Chapter 1: Should

Globalization shape identity?

“Social, Economic and Political Aspects of Globalization”

Chapter Issue: • “To what extent does globalization

affect my life?”• Economic Globalization • Social Globalization • Political Globalization

• Goal: In this chapter we will examine the role that globalization has on shaping your identity.

What is an Issue? An issue is a question of situation that involves thoughtful, well informed and well-meaning people in honest and sincere dialogue that may lead to different conclusions about how to respond.

It can also be a dilemma that requires a decision that involves responsible action.

Dealing with an issue requires the gathering of information, analysis of various points and development of a process for arriving at an informed judgment about how that issue may be resolved.

Issues involve:Policy !

- What should be done? - questions which involve taking action or making a change.

Values!

- What is good or bad, right or wrong, more or less important or desirable. - questions that involve ethical or moral conduct or beliefs. Answers

provide a basis for improving quality of life.

Definitions

- Meaning of words or terms. - questions explore how language is used and how concepts are understood. - involves classification or categorizing.

Fact

- What is true or correct? - questions that concern truth of matter. - involves examination & weighing of evidence.

History

- questions examine the merits of past actions or events to inform future choice. - requires judgment of decisions made in the past. - interpretation of the past often influences contemporary decisions.

Forces of Globalization

Economic (Finances and Money)

Political (Ideologies such as Democracy, Communism, etc…)

Social (Music, TV, fashion, etc.)

Economic Forces $$$

Where you work

Where you shop

Where you eat

What you do in your spare time

To what extent are the forces of globalization influencing these economic factors of your life?

Global Trade

Do you ever buy items produced in other countries?

Unless you have made a conscious choice to buy only ‘Canadian’ products, your answer is yes.

Check the tags of your clothes…you may find that the sweater you are wearing was created in Taiwan, China or Indonesia.

Import/Export

People have survived on Earth by trading globally

The import and export of goods in the most basic form of global integration

The growth of ‘Trans-nationals’ has reinvented the way companies operate in our world

Trans-nationals affect people in both positive and negative ways.

Trans-nationals

Trans-national: A company that operates in 2 or more countries. i.e. Wal-Mart. Apple, McDonalds, Toyota, Coca-Cola.

Some produce goods, others are retail operations. (They sell goods and services to the public.)

By operating on larger scales, trans-nationals make more money.

Desire for Profit!

Trans-nationals are driven by their desire for profit.

To make their expansions possible, many have changed world market regulations.

How does this affect you, the teen consumer?

Let’s consider the case of Wal-Mart.

The Wal-Mart Phenomenon

Arrived in Canada in 1994

In less than 10 years it expanded by 288 stores

Philosophy: Lowest prices on goods and services!

Just because Wal-Mart makes a lot of money, doesn’t mean it’s 100% successful! Ask yourself.

How does it deal with its employees?

How does it affect our communities? (i.e. “Mom and Pop” operations)

How does it affect your identity ?

Assignment

“When Wal-mart Comes to Town”, pages 11-12

Read and answer questions 1-3

Figure 1-6: Read the column and answer the questions below (pg. 12)

Investigation

“Walmart and Unions”, pg 13

Read and answer questions 1-3

Social Globalization

How does globalization affect you socially?

Society: A group of people who form an ordered community centered on kinship, an ideology, religion, language or worldview.

Even in small societies people fall under different groupings (i.e. perspectives based on age or gender

In larger societies, people have even higher contrasting views.

Globalization: Affecting Who You Are

Globalization is a “transfer of culture”

TV Films, internet, music, increased communication systems, fashion and the radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

“Global Village”: New Media such as television and internet are shrinking the world into a small village; we are all much more interconnected than before.

Political Globalization

How does globalization affect the political aspects of peoples lives?

Highest (international) to lowest forms of governance is affected.

For example, countries must abide by the international rules established by organizations such as the United Nations, G8 (Group of 8), LaFrancaphonie and NATO

Leaders of nations hold meetings to discuss international issues: $$, social and political

Political Globalization

Some global issues can only be resolved through the cooperation of many countries

Canada’s leaders try to meet their own nation’s needs of those in crisis situations

i.e. natural disasters like Hurricanes and Tsunamis

Global Political Change

Democracy: “Responsible Government”. Spreading amongst many countries. Boosts standards of living and improves ethics of government.

Can you think of any countries that are not Democracies in this day and age?

In 2005, of the world’s 193 countries, 118 were electoral democracies.

Film: “Walmart, The High Cost of Low Prices”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jazb24Q2s94