JUN 27 Globalization and the Environment

 "one thing impacting the earth's oceans are overfishing which has resulted in the extinction of numerous aquatic species and significant depletion of the earth's stock of tuna, salmon, swordfish, etc".

          According to wwf.panda.org  "Swordfish and other billfish are hunted for food and for sport. The methods used to catch these fish such as harpoons and some conventional fishing lines  also puts additional pressure on other vulnerable and endangered species such as marine turtles and tuna."
              I was not aware of illegal driftnets fisheries who catch fishes such as marlin, salmon, tuna and swordfish in indiscriminate ways, some of the fishes caught are pregnant and some are babies. one reason fisheries get away with these practice is because insufficient regulations for the fisheries to comply with  fishing rules.
           To protect these endangered species WWF is lobbying for fisheries to have rules and regulations pertaining to the size of fish they are allowed to catch, and the areas where they can fish. WWF is bringing close attention on the issue and is putting measures in place to monitor and protect endangered species of the ocean.

Globalization and Development

"The United Nations has its  Human Development Index (HDI) which uses three categories to define development: health, education, and income". After looking at the human development index Congo got my attention. Congo has a very low human development index. Congo (Democratic Republic of the)’s 2012 HDI of 0.304 is below the average of 0.466 for countries in the low human development group and below the average of 0.475 for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa 
The HDI is an average measure of basic human development achievements in a country. Like all averages, the HDI masks inequality in the distribution of human development across the population at the country level. in my opinion Congo is so low in human development index because the country poverty. the country has lots of wealth producing minerals such as copper and gold. I believe the citizens tend to drop out of school to work in the mines to feed families and fend for themselves, also the side effects of the  high levels chemicals such as  mercury etc in the water  in areas close to the mines are causing growth stunts, retardation, and infant mortality. also the unsafe practices at the mines causes accidental death to workers and also because lack of  or inadequate or accessible and affordable healthcare may be another issue. finally I believe because large developed countries do business with Congo and may outsmart them in business leaves the economy stunted and citizens stay in poverty and country at large dependent on foreign help

Growth, Inequality, and Poverty

Neoliberalism have increased poverty and inequality. neoliberalism is antipathetic to public sector and believe that private sector should play a major role in the economy. because of this there is separation between the private and public sector. this separation causes wealthy to become wealthier and the poor to be poorer. this type of inequalities created by neoliberalism can lead to terrorism, more deaths and hunger.

Globalization of Production

"Foxconn is actually a Taiwanese company with facilities in China. So, in this case, an American company contracts a Taiwanese manufacturer, with a factory in China that hires Chinese laborers, to assemble products that will be sold in American stores. That is a simple model of how global production works"
I never heard of the company Foxconn before and I became interested in how hard these laborers work and the pressure involve in manufacturing these high quality  apple electronics and gadgets. I became curious and wanted to find out how workers are treated and what work conditions they face at Foxconn. from my research I have learned that workers are not treated fairly or with dignity. 13 workers have attempted or committed suicide within 5 months in 2010.that number is shocking to me and within only 5 months. since the company is originally a Taiwanese company with locations in china the migrant workers are treated unfairly, get paid little and their labor and citizen rights are violated,. some of the workers are abused and work long hours and are pressures and mistreated. after reading this I feel a type of way to purchase an IPhone. these people are used as cheap labor and suffer so much to the point of committing suicide and then the Apple products are so expensive. 

Globalization's Impact on States

No individual country is immune from global threat of nuclear attack, unfair trading method or terrorist occurrence. Which is why globalization is very important through interdependency with other nations to preserved a healthy relationship with all our allies throughout the world to guard against nuclear proliferation and terrorism from despotic nation such as North Korea, Iran, Syria and Russia just to mention a few and to maintained a degree of fairness in trade such as the North Atlantic free trade agreement initiated under president Obama administration that ensured fair trading practice with participation nation.

