Chapter 24

Reglobalization:

Strayer discussed "money mobility" (p. 726) and listed three ways that money stretched globally.

1.      "Foreign direct investment" (p. 726)  was when countries with more money exported labor to countries that did not have laws that were as strict.

2.      "Short-term movement of capital" (p. 726) was the purchase of foreign investments that were quickly sold for a profit.

3.      "Personal funds of individuals" (p. 726) is how credit cards led to the "easy transfer of money across national borders."  (p. 726)

Strayer also talked about "Transnational corporations (TNCs) -- huge global business" that do business "in many countries." (p. 727)  He talked about how TNC's grew so much that they became  large global economies.  He said that "By 2001, 51 of the world's 100 largest economic united were... TNCs, not countries."  (p. 727)  This type of statement concerns me.  For businesses to have this much control is a scary statement.  Businesses usually look out for their best interests and not the employees or humans best interest.  So, if this number of businesses influences the world, what will happen to the humans?

Disparities and Resistance:

A new "division" of wealth distribution started after Europe's Industrial Revolution: "the rich industrialized countries, primarily Europe and North America, and everyone else."  (p. 728)  "In 1820...the difference between the income of the top and bottom 20% of the world's population was three to one.  By 1991, it was eighty-six to one."  (p. 728)  The wide gap between the rich and the poor countries has led to the poor countries wanting change.  An example of the change they're looking for is protection for their agricultural farmers.  Beyond global economic division, countries are also seeing division.

Globalization in the U.S. has led to outsourcing many manufacturing and computer technology jobs.  This outsourcing has left many Americans without jobs for their skill sets.  In Mexico and China, globalization has led to people in the cities making more money that those in the "rural agricultural area(s)... (and)... the countryside."  (p. 730)

In 1999, citizens protested "neo-liberal globalization" at the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Seattle.  Once protester voiced that "free trade" was best for the business.  (p. 731)  Strayer stated that the "Seattle Tea Party ... echo(ed) the Boston Tea Party of 1773."  (p. 731)

Feminism:

Feminism had surfaced throughout history, but in 1969 the "women's liberation" (p. 736) brought patriarchy to a new level of oppression; they pointed it out as political oppression.  This group went beyond "the political lobbying...by equal rights feminists," (p. 736) and made bolder actions for feminism.

"Women of African descent in the U.S. and Britain" (p. 736) created feminist groups that focused "on racism and poverty" (p. 736) rather than equality to men as other groups did.

Women in Africa did not agree with how the women in Western countries were fighting for feminism.  Instead of feminism for one's self, they focused on groups.  Women in "the East African country of Kenya" (p. 737) worked in groups to help themselves and others at the same time.  In Morocco (North Africa), feminism led to women not being considered minors anymore.  They could "initiate divorce and...claim child custody."  (p. 737)  Feminist work in Chile and South Korea helped these countries "return...to democratic government."  (p. 737)

I have grown up in a place where there has always been a feminist movement, but many of my family members always refer to me as "the fem" one.  Many of them believe that women should still be the caretakers, cooks, and cleaners.  I can understand this to a point if the woman chooses not to work, but children are a job in their own.  So, if a woman is staying home to care for children the cooking and cleaning should still be a mutual job and not just her own.  Enough of my fem movement.  I think that the collection of women in other countries to help many and not just themselves is heroic.  More people, not just women, should think about things beyond themselves.  This type of thought process may lead to a better world.

Religion and Modernity:

Strayer discussed different types of fundamentalists.  There are U.S. fundamentalists that are "religious conservatives."  (p. 741) They feel that the U.S. has lost religion and that this will lead to our demise.  They want the U.S. to get back on track with the "godly faith." (p. 741)  In India, the "Hindtva, or Hindu Nationalism" (p. 742) fundamentalist group is trying to bring India back to its Hindu roots.  In Islamic societies a fundamentalist idea was created to keep the Western worlds views out, and to "ensure a revival of Muslim societies."  (p. 743)

Environmentalism:

Strayer lists "three factors (that) ...magnified the human impact" (p. 747) on the environment:

1.      Human population growth

2.      Using fossil fuels (coal and oil) for energy

3.      "Economic growth" that "increased...production of goods" (p. 748)

As the human population increased natural habitats were destroyed and pollution increased; were disrupting the "natural order."  (p. 748)

 

A difference between Western environmentalists and developing countries is that Western environmentalists focus on the environment (plant and animal life beyond humans), where developing countries focus on the people.

 

On the environment, I think that many humans are selfish (me being one of them).  Though we are selfish, I don't think it's completely our fault.  The world today is so rushed who has time to walk instead of drive?  Who wants to grow enough  fruits and vegetables when the companies ship it in from other countries?  For the Western world to be able to decrease their dependence on items that increase emissions we will need to change our ways as a whole.  Employers will need to demand less so there is time in the day for the employee to do what is necessary (i.e.: garden), and people will need to change their priorities.  Walk to the store instead or drive, or go one time and buy everything at once rather than going every day.  Buy more expensive local produce, or grow it yourself.  Until we start making changes like this our dependence on items that require more emissions will continue to rise.