Social Studies 10-1 Perspectives on Globalization

“ To What Extent” Meaning….how much…how many Implying that…A bit is good?A lot is good?A bit is bad?A lot is bad? Answers to the question, TO WHAT EXTENT will completely depend on PERSPECTIVE and POINT OF VIEW. Everyone will have their own opinion, based on these two things, but it is fundamental to back up your opinion with factual evidence and examples

WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION? Globalization is the process of making the global community increasingly more Interconnected and Interdependent.

WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION? Through the internet, through easier travel and easier communication, we are now more aware of the rest of the world than ever before.

WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION? Globalization is not a new concept – the world has become increasingly more interactive since the beginning of the Silk Road two thousand years ago.

Examples of globalization can show up in many different ways…from human values to the economy The Island of Fiji traditionally valued the idea of a fully figured women. When television arrived in Fiji in 1995, something surprising happened – the incidence of anorexia, a disease never before seen in Fiji – rose to 35%…why???

Examples Con’t The increase in outsourcing jobs to developing or industrial countries is a direct result of globalization. Thus, companies, such as Volkswagen, have moved their manufacturing plants in areas such as Mexico, (now shut their plants down and moved back to Germany) where there are many workers, jobs are scarce…what does this mean for them wage-wise???

Examples Con’t In parts of Africa, where many people are illiterate, the pictures of what a food jar contains is on the label. When Gerber baby food imported their products to Africa, there were surprised at the low level of sales. The picture of a baby on the label was confusing to the different culture in Africa – why???

A Few Pros and Cons Pros: The ability to increase health care – diseases in remote countries can be cured by doctors in American and have the vaccines transported than ever before. The ability to have a broader world view – more people can now travel more places, cheaper and safer.

Pros Con’t The ability to increase the productivity of industrial nations – poor nations generally tend to support globalization because they want to be able to have “freer access to the world’s best markets for their products” (American Enterprise Online)

Cons A decrease in cultural identity – as more nations can see the culture of others, their people are less likely to be as homogenous as they once were. Developing nations can try to “westernize” in an attempt to become like the more prosperous nations.

Cons Con’t Terrorism: those who wish to commit acts of terror, no matter what the group, have more access to other nations and information about them through the increase in communication and transport.

Cons Con’t Outsourcing: jobs in developed nations have been replaced by people in developing nations who are willing to work for less money.

Unit Question… TO WHAT EXTENT DOES GLOBALIZATION INFLUENCE MY LIFE??? Intro activity… GLOBALIZATION: Good or Bad?