Assignment05
Globalization is a hard word to define. The more ambiguous one is in defining it the definition the better. I say this because when one quantifies something so abstract the real meaning is lost. However, if I did have to define it I would only use 2 words: Interaction and Exchange. I know I just contradicted myself, but these words still leaves the door wide open for other ideas and interpretations. In my opinion, the consequences of the global interaction and exchange are what Scholte is speaking of. Without interaction and exchange there would be no Globalization.
In my world history class we were discussing the Silk, Sand, and Sea Roads, and how this was edging on the Global world.
"In what ways was trade significant? How did it generate change within the societies that it connected? Economically speaking, it often altered consumption, enabling West Africa, for example, to import scarce salt, necessary for human diets and useful for seasoning and preserving food, from distant mines in the Sahara exchange for the gold in there region. Trade also affected the day-to-day working lives of many people, encouraging them to specialize in producing particular products for sale in distant markets rather than for use in their own communities. Trade, in short, diminished the economic self-sufficiency of local societies."
This interaction with one another totally changed how we lived our lives. This quote is important because these should be the same question that we ask ourselves today. The scale of trading and interactions are bigger and the way we interact with each other (i.e. technology) is much different too, but the causes and effects are the same.
During these trading routes people we exposed to new religions, sciences, and ideas in math, languages, and economics. This jump-started us in our technologies and ideas today.
The most important aspect of this quote is how it effected consumptions.
Because we are drifting further away from self-sustainability, we don't ever think about how much we consume and waste. For example, when I was living at home I didn't care about what the thermostat was set at or was aware of how much I ate, what mattered to me was that I was comfortable and satiated. But when I moved out and stared paying for things on my own I was immediately aware of these things and started to cut back and make other adjustments in my lifestyle. Over all I was just as comfortable as when I was at home, even though sometimes there were some rough patches, but c'est la vie. Apply the same principle to our consumption. When we don't grow or produce our own food, or other goods for ourselves we are very careful and aware of how much we consume. I think people have thought there are an infinite amount of resources, then we are easily reminded that they aren't through a catastrophic event, like the Great Depression or the Potato Famine, then just as easily forget they aren't. Nobody's hands are clean in this context.
Consumption was also a huge topic of the G20 conference this year. President Obama and the President of Germany, Horst Kohler, got into a debate over it. Basically, Kohler said he needs Germany to produce more exports in order to stabilize his economy. President Obama said, "Go ahead. But don't expect Americans to buy your goods because they are cutting back on spending."
Which brings me to my next topic. These interactions and exchanges change our views of territory. They cross non-physical territorial boundaries, like in religion, languages, entertainment, government ties and, especially, technology. These abstract territories make us tightly connected then ever before. It is to the point now, economically speaking, that if one fails we all fail. Which is weird to me because it seems like there is a lack of independence in some way. I can't help but to think of the European Union and even the United States and, the more I think about it, the more I think that we aren't as sovereign as we think we are. We are at the point now where we are so intertwined with one another the we need each other in order to maintain our economics and our sustainability.
In regards to the Public Affairs Mission at Missouri State University, I think that we have great, optimistic intentions and they have wonderful classes to choose from, but it doesn't really force the students to learn about these things. I have friend who is graduating and he didn't know what the EU was, then I had another friend who hadn't even heard of Sartre or Camus. I find this absolutely appalling. I don't want to blame anyone because it is definitely a combined effort from both parties, but at the same time the students didn't write the public affairs mission. I have never really, intensely though of the Globalization until I had had this class. I have been involved with humanities ever since I've started attending Missouri State University. Also, I've never heard of the Public Affairs Mission until this class until I've had this class, as well, and I've been at this school for 5 years.
Another aspect of the mission is when it says, "act ethically within the context of a democratic society." In my opinion, there is an implication that democracy is the "right" way and it closes off the ideas other political systems. Why can't they learn to behave in a socialized government? Sure we live in a democratic country, but being America, which is supposed to be an open door to new ideas and people. Therefore, we should have a general understanding and respect for other systems that aren't tyrannical or a dictatorship. If we are learning how to be a global citizen then we absolutely need to know how to act ethically in a different kind of society, too.
Missouri State University does have wonderful study away opportunities. Students have the opportunity to travel and study (inset major) in countries all across Europe, Australian and New Zealand, and South America. Also, I think we have the most diverse campus in Southwest Missouri, and probably Northern Arkansas. I have meet so many people from several Asian, African, South and Central American, and European countries.