President Donald Trump recent announcement to end NAFTA and to enter a unilateral trade war with china for his own political interest is going to have a ripple effect in international trade. Which only served to Isolate America in the global international trade arena while most of our allies are entering trade deals with china.   

The Logic of Economic Globalization.

Globalization in essence was design to connect the world through a “combination of deregulated foreign trade, reductions in trade tariffs and the removal of export fees. Globalization seeks to utilize foreign markets effectively for trade as well as provide new development opportunities for production employment in foreign countries” (Hammond, 2017).

In all its outward appearance globalization seems by many to                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                be the  elixir of the world economy for the twenty first century, but in reality not all nations are benefitting   equally  from globalization. For example, globalization tend to be more beneficial to developing nations such as the G-12 nations because the   world banks and other lending institutions such as the international monitory fund extend  ample resource to these nations which help to improve their economy, while on the other hand tend to have a negative impact on third world countries because these same lending institution such as the world banks and  IMF refused to lend funds to these third world nations for fearing that they do not repay their loan with interest on a timely basis.

For third world nations the benefit of globalization come in the form of the interconnectedness of countries due to modern technologies which allowed for citizens from these poorer countries to migrate to other developing nations in minutes to seek better employment and to reap the benefit of globalization.

Reference:

Hammond, K. (2017, September 26). Globalization's Effects on Third-World Countries. Retrieved June 26, 2018, from https://bizfluent.com/info-8543200-globalizations-effects-thirdworld-countries.html

JUN 18 The Political Economy of Global Financial Crises

This lecture will focus more on the nature of financial crises. Since the 1970s, these kinds of crises have become more common, and are much more global in their scope. The largest, so far, has been the crisis of 2008. The increasing frequency of these crises is, of course, related to the globalization of finance.
I choose to write about this quote because It is true that the 2008 financial crisis was so far, the largest and is mainly related to financial globalization. Globalization is beneficial among countries because it creates jobs and allow countries to import and export goods and services to boost or increase their economy and so on. on the other hand globalization can be the opposite. for example the 2008 financial crisis due to globalization affected many countries it did not just affect America but instead it affected countries on a global level. This type of financial crisis can be repeated again if President Trump really start a trade war with china. Again this war will be a very large crises related to globalization of finance. China, America and other large countries will face economic and financial crises as a result it will be related to globalization. I say this because over 10 American companies including caterpillar and apple have very close relations with china and they are technically American companies, They will face huge loses if trump put the trade war in effect.

The Evolution of the International Monetary and Financial Systems

    "As much as trade is important in understanding globalization, the flows of money and capital are just as important. Before you can have trade between nations, you have to exchange rates for currencies between them. Since we use money, you have to be able to figure out what the value of your money is in another country, or the value in that country's currency".
I agree strongly with this quote and find it very interesting. I few years ago I created a small business or trade of my own to support myself and pay for my education. The business involved purchasing goods here in the US and selling them in the Caribbean.Before getting involve and establishing the business I had to first decide the currency value between the US dollar and EC dollar. I saw it profitable and possible  to establish the business because of three important  reasons. First the exchange rate of $1 US equal $2.68 EC,second the huge demand for my goods in Caribbean and thirdly the ability  to convert  or exchange one currency to another or the ability of having a tool or mechanism to allow trade or business between the united states and the Caribbean. In conclusion I say this to show that I understand or have some knowledge or idea  of how trade can be operated between countries or on a global level. 

