Socsc101 The Contemporary World
Socsc101 The Contemporary World
SY: 2024-2025
First Semester
GEC 103: The Contemporary World
SY 2024-2025 FIRST SEMESTER
Introduction
Contemporary World provides learners with ideas about issues that they may be
able to face the challenges of the contemporary world. It provides awareness in every
learner that they may become a responsible citizens of the world.
Table of Contents
Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Table of Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2
CHAPTER 1: DEFINING GLOBALIZATION ------------------------------ 3 – 7
The Task of Defining Globalization
Metaphors of Globalization
Solid and Liquid
Flows
Globalization Theories
Dynamics of Local and Global Culture
The Globalization of Religion
Globalization and Regionalization
Origins and History of Globalization
Hardwired
Cycles
Epoch
Events
Broader, More Recent Changes
CHAPTER 2: THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
Economic Globalization and Global Trade
Economic Globalization and Sustainable Development
Environmental Degradation
Food Security
Economic Globalization, Poverty, and Inequality
Global Income Inequality
The Third World and the Global South
The Global City
Introduction
Much has changed since time immemorial. Human beings have encountered
many changes over the last century especially in their social relationships and social
structures. Of these changes, one can say that globalization is a very important change,
if not, the “most important” (Bauman, 2003). The reality and omnipresence of
globalization makes us see ourselves as part of what we refer to as the “global age”
(Albrow, 1996). The internet, for example, allows a person from the Philippines to know
what is happening to the rest of the world simply by browsing Google. The mass media
also allows for connections among people, communities, and countries all over the
globe.
Since its first appearance in the Webster’s Dictionary in 1961, many opinions
about globalization have flourished. The literature on the definitions of globalization
revealed that definitions could be classified as either (1) broad and inclusive or (2)
narrow and exclusive. The one offered by Ohmae in 1992 stated, “Globalization means
the onset of the borderless world.” This is an example of broad and inclusive type of
definition. If one uses such, it can include a variety of issues that deal with overcoming
traditional boundaries. However, it does not shed light on the implications of
globalization due to its vagueness.
Narrow and exclusive definitions are better justified but can be limiting, in the
sense that their application adhere to only particular definitions. Robert Cox’s definition
suits bets in this type: “the characteristics of the globalization trend include the
internationalizing of production, the new international division of labor, new migratory
movements from South to North, the new competitive environment that accelerates
these processes, and the internationalizing of the state…making states into agencies of
the globalizing world” (as cited in RAWOO Netherlands Development Assistance
Research Council, 2000, p.14).
If so, why are we going to spend time studying this concept? How can we
appreciate these definitions? How can these help us understand globalization?
First, the perspective of the person who defines globalization shapes its
definition. The overview of definitions implies that globalization is many things to many
different people. In 1996, Arjun Appadurai said, “globalization is a ‘world of things’ that
have ‘different speeds, exes, points of origin and termination, and varied relationships to
institutional structures in different regions, nations, or societies” (as cited in Chowdhury,
2006,p.137). In a more recent study, Al-Rhodan (2006) wrote that definition suggest that
perspective of the author on the origins and the geopolitical implications of globalization.
It is a starting point that will guide the rest of any discussions. In effect, one’s definition
and perspective could determine concrete steps in addressing the issues of
globalization. For example, if one sees globalization as positive, the person can say that
it is unifying force. On the other hand, if it is deemed as creating greater inequalities
among nations, globalization is negatively treated.
Metaphors of Globalization
The epochs that preceded today’s globalization paved way for people, things,
information, and places to harden over time. Consequently, they have limited mobility
(Ritzer, 2015). The social relationships and objects remained where they were created.
Solidity also refers to barriers that prevent or make difficult the movement of things.
Furthermore, solids can either be natural or man-made. Examples of natural solids are
landforms and bodies of water. Man-made barriers include the Great Wall of China and
the Berlin Wall. An imaginary line such as the nine-dash line used by the People’s
Republic of China in their claim to the South China Sea is an example of modern man-
made solid. This creates limited access of Filipino fishers to the South China Sea.
Obviously, these examples still exist. However, they have the tendency to melt. This
should not be taken literally, like an iceberg melting. Instead, this process involves how
we can describe what is happening in today’s global world. It is becoming increasingly
liquid.
Zygmunt Bauman’s ideas were the ones that have much to say about the
characteristic of liquidity. First, today’s liquid phenomena change quickly and their
aspects, spatial and temporal, are in continuous fluctuation. This means that space and
time are crucial elements of globalization.
Liquidity and solidity are in constant interaction. However, liquidity is the one
increasing and prolifering today. Therefore, the metaphor that could best describe
globalization is liquidity. Liquids do flow and this idea of flow (Appaduarai, 1996, Rey
and Ritzer, 2010) will be the focus on the next discussion. Also, it should be expected
that this concept will appear in the succeeding lessons. The literature on globalization
makes use of the concept of flows.
Flows
Flows are the movement of people, things, places, and information brought by
the growing “porosity” of global limitations (Ritzer, 2015). As Landler (2008, p.1) put it:
“In global financial system, national borders are porous”. This means that a financial
crisis in a given country can bring ramifications to other regions of the world.
Globalization Theories
The global flow of media is often characterized as media imperialism. TV, music,
books and movies are perceived as imposed on developing countries by the West
(Cowen, 2002). Media imperialism undermines the existence of alternative global media
originating from developing countries, such as the Al Jazeera (Bielsa, 2008) and the
Bollywood (Larkin, 2003), as well as the influence of the local and regional media.
Ritzer (2008) claimed that, in general, the contemporary world is undergoing the
process of McDonaldization. It is the process by which Western societies are dominated
by the principles of fast food restaurants. McDonaldization involves the global spread of
rational systems, such as efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control.
Global flows of cultural tend to move more easily around the globe than ever
before, especially through non-material digital forms. There are three perspective on
global cultural flows. These are differentialism, hybridization, and convergences.
Cultural differentialism emphasizes the fact that cultures are essentially different
and are only superficially affected by global flows. The interaction of cultures is deemed
to contain the potential for “catastrophic collision”. Samuel Huntington’s theory on the
clash of the civilizations proposed in 1996 best exemplifies this approach. According to
Huntington, after the Cold War, political-economic differences were overshadowed by
new fault lines, which were primarily cultural in nature.
and local resulting in unique outcomes in different geographic areas (Giulianotti and
Robertson, 2007, p.133).Another key concept is Arjun Appadurai’s “scapes” in 1996,
where global flows involve people, technology, finance, political images, and media and
the disjunctures between them, which lead to the creation of cultural hybrids.
