Group+6+Midterm

Members: Kierston Sudduth, Brandie Garcia, Joanna Moncivais, Marcelina Guillen, April Vasquez

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

Globalization is a modern, substantial, and expeditious Columbian Exchange; although globalization has further implications for everyone and everything, including our environment. Globalization is a personal, political, and bureaucratic process which thrives through the world’s interdependence and affects everyone (either positively or negatively) by everyone’s daily individual decisions, and actions. Globalization is not something that has just begun, it has been around for generations; people have traded, migrated across the world and has shared their knowledge, food, and different views. If we take a look at the tags on our shirts, chances are we would see that these were made in a country other than the one we live in. What's more, before they became our wardrobes, these shirts could have very well been made with Chinese cotton, sewed by Thai hands, and shipped across the Pacific on a French freighter crewed by Spaniards underway to a Los Angeles harbor. This international exchange is just one (of many) examples of globalization; just like the ones we saw on the film “The Corporation.” There are also not only this dimension of globalization but also others that we just see as something normal in our own lives. Thus far we have talked about the economic, political and cultural dimensions of globalization. Economic globalization can be easily seen through stock markets exchanges, all of the import, and exportation transactions that transpire between nations, and the involvement of countries with the World Bank, International Fund, and other world economic organizations that help, or oppress countries through economic means. However, monetary assets being exchanged among these countries cannot be seen due to the lack of actual liquid money. (Eitzen & Zinn, 2012). Countries with the most power and the most money, like the United States, have more of a say on how the money is distributed and re-played; these countries get the better deals. Countries that are being 'developed' like Peru, get the worst end of the stick and are many times exploited. An example of oppression through economic means can be seen in the article, //How Much Is the Biodiversity of the Andes Worth?.// In this article, author, Abraham Lama, states how free trade agreements between the U. S. and Peru are hindered due to Peru’s unwillingness to allow the United States free access to claiming patents on plants and animals (Lama, 2005).Globalization leads to the movement of people, goods, ideas, and pollutants across borders. This contributes to changes of socioeconomic and political structures within and across countries which creates pressures on government. Cultural globalization is made up of shared and conflicted network of meanings, this included religion, myths, technology, political ideology, language, music, art, and fashion. Some define global culture as "McDonaldization" or in other words the "McWorld." The "McWorld" is defined as expecting things to be fast and cheap. (Steger, 2006). Globalization has had some benefits, but also has created danger for the world.

Globalization is credited for leveling the playing fields among global competitive markets (nations). It is being leveled as the superpowers of the world are losing their power through technological advances, and the affordability of these; international meetings can be held via advanced telecommunications (Friedman, 2005). Globalization has benefited developing countries through the sharing of health innovations. People fear that globalization will lead to a "westernized" culture. The following videos depict globalization and the interesting positive, and negative views of globalization. [] []

One characteristic of globalization is neoimperialism. Neoimperialism has allowed for economically thriving countries (U. S. A., Japan, and Europe) to redefine and almost govern other countries through economic dominance (Eitzen & Zinn, 2012). Organizations like the World Bank and IMF deceive ‘underdeveloped’ countries and entice them with what appears to be economic help, but instead end up extorting whatever resources remained in that country through privatization and preposterous repayment stipulations; therefore, keeping ‘underdeveloped’ countries subjugated.

