Transcript HSB4U_Globalization_Sociology_Theories_Miss_Kibedi

HSB4U
Applying Theories to Globalization
Sociology and Globalization:
Examining Inequality
Transition to Sociological Perspective

Almost everything we’ve done so far has been either an
introduction to globalization or an anthropological view of
globalization.

Now we’re going to look at a sociological perspective.

This perspective examines the social inequalities that
result from Globalization.

Sociologists study institutions, and economics is an
institution.

We will examine economics to understand social
inequalities.

Some terms that will help us to understand these social
inequalities include: World Income Inequality and Income
distribution.
“Canada’s richest 86 people have as much
wealth as the poorest 11.4 million”

“In 1999, the 86 wealthiest Canadians had a net worth of nearly
$120 billion — equivalent to the bottom 10.1 million Canadians —
but that increased to nearly $180 million in 2012.”
Gerster, J. (2014, Apr 3). Canada’s richest 86 people have as much wealth as the poorest 11.4 million. The Toronto Star. Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com/business/2014/04/03/canadas_riches_86_people_have_as_much_wealth_as_the_poorest_114_million.html#

Is that an equal income distribution?
Income Distribution
Richest 10%
U
Au K
So stra
lia
ut
h
Ko
re
Ca a
na
d
No a
rw
ay
Ja
pa
Sw n
ed
en
na
Ch
i
US
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
So Bra
zi
ut
l
h
Af
ric
a
Ru
Co ss
st ia
a
Ri
ca
Percent income earned by
richest 10%
(Nation Master. (N.d.). Economy statistics. Income distribution; richest 10% (most recent)
by country. Retrieved April 13, 2012 from www.nationmaster.com)
Country
Globalization’s Effect on Social
Inequalities
Let’s look at the Globalization Basics sheet on p. 41 of your
Course Handouts.
Then, we’ll look at p. 42 of your Course Handouts.
Important Points

Transnationals prefer to set up their assembly-line
operations in low-wage, low tax countries because it
keeps their production costs down.

Think of conditions for a labourer in Ontario vs. conditions
for a labourer in Alang, India.

In developed societies, the labourer has rights that make
production more expensive (like wages, benefits, labour
conditions, number of work hrs, quality of the air, etc. ).

Developing countries have lower wages and work
standards so the production of things becomes cheaper in
poorer countries.
The Result can be Unfair Economic
Distribution

The developed countries can exploit the developing
countries.

The profits of creating this much cheaper manufacture
aren’t primarily going into the pockets of the labourers,
they are going to the multinational corporations and
developers.
Is the income distribution equal?
% of total annual world income
Poorest, 1
Richest, 42
Poorest
Richest
Other, 57
Conference Board of Canada. (2011, Sept.). World income inequality. Retrieved April
12, 2012 from http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/hot-topics/worldInequality.aspx
Other
Debrief – Is Globalization Good or Bad?

Globalization is not necessarily good or bad.

It’s effects can be good or bad, or the way it’s done can
have good or bad consequences.

The problem is: the benefits of globalization aren’t
necessarily distributed equally.

Do you think there’s a bias in this chapter of the text?
Theories on Globalization
Course Text
Dependency Theory
World-System Theory
Blue Book
Dependency Theory
World-System Theory
The New International
Division of Labour Theory
Activity

In groups of 4, pick two (2) theories that you feel best
apply to the examples of globalization that you’ve seen in
the course (i.e. Monsanto, Shipbreakers, Beef Inc.).

Examples of how to set up your notes will be provided.

Look at both your course text and the Blue Book.
HOMEWORK

Read the Competing Perspectives articles on page 344
(The Council of Canadians) and page 345 (World Bank
President Refute Protesters’ Claims) of your text.

Which side would you take?