Globalization as a Political and Economic Phenomenon

Overview

Definition: Nations with primary economic power.
Characteristics:
- Export exploitation and import consumer goods.
- Send hard, dangerous, or low-paid jobs abroad while benefiting economically.
- High overall standard of living.
Current Examples: United States, Canada, most Western European nations, Australia, New Zealand, Japan.
G8 Countries: Most G8 countries are core nations; a question posed to identify the G8 country not included in the list of core nations.

Definition: Lowest economic power, heavily reliant on core nations.
Characteristics:
- Weak worker and environmental protections.
- Hazardous or demeaning jobs.
- Low overall standard of living.
Current Examples: Most African nations, many Asian and Middle Eastern nations, most of Central America, several South American nations.
G77: A group of 77 of the poorest nations, aimed at creating collective unity and power to influence their destinies.

Definition: Nations that are industrializing and have capitalist-driven economies.
Characteristics:
- Rising standard of living, though lower than core nations.
- Mixed worker and environmental protections.
- Experience both exploitation of others and being exploited.
- Large gap between rich and poor.
Current Examples: Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, China, Russia, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, several South Pacific nations.

Not uniform trends; for example:
- High standard of living in the US does not negate internal inequality.
- Impoverished status in periphery nations does not prevent the existence of wealthy individuals.

Introduction to globalization and its connection to world systems theory.
Discussion of the theoretical aspects of globalization, its workings, and ramifications.