Globalization has played a tremendous role in providing a context for the current
revival and the resurgence of religion. Today, most religions are not relegated to the
countries where they began. Religions have, in fact, spread and scattered on a global
scale. Globalization provided religions a fertile milieu too spread and thrive. As Scholte
(2005) made clear: “Accelerated globalization of recent times has enabled co-
religionists across the planet to have greater direct contact with one another. Global
communications, global organizations, global finance, and the like have allowed ideas of
the Muslims and the universal Christian church to be given concrete shape as never
before”.
pursued through global channels, assertions of religious identity have, like nationalist
strivings, often also been partly a defensive reaction to globalization.
The regionalization of the world system and economic activity undermines the
potential benefits coming out from a liberalized global economy. This is because
regional organizations prefer regional partners over the rest. Regional organizations
respond to the states’ attempt to reduce the perceived negative effects of globalization.
Therefore regionalism is a sort of counter-globalization.
a.) Hardwired
According to Nayan Chanda (2007), it is because of our basic human need to
make our lives better that made globalization possible. Therefore, one can trace the
beginning of globalization from our ancestors in Africa who walked out from the said
continent in the late Ice Age. This long journey finally led them to all known continents
today, roughly after 50,000 years.
Chandra (2007) mentioned that commerce, religion, politics, and warfare are the
“urges” of people toward a better life. These are respectively connected to four aspects
of globalization and they can be traced all throughout history: trade, missionary work,
adventures, and conquest.
b.) Cycles
For some, globalization is a long-term cyclical process and thus, finding its origin
will be a daunting task. What is important is the cycles that globalization has gone
through (Scholte, 2005). Subscribing to this view will suggest adherence to the idea that
other global ages have appeared. There is also the notion to suspect that this point of
globalization will soon disappear and reappear.
c.) Epoch
Ritzer (2015) cited Therborn’s (2000) six great epochs of globalization. These are
also called “waves” and each has its own origin. Today’s globalization is not unique if
this is the case. The difference of this view from the second view (cycles) is that it does
not treat epochs as returning. The following are the sequential occurrence if the epochs:
d.) Events
Specific events are also considered as part of the fourth view in explaining the
origin of globalization. If this is the case, then several points can be treated as the start
of globalization. Gibbon (1998), for example, argued that Roman conquests centuries
before Christ were its origin. In an issue of the magazine the Economist (2006, Jan.12),
it is considered the rampage of the armies of the Genghis Khan into Eastern Europe in
the 13th century. Rosenthal (2007) gave premium to voyages of discovery-Christopher
Columbus’s discovery of America in 1942, Vasco da Gama in Cape of Good Hope in
1948, and Ferdinand Magellan’s completed circumnavigation of the globe in 1522.
Recent changes comprised the fifth view. These broad changes happened in the
last half of the 20th century. Scholars today point to these three notable changes as the
origin of globalization that we know today. They are as follows:
1.) The emergence of the United States as the global power (Post-World War II)
2.) The emergence of multinational corporations (MNCs)
3.) The demise of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 1
Activity Title: QNA
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 1: Defining Globalization
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using (a.) broad and inclusive
definitions and (b.) narrow and exclusive definitions of globalization? (10pts)
2. What do you think is the importance of defining globalization? (10pts)
3. Do you agree with the idea that the contemporary world is characterized
By high liquidity? Why or why not? (10pts)
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 2
Activity Title: Actual Application of Globalization
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 1: Defining Globalization
In this activity, you are to see the actual application of globalization on the different
aspects of daily life such as politics, music, sports, film, celebrity, and disaster.
1.) Answer the following questions: (10PTS)
a.) Enumerate at least three of the most recent songs you have listened. Where
did they originate? Identify the nationality of the writer and/or artist for each
music.
b.) What gadgets or devices do you usually use to listen to music?
c.) Where were these gadgets or devices made? Where is the company based?
How did you access these music? Did you purchase them online or listen to
them through YouTube, Spotify, and other music channels?
2.) Using a visual representation, create your generalizations and discuss: What is
globalization? How would you define globalization? (10PTS)
3.) What metaphors are you going to use in order to improve your own definition of
globalization? Enumerate at least three and explain one of them.(10PTS)
deficiency. The way globalization is occurring could be much better, but the worst thing
is not being part of it”.
Economic and trade globalization is the result of companies trying to
outmaneuver their competitors. While you search for the cheapest place to buy shoes,
companies search for the cheapest place to make shoes. They find the cheapest
sources of leather, dye, rubber, and of course, labor. The result is that labor-intensive
products like shoes are often produced in countries with the lowest wages and the
weakest regulations. This process creates winners and losers. The winner include
corporations and their stockholders who earn more profit. They also include consumers
who get products at a cheaper price. The losers are high wageworkers who used to
make those shoes. Their jobs moved overseas. But what about the low wage foreign
workers? Are they winning or losing? A lot of workers are thrown into hazardous
working conditions but it is also true that many workers in developing countries are at
least making more money. These jobs pay above average wages. People want these
jobs and although the pay would be unacceptable in developed countries, they are often
the best alternative.
The multiplier effect means an increase in one economic activity can lead to an
increase in other economic activities. For instance, investing in local business will lead
to more jobs and more income. According to the economist Paul Krugman (as cited in
The New York Times, July 8, 2013), “The Bangladeshi apparel industry is going to
consist of what we could consider sweatshops or it won’t exist at all. And Bangladesh, in
particular, really needs its apparel industry. It’s pretty much the only thing keeping its
economy afloat”.
Economic globalization has helped millions of people get out of extreme poverty
but the challenge of the future is to lift up the poor while at the same time keep the
planet livable. One of the best ways to help those in extreme poverty is to enable them
to participate in the economy. This applies to developing countries in the global
marketplace and the individual at the local level. A perfect example is microcredit. In
2006, a Bangladeshi professor named Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize
for implementing a simple idea. He gave small loans, on average around $100, to low-
income people in rural areas. The borrowers, who are mostly female, often used the
money to fund plans that could raise their income. For example, they started small
businesses. Microcredit was a success and has since spread to developing countries
throughout the world. Private lenders, governments and nonprofit organizations have
jumped on board to loan billions of dollars to the worlds most disadvantaged.
