The world economy is in crisis. This crisis affects virtually all aspects of the human experience… Money makes the world go ‘round. This cliché little statement holds more truth than those of us with screaming moral consciousness would like to admit. The new truly global international market is an outstanding and exciting new endeavor. However, like any innovation be it technological or social it will bring change. There will be change that is expected, unexpected and change that is ignored. The ignored and the unexpected are the segments of the issues of interest to scholars and social activists alike. The ignored is where many peoples’ blood starts to boil human rights violations – ignored; workers rights – ignored. The living wage? Never heard of it. The environment? The following five articles serve as a capstone statement to this blog and hopefully will provide some information to you all and open avenues for further inquiry into these issues on your part and show that you as a consumer have the most powerful say in the issue of global economics by using what has now become the most instrumental tool of social movements, protests and initiating social change the choice on how and where to spend your dollar.
NETHERLANDS: Nigerians seek damages from Shell over pollution http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=15037
The Nigerian arm of Shell Oil and her parent company Royal Dutch Shell PLC have come under fire by the Nigerians for oil spills and pipeline leaks. This is a scenario that pays out time and time again as less developed countries are enticed to produce by foreign investors who take advantage of the native countrymen.
Salmon Virus Indicts Chile’s Fishing Methods
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/world/americas/27salmon.html?_r=1&ref=americas&oref=slogin
Salmon. What do they have to do with globalization? They are delicious and here they serve as an example in this article of how the global food market affects what may wind up on your dinner plate. Chilean salmon destined for other counties are dying from what is called fish anemia. The Chilean fish industry solution is to medicate the fish with large amounts of antibiotics. This can lead to viral resistance among the fish and can affect you and your health a hemisphere away.
In Chinese Factories, Lost Fingers and Low Pay
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/05/business/worldbusiness/05sweatshop.html?_r=1&ei=5088&en=e114cc7577dbf751&ex=1357448400&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
Workers rights and the living wage are almost non-existent in this manufacturing section near Hong Kong. Long hours go hand in hand with low wages and terrible working conditions at these factories. Some of the workers interviewed stated that they are paid less than the 55 cents an hour which is the mandatory minimum wage in this part of China.
CHINA: China Grabs West’s Smoke-Spewing Factories
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/21/world/asia/21transfer.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Again in China, but for a different case this time. The Chinese have come upon a new industrial revolution, if you will. They are picking up where the western world left off in production and “dirty” industries. This article explains the shift of German steel production and how an actual plant moved to China. This shift has been dramatic for both countries and both have profited from it, one in a less carbon-laden forms than the other.
Three 'face jail' over Ikea deals
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/6980875.stm
Bribery is less common and more insidious effect of globalization but prevalent non-the-less. This article shows how bribes made in Britain have impacted a Swedish furniture company which is also very popular in the United States.
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