Global and Transnational Sociology: Introduction Sociology 2,
Class 1 Copyright 2014 by Evan Schofer Do not copy or distribute
without permission
Slide 2
Agenda 1. Introductions 2. Review course requirements 3.
Introduction to first course topic: The global economy
Slide 3
Announcements NO sections this week!!! Sections do not begin
until Week 2 of classes Section in week 2 will cover readings for
weeks 1 & 2 Students hoping to add this class Look over the
syllabus and be sure you really want to take the course Currently,
we are FULL My advice: Get on the waitlist. Students inevitably
drop. A bunch of spaces usually open up.
Slide 4
Introductions Instructor: Evan Schofer Professor of Sociology
Research areas: Globalization The global environmental movement
Civic participation around the world Education systems around the
world.
Introductions: The Course Main topics: Weeks 1-5: The global
economy Weeks 4-6: Inequality and political globalization Weeks
7-8: Theories of globalization Weeks 8-9: Globalization of culture
Week 9-10: War, conflict, terrorism
Slide 7
Syllabus: Key points Course website has links to readings,
lecture notes, and handouts My lectures are copyrighted. I do not
consent to for- profit note-taking services selling my notes
Lecture slides are available on the course website All course
readings are available online Instructions & links on syllabus
Upside: Low cost, easy access Downside: Your computer or network
connection may fail on the night before an exam I suggest
downloading all readings; make backup copy.
Slide 8
Syllabus: Key points Discussion section participation is
required Short graded activities are a regular part of section They
are a weekly incentive to complete the readings and attend section
If you are sick you can attend an alternate section IF THERE IS
ROOM BUT: Fill out a grade transfer form (on course website) to
make sure your grade is recorded properly If you feel a grade was
in error, fill out a grade correction form and give it to your TA
All forms on course website.
Slide 9
Syllabus: Course Logistics Main course requirements Attend
lectures Attend sections Complete section activities Complete
readings Take midterm & final exams My policies Respect
Commitment to learning Professionalism Also, be aware of university
policies.
Slide 10
Syllabus: Course Logistics Given the sheer number of students
in the class, we cannot accommodate all requests Ex: My sister is
getting married on the day of the midterm. Can I take it early? Ex:
I didnt do my section assignments can you give me make-up
assignments so I can get credit? You can always askBut, dont be
surprised (or take it personally) if we cant help you
Slide 11
Things to Know About This Course 1. Lecture, section, and
readings are ALL critical for success in the class 2. Readings
reflect diverse perspectives Instead of a single textbook, you get
to read a variety of different views on each topic This makes
reading harder you have to figure out the perspective of the
author, infer the context NOTE: You may personally disagree with
some readings thats OK BUT: I want you to be able to discuss
readings intelligently even views that you dont agree with.
Slide 12
Video Example: Globalization Lets start thinking about
globalization! Humorous example from The Onion... Outsourcing!
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/report_many_u_s_parents Local
link: Video:
Video\OUTSOURCING_Onn.flvVideo\OUTSOURCING_Onn.flv
Slide 13
The Onion: Outsourcing Video Some brief observations: 1.
Outsourcing/off-shoring depends on transportation technologies Some
labor can be off-shored but not childcare! If people could cheaply
fly across the world in 10 minutes, this could be a reality 2. The
video also serves as a reminder that globalization changes our
social lives Globalization permits new social arrangements Some are
very exciting others may be threatening or dehumanizing Either way,
globalization changes the way we live!
Slide 14
Economic Globalization: Discussion The first section of class
addresses economic globalization Lets take a few minutes to start
thinking about this Take 2 minutes to chat with neighbor What comes
to mind when you think of the global economy? What is economic
globalization?
Slide 15
States and Markets To understand globalization, we have to
understand states and markets: NO, NO, NO!!!
Slide 16
States and Markets States and markets mean:
Slide 17
States and Markets: Definitions State: The central government
of a country Markets: Systems that facilitate the exchange of goods
and services Related terms: statemarket governmenteconomy public
private regulationfree markets Also, reading by Robert Reich (next
week): democracycapitalism.