Global Income Inequality
Globalization and inequality are closely related. We can see how different nations
are divided between the North and the South, developed and less developed, and the
core and the periphery. These differences mainly reflect one key aspect of inequality in
the contemporary world-global economic inequality. There are two main types of
economic inequality: wealth inequality and income inequality. Wealth refers to the net
worth of a country. It takes into account all the assets of a nation-maybe natural,
physical, and human-less the liabilities. In other words, wealth is the abundance of
resources in a specific country. This means that wealth inequality speaks about
distribution of assets. However, there is no widely recognized, monetary measure that
sums up these assets (Economist, 2012).
Let us look at both types of inequality in the global level. According to the Global
Wealth Report 2016 by the Credit Suisse Research Institute, global wealth today is
estimated to be about 3.5 trillion dollars and it is not distributed equally. Countries like
the United States and Japan were able to increase their wealth. Due to currency
depreciation, however, the United Kingdom had a significant decline. Furthermore, the
report showed that income inequality continues to rise: “While the bottom half
collectively own less than 1 percent of total wealth, the wealthiest top 10 percent own 89
percent of all global assets” (Credit Suisse Research institute, 2016).
The Third World and the Global South
You probably heard of “First World Problems”. When someone cracks the
screen on their phone or gets the wrong order at the coffee shop, and then goes on the
their social media accounts, you might see their complaints with a hashtag “First World
Problems”. What are the implications of talking about countries as First or Third? Where
did these terms come from? These terms are outdated and inaccurate ways of talking
about global stratification. How then are we going to talk about global stratification.
Let us begin by deconstructing the idea of the First, Second, and Third World
hierarchy by looking at their origins and their implications. The terms date back to the
Cold War, when Western policymakers began talking about the world as three distinct
political and economic blocs (Tomlinson, 2003). Western capitalist countries were
labeled as the “First World”. The Soviet Union and its allies were termed the “Second
World”. Everyone else was grouped into “Third World”. After the Cold War ended, the
category of Second World countries became null and void, but somehow the terms
“First World” and “Third World” stuck around in the public consciousness. Third World
countries, came to be associated with impoverished states, while the First World was
associated with rich, industrialized countries.
A simpler classification, North-South, was created as Second World countries
joined either the First World or the Third World. First World countries, such as the
United States, Canada, Western Europe, and developed parts of Asia are regarded as
the “Global North” while the “Global South” includes the Caribbean, Latin America,
Africa, and parts of Asia. These countries were used to be called the Third World during
the Cold War (Reuveny &Thompson, 2007). By noting that countries are south of 30
degrees north latitude, they are able to say that these areas share common problems
and issues having to do with economy and politics. The terms “Global North” and
“Global South” are a way for countries in the South to make a stand about the common
issues, problems, and even causes in order to have equality all throughout the world.
The Global City
The rural-urban differentiation has a significant relationship to globalization.
Globalization has deeply altered North-South relations in agriculture. For instance, the
relations of agriculture production have been altered due to the rise of global
agribusiness and factory farms (McMichael, 2007). In this scenario, the South produces
non-traditional products for export and become increasingly dependent in industrialized
food exports from the North. Consequently, this leads to a replacement of the staple diet
as well as the displacement of local farmers. Schlosser (2005) pointed out that as
commercial agriculture replaces local provisioning, the relations of social production are
also altered. Rural economies are exposed to low prices and mass migration.
Sassen (1991) used the concept of global cities to describe the three urban
centers of New York, London, and Tokyo as economic centers that exert control over
the world’s political economy. World cities are categorized as such based on the global
reach of organizations found in them. Not only are there inequalities between these
cities, there also exists inequalities within each city (Beaverstock et al, 2002).
Alternatively, following Castells (2000), these cities can be seen as important nodes in a
variety of global networks.
Theories of Stratification
For much of human history, all of the societies on earth were poor. Poverty was
the norm for everyone but obviously, that is not the case anymore. Just as you find
stratification among socioeconomic classes within a society like the Philippines, you
would also see across the world a pattern of global stratification with inequalities in
wealth and power between societies. So what made some parts of the world develop
faster, economically speaking, than others? We may draw answers by looking at the
different theories of global stratification.
Modernization Theory
One of the two main explanations for global stratification is the modernization
theory. This theory frames global stratification as a function of technological and cultural
differences between nations. It specifically pinpoints two historical events that
contributed to Western Europe developing at a faster rate than much of the rest of the
world. The first event is known as the Columbian Exchange. This refers to the spread of
goods, technology, education, and diseases between the Americas and Europe after
Christopher Columbus’s so called “discovery of Americas”. This exchange worked out
well for the European countries. They gained agricultural staples, like potatoes and
tomatoes, which contributed to population growth and provided new opportunities for
trade, while also strengthening the power of the merchant class. The Columbian
Exchange worked out much less well, however, for Native Americans whose
populations were ravaged by the diseases brought from Europe. It is estimated that in
the 150 years following Columbus first trip, over 80% of the Native American population
died due to diseases such as smallpox and measles.
Modernization theory rests on the idea that affluence could be attained by
anyone. But why did the Industrial Revolution not take hold everywhere? Modernization
theory argues that the tension between tradition and technological change is the biggest
barrier to growth. A society that is more steeped in family systems and traditions may be
less willing to adopt new technologies and the new social systems that often
accompany them.
Walt Rostow’s Four Stages of Modernization
According to Amercan economist Walt Rostow, modernization in the West took
place, as it always tends to, in four stages. First is the traditional stage. This refers to
societies that are structured around small, local communities with production typically
being done in family settings. Because these societies have limited resources and
technology, most of their time is spent on laboring to produce food, which creates a
strict social hierarchy. Examples of these are feudal Europe or early Chinese dynasties.
Second stage-the take-off stage. People begin to use their individual talents to produce
things beyond the necessities. This innovation creates new markets for trade. In turn,
greater individualism takes hold and social status is more closely linked with material
wealth. The third stage is the drive to technological maturity, in which technological
growth of the earlier periods begins to bear fruit in the form of population growth,
reductions in absolute poverty levels, and more diverse job opportunities. Nations in this
phase typically begin to push for social change along with economic change, like
implementing basic schooling for everyone and developing more democratic political
systems. The last stage is known as high mass consumption. It is when your country
is big enough that production becomes more about wants than needs. Many of these
countries put social support systems in place to ensure that all of their citizens have
access to basic necessities.
