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1. What is globalization? 2. How Anthropologists Interpret Globalization 3. Sociology, Globalization, and Inequality 4. Psychology and Globalization Globalization and the Social Sciences

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What is Globalization? Globalization the coming together of regional, national, and continental organizations to integrate the entire world into one economic system Globalization is an overpowering force of social change in the 12st century Globalization has inadvertently caused the erosion of local cultures because of the onslaught of economic pressures and the overwhelming influence of Western culture

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How Anthropologists Interpret Globalization 1. Studying Cultures 2. A New and Powerful Force 3. The Culture Cost 4. The Result 5. Anthropological Theories about Globalization

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Studying Cultures Globalization can have a large effect on culture selling products and services around the world increases the diffusion of a culture (i.e. US has many large companies with economic means to sell to many countries resulting in mass diffusion of American culture around the world) Diffusion of American culture can lead to the deterioration of unique cultures and languages around the world Tribe a human organization ruled by an uncentralized form of government Nation a human organization ruled by a centralized form of government Tribalism and Nationalism an were the focus of Anthropological focus for much of the 20 th century, a lot of study went into understanding the cultural evolution that led to the formation of nations

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Studying Cultures Tribal vs. National FactorTribal StructureNational Structure Method of ExistenceSmall-scale agriculture and livestock cultivation Intensive agriculture and industry LeadershipCharismatic individual with little formal power but some influence and authority Formal leadership with supporting institutions Method of Social Integration Kinship, voluntary associationsLoyalty to the state overrides all kin/class loyalties Economic StructureSharing and exchangeFormalized taxes, monetary values, trading partners Social StratificationEgalitarian (equality for all)Classes and ranks Property OwnershipCommunal, by kinship or by clanPrivate and state ownership; little communal ownership Law and EnforcementLittle formalized law, right to punish belongs to kin or clan Formal laws and punishments controlled by the state ReligionShamans interpret divine laws among their regular duties Religious figures interpret divine laws and support the state

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A New and Powerful Force Western counties looked for sources of cheap raw materials which drew developing countries into their sphere of influence (area over which a society has economic and cultural influence) Transnationalism organizations (charitable or business) operate freely in a number of nations 3 groups advocating globalization Large manufacturing corporations Nike, Mattel, Sony (produced in countries with tax incentives and low wages, sold in places where people have disposable income) Banks RBC, HSBC (sell financial services throughout the world, led to financialization increasing flow of money between nations, causes concentrated wealth in the hands of the elites) International government organizations UN, WTO, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (all promote globalization)

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A New and Powerful Force Globalization is caused by 2 processes: 1. Culture has become increasingly international Western industrial/capitalist countries have greater dominance over other nations 2. Increasing concentration of wealth within financial elites, particularly in the developed countries Supporters of globalization believe that it allows developing countries to make the transition to development (increased financial assistance, trade, investments, etc.) What do you think? Do you think that globalization is beneficial to developing nations?

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The Cultural Cost Globalization has tended to internationalize culture Anthropologists think that globalization causes homogenization of peoples and culture Deterritorialization of cultures distinct cultures are no longer firmly attached, in relative isolation, to specific regions of the world (cheap air travel has greatly impacted this) Globalization may devastate cultures as it causes people to become uninterested in their culture resulting in a loss of sense of identity

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The Result What might happen to society in a globalized world (as suggested by sociologists? 1. Independent nations will become overwhelmed by global forces and unable to regulate their societies, leading to their destruction 2. Human cultures and societies will become more alike, and new forms of world government will replace existing national ones 3. National societies, cultures, and governments will remain intact, but will adopt an increasingly global focus in order to do so Do you think there could be other results of globalization? Of the options presented by sociologists, which do you think is more likely?

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Anthropological Theories About Globalization 1. Modernization theory Disproved ideas of Herbert Spence backwards regions of the world benefitted by globalization because they learned capitalism and entrepreneurial skills, making them more modern 2. Dependency theory Explains the lack of economic development in many developing countries as stemming directly from the treatment they received under colonialism (cultures distorted and people exploited to meet the needs of the colonial power) 3. World-system theory Wallersteins theory that the basic relationship between developed and developing countries was established in colonial times, unlikely that an exploited nation will move to a dominant position (or vice versa) 4. Neo-Marxian theory A theory based on Marxs original observations, that sees globalization as a negative force, because capitalism places humans in direct competition with one another 5. Globalization theory A theory that suggests that Western transnational corporations have gained control of global trade and development, and continue to grow in power and influence

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Sociology, Globalization, and Inequality 1. Thinking Globally 2. Sociological Theories of Globalization 3. New Technologies Supporting Globalization 4. Globalization and Poverty 5. Globalization and Literacy

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Thinking Globally Global village McLuhans principal that the world is a single community, connected by its telecommunications network Coined in 1962 by U of T Prof: Marshall McLuhan Positive outcomes of thinking globally Increased awareness of global values (i.e. clean environment) What are other positives of thinking globally

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Sociological Theories of Globalization Go to pages 337-338 and write a summary for each of the sociological theories of globalization: 1. Richard Robertson 2. Anthony Giddens 3. Martin Albrow Which views do you think make the most sense? What are the benefits and detriments of each? To what extent is globalization a form of colonialism? Would globalization have developed eventually without transportation and communication technology?