Resources:  Eitzen, D. S., & Zinn, M. B. (2012). Globalisation. In D. S. Eitzen & M. B. Zinn (Eds.), //Globalization: The Transformation of Social Worlds// (pp. 1-9 inclusive). Belmont: Wadsworth. ==== Friedman, T.L. (2005). The World is Flat. In D.S Eitzen & M.B. Zinn (Eds.), // Globalization: The Transformation of Social Worlds // (pp. 19-23). New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. ==== ==== Lama, A. (2005). How much is the Biodiversity of the Andes worth?. //Tierramérica//, Retrieved from 'http://tierramérica.info==== ====Steger, M.B. (2006). Global Culture: Sameness of Difference?. In D.S. Eitzen & M.B. Zinn (Eds.), //Globalization: The Transformation of Social Worlds// (pp. 147-150). New York: Oxford University Press.==== Stiglitz, J.E. (2001). Globalism's Discontents. In D.S. Eitzen & M.B. Zinn (Eds.), Globalization: The Transformation of Social Worlds (pp.112-122). Rhode Island: The American Prospect.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">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 current concept of 'globalization'? (Greene, 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, globalization 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.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px;">"Empire as a way of life" is what most Americans live by. The article, //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px;">Global Culture: Sameness or Difference? //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px;">, mentioned how globalization has changed. The author, Manfred B. Steger, writes about the "McDonaldization" to describe the wide ranging sociocultural process. ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Empire way of life" means that we engage in behavior that is imperialistic. We (Westerners) want to be better in all aspects: economic, political, and psychologically, Williams states " This is particularly important in the case of the United States because form the beginning the persuasiveness of empire as a way of life effectively closed off other ways of dealing with the reality that Americans encountered" (Williams, 1980). We engage in this type of behavior so much, that it has become a way of life; many times we do not even realize that we are engaging in this type of "competition". I say "competition" because "empire as a way of life" induces us (on a personal/social level) to compete against one another. In Globalisation, it discusses that globalization creates a world of winners and losers; even here in our country we compete against each other to have better clothes, cars, homes, technology, jobs...ect. Unfortunately we have come to believe that the more we have, the more we are worth as a person. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px;">These beliefs have also shaped different views of race and racism because people who have less and darker skin tones are categorized as poor and less valuable than those with more and lighter skin tones. ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">We are trying to conform to socially acceptable norms that have been established by the "average" American (white, middle class, male). However, "empire as a way of life" extends beyond the personal and social levels ==== <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Williams states that "Locke said it best when he says that,"empire as a way of life means to take wealth and freedom away from others to provide for your own welfare, pleasure, and power" (Williams. 1980).

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">References: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Eitzen, D. S., & Zinn, M. B. (2012). Globalisation. In D. S. Eitzen & M. B. Zinn (Eds.), // Globalization: The Transformation of Social Worlds // (pp. 1-9 inclusive). Belmont: Wadsworth. Steger, M. B. (2009). Global culture: Sameness or difference?. In D. S. Eitzen & M. C. Zinn (Eds.), // Globalization: The transformation of social worlds // (pp. 147-150). <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Williams, W. A. (1980). Empire as a way of life. In P. S. Rothenberg (Ed.), <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> //Beyond Borders: Thinking Critically About Global Issues// (pp. 81-88 inclusive). New York: Worth Publishers. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amin, S. (1989). Eurocentrism. In P.S. Rothenberg (Ed.), Beyond Borders: Thinking Critically About Global Issues (pp. 97-99). Wisconsin: Monthly Review Press.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">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.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The idea that developing countries can 'catch up' by following the same path that has been practiced by a 'developed' country is a myth because 'developing' countries remain in this state because their land's resources have been depleted by the developed countries. This is how "developed" countries have come to be; not only do they privatize and exploit developing countries' resources, but they also exploit outsourced workers. Mies, states that " the myth of catching-up development, therefore, eventually leads to further destruction of the environment, further exploitation of the "Third World', further violence against women and further militarization of men" (Mies & Shiva, 1993) -and women. Mies also states that "The myth is based on an evolutionary concept that the peak of evolution has already been reached by some, namely, generally white men in particular, industrial countries and urbanites. The others-women, brown and black people, 'underdeveloped' countries peasants will also reach this peak with a little more effort, more education, and more 'development' (Mies & Shiva, 1993). I liked this statement because it brought to my mind the ideal of the melting pot- also a myth, and related example of the catching-up development myth. There is a belief that if immigrants (of any country) adopt the new country’s (America) mainstream language, customs, and do well economically they will be accepted as Americans, but the reality is that skin color and gender will continue to be discriminatory instruments and therefore minorities will never “catch up.” <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another great example of the catching-up myth is evident in the documentary, //<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Big Sellout //<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, where we saw that developing countries, such as the Philippines, had to privatize their health care; medical care was not provided to those who could not afford it, or the insurance. A young man was in danger of losing his life because he couldn't afford dialysis. This is relevant to this topic because third world countries’ professionals are abandoning their country, and therefore leaving a shortage of professionals in ‘developing’ countries. Most of the nurses in the Philippines didn't want to work in their own country because they knew they would get better pay elsewhere.

I thought the following clip would is interesting; it compares developed and underdeveloped countries. []

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">References: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> KFredv2. (Producer). (2010). //Developed vs underdeveloped//. [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vmp8pEj-os&feature=related// <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Mies, M., & Shiva, V. (1993). The myth of catching-up development. In P. S. Rothenberg (Ed.), Beyond Borders: Thinking Critically About Global Issues (pp. 150-157 inclusive). New York: Worth Publishers. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Opitz, F. (Director) (2006). The big sellout [DVD]

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. What is Eurocentrism (Amin, Glenn,Pettman)? What is the relationship of 'race' to Eurocentrism? Glen claims that 'whiteness' is a legacy of colonialism. Why does she make this claim? Would you claim that the 'globalization of culture' moves 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.