Regional Trade Agreements

"However, behind these issues was the far greater problem of agriculture, where, again developing countries were intent to register their displeasure as the agricultural subsidy practices of the United States and the European Union. For example, four West African producers of cotton demanded a sectoral initiative to eliminate cotton subsidies in countries such as the US, the EU, and China, but they received a response suggesting that African countries should diversify their production, a message they interpreted as telling them to stop growing cotton. This response inflamed the Africans, and added to the antipathy that threatened to spiral out of control at the conference"
          I found this part of the lecture interesting. I had no idea that west African countries produced cotton. The four main west Africans countries that produce ccotton on a large scale are Benin, Burkina Faso,Chad and Mali.To further understand more about the  issues west African countries  face as a result of larger countries subsidy practices in cotton industry I decided to research more. while researching I came across a website www.theguardian.com, there is an article on this site that discuss on this subject matter. As per article "The Fairtrade Foundation calculates that the US, the European Union, China and India have in that time paid their cotton farmers $47bn (£29bn) in subsidies in total - flooding the international market and pushing down the global price for competitors, especially in west Africa". This makes it difficult for the west Africans farmers and the countries at large.
          The Farmers  loose lots of income as a result of this have a hard time caring for their families  and are unable to provide employment opportunities to others. These  four large cotton producing countries are unable to provide work for their citizens,  and to develop the infrastructure such as building  roads, schools  and economy of the country. To help these Countries, and decrease or stop the subsidy practices, The UK government is committed to working towards making principles of fair trade to be integrated and reflected in the global trading system.
 In my opinion it is a great thing for any country  to be independent and not depend on other countries for basic necessities even if agriculture is the backbone or a percentage of their economy. Producing goods and being able to participate in trade on a global level will be good for These countries because it will help decrease the poverty rate and allow the countries to have some form of independence and stability.

The Evolution of the Global Trade Regime

 Agriculture is another important trade issue. Many countries do not want to accept US food imports because of the food processing standards in the US.
This quote from the lecture stood out to me it made me become more interested to find out why many countries do not accept US food imports and also which foods. During my research I found a few foods and the reasons why certain countries  like Russia and other European union countries, do no accept them from The US.
I was not aware that certain chemicals that are placed in the foods we eat here in America. For example farm raised salmon are fed synthetic astaxanthin made from petrochemicals, which has not been approved for human consumption and Pigs, Cattles and Turkey are injected with a beta agonist drug Ractopaine.
 Astaxanthin is a carotenoid. It is a blood red pigment that is naturally found in rainwater microalgae and yeast fungus called Xanthophyllomyces. freshwater species that consume microalgae reflect the red-orange pigment in their appearance. examples of these species are lobster, red trout, shrimp and salmon. Farm raised salmon does not contain this chemical naturally and so the fish is fed artificially to have the pigment reflected in its appearance. this synthetic Astaxanthin can cause side effects to humans such as crystal deposits on retina and lead to eye injury, some cancers and neurological changes.
Ractopaine is a drug used to treat asthma in humans. it was discovered that this drug can make a mouse muscular and is now being injected in meat we consume such as turkey, pork and beef. the reason for this is because it make the meet less fatty and more meatier. these chemical has serious side effects in humans when consumed in this manner. it is known to cause serious cardiovascular problems which is a leading cause of death in the American population.
 after reading and researching more on this topic, I will be more conscious of what I eat and as a result I will support local farmers and the farmers market in my community

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Domestic Sources of Foreign Economic Policie

         Countries can change as well, China is a labor intensive country that is becoming capital intensive, and that probably more than anything else explains Trump's posture towards China, reflecting the fact that China is becoming more of a direct competitor with the US.
        China is known as the second largest economy by nominal GDP and the world's fastest growing economy. As a result of this president Trump see china as a threat. He threatens to add tariffs on  another $200 billion  of china's goods and to start a trade war with china.
      President trump threatens to start a trade war with china and that trade war can backlash and affect the U.S stock market. U.S companies that sell or get sales due to relations with china can face higher import taxes ranging from 15 to 20 percent.  According to USA today "Wall Street fears business will slow for these firms, as their products will be more expensive for Chinese shoppers and manufacturers. That's bearish for stocks, as higher prices can lead to fewer sales and smaller profits and ultimately lower share prices." Some companies that will be greatly affected are Apple, Boeing, Caterpillar, Deere, Tesla, Borg Warner and Qualcomm.
In conclusion because these American brand companies will be greatly affected by Donald Trumps threat to start a trade war with china, it is hard and almost impossible for him to put such a threat in effect. 