Dependency Theory and the Latin American Experience
Dependency is the condition in which the development of the nation-states of
the South contributed to decline in their independence and to an increase in economic
development of the countries of the North (Cardoso and Felato, 1979). In addition, it
argues that liberal trade causes grater impoverishment, not economic improvement, to
less developed countries (Toye, 2003). Trade protectionism through import substitution
is the key to self-sustaining path to development, not liberal trade or export. In other
words, rather than focusing on what poor countries are doing wrong, dependency theory
focuses on how poor countries have wronged by richer nations. It further argues that the
prospect of both wealthy and poor countries are inextricably linked. In addition, it argues
that in a world of finite resources, we cannot understand why rich nations are rich
realizing that those riches came at the expense of another country being poor. In this
view, global stratification starts with colonialism.
Dependency theory was initially developed by Hans Singer and Raul Prebisch in
the 1950s and has been improved since then. The two main sub-theories are the North
American Neo-Marxist approach and the Latin American structuralist approach
(Sanchez, 2014). The terms “core nations” and “Peripheral nations” are at the heart of
dependency theory. Peripheral nations are countries that are less developed are
receive and unequal distribution of the world’s wealth. Core countries, on the other
hand, are more industrialized nations who receive the majority of the world’s wealth.
Although generally divided into core or peripheral, dependency theorist recognize that
there are a number of different kinds of states in the world (Grosfoguel, 2000). Another
common assumption of the theory is that “even after de-colonization, there are still
important ties between the developed and less developed countries, which mainly
consist in the exploitation of peripheral natural resources and workforce by the centre”
(Anton, 2006,p.2).
The Modern World-System
This history of colonialism inspired American sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein
model of what he called the capitalist world economy. Wallerstein described high-
income nations as the “core” of the world economy. This core is the manufacturing base
of the planet where resources funnel in to become the technology and wealth enjoyed
by the Western world today. Low-income countries, meanwhile, are Wallerstein called
the “periphery” whose natural resources and labor support the wealthier countries, first
as colonies and now by working for multinational corporations under neo-colonialism.
Middle-income countries, such as India or Brazil, are considered the semi-periphery due
to their closer ties to the global economic core.
In Wallerstein’s model, the periphery remains economically dependent on the
core in a number of ways, which tend to reinforce each other. First poor nations tend to
have few resources to export to rich countries. However, corporations can buy these
raw materials cheaply and then process and sell them in richer nations. As a result, the
profits tend to bypass the poor countries. Poor countries are also more likely to lack
industrial capacity, so they have to import expensive manufactured goods from richer
nations. All of these unequal trade patterns lead to poor nations owing lots of money to
richer nations and creating debt that makes it hard to invest in their own development.
In sum, under dependency theory, the problem is not that there is a lack of global
wealth; it is that we do not distribute it well.
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 3
Activity Title: QNA
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 2: The Global Economy
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 4
Activity Title: Categorizing Countries
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 2: The Global Economy
In order for you to visualize Immanuel Wallerstein’s idea of the modern world-
system, this activity will involve a construction of a “new” nap of the world. The
foundation of constructing this map is the three hierarchies of areas in the modern
world-system discussed.
1.) Identify whether the following countries fall under core, periphery, or semi-
periphery category. (25PTS)
Australia China Indonesia Malaysia Philippines
Bangladesh France Italy Mexico Singapore
Brazil Germany Japan Nepal South Africa
Canada Hungary Kenya Nigeria Spain
Chile India Madagascar Panama Sri Lanka
(especially after the Second World Wae), reduction of barriers to trade and free flow of
money among nations became the focus to restructure the world economy and ensure
global financial stability (Ritzer, 2016). These consist the background for the
establishment of the Bretton Wood System.
In general, the Bretton Wood System has five key elements. First element is the
expression of currency in terms of gold or gold value to establsih a par value (Boughton,
2007). For instance, a 35 U.S dollar pegged by the United States per ounce of gold is
the same as 175 Nicaraguan cordobas per ounce of gold. The exchange rate therefore
would be 5 cordobas for 1 dollar. Another element is that “the official monetary authority
in each country (a central bank or its equivalent) would agree to exchange its own
currency for those of other countriesa at the established exchange rates, plu or minus a
one-percent margin” (Boughton, 2007,pp.106-107). The third element of the Bretton
Wood System is the establishment of an overseer for these exchange rates; thus, the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) was founded. Eliminating restrictions on the
currencies of member states in the international trade is the fourth key element. The
final element is that the U.S dollar became the global currency.
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade
Organization (WTO)
According to Peet (2003), global trade and finance was greatly affected by the
Bretton Woods system. One of the systems born out of Bretton Woods was the General
Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that was established in 1947 (Goldstein et
al,.2007). GATT was a forum for the meeting of representatives from 23 member
countries. It focused on trade goods through multinational trade agrements conducted in
many “rounds” of negotitaion. However, “it was out of the Uruguay Round (1986-1993)
that an agreement was reached to create the World Trade Organization (WTO)” (Ritzer,
2015,p.60).
The WTO headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland with 152 member
states as of 2008 (Tractman, 2007). Unlike GATT, WTO is an independent multilateral
organization that became responsible for trade in services, non-tariff-related barriers to
trade, and other broader areas of trade liberalization. An example cited by Ritzer (2015)
was that of the “differences between nations in relation to regulations on items as
manufactured goods or food. A given nations in relation to regulations if they are
deemed to be an unfair restraint on the trade in such items” (p.61). The general idea
where the WTO is based was that of neoliberalism. This means that by reducing or
eliminating barriers, all nations will benefit.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the world Bank
IMF and the World Bank were founded after the World War II. Their
establishment was mainly because of peace advocacy after the war. These institutions
aimed to help the economic stability of the world. Both of them are basically banks, but
instead of being started by individuals like regular banks, they were started by countries.
Most of the world’s countries were members of the two institutions. But, of course, the
richest countries were those handled most of the financing and ultimately, those who
had the gretatest influence.
