theodore Roosevelt exemplifies this with his imperialistic view on advancing the white race through imperialism and colonialism to ensure the survival of the ‘right white’ race (Bederman). This concept of being ‘white’ makes us better is part of our world's beliefs today as Glenn (2012) states, and it only contributes to the market that brain washes people into changing their appearance.

Lastly, my understanding of colonization, globalization, and imperialism has shed light on my view on the evolution of the U.S., for without these three factors America would not be the leading nation it is today. On the other hand, it has been a real eye opener to read on the casualties that result from globalization. An example that comes to mind is the globalization of the Wal-Mart Corporation, in how it sets prices and exploits their own workers as well as the suppliers oversees (Goldstein, 2012). I would also like to mention that globalization not only reaches every part of the world but has become the present way of life (Eitzen & Zinn, 2012), and these reading have made me more knowledgeable on the success and downfalls of this phenomenon.

REFERENCES: Abbott, J. (2003). The corporation, Retrieved from [|http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer] ?movieid=60034810&trkid=2361637

Bederman, G. Manliness & civilization: a cultural history of gender and race in the united states, 1880-1917. Chicago: Chicago Press.

Bloomberg Opinion (Why 64 Percent is the Golden Mean in Housing Market). Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-01/why-64-percent-is-the-golden-mean-in-the-housing-market-view.html

Eitzen, D.S. & Zinn, M.B. (2012). Globalisation: An introduction. D.S. Eitzen & M.B. Zinn (Eds.), //Globalization: The transformation of social worlds// (pp. 1-9). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Glenn, E. N. (2012). Yearning for lightness: Transnational circuits in the marketing and consumption of skin lighteners. D. S. Eitzen & M. B. Zinn (Eds.), //Globalization: The transformation of social worlds// (pp. 165-184). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Goldstein, F. (2012). Why the bosses need wal-mart. D.S. Eitzen & M.B. Zinn (Eds.), Globalization: The transformation of social worlds (pp. 92-96). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Kloby, J. (2006). The legacy of colonialism. P. Rothenberg (Ed.), Beyond borders: Thinking critically about global issues (pp. 99-106). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Williams, W. A. (2006). Empire as a way of life. P. Rothenberg (Ed.), Beyond borders: Thinking critically about global issues (pp. 81-88). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

==3. The idea that the 'developing' or so-called 'third world' countries can 'catch up' by following the same path of industrialization, technological progress and capital accumulation that has been practiced by an industrialized 'developed' world is a pervasive idea in Western politics and economics. Mies calls this a 'myth' and offers her views about this assertion. //Why does she [and Rodney] refute the 'myth'? Explain their position and give several examples that substantiate this argument from our readings and from your own experiences and related research.//==

There is both this implied and precise expression of this so-called model of ‘the good life’ that northern societies hold. Many believe that this model is the way in which underdeveloped countries and classes will not only catch-up but also share in their affluent deluxe life (Elanta, 2007). In “The myth of catching-up development," Maria Mies (2006) believes this expression of ‘the good life’ to not only be a myth, but merely impossible for these underdeveloped groups to reach. Mies (2006) also states that there holds many extenuating circumstances in today’s whole existence with these believed ways.

The USA, Europe and Japan are the northern countries that seem to hold this glorious model of ‘the good life’ (Mies, 2006). Further, Mies (2006) affirms that industrial countries, urbanities and white men are those in particular that are seen to be at the peak of this conquered good life. But how did the leaders of this model become so powerful? And why is this model accepted as the way to obtain a ‘good life’? Well, Mies (2006) claims that initially colonizers went into indigenous, fragile regions and conquered these people, leaving them no means of escape and later through media and leading institutions and regulations; but Mies (2006) goes on to denote that some type of relationship exists between the colonizer and the colonized, that the colonized group must accept this notion that the dominate groups way of life is the correct one that will lead them to a ‘good life’, which is ultimately what makes them inferior to the dominate group. These colonizers devalue one’s own: culture, lifestyle, and philosophy of life, social institution, technology as well as their simple being of life (Mies, 2006). Further, peasants, women, the poor in the North and South, and the environment are the ones being oppressed by these colonizers; women in particular are the targets of communalism, nationalism and fundamentalism because cultural, religious and ethnic identities are based on a patriarchal image of all women (Mies, 2006). These woman in the industrialized country are trying to catch up to 'the good life’ to have equal rights as men, but do not realize that they are being trapped by this endless thought process of catching up in 'the good life'.