Cooperation and Conflict in GPE

 " Game theory provides hypothetical examples to demonstrate situations that make cooperation difficult, or "games" that describes the choices available to actors, their outcomes, and the information they have when they make choices". 
     I choose to talk about this specifically because it stand out to me. Game theory demonstrates the game to the players or people involved, it is not bias but instead fair and honest. it allows players to see and understand the game but ultimately they are to make their own choices to be a part of the game or not or it also allow them the choice to play fair or not. they know the game and can now choose how to play.

Theoretical Traditions in Global Political Economy

I want to reflect on the part of the reading that talk about one way globalization works. "globalization  has a connections between politics and economics, otherwise known as "political economy".
According to Oxford politics trove "Political economy deals with the study of production and trade and their relations with law, custom and government; and with the distribution of national income and wealth. " Globalization has a huge connection between politics and economics I agree with this statement from the reading because it allows for free trade and employments and brings money to countries. and from a political standpoint it brings government from various countries together to discuss about the trade and rules and laws. I my opinion the political  economy brings about a certain level of peace in the world and allow countries to work together and develop and learn from each other.

Globalization

"Globalization creates "interdependence" meaning the economies of the world are linked together, along with corporations, and organizations that operate across national boundaries, so that what happens in one economy has consequences for the others"
I believe  that globalization  do create interdependence among organizations and other countries as a whole. A country may be dependent on another for different things and another country may depend on that same country for something also. Its like no country is an island, all nations need each other and its really one economic or finance system. its a good thing that globalization creates interdependence because it creates employments, coherence or mutual understanding between different countries and a sense of trust. in my opinion an example is America and European countries depend on Burkina Faso and other African countries for gold and diamonds and Burkina Faso depend on other African countries for resources also and other countries depend on America stock market or resources also. we are one people one nation we cannot co exist without each other and when one economy fail other countries are also negatively impacted.

Trump says building a U.S wall is 'easy'. But is it really?

Trump says building a U.S wall was 'easy'. But is it really? by Jerry Markon
    "Now, Donald Trump is proposing to go even further, vowing to build a massive, impenetrable wall along the U.S.-Mexico frontier to keep out illegal Mexican migrants".
      Markon is saying that Donald Trump is saying that he will/is going to build a huge wall that will be so difficult for illegal Mexican migrants to pass over to come to the U.S.
          In my opinion this is ridiculous, expensive and irrelevant. The Mexicans will find their way here regardless of the wall. secondly I do not think this vow will ever be materialized because little thought and probably no planning on Trumps part was made including cost, advantages ad disadvantages. Trump's speech /proposal was merely free and impromptu

Plyler vs Doe

             "A U.S. district judge issued a preliminary injunction requiring Tyler to admit all students and required the state education board to release funds to the Tyler school district for all students. In 1978, that judge found both the state law and Tyler's policy unconstitutional, holding that they violated the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause." 
              The Article is saying in this quote, that The U.S Court  made  a landmark decision holding that the states cannot constitutionally prohibit students from obtaining a free public education because of their immigration status. The Tyler school district was required to admit all students. Later in 1978, The Tyler policy and State law to charge students for free public education was found to be contrary to the U.S constitution and violation of the 14thAmendment.
               In my opinion it was a great decision. This means a lot to me and my family. I am grateful and happy that children will not be denied  an education because of their immigration status.2004 my Island was in devastation from hurricane Ivan, lots of schools was destroyed and homes as well and lots of children was unable to attend school. thanks to the U.S Court decision and the 14th amendment my cousins were able to relocate here at age of 5 and complete their education all the way up to 12th grade for free.
             