IMF and the World Bank were designed to complement each other. The IMF’s
main goal was to help countries which were in trouble at that time and who could not
obtain money by any means. Perhaps, their economy collapsed or their currency was
threatened. IMF, in this case, served as a lender or a last resort for countries whch
needed financial assistance. For instance, Yemen loaned 93 million dollars from IMF on
April 5, 2012 to address its struggle with terrorism. The World Bank, in comparison, had
a more long-term approach. Its main goals revolved around the eradication of poverty
and it funded specific projects that helped them reach their goals, especially in poor
countries. An example of such is their investment in education since 1962 in developing
nations like Bangladesh, Chad, and Afghanistan.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the European Union
(EU)
The most encompassing club of the richest countries in the world is the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with 35 member
states as of 2016, with Latvia as its latest member. It is highly influential, despite the
group having little formal power. This emanates from the member countries’ resources
and economic power.
In 1960, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was
originally comprised of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran and Venezuela. They are still
part of the major exporters of oil in the world today. OPEC was formed because
member countries wanted to increase the price of oil, which in the past had a relatively
low price and had failed in keeping up with inflation. Today, the United Arab Emirates,
Algeria, Libya, Qatar, Nigeria, and Indonesia are also included as members.
The European Union (EU) is made up of 28 member states. Most members in
the Eurozone adopted the Euro as basic currency but some Western European nations
like increased the prices in Eurozones and resulted in depressed economic growth
rates, like in Greece, Spain, and Portugal. The policies of the European Central Bank
are considered to be a significant contributor in these situtaions.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trade pact between the
United States, Mexico, and Canada created on January 1, 1994 when Mexico joined the
two other nations. It was first created in 1989 with only Canada and the United States
as trading partners. NAFTA helps in developing and expanding world trade by
broadening international cooperation. It also aims to increase cooperation for improving
working conditions in North America by reducing barriers to trade as it expands the
markets of the three countries.
The creation of NAFTA has caused manufacturing jobs from developed nations
(Canada or the United States) to transfer to less developed nations (Mexico) in order to
reduce the cost of their products. In Mexico, producer prices dropped and some two
million farmers were forced to leave their farms. Durng this time, consumer food prices
rose, causing 20 million Mexicans, about 25% of their population, to live in “food
poverty”.
History of Global Market Integration
Before the rise of today’s modern economy, people only produced for their
family. Nowadays, economy demands the different sectors to work together in order to
produce, distribute, and exchange products and services. What caused this shift in the
way people produce for their needs? In order to understand this, we will be going back
in time, 12,000 years ago.
The Agricultural Revolution and the Industrial Revolution
The first big economic change was the Agricultural Revolution (Pomeranz, 2000).
When people learned how to domesticate plants and animals, they realized that it was
much more productive than hunter-gatherer sicieties. This became the new agricultural
economy. Farming helped societies build surpluses, meaning, not everyone had to
spend their time producing food. This, in turn, led to major developments like permanent
settlements, trade networks, and population growth.
The second major economic revolution is the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s.
with the rise of industry came new economic tools, like steam engines, manufacturing,
and mass prodcution. Factories popped up and changed how work functioned. Instead
of working at home where people worked for their family by making things from the start
to finish, they began working as wage laborers and then becoming more specialized in
their skills. Overall, prodcutivity went up, standards of living rose, and people had
access to a wider variety of goods due to mass production.
Capitalism and Socialism
There were two competing economic models that sprung up around the time of
the Industrial Revolution, as economic capital became more and more important to the
production of goods. These were capitalsim and socialism. Capitalism is a system in
which all natural resources and means of production are privately owned. It emphsizes
profit maximization and competition as the main drivers of efficiency. This means that
when one owns a business, he needs to outperform his competitors if he is going to
succeed. He is incentivized to be more efficient by improving the quality of one’s
product and reducing its prices. This is what economist Adam Smith in the 1770s called
the “invisible hand” of the market. The idea is that if one leaves a capitalist economy
alone, consumers will regulate things themselves by selecting goods and services that
provides the best value.
Whereas, government plays an even larger role in socialism. In a socialist
system, the means of production are under collective ownership. It rejectscapitalism’s
private property and hands-off approaches. Instead, in socialism, property is owned by
the government and allocated to all citizens, not only those with the money to afford it.
Socialis emphasizes collective goals, expecting everyone’s basic needs than on
individual profit. When Karl Marx first wrote about socialism, he viewed it as a stepping
stone toward communism, a political and economic system in which all members of a
society are socially equal. In practice, this has not played out in the countries that have
modeled their economies on socialism, like Cuba, North Korea, China,and the USSR.
Why? Marx hoped that as economic differences vanished in communist society, the
government would simply wither away and disappear, but that never happened. If
anything, the opposite did. Rather than freeing the workers-in Marxist terms, the
proletariat-from inequality, the massive power of the government in these states gave
enormous wealth power and privilege to political elites. The result is the retrenchment of
inequalities along political-rather than strictly economic lines.
The Information Revolution
Ours is the time of the information revolution. Technology has reduced the role of
human labor and shifted it from a manufacturing-based economy to one that is based
on service work and the production of ideas rather than goods. This has had a lot of
residual effects on our economy. Computers and other technologies are beginning to
replace many jobs because of automation or outsourcing jobs offshore. We also see the
decline in union membership. Nowadays, most unions are for public sector jobs, like
teachers.
The service industry includes every job such as administrative assistants, nurses,
teachers, and lawyers. This is a big and diverse group because the tertiary sector, like
all the economic sectors we have been discussing, is defined mainly by what it
produces rather than what kinds of jobs it includes. Sociologists have a way of
distinguishing between types of jobs, which is based more on the social status and
compensation that come with them. These are the primary labor market and secondary
labor market. The primary labor market includes jobs that provide many benefits to
workers, like high incomes, job security, health insurance, and retirement packages.
These are white-collar professions, like doctors, accountants, and engineers.
Secondary labor market jobs provide fewer benefits and include lower-skilled jobs and
lower-level service sector jobs. They tend to pay less, have more unpredictable
schedules, and typically do not offer benefits like health insurance. They also tend to
have less job security.
Global Corporations
The increase in international trade has both created and been supported by
international regulatory groups like WTO, and transnational trade agreements, like
NAFTA. There is not a single country that is completely independent. All are dependent
to some degree on international trade for their prosperity. Without the internationa trade,
there would be no need for internationak regulatory groups. Without the international
regulatory groups, international trade at the current massive scale would be impractical.
The trade regulatory groups and agreements regulate the flow of goods and services
between countries. They reduce tariffs, which are taxes on imports, and make customs
procedures easier. This makes trading across national borders much more feasible.
