CH 16 Review Flashcards
In the Anthropocene, beginning with the industrial revolution 200 years ago, modern technology has radically increased production, transportation
And communication worldwide, and the human population has grown to more than 7 billion—half living and working in urban areas.
The growing interconnectedness of our species facilitated by modern mass transportation and telecommunications media has resulted in many external similarities across cultures
Spawning speculation that humanity’s future will feature a single homogenous global culture. This is sometimes referred to as the “McDonaldization” of societies.
Beyond the worldwide flow of commodities and ideas (food, film, fashion, music, and so on), global integrative processes include
NGOs, media, and sports, as well as humanitarian aid organizations.
Anthropologists are skeptical that a global culture or political system is emerging
Comparative historical and cross-cultural research shows the persistence of distinctive worldviews, and the tendency of large multi-ethnic states to come apart.
In pluralistic societies two or more ethnic groups or nationalities are politically organized into one territorial state.
Ethnic tension is common in such states and sometimes turns violent, which can lead to formal separation.
To manage cultural diversity within such societies, some countries have adopted multiculturalism
Which is an official public policy of mutual respect and tolerance for cultural differences.
An example of long-established multiculturalism may be seen in states such as Switzerland
Where people speaking German, French, Italian, and Romansh coexist under the same government.
Pluralistic societies, in virtually all parts of the world, show a tendency to fragment
Usually along major linguistic, religious, or ethno-nationalist divisions.
Especially when state territories are extensive and lack adequate transportation and communication networks
As well as major unifying cultural forces such as a common religion or national language, separatist intentions may be realized.
Throughout history, challenges such as famine, poverty, and
Violent threats by dangerous neighbors have forced people to move—often scattering members of an ethnic group.
Migration—voluntary or involuntary—is temporary or permanent change from a usual place of residence.
It may be internal (within the boundaries of one’s country) or external (from one country to another).
Every year several million people migrate to wealthy countries in search of wage labor and a better future.
In addition 45 million refugees can be found in almost half of the world’s countries.
Migrants moving to areas traditionally inhabited by other ethnic groups may face
Xenophobia—fear or hatred of strangers.
Most migrants begin their new lives in expanding urban areas.
Today, 1 billion people live in slums.
Structural power refers to the macro-level power that manages or restructures political and economic relations within and among societies while simultaneously shaping or changing ideology (ideas, beliefs, and values).
It has two components: hard power (which is coercive and is backed up by military force and/or financial pressure) and soft power (which coopts or manipulates through ideological persuasion).
