Globalization simply defined is the intensification of global interactions. The case studies we have studied depict two of the main types of globalization. Economic Globalization, which is the production, exchange, distribution, and consumption of goods and tangible services, and Cultural Globalization, the exchange of materials and symbols that represent facts, meaning values and beliefs. When Globalization occurs it usually has a major impact on indigenous cultures. Optimists or “champions” state that the relationship between culture and globalization has positive effects as it creates a balance between nations. Conversely, critics state that relationships between the two have negative effects, leading to the loss or deterioration of a …show more content…
Although being economically advantageous, secondhand clothes has led to the decay of Zambian culture. Hansen states, “consumption, as the means by which people define themselves and their world.” Therefore the consumption of second hand clothing has led to the loss of identity within the Zambian people. Globalization as led to the spread of monoculture, or mcdonaldization through jeans and t-shirts. Globalization has even had influence on the Zambian Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms shows a male and a female not wearing Zambian traditional clothing, but western clothing. This shows the extent of influence globalization has on culture. As neutral observers of globalization would say, westerners are supplying and robbing peoples choices. Because salaula is so cheap, Zambians who are living off of close to $2 a day have no choice but to buy and wear cheap donated clothes. It is an economic necessity in Zambia. Although people have the freedom to choose, they do not have the capability to do so. This paradox is one of the main arguments against globalization. The Zambians have several choices within the pile of donated clothes, but in reality there choices are been narrowed do to their economic constraints. So from an economic standpoint, globalization of second hand clothing has been very advantageous as it allows Zambians to have clothes that they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford. At the same time from a cultural standpoint, it as led
But she's an unabashed fan of the phenomenon, pleased to see that the "snowflake" effect continues in African markets. Unblemished khaki pants are worth a local fortune, perhaps $5 a pair; shirts from successful sports teams are worth more than shirts from losers; five matching outfits are worth more, because they can be used as a uniform for a store or a restaurant. She's got useful insights on why this industry favors the small player and why China might have a difficult time dominating the market if it chose to take it on. But mostly she's fun to read, simply to see her sheer joy at encountering the classical economist's version of heaven in Dar Es
Planet Money Makes a T-Shirt was an interesting story published by NPR about how globalization is an integral part of making everyday items such as a t-shirt. This story contained five chapters (Cotton, Machines, People, Boxes, and You) that follow the hands that an item will pass through before being bought by a consumer, otherwise known as a commodity chain. Each chapter follows a t-shirt or the material used to make it and discusses issues with economics and ethics that revolve around the product as each chapter discusses how globalization has strong ties with a t-shirt. Technology plays an important role in the global economy.
We all come across with the term globalization. The developing countries have battled with increased globalization. But be careful, the effects of globalization are very complex as well as far-reaching. No doubt there are certainly some positive effects, but one cannot overlook the negative consequences of globalization over the area like cultures in the widespread developing world. Globalization is a nothing but the concept that symbolize the contested visions of a worldwide identity. In America, the heritage, culture and individuality has been compromised by this globalization. The face of this region has been changed and not always for the better. Nevertheless, there are the issues like social as
In Kelsey Timmerman’s, Where am I Wearing? and the movie True Cost globalization and family sacrifices were major points in this book and movie. The globalization read about and seen is all about greed and wealth. The sacrifices were hard on some of the families from leaving their parent(s), spouse, child (ren), or whomever it may be they leave to help support their family.
Globalization, which is best defined as the expansion of cultural, political, economical and ideological relationships regarding worldwide social exchange and interdependencies, is the underlying motif in Rachel Louise Snyder’s novel, Fugitive Denim (Conley 531). In this work, Snyder uses a theoretical pair of denim jeans to explore the workings of the global market, from the harvesting of the cotton used in making jeans to the fashion design behind the pants seen in stores around the world. Being the beneficiary of inexpensive goods, capitalist nations like the United States and much of the European Union neglect to realize their low-cost end products come about as a
Globalization, defined as “a process that aims to expand business operations on a worldwide level, and was precipitated by the facilitation of global communications due to technological advancements, and socioeconomic, political and environmental developments” has been around for ages. However, it is a force that is becoming increasing more relevant in today’s world. In layman’s terms, globalism is the merging or “melting” of individual perspectives and markets into a more global market. As of recently, society has been obsessed with studying globalization. However, the conversation is rarely economical. Globalization is typically looked at as a social or cultural force that is shaping and connecting the world. This is scene in clothing styles, human travel, and popular culture that has become increasingly similar across nations. That sentiment isn’t wrong-globalization does have a cultural side, but many people are missing the economic impacts that this new world is facing. In fact, the economic implications of globalization and how governments legislate to control them leads to significant opportunity, but also huge threat globally.
Globalization is far reaching in this day and age. Globalization is the worldwide flow of goods, services, money, people, information, and culture. It leads to a greater interdependence and mutual awareness among the people of the world (Tischler, 2011, 2007, p. 430). One non-Western culture that has been impacted by globalization is China. An example of the impact of globalization on China is their economy. Since joining the World Trade Organization, China has transformed from a culture that relied on economic self-sufficiency and shunned the thought of globalization to an economy that is progressively more open to trade and foreign investment.