These international trade agreements often benefit private industries the most.
Companies can produce their goods and services across many different countries. For
instance, you can have a backapack that was designed in the United States but the
materials came from China, and it was put together in Mexico before it was shipped
back to the United States to be sold.
These companies that extend beyond the borders of one country are called
multinational or transnational corporations (MNCs or TNC’s). They are also referred to
as global corportaions. They intentionally surpass national borders and take advantage
of opportunities in different countries to manufacture, distribute, market, and sell their
products. Some global corporations are ubiquitous, like McDonald’s or Coca-Cola, and
yet, they still market themselves as American companies. Other can be surprising like
General Electric, which is based in the United States but has more than half of its
business and employees working in other countries. Another example is Ford Motor
Company, the classic American car company, headquartered in Michigan that
manufactures cars worldwide.
International trade and global corporations, along with the Internet and more
global processes, contribute to globalization because people and corporations bring
their own beliefs, their traditions, and their money with them when they interact with
other countries. These ideas and capital can be incorporated in other countries, and
thus, change the cultures and economies of these foreign nations.
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 5
Activity Title: QNA
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 3: Market Integration
1.) What are the effects of multinational corporations in the Philippine economy?
(10PTS)
2.) Analyze socialism and capitalism in relation with the Philippine society. Which of
these economic systems would work in our country? (10PTS)
3.) Do you think the positive effects of multinational corporations outweigh the
negative effects? Why or why not?(10PTS)
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 6
Activity Title: Categorizing Scenarios
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 3: Market Integration
1.) Listed below are the scenarios that have to do with the economy. Discuss the
major impacts of these scenarios whether they are positive or negative (for you,
for the country, or for the Filipinos). The “Case-by-Case” column can be used.
Justify your answers. (15PTS)
Scenario Positive Negative Case-by-Case
A
B
C
D
E
Scenario A: Agriculture is the main source of employment in your home province. The
government has recently decided to develop the farmlands into real estate and
exclusive subdivisions in order to attract foreign investors to the country.
Scenario B: You decided to purchase a new shirt through an online shop based in
London.
Scenario E: The global financial crisis has affected the investment funds of your mother
that she can use for her retirement.
2.) How did you decide for each scenario? What are the pros and cons that you list
down before you came up with the final judgment? (15PTS)
A second factor is the vast flows of all sorts of things that run into and often right
through the borders of nation-states. This could involve the flow of digital information of
all sorts through the internet. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a nation-state to stop
such flow and in any case, it is likely such action would be politically unpopular and
bring much negative reaction to the nation-state involved in such an effort. For example,
China’s periodic efforts to interfere with the Internet have brought great condemnation
both internally and externally.
Another set of issues that has led to calls for global governance involves
horrendous events within nation-states that the states themselves either foment and
carry out, or are unable to control (Nordstrom, 2004).
Then, there are global problems that single nation-state cannot hope to tackle on
their own. One is the global financial crises and panic that sweep the world periodically,
which nations are often unable to deal with their own (Strange, 1996). Indeed, some
nations (e.g., the nations of Southeast Asia) have often been, and are being, victimized
by such crises. Unable to help themselves, such nations are in need of assistance from
some type of global governance.
recognize sovereignty or the right to govern one’s own territorial borders. Each state is
autonomous unto itself and responsible within its own system of government to those
who are governed. The decisions, the conflict, and the resolution of that conflict are
done through the institutions of government established and codified in that particular
state, whether or not through elections. Elections, especially in democratic society,
provide the leadership of the state.
There have been several challenges to the government and ultimately, to state
autonomy. We can divide these challenges into four: traditional challenges, challenges
from national or identity movements, global economics, and global social movements.
Traditional Challenges
Internal political challenges can also happen. For example, after the Arab Spring
in Egypt, a new constitution was created and a government was elected. That
government was more fundamentalist and rejected the notion of a plural society that
included religious diversity. The military staged a coup that deposed the government in
order to restore stability.
There are also regional organizations challenging are state autonomy. The
United Nations intervened in Sudan because of the several years of civil war. More
recently in Europe, specifically in Greece, it also interfered in the Greek debt crisis.
Global movements, such as the Al-Qaeda and ISIS, are another example of
national or identity movements. In this case, they are structured around the
fundamentalist version of Islam.
Global Economics
The third major source of challenges comes from global economics. Global
economy demands the states to conform to the rules of free-market capitalism.
Government austerity comes from developments of organizations that cooperate across
countries, such as WTO and regional agreements, such as NAFTA, the European
Union (EU), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Aside from high debt that burdened the government, Greece had several of its
employees struggling with pensions. Tax revenues were lower, and as a result, they
could not pay back their debts back. In 2009, their credit rating dropped which made it
harder for them to pay their debt. This led to a series of austerity packages in Greece
which meant that there was less government spending. IMF bailed them out from the
crisis in exchange for more austerity. In conclusion, economic crises can force
government to subscribe to the terms and conditions of the global financial market and
of other nations that can help them regain economic stability.
Finally, we have global social movements. Most of the time, they are not seen as
a threat but they definitely challenge state sovereignty. Social movements are
movements of people that are spontaneous or that emerge through enormous
grassroots organization. These social movements are transnational movements which
mean they occur across countries and across borders. Therefore, states have less
control over them.
For example, human rights movements create a public sentiment, value, and
agenda. The idea is that there are certain rights that states cannot neglect or generally,
what we call human rights.
The state is a distinctive political community with its own set of rules and
practices and that is more or less separate from other communities. It has four
elements: people, territory, government, and sovereignty. The first element of state is a
permanent population. This population does not refer to a nomadic people that have
move from one place to another in an indefinite time. This permanent presence in one
location is strengthened by the second element of a state, a defined territory. A territory
has clear boundaries. A territory is effectively controlled by the third element,
government. The government regulates relations among its own people and with other
states. This means that the state is a formally constituted sovereign political structure
encompassing people, territory, and its institutions on the one hand, and maintaining its
autonomy from other states on the other hand.
Maintaining international peace and security became the central mission of the
UN after the war. Up to this day, the UN is the major force in governing interstate
relations (Ritzer, 2015).
The main deliberative body, the General Assembly, provides a forum for member
states to express their views and reach a consensus. In 1991, the UN’s military role was
put into question during its intervention in Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait wherein the Security
Council authorized the use of force (Ritzer, 2015).
