Eleventh Week/Eleventh Module: Globalization (Chapter 12)
CLASS NOTES
GLOBALIZATION: A process that results from the acceleration of time and space compression: think about the current fast means of transportation and communication technologies that allow for the transfer of people, goods, ideas, capitals, etc. so fast. A very important component of this process is the spread ofcapitalism
-today linked toneoliberalpolicies. Do not forget to review the concept of capitalism. This will also help to better understand “Tasting Food, Tasting Freedom” since slavery in the Caribbean plantations were at the root of captilism.
Please, remember that globalization exists in a non-level playing field. It has increased the variety of goods for people in developed nations to purchase, and often decreases the variety and quality of goods for those in developing nations. In most of countries where more than 40% of the population lives in poverty so many of those goods that people see in the malls or in stores are out of their reach. And they are not happy about it. Increasingly, people experience difficulties in meeting food security. Yes, hunger is a challenge. Even people living in NYC experience it. Just in case, if you didn’t know, there is a pantry service in every CUNY college. Studies have shown that more students than we could imagine, go hungry (even some at Columbia University). This brings us to issues of consumption (or the lack of), of lifestyle and taste that don’t happen in a vacuum (remember the CONTEXT always).
The authors of the article (Chapter on Globalization) present an interesting discussion about TASTE and introduce the concepts of HABITUS. Please review them and also think about S. Mintz’s discussion in his book "TastingFood, Tasting Freedom".
IS GLOBALIZATION JUST THEFLOW OF GOODS?
How can items and social relations of production involve all five of whatArjunAppaduraicalls scapes? (REVIEW ALL FIVE).
Reflect on Ethnoscapes, for example: who produces the goods for the global economy? The row materials? Who set the prices of those goods? Does the global economy allow a “trickle down” of benefits? Or not?
Are there some differences in how the global north experiences globalization if compared to most of the population living in the global south? If you find some differences, be ready to name three (3) or four (4).
Please find the definitions and illustrations of Mediascape, Technoscape,Ideoscape,and
Finanscape: think about the international banking system and international exchange comparing the “developing” and “developed” countries, the Global South and the Global North.
NEOLIBERALISM: THE IDEOLOGY (AND PRACTICES) OF FREE-MARKET CAPITALISM THAT FORCE PRIVATIZATION AND UNREGULATED MARKETS WITH CUTTING DOWN PUBLIC SPENDING IN SECTORS SUCH AS PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH. THINK ABOUT THE HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE US AND WHY WE ARE THE COUNTRY WITH MORE CASES AND DEATHS IN THE FIRST MONTHS OF THE COVID PANDEMICS.
HOW DO YOU ANALYSE THE SITUATION OF THE US DURING COVID 19 AS IT RELATES TO GLOBALIZATION? (PRODUCTION OF MEDICAL ITEMS, HEALTH SYSTEM, INTERNAL DIVISIONS BEWTEEN SOCIAL CLASSES –WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO DIE? WHO ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS? WHERE ARE MANY OF THEM FROM?
THE CHAPTER PRESENTS A SECTION OF DISADVANTAGES OF THE INTENSIFICATION OF GLOBALIZATION. I EXPECT YOU TO BE FAMILIAR WITH IT. THERE ARE EXCELLENT ILLUSTRATIONS OF THOSE DISADVANTAGES AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO MENTION 3 OR 4 IF ASKED AND ADD MORE IF NECESSARY.
INTERSECTIONALITY: The interconnection of social categorizations suchSOCIAL CLASS, ETHNICITY, “RACE”, GENDER, AGE, RELIGION, ETC. AS THEY APPLY TO A POPULATION OR AN INDIVIDUAL.
Production, Consumption and Exchange at the global level ARE not fair. Fair Trade schemes maybe exceptions, not the rule. If you read about the cocoa production in West Africa you should be able to see this point quite clear.
Globalization and neoliberalism have led to the development of policies, such as the privatization of the water supply, that reduces local control over important resources (vital resource in the case of water).
So, please in what ways is globalization a “double-edged” sword that brings both benefits and problems to developing countries?
The interdependence of countries with the increment International trade and the flow of goods and services in an uneven playing field.
Please, consider that the responses to the globallyimposedmarkets and prices have been met by LOCAL resistance by people with creative ideas and practices in the global south and allies in the global north. The Fair Trade schemes are just one example. Peoples, for example, are going back to "old" "traditional" practices for producing, exchanging and consuming food and other "stuff" FOR THE COMMON GOOD.
Questions for Chapter 11 Globalization
- Define globalization and the 5 “scapes” that can be used to characterize global flows or exchanges.
- Explain the relationship between globalization and the creation of new “glocal” lifestyles and forms of consumption.
- Describe some of the ways people use agency to respond to globalization including syncretism and participation in alternative markets.
- Assess the relationship between globalization, neoliberalism, and neocolonialism.
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the intensification of globalization.
- Clearly underline four (4) aspects of “Tasting Food, Tasting Freedom” as they relate to the chapter on Globalization. Explain.
- Reflect on the COVID 19 pandemic and your experience (or your family’s) of it while living/studying in New York City. Clearly highlight at least three (3) important aspects of it as it relates to GLOBALIZATION with a commentary that reflects your understanding of Anthropology, and specifically, this chapter (the chapter presents an example of an epidemic, just in case).