These colonizers also believe that if they are able to gain such control over these groups that they can spread their growth of their industries, technology and capital accumulation throughout the endless world. What these colonizers do not realize is that the world’s resources are not in fact endless. As Miles explains they “live in a kind of schizophrenic or ’double think’ state” (Rothenberg, 2006). This is seen by how they are fully aware of the devastating destruction they are creating within the ozone layer. The production of more and more vehicles, the gradual poisoning of seas, ground-water, rivers by fertilization, herbicides, industrial waste and pesticides. And by all means they do not have a ‘greenhouse’ effect in place. There is also a great abundance in the output of goods, more and more processed- and fast-foods, exotic, imported foods, fancy packaging, as well as the wasting of many goods (Rothenberg, 2006). They too are suffering from stress, noise, allergies and health risks that all these create for every living thing on this planet and they do not realize it or maybe they do. Maybe it is just the greed of money and monetary materials that overtake their pride of the very being they have been created to be. The ultimate goal of every corporation is to gain economic power at any cost. The film, //The Corporation// illustrates how these multi-million dollar companies continue to violate governmental laws that are imposed to protect consumes as well as the earth. The punishments that are given to theses companies are minor and by not abiding by the laws that are issued, the corporations gain a greater amount of profit versus the fines that are issued.

The United States is the country by which all others are measured. Politicians and others in power make it very clear that America is right and all others are wrong. In his book, Andre Bacevich comments on this phenomenon referring to the speech spoken by former president Clinton. He was speaking at a White House press conference when he accused the Chinese government of being “on the wrong side of history”(Bacevich2002). To add insult to injury, the Chinese president was in attendance at the press conference. Clinton was publicly criticizing China for not being “right” just like America. The United States had become the golden standard and all other nations must become westernized or be left in the dust.

Not to mention, people are in a sense being brainwashed in this idea of ‘the good life’ and how to obtain it. Millions upon millions have an unconscious feeling that they cannot live nor function without all these life killing, lets make the rich richer, short-term profit strategies and motives of these so called affluent societies beliefs. The consumers do not realize that these affluent societies have already maximized the ultimate development of industries, technology and capital accumulation. It will always be changing. Once one new technology device has been out a year a newer and more advanced is in the process of being made or is already out on the selves ready to be bought. I have experienced this very same thing with buying my son a Learning Leapster two years ago and no later than a year they came out with this newer and more improved version on the shelf. Not to mention the physiological commercial my son was brainwashed with. He repeated word for word from the commercial, explaining why he must have it and how it will make him smarter. We, the consumers need to realize that these colonizers get their profit and move onto their next profit maker, not considering the world, nor the life around them. We are the ones who are paying the ultimate sacrifice for the great success of those largely developed governments in the South, North and ex-socialist countries. We need to understand that this is not ‘the good life’. They are just using us with their pennies of expense for our labor to their great success.

REFERENCES: Bacevich, A.J.(2002) //American empire: the realities and consequences of u.s. diplomacy.// (pp.32-33).New York

Elanta, V. (2007). The myth of catching-up development. //The writings of an earth lover, 12021131.// Retrieved from []

Mies, M. (2007). The Myth of Catching-up Development. In P. Rothenberg (Ed.). //Beyond Borders, Thinking Critically About Global Issues,// p.150-157//.// New York: Worth Publishers.