Douglas S. Massey

Why does Immigration occur? A theoretical synthesis by Douglas S. Massey

         "Over three million centuries, nearly ten million Africans were imported into the Americas, and together with European colonists, they radically transformed its social and demographic composition".
           Douglas S. Massey is saying that because of the forceful importations of slaves from west Africa to the Americas to work on plantations, fields,  farms, domestic and construction. They transformed the areas they were in. There was very large percent or number of Africans in areas such as Maryland, Virginia, south Carolina, brazil, Haiti etc.
        For me this means that Africans changed the demographic and social composition of areas they migrated to. wherever they settled the brought their culture and beliefs there also.  Africans have contributed to the Americas in so many ways economically, socially and politically. Today African culture are still retained in many parts of the Americas including United States and the Caribbean and Africans are still contributing to this day.

Roger Daniels

Roger Daniels, “LBJ and the End of the Quota System” in Guarding the Golden

 

 

               "Late in the session, on the Tenth anniversary of the 1952 act's passage, chairman Walter announced that the staff of the House immigration subcommittee would make an 'in-depth" study of immigration and refugee problems. Those in favor of major changes saw this, correctly, as  a delaying tactic. The study never materialized"
                Daniels is saying that Chairman Walters is giving excuses by saying that immigration and refugee problems is being studied in depth,when in fact he was delaying or using different strategies to prevent or minimize the amount of immigrants and refugees from entering the country.People who was in support of immigration and refugees entering the country for whatever reason , knew that he was not telling the truth.
             To me this means that Chairman Walter saw immigration and refugee programs as a problem for the country. Maybe he saw this as too many people will enter and be living in the country or too much people from all nations, maybe he didn't want a diversity of ethnic groups  primarily the "inferior groups"entering the country and benefitting from it.
               
 

Deocratic moment and the problem of difference

                  Seyla Benhabib quote "Since every search for identity includes differentiating oneself from what one is not, identity politics is always and necessarily a politics of the creation of difference".
                   Benhabib is saying that identity differentiates individuals and identity politics is politics made to be differentiated and identified.
                        To me the quote is not all clear, I am not sure of the meaning but to me in my opinion I think this quote is saying that people are always looking to be different  and so they take politics to a level of also wanting to make it different and stand out by identifying and specifying  what it is. there are many different types of politics and political systems including democratic, republic etc. Politics is to be clearly defined as to which one it is, since they are all different.

 
   

BEYOND TOCQUEVILLE, MYRDAL, AND HARTZ: THE MULTIPLE TRADITIONS IN AMERICA

               Quote from Beyond Tocqueville, Myrdal, and Hartz: The Multiple Traditions in America by beyond Tocqueville Rogers M. Smith "White northern Europeans were thought superior culturally-and probably biologically-to black Africans, bronze Native Americans, and indeed all other races and civilizations".
               Rogers M. Smith do not believe in Tocqueville thesis that America is shaped on egalitarian ideas. Smith points out in the quote above that white northern Europeans have the impression that they are better than all other people in all aspects including culture and biological make up. they do not believe they are equal to other people.
              I believe that Smith is correct in saying that white northern Europeans are thought that they are superior to other people. America is a country filled with immigrants from all over the world. this means that America is home to white northern Europeans and I do believe that even if they are in a new country they will not change what they were thought, which is that they are superior culturally and probably biologically to all other races.

Neoliberalism as creative destruction

                   The quote that interest me from Neoliberalism as creative destruction by David Harvey is "The world stumbled toward neoliberalism through a series of gyrations and chaotic motions that eventually converged on the so-called "Washington Consensus" in the 1990s".
                   Harvey is saying that people was against neoliberalism that they took action to stop it. action was taken and it was done away with in the 1990's
                   This means freedom for me I wouldn't want to be in a country where free market capitalism is favored. I left my homeland to come to America for a better life, if America was operating as a capitalist country I will not migrate here to be unhappy.