Slide 18
States and Markets What is so great about markets? See Week 1
reading by Delong Answer: Markets are a system for determining what
should be produced and who should get it Prices (that people are
willing to pay) serve as a signal to producers How many iPads
should Apple build? Markets provide pricing signals Who should own
them? Markets = mechanism for allocating scarce resources Markets
also produce powerful incentives Those who produce & innovate
get rewarded
Slide 19
States and Markets What are some problems with markets? 1. They
are not good at producing some kinds of collective or public goods
Things that we benefit from, but no one wants to pay for Example:
National defense, clean air, roads 2. Markets can be unstable:
crises, recessions 3. Markets can produce outcomes that are morally
undesirable (in the eyes of many) The rich or powerful may gain
advantages The poor or uninformed can be at a disadvantage 4. They
can produce bad incentives Destroying the environment, exploiting
labor, etc.
Slide 20
Market Failures Market failure: when markets do not produce the
optimal amount of goods or services Markets dont always produce
good outcomes Example: Suppose Apple becomes a monopoly No
alternative to ipads. Apple can reduce supply & jack up
prices!
Slide 21
Market Failure: Pollution Unregulated markets produce lots of
pollution. Why? Answer: Factory owners get profits from making
stuff and dont bear the costs of pollution. Other people do.
Slide 22
Market Failures Market failures video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJixtB0GluQ If you are interested in
more detail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC5R9WPId0s
Slide 23
Fixing Market Failures Governments can correct market failures
Laws or regulations to prevent undesirable activities Or,
governments can produce goods & services, avoiding markets
entirely But, sometimes that causes problems, too
Slide 24
States and Markets Issue: Both states and markets can produce
and distribute goods Consumer products (clothes, houses, iPads)
Healthcare Education Police/Fire protection Note: Sometimes things
are controlled purely by state or market; but many are
hybrid/mixed: Example: the UC system: Partly state funded, but
students pay some of the cost (fees/tuition) Example: Airlines in
1960s: Private corporations ran the airlines, but government
controlled prices, etc.
Slide 25
States and Markets BIG Issue: How much should states control
(or regulate) markets? Markets need some state control To prevent
fraud & illegal activity And, unregulated markets produce
market failures Examples: environmental degradation; lead in our
toys Also, uncontrolled markets can be unstable, leading to crashes
But, heavy regulation can limit the ability of markets to produce
incentives & wealth Often, businesses can make more $ if not
regulated Example: unregulated financial institutions made billions
before nearly destroying the global economy in 2008 So, there is a
tension between proponents of more or less regulation
Slide 26
States and Markets Example Issue: Which goods should be
provided by markets? Which by states? Example: Healthcare Example:
Higher education Societies have made different decisions In many
countries both free (or nearly free) health care and higher
education are provided by the government At the cost of higher
taxes, sometimes less consumer choice.
Slide 27
Example: Privatized Fire Protection In the News: Firefighters
watch as home burns to the ground
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Firefighters-watch-as-
home-burns-to-the-ground-104052668.html; By Jason
Hibbshttp://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Firefighters-watch-as-
home-burns-to-the-ground-104052668.html September 30, 2010 OBION
COUNTY, Tenn. - Imagine your home catches fire but the local fire
department won't respond, then watches it burn. That's exactly what
happened to a local family tonight. Each year, Obion County
residents must pay $75 if they want fire protection from the city
of South Fulton. But the Cranicks did not pay. The homeowner, Gene
Cranick, said he offered to pay whatever it would take for
firefighters to put out the flames, but was told it was too late.
They wouldn't do anything to stop his house from burning. Video:
Video/Fire%20Protection%20Fees.flvVideo/Fire%20Protection%20Fees.flv
Slide 28
State Control vs. Free Markets BIG debate over the last
century: How much should states control (regulate) markets? State
ControlFree Markets Communism Laissez Faire Capitalism Socialism
Keynesian Mixed Economy Washington Consensus Welfare State Marxism
Regulation Central Planning Public Services Deregulation
Liberalization Privatization
Slide 29
States and Markets: Major Themes Major themes of next 2 weeks:
1. State regulation of markets has declined over the past 50 years
Shift toward free markets Rise of supercapitalism (Reich reading)
2. Markets have globalized Emergence of global supply chains
Corporations less linked to any particular country Link between
nation and market has weakened.
Slide 30
States and Markets: Major Themes 3. The shift toward a global
free-market economy has many consequences Not simply good or bad
Instead, we have to think of specific winners and losers It affects
markets Example, it may generate greater instability (crises) It
affects states / governments Example, it may reduce the ability of
governments to effectively produce some sorts of goods It affects
corporations Example: increased global market competition
ULTIMATELY, IT AFFECTS US!
