JULIET PORTILLO
Emigration in search of better opportunities has created a significant amount of what is termed 'barrel children' who are left in the care of older siblings and other family members who themselves are struggling to keep the roof over their heads forcing children, mostly males into a life of crime. Everyday one hears on the news of youths being gunned down and it is often drug or gang related and is mostly young black males from so-called depressed areas. The conditionalities of structural adjustments have marginalized certain groups in society who are unable to secure jobs when there are hardly any available and sees no other alternative even though they may have secondary level education. With governments having to cut wages individuals struggle to make ends meet. The poor feels there is no hope. Poor people sometimes have to depend on welfare such as food cards and rely on school feeding programs which ensures that their children at least get a meal.
Monday, 30 March 2015
INEQUALITY
JULIET PORTILLO
It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. Hundreds of people lined up from as early as 5 a.m in front of the HDC office in Port of Spain for a chance to be allocated a house. Arable lands for agriculture is being transformed all in the name of development in an effort to keep up with the demand for those who cannot afford to purchase or build their own homes. Forest are destroyed by squatters and developers alike. The disparities between the rich and poor are obvious as there appears to be mostly a particular race who seems unable to afford their own home. The promise of more jobs with globalisation have not borne fruits for the poor but the rich since many people are still living in poverty and are forced to fight for survival everyday. The resources are just not distributed equitably. It seems like a never-ending cycle.
It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. Hundreds of people lined up from as early as 5 a.m in front of the HDC office in Port of Spain for a chance to be allocated a house. Arable lands for agriculture is being transformed all in the name of development in an effort to keep up with the demand for those who cannot afford to purchase or build their own homes. Forest are destroyed by squatters and developers alike. The disparities between the rich and poor are obvious as there appears to be mostly a particular race who seems unable to afford their own home. The promise of more jobs with globalisation have not borne fruits for the poor but the rich since many people are still living in poverty and are forced to fight for survival everyday. The resources are just not distributed equitably. It seems like a never-ending cycle.
TECHNOLOGY AND IDENTITY
JULIET PORTILLO
We have been exposed to so many foreign media via a host of television channels, books and magazines that we hardly appreciate our own local programming or read books written by our local authors. Books like 'Green Days by the River' and 'A year in San Fernando'. Gone are the days of everyone talking about 'Calabash Alley' we hardly have that type of programming anymore since we would not have an audience, nowadays it is 'young and Restless' and 'Bold and Beautiful'. Our young people perform to empty seats for Music Festival yet we pay exorbitant sums of money to go to a a 'Beyonce' or 'Richard Marx' concert. The vast majority of TV shows are from the North. Our entire lifestyles have changed. If one observe the patterns of behaviour of young people they all exhibit the same taste and patterns of consumption. Our identity is under threat and if we are not careful will be completely obliterated in the not too distant future.
We have been exposed to so many foreign media via a host of television channels, books and magazines that we hardly appreciate our own local programming or read books written by our local authors. Books like 'Green Days by the River' and 'A year in San Fernando'. Gone are the days of everyone talking about 'Calabash Alley' we hardly have that type of programming anymore since we would not have an audience, nowadays it is 'young and Restless' and 'Bold and Beautiful'. Our young people perform to empty seats for Music Festival yet we pay exorbitant sums of money to go to a a 'Beyonce' or 'Richard Marx' concert. The vast majority of TV shows are from the North. Our entire lifestyles have changed. If one observe the patterns of behaviour of young people they all exhibit the same taste and patterns of consumption. Our identity is under threat and if we are not careful will be completely obliterated in the not too distant future.
Global Uprising: Global Uprising.
Shirley Baboolal
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Global Uprising: Global Uprising.
Shirley Baboolal
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Global Uprising: Global Uprising.
Shirley Baboolal
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
MODELS OF DEVELOPMENT-HOW APPLICABLE IS THIS FOR THE CARIBBEAN?
JULIET PORTILLO
The conventional approaches to development in the Caribbean have been characterized by such features as the production of a narrow range of goods, mainly for export; the importation of most of the technology and equipment used for production; a planning process that excludes the views and expertise of organized labour, farmers, women, youth and several other major groups; an economic management system that measures growth in terms of such indicators as Gross National Product (GNP) and the value of exports; a dependence on market forces to distribute wealth and opportunity and application of criteria for progress and success that fail to calculate the impact of development policies and programmes on people and on the natural resources of the region. How much are we investing in people? The present development model alienates youth from active participation in activities of socio-economic, cultural and political significance. We need to exploit the natural and human resources of our country. What are we doing in reducing the present 'brain drain', those intellectual minds who can contribute in a meaningful way to our development? Every year tertiary institutions across the country produces graduates who cannot get a meaningful job. Where is the vision for development? It is said that education is the key to development. What about investing more in sports for the alienated youth. Why are the stadiums across the country under-utilized? We need a new ideology and a realistic vision that encompasses all in society regardless of race, class, religion and gender.
