Week 5: Topic

Outline

 

Topic: For this research paper I plan to write about globalization at its effects on the United States. I want to discuss how globalization has created free global trade and allowed cheaper foreign labor markets. I would also like to discuss particular countries that have been affected. In the process I will attempt to show the negative aspects and on the other side show how it has helped other countries, thus creating inequality for everyone else. Globalization has seen its negative and positive impacts. Hopefully my paper will show what they are, but not necessarily take a stand for either side. My paper will not be intended to take sides but rather inform the reader of what globalization has done to the world and who is affected whether it is negatively or positively. Ultimately, I would like to show that globalization does create inequality.

 

I. Introduction of American Globalization

            A. Definition of Globalization

            B. Countries and companies involved in process

            C. Introduction of pros and cons

 II. Benefits

            A.   Decrease in poverty levels

            B.    Jobs created

            C.    More money circulating country

 III. Drawbacks

             A.   Lack of job availability

             B.    Economy is less stimulated

             C.    Cheaper labor creates injustice

             D.   Loss of traditions and cultures

 IV. Conclusion

            American globalization not only causes inequalities for Americans but also for those involved in the participating countries. Although globalization benefits countries in need it also creates a less stimulated United States. Jobs are being outsourced thus creating lack of opportunity for many working class people.

 

Sources: scholarly internet sites (journals & articles), ASU library website (journals & articles)

Reflection #4

Thomas P. Hughes wrote that technological momentum lies between the “poles of technological determinism and social constructivism”. As we discussed the issues with countries and their dependency on oil and how Dubai is on a technological path and is only going to continue at a faster pace. The relationship with technology and society is so deeply rooted with oil and technology, that it is hard to say that it is reversible. It is almost safe to say that it is irreversible. The way the automobile was introduced and how Amercia is so consumed by automobiles says something about who we are and what effect this technological change has brought to us. Technology and society are all tied together. It is like the flywheel effect. Once the flywheel of an object is revved and wound up then let go, it is difficult to stop it and reverse the direction in which it is traveling. Dubai has become dependent on thechnolgical advances and there is no looking back. They want more and will go the extra mile to achieve it. Many countries are so dependent on foreign oil and it has come to the point where they will pay whatever it takes to get its hands on a barrel of oil. This path dependency has caused great suffrage among many.

Reflection #3: Social Constructivism

We may not realize it, but technologychanges for different reasons rather than just making people’s lives easier. Some reasons may be for political reasons while others may be to undermine a certain social group. Whatever the reaon may be, it is intentionally done. Everything happens for a reason. I honestly don’t think that things change due to unintentional circumstances. There is always a reason, whether it is illogical or not, but there is always a change. Sometimes these changes may have to be looked at using different types of social lenses.

Changes in technology may not always be the best idea for a certain social group. But the fact of the matter is that that certain social group will have to adapt and make the necessary changes to work with the changes in technology that they are facing. That is the history of technological changes and it will always be that way.

Let’s take education and computers/internet for example. Most of a student’s classes are lectures to which they have to attend but homework and any announcements from the professor require the student to use a computer and internet to be able to do their work and keep up with the class. If a student is full-time and also works full time, they will probably not have time to stay in school and do their work if they don’t have a computer and internet at home. Also, if they are struggling to get buy, they may not be able to afford a computer and a monthly internet bill. This makes it more difficult for that student to keep up with their work since most of the work is handled outside the classroom.

Reflection #2: Politics of Technology

          The terms politics and technology will forever be intertwined. There is no technology without politics as well as there are no politics without technology. Take the nuclear arms race for example; the United States and the Soviet Union were competing for real or apparent military supremacy. Weapons of mass destruction were created at the cost of innocent lives. The bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were nuclear attacks. Technology helped create the bombs that were used on both cities. I am not arguing that there was tension between Japan and the United States, but many innocent lives were taken due to technological rise.

          Author Eric Cohen mentioned in his article that events such as 9/11 has put the problem of technology into focus. It was the technological advances that helped terrorists destroy many lives and bring our nation down to our knees. As time progresses, technology becomes more advanced and easier to grasp. Technology can be used for greatness but if handed to the wrong people, can bring devastation and horror.

          Eric Cohen also suggests that liberal democracy could not flourish without modern science and technology. In other words, there would not be democracy without technology. People want a better life. A better life is brought on by making things more simple. Technology does just that. But in the process of making things easier and more comfortable, people might stumble across a technology that can bring harm to others.

          We are naturally selfish people. We are inclined to meet our selfish needs first. And if that means that we must do this at the expense of others, by all means, do it. We can confidently say that technology advances almost every day. We must be careful in what we use it for and for what purpose.

1st week reflection

Entering high school is a big change for an adolescent. They start noticing changes everywhere around them. I guess high school is when I started noticing inequality and technology. The classes I attended had computers, which at that time cost an average of $1000, not including a printer. There was no way that my family could afford a computer, especially with my mom working at a junior high as a teacher’s assistant. When it was time to type up an essay, it was hard for me to find scholarly articles on whatever subject I was writing about. Of course I had a public library in my home town, but what 15-year-old kid wants to go to the library to study. Plus it was on the other side of town and I didn’t have a bike and couldn’t drive either. All I had to work with was an old typewriter. My fellow classmates had computers at home along with the internet to help them with scholarly articles. Their essays were full of pictures and color while mine was not. The result was my classmates receiving better grades for their cited material along with great colored pictures while I received a lower grade.

            Working at Sears during my teens helped my see the inequalities that came with technology. As an electronics salesman, I sold such things as camcorders, big screen TV’s, car stereos, home audio equipment, and not to mention computers. Most of the people I sold computers to were of the Caucasian descent. Rare were the times that Mexicans came into the store to purchase a computer. When white people came to purchase a computer, usually the child accompanied by their parents were the ones present. It was a whole different story when a Mexican family came in to purchase a computer. The father, mother, son, daughter, and the cousin they picked up on the way, grandmother, and uncles were all there when a computer purchase was being made. I am not downgrading anyone. Being Mexican myself, I know that making a big sacrifice like purchasing a computer was a big deal. It is some kind of accomplishment. For the Caucasian family, purchasing a computer was not such a big deal.

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