East Asia/Southeast Asia 2: Globalization
Globalization video: The True Cost
I.
Globalization
A. “the many types of interregional linkages and flows and the changes they are bringing about”
B. cultural changes  cultural homogeneity or increased cultural identity/autonomy?
C. economic integration – the new world system
D. players
1. World Bank and IMF – 189 member countries
a. established 1944 to stabilize world economy after WWII
b. World Bank: “End extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity”
c. IMF (International Monetary Fund):
 foster global monetary cooperation
 secure financial stability
 facilitate international trade
 provides policy advice and technical assistance
 promote high employment and sustainable economic growth
 reduce poverty around the world
 SAPs: structural adjustment programs
d. carbon pricing
2. WTO (World Trade Organization) created 1995
a. GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) 1948
b. 162 member countries
c. “The only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations”
d. “The international organization whose primary purpose is to open trade for the
benefit of all”
E. major issues
1. political/economic sovereignty
a. “borderless” economy
b. “corporate coup d’etat”
2. monetary instability: “unbridled capitalism run amok”
3. race to bottom? weak labor/environmental/tax laws
F. What does globalization look like?
1. around the world
a. out sourcing
b. EPZs (export processing zones)
c. female assembly warehouses
d. workers’ conditions
2. U.S. job losses
3. relocation to Mexico?
G. reactions
1. opponents in Seattle 1999
a. coalition: labor, environmental, religious
b. open trade  worker exploitation
c. open capital  economic instability (speculators)
2. post 1999 demonstrations
H. “it’s not whether but how fast”
II.
Reactions?! A race to the bottom? or a race to the top?
III.
class exercise: globalization demonstration
East Asia/Southeast Asia 2: Globalization- p. 1