Question 1. Business Anthropologist Ann Jordan argues that anthropologist studies reveal that in the GLOBALIZATION OF THE ECONOMY, CULTURE is a strong indicator of the movement of 1) Labor, 2) movement of Capital, and 3) the success of joint ventures. Identify the key findings of three studies she reports that support her claims.
Culture is a strong indicator of movement or changes in labor or labor management. All countries have different cultures and norms that their people believe and embrace. It is innate and natural. It is practiced in their daily activities which include their personal undertakings and work ethics. Lets take the example of the meat-packing industry in the US. Jobs in meatpacking plants are considered by locals as dangerous and underpaid. Migrants are the only ones who are interested with the job. However, these migrants have different culture. They value holidays and leave their jobs to attend such. As a result, meatpacking companies face seasonal turnover in their labor force.
There are also cultural issues in management of capital when it comes to globalization. Some people might say that there are no implications whatsoever on whose capital is invested in a business. However, the authors argue that culture plays a role in making an investment succeed in the global market. They pointed out that it does matter whose capital and where the capital was invested because understanding the culture and norms of the market as compared to the that of the investor will be the key to its success.
The success of a joint venture also relies on the culture of both parties who will bind each other to an agreement. There are certain things that needed to be considered with regards to the cultures of both countries involve like language barrier, business practices and working relationships or even petty things like taste and preferences on office furniture.
Question 2. The documentary film is Wal-Mart bad for America illustrate claims made by Durrenberger and Erem regarding What is wrong with corporations What arguments do the film-makers and the text authors make Why do we need to be able to think anthropologically when asking and answering questions regarding corporations ,
Durrenberger and Erem speculated that Wal-Mart is not contributing positively to the economy of America. Being one of the largest discount-department stores in the country and around the world, the company opted to transfer its production offshore where labor cost and other expenses are relatively lower. Consequently, the company can produce items at lower price with attractive mark up thereby resulting to increase in profits on the part of the company. However, this decision has triggered decrease in employment opportunities for Americans and this resulted to increase in job seekers and an increase in supply denotes a decrease in demand for employees and also a decline in the wage. Moreover, the company does not offer good benefits for its employees such as life and health insurance. The company seems to be very much against labor unions that would protect the employees welfare and rights. This does not put the company in a good light as much as they try to come up with good advertising and lavish campaigns. It does not change the fact that their corporate decisions have hurt the economy and the people of America. Another point there is the fact that coming offering attractive discounts for their products have assassinated the small players in the industry. Its successful corporate strategy has caused a lot of economic implications and problems. Although people can purchase products at a lower price and save money, the smaller players are defeated and therefore are forced to cease operation in order to prevent more losses. The authors imply that Wal-Mart has done a great deal of damage in the countrys labor force and economy.
We need to think anthropologically when asking and answering questions regarding corporations so that we can be open to all the ideas and test all these to come up with better understanding of the real picture. We need to see beyond the lines.
Question 3. What three waves of globalization defined the historical dynamics of political and economic relations between developed and developing countries Why does Merrill singer argue that we need to understand these relationships to address the problems associated with international drug trafficking Why does singer argue that global legal and illegal drug use contributes to the maintenance of social inequality at global levels,
The three dimensions or waves of globalization is community where people know almost each other and somehow all have personal or work-related affinity with each other. It is a web of social relationships where people are treated evenly. Globalizations first wave starts at the community where social networking is actively practiced.
The second dimension is the state where relationship tend to be formal and hierarchical. The relationships are unilateral and professional in aspect.
Lastly, the third dimension of globalization is market. This dimension is impersonal and one-dimensional. Relationships are transactional and are not valued at all.
In globalization, the state is considered more essential than the market because the state grows while the market declines. It was perceived that the state is not important when it comes to globalization but if a state do not exist to regulate a market, a market will not surface. Laws governing markets like contracts, real estate, ownership and taxes should conform markets and such laws cannot be mandated without a state.
We need to understand all these things about drug trafficking because globalization opens the door to all countries. Globalization is complex market that is not easily monitored and it gives leeways to operate freely among countries.
Illegal drug use can be caused by inequality in global levels because the third world countries are often the playground of drug pushers from other countries and because of poverty and bad policies, these countries are mostly the venues for such illegal activities. A lot of illegal drug-related businesses operates in poor countries.
Question 4. Durrenberger and Erem argue that there is no such thing as the middle-class in America, only an ideology of the middle-class. How do they support this position How is the reframing of the question What are the economic problems of the American middle-class and exercise in independent reasoning and critical thinking.
