Globalization

Another old piece of my discussion on Globalization... If no one has noticed yet, Ill never pass up an opportunity to bash Wal-Mart :)

                Globalization in the United States is becoming increasingly popular.  Just as is stated in The Communist Manifesto, globalization is necessary in a capitalistic system like we have in our country.  The goal of using this method is to hire cheaper labor in other countries, and then resell those goods in our own country.  The advantage of globalization is bigger profits for the private and corporate owned businesses.  The disadvantage however, is the exploitation of those workers in other countries.  When looking at one of our country's biggest corporation; Wal-Mart, we can see how they have taken advantage of hiring overseas to gain profit.

* Please watch from 6:07 to 8:20 of this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vjSA9dGA6w&feature=channel_page *

                The opening scene of this video shows the horrible conditions in which the factory workers of Wal-Mart are practically forced to live in.  They are given the option to move out, yet they have no choice but to pay rent for the dorms provided to them.  Since their wages are so low, it would be near to impossible to live elsewhere and pay double-rent.  Globalizing has helped Wal-Mart become even more powerful, but it is at the expense of these workers quality of life.  Their working conditions are so bad that when inspectors come to make sure the factory is up to standards, they are forced to lie about their hours worked and how much they are paid.  Looking from a conflict perspective, those in the position that hold no power have no other choice but to follow the instructions they are given.  Aside from the fact that they lie to keep their jobs, even if they wanted to speak out they would face serious consequences because they are threatened beforehand.  This makes it even easier for those who hold the power to retain that power, and even increase it.

Later on in the film, one Chinese factory employee says "Those profits you made and the wonderful life you have are the sweat and tears and overtime working of Chinese people," another worker says "Do you know why you can buy such cheap toys from Wal-Mart? That's because we workers work all day, every day and night."  The statements made by the actual factory workers confirm how exploited they really are, and shows the two very different extremes in what we know as a common day's work, and what they know as a common day's work.  Sadly, a lot of corporations can use the outsourcing of jobs as an easy way to increase their revenue while getting away with treating overseas workers so poorly.  A lot of times, the consumers of products that are made out of the country have no idea what went into making them.  All they see is the finished product, but documentaries like this one, helps to show why it is indeed a conflict theory and that when someone of power gains even more, someone in turn, has to suffer.

*Please watch from 4:09 - 5:23 of this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCuWo4Vch2k&feature=channel_page *

                The man speaking is a former Global Services Manager for Wal-Mart.  It was his job to make sure the overseas factory conditions were humane and safe.  In this particular case, the man's ethical reasoning got in the way of his job.  Since he was working for those who held the power, and not telling them what they wanted to hear, they fired him.  As soon as Wal-Mart encountered a problem, or a threat to their power, the solution was simple: they did whatever they had to do to eliminate that threat.  This again, shows how easily those on the top of the chain can remain there and, with the information from the previous paragraphs video, how unfeasible it would be for those on the bottom of the chain to do anything in their own defense.  Basically, globalization is necessary for a capitalistic market, but at the same time, it makes the gap between the powerful and powerless even wider.