Reference
Duncan, N. Mechanisms of Impoverishment in the Anglophone Caribbean: The Role of the Bretton Woods Institutions and Recommendations of Caribbean NGOs
The conventional approaches to development in the Caribbean have been characterized by such features as the production of a narrow range of goods, mainly for export; the importation of most of the technology and equipment used for production; a planning process that excludes the views and expertise of organized labour, farmers, women, youth and several other major groups; an economic management system that measures growth in terms of such indicators as Gross National Product (GNP) and the value of exports; a dependence on market forces to distribute wealth and opportunity and application of criteria for progress and success that fail to calculate the impact of development policies and programmes on people and on the natural resources of the region. How much are we investing in people? The present development model alienates youth from active participation in activities of socio-economic, cultural and political significance. We need to exploit the natural and human resources of our country. What are we doing in reducing the present 'brain drain', those intellectual minds who can contribute in a meaningful way to our development? Every year tertiary institutions across the country produces graduates who cannot get a meaningful job. Where is the vision for development? It is said that education is the key to development. What about investing more in sports for the alienated youth. Why are the stadiums across the country under-utilized? We need a new ideology and a realistic vision that encompasses all in society regardless of race, class, religion and gender.
Reference
Duncan, N. Mechanisms of Impoverishment in the Anglophone Caribbean: The Role of the Bretton Woods Institutions and Recommendations of Caribbean NGOs
THE CORROSIVE POWER OF GLOBALISATION
JULIET PORTILLO
Does globalisation destroy identities?
Globalisation has swept like a flood tide through the world's diverse cultures destroying stable localities,displacing peoples,bring a market- driven 'branded' homogenization of cultural experience, thus obliterating the differences between locality-defined cultures which had constituted our identities. Through the process of globalization some did better and some did worst. The West saw versions of their cultures exported worldwide. Weaker cultures of the developing world have been most threatened. Cultural identity is at risk everywhere especially for developing countries. Do we value our past? Who we are as a Caribbean people. What makes us unique? Are we easily identified as Caribbean people ...the way we speak, we always strive to speak 'proper' English...what about our dress does it reflect our Caribbean experience?. Why is it considered acceptable to wear a jacket and tie for a job interview or that we have to cut our 'ras' to have the competitive edge. In most things that we do we emulate the west. Can we ever turn back?
Reference
Tomlinson, J. Globalization and Cultural Identity
Does globalisation destroy identities?
Globalisation has swept like a flood tide through the world's diverse cultures destroying stable localities,displacing peoples,bring a market- driven 'branded' homogenization of cultural experience, thus obliterating the differences between locality-defined cultures which had constituted our identities. Through the process of globalization some did better and some did worst. The West saw versions of their cultures exported worldwide. Weaker cultures of the developing world have been most threatened. Cultural identity is at risk everywhere especially for developing countries. Do we value our past? Who we are as a Caribbean people. What makes us unique? Are we easily identified as Caribbean people ...the way we speak, we always strive to speak 'proper' English...what about our dress does it reflect our Caribbean experience?. Why is it considered acceptable to wear a jacket and tie for a job interview or that we have to cut our 'ras' to have the competitive edge. In most things that we do we emulate the west. Can we ever turn back?
Reference
Tomlinson, J. Globalization and Cultural Identity
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
JULIET PORTILLO
Modern manufactured goods exhibit levels of sophistication and diversity that permit them to take advantage of the new transportation and communication potential. Perishable food items can now be purchased from as far as China with the use of refrigerated cargo containers. These goods can be tracked via online communication technology with shipping agents being able to estimate the time of arrival at particular ports. Communication technology indeed has its place in modern society.
Modern manufactured goods exhibit levels of sophistication and diversity that permit them to take advantage of the new transportation and communication potential. Perishable food items can now be purchased from as far as China with the use of refrigerated cargo containers. These goods can be tracked via online communication technology with shipping agents being able to estimate the time of arrival at particular ports. Communication technology indeed has its place in modern society.
THE GLOBALIZATION MENTALITY
JULIET PORTILLO
Everything local is judged by some international standard, of competitiveness, of investor-friendliness, of good governance. Some of these are useful but it is an attitude of mind where you only value what you have if it is valued by the global market and validated by a global standard. The colonial mentality has been globalised. We lack independent thought.
Reference: Girvan, N.
