Test 4 Flashcards
Global Perspectie
A view of the larger world and our society’s place in it.
3 Reasons Global Perspective is Important
- Societies all over the world are increasingly interconnected, making for traditional distinctions between “us” and “them” less and less valid. 2. Many human problems in US are far more serious elsewhere 3. Studying other societies is a way to learn more about ourselves
Globalization
The worldwide integration of government policies, cultures, social movements, and financial markets through trade and the exchange of ideas.
Amount of Global Inequality
Richest 20% earn 77% of global income Poorest 40% earns 5% of global income Richest 20% holds 84% of global wealth Poorest holds 2% of global wealth
Characteristics of the most developed countries
Industrial nations that are relatively rich (high income countries) -Per capita income of at least $10000 - 4/5 world’s income earned in high income countries (1 billion ppl) - US, Hungary, Canada, Japan, W. Europe -64 of 194 nations -25% land -22% people -75% in cities
Characteristics of less developed countries
Nations characterized by limited industrialization and moderate to low personal income (middle income) - Per capita between 3-10K (20% global income) - China, India, turkey, Brazil, E. Europe - 73 nations - 55% land - 59% ppl - 2/3 in cities
Characteristics of least developed countries
Nations with little industrialization in which severe poverty is the rule (low income countries). - Per capita income below 3K - Haiti, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone - 57 nations -20% land - 19% people - 1/3 live in cities
Possible causes of existence of rich countries
- Cultural Differences (caste systems in some countries hold them back) 2. Distribution of natural resources
Wallenstein’s World System Approach
World System: Global economy as an interdependent system of economically and politically unequal nations.
3 Classes of the World in Wallenstein’s World System Approach
- Core countries: World’s upper class (most developed, high income) 2. Semiperipherial countries: middle class 3. Peripheral countries: lower class
2 Explanations of Global Inequality
- Modernization Theory 2. Dependency Theory
Modernization Theory (Rastow)
A functionalist approach that purposes that modernization and development will gradually improve the lives of the people in the developing nation - A model of economic development that explains global inequality in terms of technological and cultural differences among societies.
Rastow’s 4 Stages of Modernization
1) traditional stage -little, low end tech 2) take off stage - more, low end tech 3) drive to technological m2 aturity - higher end tech (China) 4) high mass consumption: buy high end tech (us)
4 Roles of Rich Nations
1) Assisting in population control 2) Increasing food production 3) Introducing industrial technology 4) Providing foreign aid.
Dependency Theory
An approach that contends that industrialized nations continue to exploit developing nations for their own gains. - Model of economic development that explain global inequality in terms of the historical exploitation of poor societies by rich societies