1) Globalization:

Increased interaction and interdependency of the world…

- economically (trade, raw materials, labor, markets)

- politically (more international interactions – cooperative and conflicting)

- socially / culturally (travel, education, entertainment, etc.)

2) Traditional industrial jobs: manufacturing

Labor in modern developed nations has transitioned to “knowledge workers”.

Greater focus on communications & computer-based “information industries”… requires more skills.

Traditional manufacturing jobs have moved to developing nations (“emerging nations”)… WHY?

- Plentiful cheap, semi-skilled & unskilled (less educated) labor force (OUTSOURCING!)- Closer proximity to raw materials

3) Significance of national boundaries?

Decreases with globalization:

- Increasing trade volume (larger ships!)

- More communication infrastructure links more nations together

- MULTINATIONAL (“transnational”) corporations

- Production process is more DECENTRALIZED: (Manufacturing, assembly, managing, & retailing are spread out)

- More international trading alliances

4) FREE TRADE:

Increased volume of trade via reduced barriers to trade (esp. the removal of tariffs).

(Opposite: PROTECTIONISM – when a nation attempts to “protect” its domestic industries against foreign competition by increasing tariffs on competing imports).

Organizations promoting free trade:

- World Trade Organization (WTO)

- International Monetary Fund (IMF)

- World Bank

- European Union (EU)

- North American Free Trade Agreement

(NAFTA)

4) (cont.)…

“G8 Nations”:

“Free” trade vs. “Fair” trade… considerations:

- Are workers in foreign countries fairly paid? Are their working conditions humane?

- Is the standard of living increasing in developing nations? Is the middle class growing?

- Is democracy getting stronger in developing nations? (Or, do foreign trade agreements help to support corrupt presidents and dictators?)

- Are basic needs affordable, or is privatization making basic needs too expensive?

5) BONUS: Toyota vs. Israel:

Economic power measured how?

Israel GDP: $207 billion

Toyota global revenue: $208 billion

(U.S. GDP: $15 TRILLION)

6) POSITIVE effects of globalization:+ More trade = more peace & cooperation+ Rising global standard of living+ Job creation+ Promotes investment in developing nations

7) NEGATIVE effects of globalization:- Unfair trade that disproportionately benefits developed nations (TEST: growing middle class & democratization)- Outsourcing of more jobs from developed nations- Developed nations get much richer, and faster, than developing nations- Erodes local cultures

8) ENVIRONMENTAL impacts of global industrialization:- Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil)… = pollution= CO2 global warming= acid rain= ozone layer depletion… effects on BASE OF FOOD CHAIN

= ripple effects on entire ecosystem- Land erosion, habitat destruction, mass

extinction of species- Earth ecosystem becomes UNBALANCED to

sustain life as we’re familiar with it.

9) SUSTAINABLE growth & development:- Development w/o depleting air, water, land resources (“green growth”)

- Growth with PRESERVATION of environment and CONSERVATION of resources

- BALANCING economic development VS. environmental concerns

Simply put, being able to “keep living like you’re living”, without running out of resources or destroying where & how you live.

10) WHO is responsible for sustainability?

- “Scientists & Economists”?

- Corporations?

- Government?

- Consumers?

- YOU?!

Is it what can “we” do…. or what can I do?

Action can only follow from self awareness.

OBSTACLES to sustainable growth:

- Focusing on short-term profits instead of a long-term sustainability (myopia, greed)

- Companies & investors who profit off of unsustainable production (i.e., fossil

fuel industries) will spend a lot to keep it that way (lobbying, advertising, campaign contributions)

- Abundance of cheap unsustainable resources (i.e. fossil fuels)

- Consumer ignorance, apathy, and preference for convenience

- Workers who depend on the income they receive from an unsustainable industry

PATHWAYS to sustainable growth:

Key considerations…

… WHO PAYS for initiatives?

… should changes be VOLUNTARY or MANDATORY?

Can we reasonably depend on individual consumers, workers, and owners to voluntarily change how they behave in a free market, before a full-blown crisis materializes?

PATHWAYS to sustainable growth:

Possible government actions:

Tax policy (tax unsustainable practices at a higher rate, provide tax breaks for sustainable practices)

Government funding of research & development (R & D)

Government loans, capital for sustainable entrepreneurship in private sector

More investment in education (esp. science, technology)

Limit or ban unsustainable business models?

Also:

- Limiting population growth (economic development, family planning, female literacy & equal rights)

- Consumer / voter awareness & action (“thoughtful buying”?!)