==4. What is Eurocentrism [Amin, Glenn, Pettman]? What is the relationship of 'race' to Eurocentrism? Glenn claims that "whiteness' is a legacy of colonialism. Why does she make this claim? Would you claim that the 'globalization of culture' move in one direction — toward Westernization or is there some indication that a 'global culture' might be possible? What evidence of a 'global culture' exist? What evidence, conversely, exists of a 'clash of civilizations'? Use current examples from world events and other information to make your points.==

Amin describes eurocentrism as a belief that the European way of life is the correct one, and the nations that assume this lifestyle will prosper; while those who deny this way of life will succumb to destruction (Samir Amin, 1989). Eurocentrism also has the goal of advancing humanity by means of globalization and those who abide by this notion will become superior. In addition, eurocentrism is often associated with racism, according to Amin (1989) because it is often misinterpreted as living the narrow Euro-American way and marginalizing other races’ way of life. Thus, it leaves no room for other cultures to expand and prosper, ultimately discriminating against other countries and culture by viewing it as the only centralize cultural practice.

In the book Globalization, Glenn(Evelyn Glenn, 2008) states that the notion of being light skinned prevails and settles into society and evolves by infecting the perception of dark skinned individuals to want to become lighter skinned in order to be accepted into the superior society; in essences it promotes ‘whiteness’ and passes on a legacy of shallowness and racism. Sadly,"‘whiteness" has always been associated with greatness, and throughout time the stigma of being dark skinned has effected people and caused them to seek remedies for these feelings of inadequacy or the notion that they will advance if they are light skinned (Evelyn Glenn, 2008). In Glenn’s representation on ‘whiteness’ as a legacy of colonialism, she is implying that this false notion of being light skinned has settled into the society and has evolved into a profitable market, hence, making "white" the dominate race (Evelyn Glenn, 2008).

In today's society many people struggle with accepting the color of their skin. Some people go through drastic and dangerous lengths to change their pigment. In the video, titled [|Everywoman Skin Bleaching], we can see the life endangering products such as hydroquinone and the popularity of their use among the African American and Asian as a model to show just how dominant the white culture is and how many people will risk everything just to fit in, even to the point of physical and psychological scaring.

Further, when discussing ‘globalization of culture’ I feel that some parts of the world are oriented toward Westernized customs. This idea of globalization came out of the Industrial period, as Greene (Evelyn Glenn, 2008) affirms, and has since them evolved into global phenomena. The world of technology has provided an easy access all around the globe with the help of imports and exports of items; another example is via communications such as e-mails and social networks, thus, illustrates a global culture that is exercised daily. Also, the English language is a universal language spoken throughout different cultures. All this was started by the Westernized culture and is now evolving into a dominating culture. I feel a dominating 'global culture' is evolving slowly around us. I see that every culture has brought their strongest belief and it is being caught by the eyes of so many in and around the world in many countries, states and cities. It may not be on a great diverse extent, but I see that with the television and the increases in technology it will eventually lead to a 'global culture.' However, some fear this thought of a 'global culture' because it means there will be a single government. On the other hand, some say there is no supporting evidence of a 'global culture' evolving.

Lastly, evidence of the ‘clash of civilization’ is very much present in our global society, for the war on terrorism has prompted the U.S. to interrupt the lives of middle eastern customs, a clash of these two civilizations occurred when the U.S. attempts to impose their governmental system on them. Another, example can be seen between the American people and the Latin community in Arizona, in regard to the Arizona Law SB 1070 (Archibold, 2010) which caused turmoil amongst both communities. Moreover, these types of clashes cause uncertainty in both civilizations.

REFERENCES: Eitzen, D. S., & Zinn, M. B. (2012). Globalization, the transformation of social worlds. Belmont: Wadsworth Pub Co.

Rothenberg, P. S. (2006). //Beyond borders, Thinking critically about global issues//. New York: Worth Publishers.

Evelyn Glenn, N. (2008). Yearning for lightness: Transnational circuits in the marketing and consumption of skin lighteners. In I. Zinn, Eitzen (Eds.), //Globalization// (pp. 165-184). Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Samir Amin. (1989). Eurocentrism. In P. Rothenberg (Ed.),//Beyond Borders// (pp. 97-99). New York: Worth Publishers.

Archibold, R. C. (2010, April 23). New york times.

