Deck 19: B: Globalization

Question 1

Why does Koropov argue that,instead of creating a homogenous culture,globalization may in fact lead to greater cultural diversity? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Koropov similarly argues that it would be wrong to assume that people in poorer countries will blindly adopt and accept American or European cultures and values.Instead,cultures react and create hybrid cultures that maintain some traditions but incorporate new ones as well,but do so within their own cultural context.These cultural fusions are reflected in many ways,including music,movies,language,and food.From this perspective,instead of creating a homogeneous culture,globalization will give rise to unique mixtures of different cultures.
Responses will vary.

Question 2

What explanation does Parag Khanna give for his predication that the United States will descend into Second World status if it does not renew its leadership role in international politics?

Answer 2

Khanna argues that the natural resources found in countries like Azerbaijan,Colombia,and Malaysia may determine the fate of today's global superpowers-China,the European Union,and the United States-in the coming years.Unless the United States improves its role on the international stage,the increasingly important role of these countries may prove to be detrimental to the United States' economic power.

Question 3

Discuss globalization today.Give an example from your everyday life as to how globalization affects you.

Answer 3

Globalization today tells us that economies are more interdependent and intertwined,which has resulted in the power of individual nation-states to determine their own economic,political,and cultural destinies declining.An example might be the foods we eat or the clothes we wear.

Question 4

What do the terms Global North and Global South refer to? What is the importance of these terms?

Question 5

Discuss the influence of corporations like Wal-Mart on nations such as China,and the effects they have on workers and the environment.

Question 6

Discuss the alternative to World Bank loans,known as "microcredit."

Question 7

Why do some scholars suggest that changes to foreign aid policies and debt repayment programs have made it particularly difficult for poor countries to raise their standards of living? What is the other side of this debate?

Question 8

According to Giddens (2003)and Griswold (2006),globalization contributed to the downfall of the Soviet Union.Explain this perspective.

Question 9

What did the collapse of the Soviet Union contribute to the rapid pace of globalization?

Question 10

Using examples,explain how World Bank loans have negatively affected people in the Global South.

Question 11

Discuss modernization theory from the perspective of conflict and functionalist theories.

Question 12

Briefly discuss both sides of the global poverty debate.

Question 13

What sorts of economic ideals does the process of globalization overwhelmingly reward?

Question 14

Using examples,discuss why critics doubt whether there is any evidence to show that foreign aid actually leads to a decline in poverty levels.