In the book, “Where am I wearing” written by Kelsey Timmerman goes on a adventure to find out where and who made the clothes that he wears everyday. Kelsey Timmerman believes that the people impacted by globalization encounter more problems and struggles than someone in a non globalized country. Did you know that the average amount someone is china makes per hour is one dollar and thirty six cents compared to the U.S where on average they make twenty three dollars and thirty two cents per hour. Even though the men and women in china are working roughly 3.6 hours more than people in the U.S.
Where am I Wearing: A Global Tour to the Countries, Factories, and People that Make Our Clothes- Revised and Updated, written by Kelsey Timmerman, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in Hoboken, New Jersey during the year 2012, and consisting of 283 pages, addresses the issue of globalization. Globalization, or previously domestically made products now being produced in factories in foreign countries, is a rising issue in the modern age; many people believe that it leads to American unemployment, shoddy products, and the inhumane treatment of workers, while others argue that globalization boosts the economies of poverty-stricken countries and the production of technologically advanced goods.
As consumers, large consumption of cheap clothing triggers a pressure on manufacturers to keep mass producing products at a desperate, low price. However, this results to the continuing exertion of unhealthy and unjustful conditions of sweatshop labor. As previously stated, large corporations such as Forever 21, H&M and many others have sourced their factories to undeveloped countries, where employees receive barely enough pay to survive on from a day to day basis. The approach to an end or limitation of sweatshop suppliers will never reach a possibility if the limitless drive for inexpensive clothing keeps increasing. To consumers, low priced clothing may seem strikingly attractive, but the continuance purchase of cheap clothing signals a sign of approval to factory suppliers; declaring the permission to keep sweatshops alive in undeveloped countries. Generally, consumers don’t understand the substantial cost behind a cheap t-shirt before throwing it in the shopping cart, due to the coverup of labor and human rights practices from many apparel companies (Winkler). This then constitutes to the unawareness of poor labor conditions enforced by clothing retailers. Unintentionally, consumer consumption aids as fuel for the production of sweatshops in the garment industry. To enumerate, 98% of clothing today has been outsourced outside from domestic
In a new era of technology and travel it has become much easier to change the culture of nations and communities because we can connect and trade with people from around the globe so quickly. However, globalization has been happening since the Silk Road in 206 BC promoting cultural interaction through regions of the Asian continent connecting the West and East by linking traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from China to the Mediterranean Sea. The silk trade brought a new type of clothing from China to Europe that was exclusive to the rich. So changed the culture across Europe and Asia by making a noticeable change that only the rich wore these nice soft and colorful clothes while the poor continued to wear their bland rags. With the Silk Road it did more than change the culture of the clothing but the road was a channel for ideas, language, and beliefs.
First, culturally people spend money foolishly because we've been brainwashed, to believe we need material things or to keep up with the ‘Jones’. However, society’s greed places their desires for wants and needs, which is the biggest problem in world. Truthfully, the world is set as a melting pot for opportunity and wealth. However, while people are buying there are people dying, living and working in poor conditions, or enslaved for cheap labor, in third world countries to create products for high sale. “Let’s not forget the famous line, “Made in China “made press as the export driven-economical country” (Pringle, 2013). For example, the product Nike gym shoes, created in China a third world country using cheap labor, while culturally peer
Many people in The United States do not specifically know how their clothing is being made and what the living conditions are like for the people who make them. Blood, sweat, sacrifice, and tears have gone into the production of garments in Bangladesh and Hannan Majid and Richard York show it through the film they produced The Machinists. The three factory workers featured in the documentary are Mohammed and his wife, Nargis who lives with her parents and two sisters who also work in the factory, and Ratna a single woman involved in a union to help workers understand their rights. Also being analyzed are The Rana Plaza Garment Factory deaths caused by the collapse of the poorly constructed building in Dhaka shown in the documentary Fashion Victims produced by ABC Australia. It is very easy to look at the garment industry from an outside perspective and attempt to conjure up an effective solution. However, are U.S. consumers willing to give up designer clothing for a virtuous conscience? Can U.S. consumers strip the elephant in the room of its designer clothing and address the underlying problems of Exploitation of Garment Factory Workers in Bangladesh by Multi-National Corporations? We will be analyzing the garment workers starring in this documentary and what are the social reasons why U.S. consumers
Globalization is an undeniable phenomenon of our modern societies. Global patterns keep spreading in many fields of our everyday life: food, economy, marketing, and last but not least, culture. Cultural products are indeed very often produced following the American pattern and exported to various places around the world. Hollywood blockbusters are huge hits in many different countries, our radios broadcast more and more American songs and even our national singers choose to sing in English rather than in their native language. Globalization is caused by many different factors. Cross-border processes such as interregional trade, employment, population migration and military conquest or colonization probably constitute the main factors (Holton, 2000, 141, 149).
Globalization is the process through which the world is slowly but surely getting interconnected. The relation is as a result of the exchange of cultural