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Eurocentrism is a way of looking at the world from a European perspective; it is the belief that the way of the West is the best, and that the East and South have little to offer. (Amin, 1989). The relationship of 'race' to Eurocentrism is that lighter skin is better, and that dark skin is associated with undesirable qualities. Skin lighteners offer a solution for people that want to change their dark spots (Glenn, 2008). P <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">eople (mainly women) go through numerous procedures in order to make their skin lighter, in an attempt to "be beautiful." Many European people don’t get much sunlight and are perceived to be some of the most beautiful and wealthiest people in the world. When I think of Europeans I think of high class, skinny, and light skinned individuals. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The legacy of 'whiteness from colonialism and the sense that "white is right" especially by women and that white skin is the main standard and that corporations that sell products that lighten skin only further this idea. (Glenn, 2008). <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">I believe that 'globalization of culture' does move in on direction toward Westernization. Many countries believe that the West exemplifies a model for success, in all aspect, and therefore strive to emulate the West. An example would be Japanese hip hop that its cue from hip hop in New York. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Two examples of modern day “clash of civilizations”: The United States (Anglo-Saxon) vs. Latinos (colored minority) and the United States (Christianity) vs. the Middle East (Islam). <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px;">The "clash of civilizations" that exists between the U.S. and the Middle East became more prevalent after 9/11. U. S. citizens became weary of Muslim terrorist groups and may Middle Easterner's were stereotyped as being terrorists or belonging to groups that wanted do the United States harm. The U.S. scrutinized those who came to the U.S. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">In both cases, the United States has, and continues to utilize intense discriminatory practices. Discrimination is present in both of these “clashes” but I believe that in the case of the U. S. vs. Latinos there is more of a discriminatory approach where as with the Middle Eastern cultures there is more of a xenophobic approach. Latinos as Muslims are deported, many times, solely on the basis of racial profiling.

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">References: Amin, S. (1989). Eurocentrism. In P. S. Rothenberg (Ed.),Beyond Borders: Thinking Critically About Global Issues (pp. 97-99 inclusive). New York: Worth Publishers. Glenn, E. N. (2008). Yearning for lightness: Transnational circuits in the marketing and consumption of skin lighteners. In D. S. Eitzen & M. B. Zinn (Eds.),Globalization: The Transformation of Social Worlds (pp. 165-180 inclusive). Belmont: Wadsworth.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">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.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Women are largely absent in many aspects of globalization, but one aspect that I take personally (being a former military servicewoman) is military history. Women have been present and active in wars, but many people, especially male historians, do not credit woman’s efforts and sacrifices which are just as significant as their male comrades. There is a notion that women are not present on the front lines of our current wars, when the reality is that there are no “front lines” in our present wars. War historian, Judith Bellafaire states that “During every American war, women sacrificed their lives because they perceived a need and a duty. The roster of their names include Revolutionary War heroine Jemima Warner, killed by enemy fire during the siege of Quebec, Civil War Union soldier Rosetta Wakeman who died in disguise during the Louisiana Red River Campaign of 1864 and many, many, more” (Bellafaire, 2006). Why is it that women go unrecognized? In, addition, many women, in countless jobs, make double the effort and double the work just to receive a hint of recognition. These efforts, in turn, end up pinning woman against women, which is a characterization of colonialism. ====<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Women are also absent economically in that they make less than men at about the same kinds of work and, many times, double the effort. Politically they are absent in that there are very few woman that hold high political offices; there are exceptions, for instance, the U. S. Secretary of State, Hillary R. Clinton. They are misrepresented in cultural dimensions as well. In cultural dimensions, women are many times identified as the <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; line-height: 24px;">villains, the ill-causers. ==== <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jan Pettman claims that women were largely absent through out conventional histories of colonialism. Pettman recognizes how "white women" are here judged as more racist than their male counterparts; although they were both colonized and colonizers, because they were "less than men" but more than the "colored" (Pettman, 1996). Today women are more visible due to feminist recastings of colonial stories such as books and movies being based on women who have succeeded in tough times. I feel many more women are having thier voices heard and leading the way for other women to have their voices heard as well.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">References: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Bellafaire, J. L. (2006). Foreword. In B. Cook (Ed.), Women and war: a historical encyclopedia from antiquity to the present (First ed. pp. 1-3 inclusive). Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. Pettman, J. J. (1996). Women, colonisation, and racism. In P. S. Rothenburg (Ed.), Beyond Borders: Thinking critically about global issues // (pp. 142-149).