The UN is not all about fights. It has a program called UNICEF or the United
Nations Children’s Emergency Fund. Its primary goal is to help children around the
world. They collect funds to distribute emergency relief from famine and poverty and
disease. It also provides education programs in areas where there are no schools.
While UNICEF is part of the United Nations, they operate semi-independently and rely
on fundraising.
In terms of economic issues, the main focus of the UN is the reduction of global
inequality. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cover a range of concerns for
the improvement of all aspects of life.
The UN is being criticized as being weak and is unable to stop wars. Because of
this, the next institutions that we are going to discuss continues to play role in foreign
conflicts. This is NATO. It is a defensive treaty or a military alliance between the United
States, Canada, and 25 European countries. This treaty and international organization
is based on the idea of collective security. The countries in this organization basically
agreed to combine their militaries and announce to the world that if a country messes
with one of its members, the other countries will come to their defense. NATO was
created after the Second World War, mostly during the beginning of the Cold War. With
the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, former Soviet states. Like Poland
and Croatia, had joined NATO, making the present-day Russia feel more threatened.
NATO has sent troops and undertaken military operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq,
and Africa. The United States with, by far, the most advanced military in the world
makes up the bulk of NATO forces and operations. Many of these wars or conflicts are
considered to be strictly U.S wars.
countries in the world. In other words, the links among countries and people are better
associated with globalism while the speed in which they become linked with one
another is globalization.
Informationalism
The question now is about the type of connection that exists and begins to
increase in the contemporary world. The answer lies in the growth of the information as
the binding force among people, things and places around the globe. This technological
paradigm, associated with computer science and modern telecommunication that
replaces industrialism is called informationalism (Castells, 2004). These are
technology, the media, and the internet. This is not to say that we do not need to
produce material goods such as factories, clothes, and food; rather, exchanging
information and knowledge, which is clearly immaterial goods, becomes central in the
contemporary world (Hardt & Negri, 2000). This is due to the “three of the most cutting-
edge aspects of the social world in general and globalization in particular” (Ritzer, 2015,
p.134), technology, media, and the internet.
Global Citizenship
Citizenship is associated with rights and obligations, for instance, the right to vote
and the obligation to pay taxes. Both rights and obligations link the individual to the
state. It also has to do with our attitudes. We need to be willing to engage and to spend
time and effort to the community of which we feel part of. Community has traditionally
been regarded as something very local. How, then, can the idea of citizenship be
transferred to the global level?
Caecilia Johanna van Peski (as cited in Baraldi, 2012) defined global citizenship
“as moral and ethical disposition that can guide the understanding of individuals or
groups of local and global contexts, and remind them of their relative responsibilities
within various communities.” Global citizens are the glue which binds the local
communities together in an increasingly globalized world. In van Peski’s words, “global
citizens might be a new type if people that can travel within these various boundaries
and somehow still make sense of the world” (Baraldi, 2012).
Global citizenship does not automatically entail a single attitude and a particular
value with globalization. We must remember that globalization is not a single
phenomenon; rather, there are many globalizations. While some need to be resisted,
others are welcomed and should be encouraged. They are bound to be multiple futures
for multiple globalizations. These globalizations created enemies because according to
one broad view, globalization failed to deliver its promises (Cohen, 2006). The so-called
bottom billion lacks infrastructures and has been disenfranchised. The opponents of
globalization blame either Westernization or global capitalism. Thus, the enemies resist
globalization, especially when it comes to global economy and global governance.
There are three approaches to global economic resistance. Trade protectionism
involves the systematic government intervention in foreign trade through tariffs and non-
tariff barriers in order to encourage domestic producers and deter their foreign
competitors (McAleese, 2007). Although there exists a widespread consensus regarding
its inefficiency, trade protectionism us still popular since it shields the domestic
economy from systematic shocks. Fair trade is a different approach to economic
globalization, which emerged as a counter to neoliberal “free trade” principles (Nicholls
and Opal, 2005). Fair trade aims at a more moral and equitable global economic system
in which, for instance, price is not set by the market; instead, it is negotiated
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 7
Activity Title: Compare and Contrast/ Q N A
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 4: The Global Interstate System
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 8
Activity Title: Collecting Posts, Connecting the World
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 4: The Global Interstate System
DIRECTION: Perform what is asked on each item
1.) Using your social media account (e.g., FB or Twitter accounts) browse your
home page and observe the posts of your friends.
2.) Choose and list down at least 30 randomly selected posts. The names of your
friends can be excluded.
3.) Group the posts according to theme. Some of the themes may be about a
product, an educational post, a movie, an opinion, a religious verse, or a status
about one’s personal life. Feel free to construct your own title for the posts that
you are going to group together.
4.) Share the themes you have created with a classmate and answer the following
questions:
a.) Which theme has the most number of posts?
b.) Which post has the most number of shares?
c.) Which are the common themes that you and your classmate have identified?
d.) Have you posted anything in the past that is similar with the post you listed
down?
What is Media?
It is the communication outlets or tools used to store and deliver information or
data.
The term refers to components of the mass media communications industry,
such as print media, publishing, the news media, photography, cinema,
broadcasting (radio and television), and advertising.
2 types of Media
GLOBALIZATION OF RELIGION
What is Globalization?
is the networking and expansion of once local products, beliefs, and practices
into universal products, beliefs and practices often through technology.
What is Religion?
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a
personal God or gods.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe,
especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or
agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often
containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. Islam
Islam is given the second rank in the list of major religions of the world having
more than 1.5 billion followers as per 2020 list of largest religions in the world.
It is one of the fastest growing religions and was founded about 1400 years
before in Saudi Arabia which is considered to be the largest oil-producing
country.
Quran is the Holy book and acted by the Muslims living in the different countries
of the world. Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are the major countries
having the largest Muslim population. Continue reading Top 10 Biggest Religions
in the World 2020.
Islam began in Mecca in the seventh century. Followers of religion believe that
there is only one God (Allah), written and shaped in the Holy Book of the Qur’an,
which always acts as the central spiritual book in the faith. The Prophet
Muhammad lived from 570 to 632 among the historical figures who needed to
understand the Muslim tradition.
The followers of Islam believe that this man is the ultimate prophet of God.
