Topic: Globalization
Source: This weeks chapter was on Globalization and its effects
Relation: A good friend of mine got into a discussion about Globalization, where we both found out we have polarizing viewpoints.
Description: While taking a walk downtown my friend was expressing his concern about how a Walmart was going to be moving into the Eureka area. As a point of contention he pointed out how local items are always cheaper, and I happened to disagree. So a bet was born. We both had $20 dollars to spend, my objective was to only spend that money at a chain store, while his objective was to only spend that money at "mom and pop" stores. Whoever got the most for there money would win.
Analysis: When we returned from our separate trips we both had an almost equal amount of items, the main difference was that my items said "Made in China" whereas most of his didn't have a "made in" label. It was important to note however that all of my items came from a single store, but my friends items came from trips all over town over the course of a day. In my personal opinion I feel having a single store to go to for all my shopping needs is far more effective then burning a day running around from store to store. So while globalization might have its ups and downs it comes down to what the populace wants, which is cheap and easy, especially in this economy.
You make an excellent point about how we love cheap products and convenience. People are always calling Walmart “evil,” but I love shopping there because I do not have to go store hopping to find what I need.
ReplyDeleteI understand the conviniance of Wal Mart. But as we read in the chapter and many people already know its the fact that it cost a lot more to make the items at Wal Mart rather then the mom and pop store. Also we have become a nation of convenience rather then quality. You can go and get everything you need at Walmart but from experience it does not last as the things you spent a little more on at the other store. If more shopped at the small stores prices would go down and it could compete with big chains, but due to the big chains taking so much business it destroys the chances of small stores. I love convenience but I love quality more.
ReplyDeleteHedberg,
ReplyDeleteI'd just like to point out that I don't go to walmart for convenience I go for price, I'm dirt poor, well scratch that, I'm about a foot under dirt poor. If mom and pop shops want to get my money, it has to buy more than for what I can get at a walmart. Until that day happens (or the US gets outta the hole we dug ourselves) I will shop for best price always
i agree with you that globalization has made our lives a whole lot easier.
ReplyDeleteGlobalization has made our lives easier,"our"being over-privileged Americans. However what we often forget about and don't see are the implications of globalization in third world countries. Child labor, femicide, extortion (of both people and our planet) are just a few of the ugly heads of globalization. And I refuse to believe that there are no other options than Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart and ANYTHING else that holds a position of power in this world is there because we put it there. And to say, "when America gets out of the hole it's in" is problematic because we are responsible for the hole. People in America and first world countries have forgotten that our daily decisions effect the world; globalization has not made our lives easier, it has made us lazy and unaware of all the harm we cause human kind.
ReplyDelete