==5. Jan Pettman says, "within conventional histories of colonialism, women are largely absent" how does her attempt to reclaim women's history enrich, complicate and transform our understanding of colonialism? Using current examples from the economic, political and cultural dimensions of globalization, how are women still absent or misrepresented in globalization? Provide some examples.==

Jan Pettman’s claim that women were “largely absent” from typical colonial history is one that is not often addressed in modern studies of history. Her attempt to unravel women’s history in colonialism provides insight as well as concerns about the common understanding of colonialism. The idea that women did in fact have a place in the history of colonialism and were not just merely "breeders of the white race" is one that broadens our understanding of the past by providing a better understanding of women in colonial times and the roles they played in the shaping of women in society (Pettman, 2006). Pettman claims that woman were ultimately the ones to blame for the 'loss of empire'. They were actually visible to society, but in different roles. Women were more like "decorative accessories" (Pettman, 2006). They were more harsher and racist beings than their own men. Contrary, they too held polished and passionate sides. Woman of this time worked hard and were lonely. This enrichment of our understanding of colonialism can also be seen more by showing that women were more than just the stereotypes placed upon them. Pettman’s speaks of these stereotypes, mentioning the assumption that women spent “time and energy only on gossip, complaint and concerns with status and display”(Pettman, 2006).

However, this attempt to reclaim women’s history also complicates our understanding of colonialism by analyzing the roles of the women at the time and grasping how they affect us today. The same stereotypes placed upon women then as being teachers, homemakers, fertility and sexual tools are still being placed upon women in the today's modern world. As Pettman explains to us in //Beyond Borders,// young 'half-caste' Aboriginal girls in Australia were taken by the state and instructed in white native arts and then placed into their homes as servants. These woman were removed from their own children to help the superior white. This can still be seen even in our own city. Another example is sex trafficking. There is more than 50,000 woman and young girls who are still being used and seen as sexually beings. In this video on [|trafficking] a victim tells states that the younger you are the more money you are worth in this growing illegal industry (Mamasuntwinkle, 2012).

In today’s society, women are still extremely absent from all sectors of life. Economically, women earn fewer wages than men, and homemakers are not included in the National GDP. This can be assumed that women who take care of the home have no real contribution to society and do no work worth monetary value. Politically, there is no substantial representation of females in politics. For example, Groob (2011) claims those women who are younger than 40 are less likely to be recognized in politics, and that women who often hold congressional seats do so because of tenure. Groob (2011) calls attention to the fact that women’s perspectives are needed in policy making because of the roles women play and because it will benefit women and their families. I applaud this article and Groob (2011) for bringing attention to women’s successes, because it offers help to women in politics through the Women Under Forty Political Action Committee (WUFPAC).

There is also no extensive interest in justice for women or women’s rights. A tragic example of the patriarchal society in which all peoples live is the current acid crimes happening in Pakistan. I have attached a link to a video on YouTube. It is the trailer for a short documentary titled [|Saving Face].This documentary tells the story of several Pakistani women and the horrifying crimes being committed against them. Although women’s rights have come a long way, it is still incredibly apparent that the patriarchal, male dominant society will be the ordinary standard by which we live our lives.

Another example of how women roles are changing is illustrated in the film //The Corporation,// women are being suppressed in foreign countries daily, they experience harsh working conditions and work long hours for meager wages; these women have been ignored by society and their government(The Corporation 2003). Hence, the roles of domestic women have changed to a provider status. Sadly, these large corporations are exploiting these working women to gain political and economic power (The corporation,2003). In an ideal reality, there would be more awareness of the injustices against women in our society and we would see a global push for change. However it remains to be seen when, if ever, women will have a substantial voice in our male dominated world.

REFERENCES: Abbott, J. (2003). The corporation, Retrieved from [|http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer] ?movieid=60034810&trkid=2361637

Groob, K. (2011, April 26). Absent voices - women under 40. Retrieved from []

Mamasuntwinkle, (2012, January 23). //U.S. a Top Child Sex Trafficking Destination, $Billion Industry in U.S. - Victims Stories, OATH.// Retrived March 10, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3BjiRozCQA

Pettman, J. J. (2006). //Women, colonialism, and racism//. (pp. 142-148). New York: Worth Publishers. //Saving face movie part 1 of 8 online hd//. (2012, February 27). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Sd-QAGqPg&feature=related