Islamic religious law establishes the five pillars of Islam and imposes rules and
regulations on almost every aspect of the disciple’s life. There are two main
groups of Muslims, the Sunnis (the largest in the world, including 80% of the
Muslims) and the Shia (~ 15% of the Muslims), among them a few minor names
such as Ibadi, Ahmadi and many others.
3. Hinduism
Hinduism in one of the most major religions of the world with 1.05 billion
worshipers living in the different countries of the world. It is considered the
world’s oldest religion.
The Gita, Agamas, and Vedas are the major scriptures of Hindus.India has the
third strongest army around the globe, and it is the top country having the largest
Hindu population while on the other hand, it is the second largest country for the
Muslim population. Hinduism is the 3rd most following religion in the world 2020
list.
Most Hindus live in South Asian countries such as India, Nepal and Indonesia. In
India alone, it is estimated that 80% of the population is Hindu. Although very
little is known about the foundation of Hinduism, it is generally believed that the
faith developed over 4,000 years. Due to its status as an ancient belief system,
Hinduism is deeply rooted in Indian society.
In recent years, many forms of Hinduism have become popular in the West as
well. Examples of this include participation in yoga, as well as interest in
information related to the Chakra organism. System (energy points throughout
the human body that are used to heal and improve health both spiritually and
physically).
4. Buddhism
Buddhism is also considered a leading religion around the globe with more than
488 million followers.
It was founded by Gautama Siddhartha 2500 years before in India. Its followers
are acting the son of a warrior Prince who had a wealthy background in the
history of a world.
Buddhism is divided into three major sects like named Theravada, Mahayana,
and Vajrayana.
Buddhism was founded in India 2,500 years ago and is based on the teachings
of the Buddha, also known as Gautama Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama. There
are two main branches of religion. They are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana
Buddhism. In Tibet, adherents subscribe to a form of Buddhism known as
Vajrayana, Zen Buddhism is the most practiced in Japan. The basic principles of
the Buddhist belief system include non-violence, as well as moral purity and
moral conduct.
Meditation, ritual and non-violence play an important role in the daily life of
Buddhists. The most recognizable figure in the Buddhist world is undoubtedly the
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th and current Dalai Lama. This former monk is not only
the current (and exiled) spiritual leader of Tibet, but also a proclaimed peace
activist.
5. Shintoism
Shintoism is based in Japan, with 104 million followers worldwide; And its
beginnings date back to the eighth century.
Followers of the faith believe that there are many gods, and the word Shinto
translates to “the way of the gods.” It is estimated that 80% of Japanese citizens
belong to Shintoism, and the country is home to 80,000 Shinto shrines.
A unique feature of faith is that believers do not have to declare their allegiance
to religion. The notions of impurity and purification play a major role in Shintoism
and its practices, known as hare. These are regularly practiced for the purpose of
purifying the believer from sin, guilt, sickness, and misfortune.
Religion has entered “information age” and has globalized and accelerating
rates, in methods religions use for teaching and in belief system.
Conclusion
Globalization has a great impact on religion. As people and cultures move across
the globe, as ideas are mobilized and transported by media technology, the
religious globalization will go on and on. It has its pro and cons. People should
cope with the flow of info and choose their own and peaceful way.
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 9
Activity Title: Research
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 5: A World of Class
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 10
Activity Title: QNA
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 5: A World of Class
DIRECTION: Perform what is asked on each item
1. Explain how globalization affects religious practices and beliefs. (15PTS)
2. Analyze the relationship between religion and global conflict and, conversely, global
peace. (15PTS)
GLOBAL DEMOGRAPHY
What is Global?
Relating to the whole world; worldwide.
What is Demography?
Refers to numerous techniques that can be utilized to assess the population of a
given area. Demographers can work for research institutions, governments, and
other bodies.
Demographic transitions
Is a singular historical period during which mortality and fertility rates decline from
high to low levels in a particular country or region. The broad outlines of the
transition are similar in countries around the world, but the pace and timing of the
transition have varied considerably.
GLOBAL MIGRATION
Global Migration - a situation in which people go to live in foreign countries, especially
in order to find work: Most global migration is from developing countries to developed
ones.
What is Migration?
seasonal movement of animals from one region to another:
movement from one part of something to another:
Common reasons for this include education, life improvement, and other
economic prospects. Politics also play a huge part in causing people to migrate
to other countries.
An example of this type of migration is the movement of refugees into a
neighboring nation due to unsafe conditions in their home country.
3. Seasonal migration
It is the movement of people from one area to another with each season in
pursuit of better conditions for themselves and their livestock.
This type of movement is typically carried out by nomadic farmers who are
mostly found in the sub-Saharan regions of Africa. Pastoralist communities
located in Kenya, for example, include the Samburu and the Turkana who move
from one area to another in search of pasture for their livestock away from their
homes. Once conditions improve, they usually head back.
Pull Factors
Pull factors, on the other hand, are the ones that make people decide to go to a
different country. A useful way of thinking about pull factors is what attracts
migrants to go to a specific country.
So, what are the main pull factors that attract migrants to the United States,
Canada, Australia, and the most prosperous European countries include the
following:
Migrants are in search of personal and financial safety; or opportunity in terms of
employment, education, social class mobility. They are also looking for freedom
and stability.
What follows is a list of some of the most common political and economic pull factors:
Better infrastructure that results in inadequate facilities and services.
Better healthcare and medical facilities such as hospitals.
Better job and educational opportunities.
Lower crime rates as a result of a combination of generally higher living
standards and better, less corrupt, and more efficient police force.
Democratic political stability.
A generally higher standard of living.
More entertainment and better cultural options, which are a result of higher
standards of living, higher education levels, and more disposable income.
As you can see, many pull factors are just the other side of the coin of push
factors and vice versa. In other words, all pull factors to combat the push factors.
So the reasons why people leave their countries and the reasons why they
choose specific countries to migrate to are always closely linked.
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 11
Activity Title: Research Paper
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 6: Global Population and Mobility
DIRECTION: Perform what is asked on each item
Make a short research paper discussing the topic:
Has the Philippines undergone the demographic transition? Why or why not?
ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 12
Activity Title: Venn Diagram
Topic/s Covered: CHAPTER 6: Global Population and Mobility
DIRECTION: Perform what is asked on each item
Compare and contrast Immigration and migration.
REFERENCES:
Aldama, (2018). The Contemporary World
Lobo, et al (2019). The Contemporary World