How Should I, As A Citizen, Respond to Globalization? Conclusion

Throughout this course we have focused on four main questions:
1.) To what extent should globalization shape identity?
2.) To what extent should contemporary society respond to the legacies of historical globalization?
3.) To what extent does globalization contribute to sustainable prosperity for all people?
4.) To what extent should I, as a citizen, respond to globalization?

This last question, "to what extent should I, as a citizen, respond to globalization?", is what this blog is all about. Throughout this course I have come to some conclusions about how I can respond to globalization.

There are many ways in which I can respond to globalization.

I can respond to globalization on a large scale, a small scale, or somewhere in between.

**I could respond to globalization by becoming a global citizen, a person who is aware of a wider world, respects and values diversity, is willing to act to help others, and accepts responsibility for their own actions. Someone who assumes responsibility for making globalization work in a way that benefits as many people as possible, in as many situations as possible. Someone who see's beyond the immediate.

Personally, I can already think of many ways in which I can respond to globalization, on many different levels.
1.) I could take a stand and stop shopping at stores that treat employees badly and don't pay them fair wages for their work.
2.) I could protest about subjects and issues that I feel strongly about.
3.) Once I am of age to legally vote, I can vote for the person who I personally think would run the country best.
4.) I can take other people and other countries into consideration when shopping, amongst other things.
5.) I can participate in the celebrations of other cultures.
6.) I can be an active citizen, active student, active consumer, etc.
7.) I can be aware of my environment and treat it with respect.
8.) I can encourage others to do these same things.

There are hundreds of ways that I can respond to globalization. I can respond on a large scale or small scale, individually or collectively; I can respond to an extent that satisfies and expresses my personal beliefs, ideas, opinions, and much more. I can respond by always remembering that the things I do can and will affect others, whether they are a mile away or a country away. I can respond to globalization by letting my voice be heard, and by setting an example for others to do the same.

This is how I, a student, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a citizen of my country, a citizen of the world, a woman, an individual, can respond to globalization.

** All definitions from the Exploring Globalization textbook

Unit 4 Week 4 Response

This week I learned a lot about global citizenship. I learned what global citizenship means, who a global citizen is, and what a global citizen does.



There are many definitions for global citizenship. A global citizen can be described as...
1. Someone who acts or thinks like a global citizen
2. Someone who is aware of a wider world
3. Someone who respects and values diversity
4. Someone who is willing to act to help others
5. Someone who is responsible for their own actions

In order to understand and accept global citizenship, you must recognize and welcome an identity that includes nationality, race, gender, family, and job.

Global citizens are known to take responsibility for making globalization work for the benefits of as many people as possible, in as many situations as possible. They work together to respond to events occurring all over the world. They act and think globally, and see beyond the immediate.

This leads me to think about MY role in our globalizing world. To what extent should I respond to globalization? Should I respond as an individual? As a member of my country? As a global citizen? Should I respond to globalization on all these levels?


**all definitions in this blog come from the Exploring Globalization textbook

Unit 4 Week 3 Response

This week I learned a lot about issues in communities and how I can personally respond to things from virtual communities to pandemics.

Virtual communities are as popular as traditional communities today. People can use the internet to share their ideas and opinions, raise awareness on topics or controversial issues, meet new people....the possibilities of virtual communities seem endless. Virtual Communities can shape people's identities; that is why it is important to respond to them correctly. I can respond to this by being respectful and responsible on the Web, and remember to act like I would if I was sharing my opinions in a traditional community.

There is a lot of controversy when it comes to the topic of transnational corportions. Many people think transnational corporations are good for the economy and for people's well-being, however, many would disagree. There are many positive and negative points when it comes to transnational corporations. Let's use Wal-Mart as an example:
Negative:

• employees are paid low wages
• few benefits, such as health care, are offered
• Since the prices are so low, Wal-Mart can eliminate local competition

Positive:

• cheap prices
• new stores can stimulate economic activity in the community
• new products may become available
• Wal-Mart has been known to support fundraisers and make donations

There are many reasons why transnational corporations are "good" or "bad", and Wal-Mart is just one example. Personally, I can respond to these issues by deciding whether or not I want to support a store, and encourage others to do the same.

Blood Oil is not acceptable to me. Are people so greedy that they would murder other people for natural resources? Why is this even allowed? I think that specific laws should be made to prevent blood oil issues to occur. I can respond to this by raising awareness on the topic.

I think that the WHO (World Health Organization) is a very good organization. The WHO monitors global health security. I believe that it is important to track and isolate breakouts of sicknesses. I think that it isn't fair that in developed countries people have such easy access to vaccinations and medical care and then don't do enough to help developing or underdeveloped countries. Entire generations are dying because they don't have access to the right sanitary conditions or medical care. I can respond to this by donating to organizations, holding fundraisers, or even just raising simple awareness of the issue.

Unit 4 Week 2 Response

There are many things I learned this week.



I learned about the different ways in which the Internet can be used, and how it can affect us, as well as others. The Internet is both good and bad; we can learn from it and share our thoughts and opinions. We can also use it to contact people all over the world; even people who speak different languages and have different cultures. There are many pros and cons to the Internet. Some people use it raise awareness on topics and issues they are passionate about. Others, however, abuse the Internet and use it as an outlet for expressing their negativity. I can respond to this by using the Internet appropriately and encouraging others to do the same.


