Social Studies 10-1 Chapter 14 Global Awareness Social Studies 10-1 Chapter 14

Key Terms ingenuity gap gender gap labour standards

Thomas Friedman “at its best, the Internet can educate more people faster than any other media tool we ever had. At its worst, it can make people dumber faster than any other media tool we ever had.” Is the internet all it is cracked up to be? How does this apply to Globalization?

Darin Barney “Technological mythology leads us to believe that technologies arise, as if by magic, to address pre-existing needs and to provide solutions to pre-existing problems. In reality, technologies tend to create more needs than they address . . . Was the ability to engage in phone conversation while riding the bus really a pressing social need prior to the arrival of the cellular phone, or did our perception of that as a need arise after this technology became widely available?”

Can People Be Too Globally Connected?

The Ingenuity Gap The gap between people’s need for new and innovative solutions to problems and their ability to supply those solutions

Thomas Homer-Dixon Factors that prevent problem solving Market failure — The market does not provide opportunities for businesses to make money, perhaps because the necessary resources are not available. Shortage of capital — Financial and human resources are not available to solve the problems. Science cannot operate — Scientific research cannot be conducted for reasons such as lack of funding or the controversial nature of the topic being explored. Social conflict — In times of turmoil, groups take action to protect their own interests rather than the interests of society

The Gender Gap The social, economic, and political differences that separate men and women 1984 when the United Nations set up the Development Fund for Women to promote gender equality an empowerment initiatives for women 2005 study by the World Economic Forum measured the extent to which women in 58 countries had achieved equality with men in terms of economics, politics, education, and health care Access to reliable information through communication technologies is an important factor in developing effective programs and raising awareness among target populations

The Communication Gap Inequality in regards to women in developing nations Women have less access to technology than men What is being done? Uganda, for example, the Women of Uganda Network set up a computer-training centre for rural women

Women in Government There is a major focus globally to close the gender equality gap The first woman to sit in a national legislature was elected to the Finnish parliament in 1907

Women and Employment Employment equity between men and women is also a concern In Canada in 1967 women made only 58% as much as men for the same job In 2003 the number was 71% So even in Canada there is still a gap that exists.

Unions and Collective Bargaining In this globalizing world unions have been greatly criticized Unions are viewed as contributing to rising manufacturing costs and promoting “special interests” those of their members — over the interests of consumers, corporations, and some governments Union membership has fallen which can be linked to outsourcing, but many still to have an influence Nationally and Internationally

Labour Standards Labour standards are measures that protect workers and the environment International Labour Organization identified four “fundamental principles and rights at work,” which countries are expected to promote freedom from forced labour freedom from discrimination in the workplace a ban on child labour the right to organize and bargain collectively

Fair Trade Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based model of international trade which promotes the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods

The Knowledge Economy The division in a global economy between workers who can use their knowledge to generate ideas and those who cannot Some observers predict that workers who possess the skills and attitudes demanded by the knowledge economy will experience the greatest success in the coming years This shift has created a greater disparity between the ingenuity of different nations

Global Awareness and Quality of Life Becoming aware of unfair or inequitable conditions is the first step on the path toward change. Canadians are becoming aware of some of the challenges of globalization and its effects on quality of life, and many people are working to change condition

Social Clauses A social clause would require countries to take measures to stop the most extreme forms of labour exploitation For example: forced labour, very low wages, and child labour Could lead to establishment of standards globally

Effective Governance respect for human rights efficient and effective institutions, such as courts, that protect citizens police forces that do not use their powers for their own benefit parliaments that reflect the goals and aspirations of the citizens of a country

Foreign Debt Can reduce quality of life Reasons for borrowing money in the first place are questionable International Funding Agencies require government to make structural adjustment to be able to repay a loan These adjustments can lead to a lower quality of life