International Sociology Introduction Sociology 2 Class 1 Copyright

International Sociology: Introduction Sociology 2, Class 1 Copyright © 2010 by Evan Schofer Do not copy or distribute without permission

Announcements • NO sections this week!!! • Sections do not begin until Week 2 of classes – ALSO: Section for week 2 will cover readings from weeks 1 & 2 – EXCEPT: Elwood, chapters 1 & 2 • Add Cards • Look over the syllabus and be sure you really want to take the course… • Then, come talk to me after class • Most likely I can accommodate you, but depending on the size of the wait list I may wait until next week to sign…

Agenda • Introductions • Review syllabus and course requirements • Plus: Things to know about this course • Class begins… • Begin to think about economic globalization • Intro to first topic: states & markets.

Introductions • Instructor (me): Evan Schofer • Associate Professor of Sociology – Research areas: • • • Economic, political, and cultural globalization Economic development The global environmental movement Civic participation around the world Education systems around the world.

Introductions: TAs – Jared Olesen • Fri 8 - 8: 50 SST 238 • Th 8 - 8: 50 SSPA 1165 • Th 9 - 9: 50 SST 220 A – Andrew Duncan • Tues 1 - 1: 50, SST 238 W • 10 -10: 50 PSCB 220 W • 11 -11: 50 PSCB 240

Introductions: The Course • Sociology 2: International Sociology • Topics: The most important international issues in the world today • • • Economic globalization Implications for countries, politics, inequality International political dynamics Theories of international relations & globalization Cultural globalization Culture and conflict in international context.

Syllabus: Key points • Course website has links to readings, lecture notes, and handouts • Most 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 • Discussion sections are required • Short quizzes or other graded activities are a regular part of section – They are a weekly incentive to complete the readings…

Syllabus: Course Logistics • Main course requirements • • • Attend lectures Attend sections Complete section activities (quizzes / other) Complete readings Take midterm & final exams • My policies • Respect • Commitment to learning • Professionalism – Also, be aware of university policies.

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 didn’t do my section assignments… can you give me make-up assignments so I can get credit? ” – We will do our best to accommodate you whenever possible • But, don’t be surprised (or take it personally) if we can’t help you…

Things to Know About This Course • 1. Lecture, section, and readings are ALL critical for success in the class • Not much redundancy in lectures, sections, readings • Your job: Absorb it, pull it together yourself… • 2. Readings reflect a variety of different perspectives – requires thought, integration • 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.

Things to Know About This Course • 3. Some readings take explicit points of view • Ex: Some argue that globalization is “good” or “evil” • I want you to understand the different perspectives on important issues – I don’t expect you to agree with everything » I certainly don’t! – And, I don’t seek to reward students who happen to agree with any particular point of view – But, I want you to be able to discuss things intelligently – even views that you don’t agree with.

Things to Know About This Course • 4. The course emphasizes thinking and understanding, more than memorization • You have to memorize basic terms in order to understand lectures & readings • But, the goal is to develop independent thinking skills • WHY? • Answer: those are the skills that matter… – Ex: upcoming reading “The Untouchables” • One goal of this class is to understand the subject matter… another is to cultivate your thinking skills.

Economic Globalization • The first section of class addresses economic globalization… • Let’s take a few minutes to start thinking about this topic… • Take 2 minutes to chat with neighbor… What is it? What examples come to mind? Why is it happening?

Video Example: Globalization • Let’s start thinking about globalization! • Humorous example from “The Onion”. . . Outsourcing! • http: //www. theonion. com/content/video/report_many_u_s_parents

The Onion: “Outsourcing” Video • Why is the video funny? – What does it say about the possibilities & limits of the global economy? • Short discussion.

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!

States and Markets • First section of class is entitled “States & Markets” NO, NO!!!

States and Markets • States and markets mean:

States and Markets: Definitions • State: The central government of a country • Markets: Systems that facilitate the exchange of goods and services – Related terms: state government public regulation • Also, “democracy” – Reich market economy private capitalism

States and Markets • BIG Issue: How much should states control (“regulate”) markets? – Markets need some state control to function – To prevent fraud & illegal activity – And, unregulated markets produce adverse side-effects » 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 regulation is kept to a minimum. • So, there is a tension between proponents of more or less regulation…

States and Markets Example • Related question: Which “goods” should be provided by markets? Which by states? • Example: Healthcare • Example: Higher education – Dillon, Sam. 2005. “At Public Universities, Warnings of Privatization. ” The New York Times, October 16, 2005. – * Hiltzik, Michael. 2009. “Why Privatizing the University of California Won’t Work. ” The Los Angeles Times. December 10, 2009. – 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.

States and Markets • How much should states control markets? When should the state produce goods, instead of markets? • We begin with these questions for 3 reasons: – 1. Hugely important issue of the past century – Ex: Cold war: Communism vs. Capitalism – Ex: Democrats vs. Republicans in the US. – 2. The path of economic globalization depends on how governments control (or do not control) markets – 3. Globalization, in turn, affect the ability of states to control markets…

States and Markets Example • The “Credit Crisis” of 2008 • Issue: Many kinds of banking in the US are only weakly regulated • See readings from week 1: – Krugman, Paul. “Partying Like Its 1929. ” The New York Times, March 21, 2008. – Leonhardt, David. “Can’t Grasp the Credit Crisis? Join the Club. ” The New York Times, March 18, 2008. – Result #1: Big profits, much new wealth created! – Many people got cheap home mortgages – Companies got rich – Result #2: Big disasters – Bear Stearns (a big company) goes bankrupt – Financial markets in turmoil – Lots of people losing their homes…

States and Markets: Major Themes • Major themes of first section of course: – 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.

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 about specific outcomes » And specific “winners” and “losers” • It affects markets… – Example, it may generate greater economic growth, but also greater instability (e. g. , crises) • It affects states / governments – Example, it may reduce the ability of governments to effectively produce some sorts of • It affects corporations – Example: increased global market competition.

Readings: some remarks • Readings: • 2 articles on the credit crisis: • Krugman, Paul. “Partying Like Its 1929. ” The New York Times, March 21, 2008. – Argues that weak regulation caused the financial collapse • Rodrik, Dani. 2010. Capitalism 3. 0, pp. 288 -9 in Harf and Lombardi. Taking Sides. New York, NY: Mc. Graw -Hill – Reflects on the implications of the crisis for capitalism as a whole.

Readings: some remarks • Readings: • Friedman, Thomas L. “Revolution is U. S. ” Chapter 16 (p. 307 -329) in The Lexus and the Olive Tree. Farrar, Straus, and Grioux (1999). Pages 307 -309 (top) only. – A brief (hopefully amusing) reflection on the different ways capitalism works in different societies • Dillon, Sam. 2005. “At Public Universities, Warnings of Privatization. ” The New York Times, October 16, 2005. – An article about privatization, looking at the example of public universities.

Video • If time remains, start video: Commanding Heights (PBS series)…