The authors sincerely believe that the existence of a middle class in America is entirely a myth instead there are just two classes that prevails the working class and the ruling class. Classes exist the medieval times when the rulers conquer their empires through the work of their slaves. The rationale behind the master-slave relationship and co-existence is evident in the history of our civilization. However, people are lead to believe that as the civilization evolves and develops, the middle class was derived, a state between the ruling and the working class. It has this appealing and non-discriminatory sound that somehow separates the poor and the rich from each other. It connotes equality. Hence, the authors, technically argues the non-existence of middle class. The argument was supported by their theory that everything is black or white where in everything is not deemed equal which allows people from making choices and decisions for their own good. Lets say, if all the systems of the government is well and good, then what is the point of weighing options for improvement. The right to choose and the logic behind good and bad are presumed to be without merits or importance at all.
The authors also emphasized the statistics that separates the ruling class and the working class. The 20 richest people in America owns more than half of the wealth and the other side of the coin is the people who works for these rich people and purchase goods from these people. Wherever the working class go or whatever they do, at the end of the day, it is the ruling class that always gains the profit whether from the formers political decisions or property acquisitions. The working classes are left with almost no choice or even no chance to improve their economic situation. To put it simply, there are just two types of class in the United States, the rich and the poor, or in medieval times, the master and the slave.
Question 5. Durrenbergers ideal world is a democracy comprised of educated citizens who all took courses in anthropology. What does he say we should teach you that will give you more agency Identify five main contributions from cultural anthropology that you learned in the book and explain why they are useful in helping you survive and adapt in the future.
Anthropology plays an essential role in understanding culture and norms. Its comparative approach provides a better understanding of the facts. It is mainly based on observations of actual events rather than personal opinions. Anthropology is more like a study of the truth and factual occurrences that evolve into relationships of all the aspects involved. It gives a vivid view of how things are really are and adheres to understand people not as collective unit but as individuals. An anthropological approach involves the process of observing patterns and connecting links to further understand the true picture.
The book has provided a better understanding of the importance of anthropology in economies and global markets. It speculates that theories should always be based on numbers and statistics that we encounter everyday. Sometimes things are not what they seem. Since anthropology is not based on theories or mere observations, it provided a view of the American economy in a different light. The relationships among culture, economy, market and globalization were successfully linked and connected together to form a clear appreciation of the scenario.
Having said all these, the knowledge acquired from the book regarding anthropology can help in dealing with people, weighing options, understanding the true situation and coming up with the right decision. It is an art that can aid in managing personal and work-related endeavors. Anthropology in culture assists in better comprehension of complex situations and complicated problems that may arise in all aspects of our lives. It regulates ones expectations, promotes free thinking and enhance receptiveness. An emphasis on differences of people, customs, culture and trade were emphasized by the author to suggest that nothing is the same and equal. Everything is unique but has similarities and criterion.
Culture is a strong indicator of movement or changes in labor or labor management. All countries have different cultures and norms that their people believe and embrace. It is innate and natural. It is practiced in their daily activities which include their personal undertakings and work ethics. Lets take the example of the meat-packing industry in the US. Jobs in meatpacking plants are considered by locals as dangerous and underpaid. Migrants are the only ones who are interested with the job. However, these migrants have different culture. They value holidays and leave their jobs to attend such. As a result, meatpacking companies face seasonal turnover in their labor force.
There are also cultural issues in management of capital when it comes to globalization. Some people might say that there are no implications whatsoever on whose capital is invested in a business. However, the authors argue that culture plays a role in making an investment succeed in the global market. They pointed out that it does matter whose capital and where the capital was invested because understanding the culture and norms of the market as compared to the that of the investor will be the key to its success.
The success of a joint venture also relies on the culture of both parties who will bind each other to an agreement. There are certain things that needed to be considered with regards to the cultures of both countries involve like language barrier, business practices and working relationships or even petty things like taste and preferences on office furniture.
Question 2. The documentary film is Wal-Mart bad for America illustrate claims made by Durrenberger and Erem regarding What is wrong with corporations What arguments do the film-makers and the text authors make Why do we need to be able to think anthropologically when asking and answering questions regarding corporations ,
Durrenberger and Erem speculated that Wal-Mart is not contributing positively to the economy of America. Being one of the largest discount-department stores in the country and around the world, the company opted to transfer its production offshore where labor cost and other expenses are relatively lower. Consequently, the company can produce items at lower price with attractive mark up thereby resulting to increase in profits on the part of the company. However, this decision has triggered decrease in employment opportunities for Americans and this resulted to increase in job seekers and an increase in supply denotes a decrease in demand for employees and also a decline in the wage. Moreover, the company does not offer good benefits for its employees such as life and health insurance. The company seems to be very much against labor unions that would protect the employees welfare and rights. This does not put the company in a good light as much as they try to come up with good advertising and lavish campaigns. It does not change the fact that their corporate decisions have hurt the economy and the people of America. Another point there is the fact that coming offering attractive discounts for their products have assassinated the small players in the industry. Its successful corporate strategy has caused a lot of economic implications and problems. Although people can purchase products at a lower price and save money, the smaller players are defeated and therefore are forced to cease operation in order to prevent more losses. The authors imply that Wal-Mart has done a great deal of damage in the countrys labor force and economy.