I also learned about gender equality, or rather, gender inequality. Gender inequality is not as big of a problem today as it has been in the past. There is much progress going on, but there is still a lot more to be done. Most women, in many cultures, are the ones doing the housework and daily chores. Women put in a lot of time doing unpaid work, like raising children. It is not fair that men get the top jobs in many companies. I do not see why women should not be treated equally to men. I could respond to gender inequality by raising awareness on the topic through many mediums.

I think fair trade certification is great; people can choose to buy products they know will help the economies of their countries, as well as others. I can respond to free trade certification by buying these products, instead of buying other products that are most likely produced by people who do not get paid properly for the work they do.

Stephon Marbury's shoe line Starbury is very cool. It makes a statement that just because something isn't expensive doesn't mean its not cool. Also, his shoes are not made by underpaid workers in developing countries using cheap labour. I can respond to this by not giving in to peer pressure and buying expensive products just to "fit in".

Social clauses are great! Its great to know that things are being done to help developing countries and people who are being treated unfairly by ways of cheap labour. A way I can respond to social clauses is by raising awareness on the topic.

The link between International Funding Agencies and Foreign Debt is very sad. This raises questions about whether International Funding Agencies are doing more bad than good. I can respond to this by researching and raising awareness on the topic.

Unit 4 Week 1 Response

As I mentioned in my introductory blog, I am not only a citizen of my country. I am a global citizen; a citizen of the world. Everyone is. So how should I respond to Globalization? As an individual? As a member of my country? As a member of the world? I have come to a few small conclusions on this after reading this weeks assigned pages in my social text.

I learned that basic needs, obviously, are not the same for everyone. You can't just make a list of basic needs for people and say that they are best suited for everyone. Of course, everyone needs water, food, and shelter to survive. However, depending on the individual person, their culture, and their country and surroundings, they will have different needs. Who decides what is best for all people? What is best for the individual? A single country? The world, as a collective? Who should be the one making decisions?

I also think that, on the topic of Human Rights, everyone should be treated fairly. Whether it be on an individual, national, or global scale, everyone deserves to be treated equally and fairly. But once again, who decides what these rights should be? Who decides if people should be treated the same, or differently, and for what reasons? And how much of a say do we, as citizens, have in these decisions?

The American Constitution and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms can reflect this. I believe that the responses from people across Canada to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms reflects my earlier points about citizenship, basic needs, and human rights. Some people thought, and still think, the Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms are great, while others disagree with them. This just proves that you cannot please everyone, and that everyone has individual needs and opinions.

I think it is wrong that transnational corporations move factories to places where they can hire people for cheap, and where there are low environmental regulations. Also, when people's rights are abused and Human Rights violations occur. All in the name of saving and earning money, while spending less. Are people's quality of life not worth more than the manufacturing of goods and services so wealthier people can have a much better quality of life? Are they not entitled to better pay and a safe work environment? It seems that the world revolves around money. Saving it, having as much of it as possible. Do we really value our own money and quality of life over other people's lives? Families? Are people any less than us just because they have less money? The answer is no. Transnationals should not be able to do these things.

Also, why should people pay so much for water? Understandably, for bottled and other contained water, the containers and plastics needed cost money. But a tiny bottle of water can cost up to $3.00 sometimes! Is this not taking advantage of the fact that water is essential, and we cannot survive without it? What is even more unbelievable is when developing countries must pay for water, and sometimes, a lot more than we pay for it. In many countries, the water supplies are contaminated, which can kill people. How is it fair to them to have to pay so much for water? Especially when the water pollution may not even be the fault of the people living there. People in some countries don't even get paid enough a day to afford a bottle of water from a developed country.

Human trafficking is a big issue in many countries; most of the time we hear about these events occurring in developing countries. However, they occur in developed countries as well, including Canada and the United States. What is being doing about this? Who is in charge of stopping this or getting the situation under control?

I believe that the Internet is both good and bad. People can communicate and share their ideas. However, the digital divide prevents the opportunity for all people to share their views, ideas, opinions, etc. People without the technology to participate in this global sharing of thoughts and opinion probably have no way of sharing their views and opinions in a way in which they can be heard. How does this affect us all as global citizens? How does this affect those who cannot participate in using the Internet?

After reading about these things and thinking about them, I have realized a few ways in which I can respond to globalization. I can respond to globalization by stating my opinions and sharing my concerns with the world. I can also respond by standing up for people who may not have the opportunity to do so. I also need to know my rights and stand for them. I need to offer my opinion of what is fair and what is just. I can also respond to globalization by being aware of political elections and, when I'm old enough, taking the time to vote for someone I think could make my country better. By doing these things, I can help improve not only my country, but the global world.

Introduction: How Should I, As A Citizen, Respond to Globalization?

Globalization. One of the many definitions for this word is "to become international or start operating at the international level, or cause something, especially a business or company, to become international" -- Encarta Dictionary

Globalization affects everyone, whether they know it or not. We are affected daily by globalization on economic, political, environmental levels, and more. Globalization is so incredibly huge that just by buying one bunch of bananas, we are taking part in it.

Citizenship. I am a citizen of my country. However, I am also a citizen of the world. Just because we have our own separate countries and cultures does not mean I am not a member of the world. I am a citizen of the world. Everyone is.

Globalization is a big topic. But how should I, as a citizen, respond to it? Should I ignore the problems of the world? Or should I give my 2 cents in all matters?