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New Technologies Supporting Globalization Sociologists see technological developments as crucial in the globalization of the world Technological changes are a paradigm shift in the way they transform the interrelationships of different parts of the world Within the globalized world, technologies have increased inequalities of income, as countries who lack the infrastructure for informational technology become poorer Transnational clothing/toy manufacturers can exploit workers by hiring subcontractors that employ children, pay low wages, expect long hours, or provide unsafe working condition New medical technologies allow for global trade and increase the inequalities between the rich and poor

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New Technologies Supporting Globalization Read the Case Study on Pages 340-341. Be ready to discuss the Case Study questions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T80B3u0h8c

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Globalization and Poverty Various organized religions have been accused of contributing to generalized poverty by supporting governments that favour the rich. Liberation theology approach in Latin America which combines spirituality with political activism to obtain better conditions for the poor Gustavo Guttierez a liberation theologys founder, found that extensive poverty was caused by structural factors such as a lack of free education, little investment at home by financial elites (causing a lack of jobs), emphasis of the private profit motive over the general welfare of the community, and governments committed to serving the needs of the wealthy

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Globalization and Literacy For low-income women, a womans decision to learn to read and write depends on her occupation Woman will likely reject a government-sponsored literacy program unless she can see that she might be able to use her new-found skill in her job Success or failure of all social movements depends on many personal and family decisions The policy of a national government to extend or restrict, female literacy will succeed or fail largely on how well it addresses the needs of individuals and groups How do you think a government could increase its countrys literacy rate? Do you think that people in Canada with weak reading and writing skills dont think theyll need to use reading and writing in a job? What other factors might affect literacy?

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Questions to Assess Your Knowledge Try the following questions to have a better understanding of your comprehension of the material presented today: Page 336 #s: 1-3, 5. Page 247 #s: 1-2, 5

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Psychology and Globalization 1. Our Perception 2. Globalization and Our Sense of Ourselves 3. Canadas Uneasy Relationship with Our American Neighbours 4. Talking to Americans

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Our Perceptions National identity: a countrys unique values, beliefs, and programs that sets it apart from other nations Perception the process by which our brain tried to make sense of incoming messages Canadian have different views about themselves, their families, their local communities, and their countries because of the different ways that we interpret the onslaught of information we encounter in our daily lives What is Canadas national identity? What do we value? What do we use to distinguish ourselves from America? Does a single set of ideas exist that can define our nation? Do we have a national identity? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRI-A3vakVg

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Our Perceptions What we perceive is not uniquely determined by the physical stimulation we experience Constance our perceptual world tend to remain the same despite drastic alterations in sensory input Unconscious inference von Helmholtz explained constancy, people make judgements based on a limited amount of data Selective attention ability to focus on certain physical stimuli and exclude others Cocktail-party phenomenon coined by Cheer to characterize the ability to attend selectively to a single persons speech in the midst of the competing speech of many others Misperceptions can be caused by motivation and emotions Perceptual set set of assumptions about the world For example, you may have a perceptual set that all Americans are polite, and when you meet a rude American you assume that they are having an off day rather than change your perceptual set

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Globalization and Our Sense of Ourselves How do you develop your particular views? Newspapers Books, media Internet Use outside information to form/revise your views so that they fit reality Remember, not all of your views are true Canadians may see themselves are racism-free what about the Japanese Canadians in WWII? Canadian may see themselves as classless how many prostitutes went missing in BC before police got involved? What other views do we as Canadian hold about ourselves that might not be accurate? We need to recognize that who we are has changed, or was never true in the first place, to make changes to our perceptual set

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Canadas Uneasy Relationship with Our American Neighbours Canadians have often felt unease towards Americans (an inferiority complex, perhaps?) Post 9/11 Canadian views towards Americans softened, Americans appeared more vulnerable and human than they ever appeared previously and this change in perception made Canadians feel closer to Americans What do you think of Canada-US relations? Did your viewpoint towards Americans shift post-9/11

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Talking to Americans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFgPX0hnNfA