We need to think anthropologically when asking and answering questions regarding corporations so that we can be open to all the ideas and test all these to come up with better understanding of the real picture. We need to see beyond the lines.
Question 3. What three waves of globalization defined the historical dynamics of political and economic relations between developed and developing countries Why does Merrill singer argue that we need to understand these relationships to address the problems associated with international drug trafficking Why does singer argue that global legal and illegal drug use contributes to the maintenance of social inequality at global levels,
The three dimensions or waves of globalization is community where people know almost each other and somehow all have personal or work-related affinity with each other. It is a web of social relationships where people are treated evenly. Globalizations first wave starts at the community where social networking is actively practiced.
The second dimension is the state where relationship tend to be formal and hierarchical. The relationships are unilateral and professional in aspect.
Lastly, the third dimension of globalization is market. This dimension is impersonal and one-dimensional. Relationships are transactional and are not valued at all.
In globalization, the state is considered more essential than the market because the state grows while the market declines. It was perceived that the state is not important when it comes to globalization but if a state do not exist to regulate a market, a market will not surface. Laws governing markets like contracts, real estate, ownership and taxes should conform markets and such laws cannot be mandated without a state.
We need to understand all these things about drug trafficking because globalization opens the door to all countries. Globalization is complex market that is not easily monitored and it gives leeways to operate freely among countries.
Illegal drug use can be caused by inequality in global levels because the third world countries are often the playground of drug pushers from other countries and because of poverty and bad policies, these countries are mostly the venues for such illegal activities. A lot of illegal drug-related businesses operates in poor countries.
Question 4. Durrenberger and Erem argue that there is no such thing as the middle-class in America, only an ideology of the middle-class. How do they support this position How is the reframing of the question What are the economic problems of the American middle-class and exercise in independent reasoning and critical thinking.
The authors sincerely believe that the existence of a middle class in America is entirely a myth instead there are just two classes that prevails the working class and the ruling class. Classes exist the medieval times when the rulers conquer their empires through the work of their slaves. The rationale behind the master-slave relationship and co-existence is evident in the history of our civilization. However, people are lead to believe that as the civilization evolves and develops, the middle class was derived, a state between the ruling and the working class. It has this appealing and non-discriminatory sound that somehow separates the poor and the rich from each other. It connotes equality. Hence, the authors, technically argues the non-existence of middle class. The argument was supported by their theory that everything is black or white where in everything is not deemed equal which allows people from making choices and decisions for their own good. Lets say, if all the systems of the government is well and good, then what is the point of weighing options for improvement. The right to choose and the logic behind good and bad are presumed to be without merits or importance at all.
The authors also emphasized the statistics that separates the ruling class and the working class. The 20 richest people in America owns more than half of the wealth and the other side of the coin is the people who works for these rich people and purchase goods from these people. Wherever the working class go or whatever they do, at the end of the day, it is the ruling class that always gains the profit whether from the formers political decisions or property acquisitions. The working classes are left with almost no choice or even no chance to improve their economic situation. To put it simply, there are just two types of class in the United States, the rich and the poor, or in medieval times, the master and the slave.
Question 5. Durrenbergers ideal world is a democracy comprised of educated citizens who all took courses in anthropology. What does he say we should teach you that will give you more agency Identify five main contributions from cultural anthropology that you learned in the book and explain why they are useful in helping you survive and adapt in the future.
Anthropology plays an essential role in understanding culture and norms. Its comparative approach provides a better understanding of the facts. It is mainly based on observations of actual events rather than personal opinions. Anthropology is more like a study of the truth and factual occurrences that evolve into relationships of all the aspects involved. It gives a vivid view of how things are really are and adheres to understand people not as collective unit but as individuals. An anthropological approach involves the process of observing patterns and connecting links to further understand the true picture.
The book has provided a better understanding of the importance of anthropology in economies and global markets. It speculates that theories should always be based on numbers and statistics that we encounter everyday. Sometimes things are not what they seem. Since anthropology is not based on theories or mere observations, it provided a view of the American economy in a different light. The relationships among culture, economy, market and globalization were successfully linked and connected together to form a clear appreciation of the scenario.
Having said all these, the knowledge acquired from the book regarding anthropology can help in dealing with people, weighing options, understanding the true situation and coming up with the right decision. It is an art that can aid in managing personal and work-related endeavors. Anthropology in culture assists in better comprehension of complex situations and complicated problems that may arise in all aspects of our lives. It regulates ones expectations, promotes free thinking and enhance receptiveness. An emphasis on differences of people, customs, culture and trade were emphasized by the author to suggest that nothing is the same and equal. Everything is unique but has similarities and criterion.
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