Sociology in Modules Richard T. Schaefer

The Global Divide Inequality a significant determinant of human behavior Divides in global wealth emerged as result of the Industrial Revolution and rising agricultural productivity Resulting rise in living standards not evenly distributed across the world

Stratification in the World System Stark contrasts between industrial and developing nations Legacy of colonialism Multinational corporations Modernization

The Legacy of Colonialism Colonialism: Foreign power maintains political, social, economic, and cultural domination for an extended period of time Neocolonialism: Continued dependence on more industrialized nations for managerial and technical expertise by former colonies

The Legacy of Colonialism Wallerstein: World Systems Analysis Interdependent global economy rests on unequal economic and political relationships Nations do not onstituted whole systems They exist within a larger, global social context Dependency Theory: Even as developing countries make economic advances, they remain weak and subservient to core nations and corporations

The Legacy of Colonialism Growing share of the human and natural resources of developing countries redistributed to the core industrialized nations Globalization: Worldwide integration of government policies, cultures, social movements, and financial markets through trade and exchange of ideas

Figure 29-1: Fundamental Global Inequality Source: Adapted from Sutcliffe 2002:18. 7

Figure 29-2: Gross National Income per Capita Source: Haub 2010; Weeks 2012. 8

Figure 29-3: World Systems Analysis Source: Haub 2010; Weeks 2012. 9

Poverty Worldwide Poverty is worldwide problem that blights the lives of billions of people Millennium Project asks industrial nations to set aside 0.51% of gross national income for developing nations Gross national income: total value of a nation’s goods and services (GNP), plus or minus income received from and sent to other nations U.S.’s contribution among lowest of industrialized countries

Figure 29-4: Poverty Worldwide Source: Chronic Poverty Research Centre 2009. 11

Figure 29-5: Foreign Aid per Capita in Nine Countries Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2011:2. 12

Multinational corporations Multinational corporations: Commercial organizations headquartered in one country but doing business throughout the world Total revenue of multinational businesses on par with total value of goods and services exchanged in entire nations Over 12% of U.S. goods and services relates to exports to foreign countries

Functionalist Perspective Multinational corporations help developing nations Jobs and industry Maximum advantage of technology while reducing costs and boosting profits Make nations more interdependent and less likely to enter conflicts

Conflict Perspective Multinational corporations exploit local workers to maximize profits Investment by multinationals initially contributes to host nation’s wealth Negative social impact on workers in both industrialized and developing nations

Sociology in the Global Community Income Inequality: A Global Perspective If your family has a pet, how much money do you think you spend on your pet every year? How does that figure compare to the average annual income in China or India? By itself, do you think Korzeniewicz and Moran’s income-based measure is a sufficient indicator of global inequality?

Modernization Modernization: Process by which peripheral nations move from traditional institutions to those characteristic of developed societies Modernization Theory: Functionalist view that modernization and development will gradually improve lives of people in developing nations

Table 29-1: Sociological Perspectives on Global Inequalities 18

Social Mobility Intergenerational mobility patterns in industrialized nations: Similarities in ways parent’s positions in stratification systems transmitted to children Mobility opportunities influenced by structural factors Immigration significant factor in shaping society’s level of intergenerational mobility

Social Mobility Mobility in developing nations Macro-level social and economic changes often overshadow micro-level movement from one occupation to another Gender Differences and Mobility As country develops and modernizes, women’s vital role in food production deteriorates

Figure 30-1: Distribution of Income in Nine Nations Source: World Bank 2010a:94–96. 21

Sociology in the Global Community Stratification in Brazil At the bottom of each of the accompanying graphs, which income distribution appears to be more unequal? Now look at the top of each graph. Which income distribution appears to be more unequal? Race-based college admissions quotas have been the subject of hot debate in the United States. Why do you think they have been accepted as law in Brazilian society?

Case Study: Stratification in Mexico Mexico’s Economy World Bank reported that in 2011, 4.8% of Mexico’s population survived on $2 per day Castañeda: polarized society with enormous gaps between rich and poor, town and country, north and south, white and brown (or criollos and mestizos )

Case Study: Stratification in Mexico Race Relations in Mexico: The Color Hierarchy Subordinate status of Mexico’s Indians one reflection of nation’s color hierarchy Criollos Mestizo Bottom of the color hierarchy are destitute, full-blooded Mexican Indian minority and a small number of Blacks Widespread denial of prejudice Marked growth in last decade of organizations and associations for rights of indigenous Indian

Case Study: Stratification in Mexico The Status of Women in Mexico Constitute 48% of labor force More mired in lowest-paying jobs than counterparts in industrial nations When Mexican women work outside home, often not recognized as active and productive household members Organizing to address economic, political, and health issues

Case Study: Stratification in Mexico The Borderlands: Area of common cultures along border of Mexico and U.S. Maquiladoras: Foreign-owned factories that do not have to pay taxes or provide benefits to workers Remittances (migradollars): Estimated to be minimum of $22 billion a year

Figure 30-2: The Borderlands Source: Prepared by the author based on Archibold and Preston 2008; Department of Homeland Security 2008; Marosi 2007; and Ratha et al. 2010. 27

Rethinking Welfare in Europe and North America In a time of economic stress and growing need, governments in all parts of the world are searching for the right solution to welfare

Rethinking Welfare in Europe and North America Looking at the Issue 1996: Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act Expenditures to housing, social security, welfare, health care, and unemployment compensation than U.S.

Rethinking Welfare in Europe and North America Applying Sociology Critics of welfare reform: nation’s economic problems unfairly blamed on welfare spending and poor Conflict theorists: “welfare scapegoating” ignores lucrative federal handouts to affluent and enables administrative sanctions Corporate welfare: tax breaks, bailouts, direct payments, and grants that the government gives to corporations

Rethinking Welfare in Europe and North America Initiating Policy Government likes to highlight welfare-reform success stories Families that have left the rolls are modestly better off now, most of their breadwinners continue to hold low-paying, unskilled jobs European governments have encountered many of the same citizen demands as in North America