All that is solid melts into the air

               The quote from all that is solid melts into air by Marshall Berman I love is "Goethe's Faust surpasses all others in the richness and depth of its historical perspective, in its moral imagination, its political intelligence, its psychological sensitivity and insight."
                Berman is saying that Faust is well known and ranked the highest and the most in all aspects. People all over the world knows about frost and he is mentioned in all arenas and walks of life from history to politics and much more.
                 This means to me that Faust is an all time favourite  and I will always here of him. In my opinion he is a vital part in American history

The woman worrior

                   The quote I like from The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston is"The girls were not mute. They screamed and yelled during recess, when there were no r.ules; they had fist-fights. Nobody was afraid of children hurting themselves or of children hurting school property."
                   Hong Kingston is saying that the girls were more comfortable at Chinese school. They were in their comfort zone and knew the language and familiar with the culture. they were more intimidated and behaved like ghost in English/American school because they were less familiar with language and culture.
                    To me this is true of people from different cultural backgrounds who come to America and have to speak new or different language. you are scared to speak because you may pronounce words funny or have trouble with them. also you may be fearful of others laughing at you. but when you are home or among members from your cultural background who speak same language like you. you are free and can express yourself without fear because you know they understand you ad not judging or laughing at how you speak. to me you are more free and happy when you are in present of others who understand you because you share the same culture and language.
                 

The Fortunate Pilgrim

           "Here now was money in the bank, children who could read and write, grandchildren who would be professors if all went well. they spoke with guilty loyalty of customs they had themselves trampled into dust."
             Mario Puzo is saying that the life these women are now experiencing in America is great compared to what they knew back in their homeland. they can now save more or have money, their kids can go to school and become better than they the parents have been. in America they have more opportunity. they children and grandchildren can or will be more educated and fortunate and will not have to experience what they have back in their homeland.
            To me the women are now happier, feel accomplished and satisfied with life they are experiencing in America. for me I grew up on  a farm in my country, we went to school, we were ate and was happy but coming to America gave us more educational and financial opportunities. more jobs more money and overall better quality of life.

Rights

            The quote that interest me in Citizenship and Social class by T.H Marshall is "Citizenship is a status bestowed on those who are fully members of a community. All who possess the status are equal with respect to the rights and duties with which the status is endowed."
            T.H Marshall is saying that is given to people who are actively part of a community. it can be true contributions or even as small as voting. Also full members are people who are permanently belonging or residing in the community. when one is a full member you are equally important no matter your race, socio economic back ground or gender. u have the same rights and duties to uphold as every other member or citizen in the community.
             to me this means that even if  I migrated from another country , and the status of citizenship is bestowed upon me I am as equally to respect the rights and duties of such status like others in the community.
     
   

the idea of fraternity in america

        In the book, The idea of fraternity in America by Wilson Carey McWilliams, the quote that stand out to me is "In ancient Israel, it was considered a moral obligation to release one's brothers from  debt during the Sabbatarian year, and those who did not (they were many) were considered, and considered themselves, sinners; in modern America, anyone who forgave his debtors every seven years will certainly be a deviant and would probably be suspected of a mental defect".
       By this the author is saying that in ancient  Israel it is a moral duty to forgive someone of the debt by doing so you are not doing anything wrong its normal in that society to do so and if one does not do it he is considered a sinner where as in modern American culture it is seen as the opposite to forgive someone of their debt. it is more abnormal and not a moral no legal duty to do so. one who do forgive his brother is suspected to have mental inadequacy. Mc Williams is saying that the idea of fraternity in American society is not clear compared to fraternity in other societies.
      Fraternity is an affectionate relationship  among brothers, they mutually support and look out for each other and share similar interest including religion and politics etc. It should not be abnormal to forgive your brother of debts after some years.  In my honest opinion this means to me that the definition of fraternity is not clear or it is selective in modern America.