Existential Threats in the Caribbean: Democratising Politics, Regionalising Governance
Globalisation and Climate Change - C. Samuel
Global warming is seen as today's premier global scale problem (Adams 2011)
Globalization does not cause global warming but the rapid growth and industrialization associated with a more global economy are a basic source of greenhouse gas carbon emissions that accumulate in the atmosphere to cause global warning. for e.g. hotter temperatures, rise in seal level and increased hurricane which threaten lives, property and livelihoods throughout the Caribbean. As ocean level rise the smallest low lying islands are affected
A few, large wealthy countries are responsible for the bulk of current emissions and for the stock of greenhouse gases that has accumulated in the atmosphere during their growth since the Industrial Revolution. Almost every country in the Caribbean region has been targeted as a waste dump site by waste brokers operating in the US, and these nations are under increasing pressure to accept the wastes.
The Kyoto protocol 2005 an implementation agreement under the United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas. .
Globalization does not cause global warming but the rapid growth and industrialization associated with a more global economy are a basic source of greenhouse gas carbon emissions that accumulate in the atmosphere to cause global warning. for e.g. hotter temperatures, rise in seal level and increased hurricane which threaten lives, property and livelihoods throughout the Caribbean. As ocean level rise the smallest low lying islands are affected
A few, large wealthy countries are responsible for the bulk of current emissions and for the stock of greenhouse gases that has accumulated in the atmosphere during their growth since the Industrial Revolution. Almost every country in the Caribbean region has been targeted as a waste dump site by waste brokers operating in the US, and these nations are under increasing pressure to accept the wastes.
The Kyoto protocol 2005 an implementation agreement under the United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas. .
TECHNOLOGY - C. SAMUEL
Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is a major development in the global economy. It involves business conducted on the Internet and other network based data inter-change systems. E-commerce will continue to affect fundamentally the way economic activities are conducted in financial services, telecommunications, entertainment, and various other services. Internet access and use is likely to grow rapidly. For example, long ago a telegraphic transfer was used to transfer funds abroad where a transfer charge is often charged by the sending bank and in some cases by the receiving bank. Today we can sit in our homes and transact business once you have a credit card.
Reference: Calculus of Inequality
Reference: Calculus of Inequality
Sunday, 29 March 2015
THE TRIPS AGREEMENT - C SAMUEL
The TRIPS Agreement, which was in fact assiduously promoted by the developed countries in response to pressures exerted by their corporate lobbies, is designed essentially to prevent the developing countries from gaining unauthorized access to the technology of the developed countries for fear that access to such technology could erode the competitiveness of the developed countries. e.g a few years ago the government of Trinidad and Tobago failed to patent the steel pan and this has caused the country to loose the rights to manufacturing the steel pan. We need to put systems in place to avoid this from reoccuring.
MARGINALIZATION UNDER NEO-LIBERAL GLOBALIZATION
JULIET PORTILLO
Up to the end of the 1980's the banana industry was the largest single employer of labour, peasant occupation and export earner in the Windward Islands. Enter the WTO agreement, American multinationals growing bananas on Latin American plantations where cheap labour can be exploited and campaign financing for the Bill Clinton presidential campaigns. Next: the U.S lodges a complaint to the WTO that the EU treatment of the ACP bananas is discriminatory; the WTO rules against the EU; the EU opens its market to low- cost bananas; and goodbye Windward Islands banana industry.
Fair Trade?
Reference:
Girvan, N. Existential Threats in the Caribbean: Democratising Politics, Regionalising Governance
Up to the end of the 1980's the banana industry was the largest single employer of labour, peasant occupation and export earner in the Windward Islands. Enter the WTO agreement, American multinationals growing bananas on Latin American plantations where cheap labour can be exploited and campaign financing for the Bill Clinton presidential campaigns. Next: the U.S lodges a complaint to the WTO that the EU treatment of the ACP bananas is discriminatory; the WTO rules against the EU; the EU opens its market to low- cost bananas; and goodbye Windward Islands banana industry.
Fair Trade?
Reference:
Girvan, N. Existential Threats in the Caribbean: Democratising Politics, Regionalising Governance
GLOBAL PROGRESS?
JULIET PORTILLO
Are we much better off today than 30 years ago? Yes we have achieved a lot. There is education for all yet many are still left behind, we have a lot of technological devices from smart phones, internet at our fingertips , we are locked in our homes with our 'precious gems- whatsapp,facebook, twitter and skype. But wait we travel with them too. We have 'reached'. We don't know if the old lady down the road needs a little company, somebody to talk to. Our taste have changed that we are no longer in touch with ourselves since we have chosen to cast our own cultures aside for 'better' ones. Our forest are destroyed all in the name of development and we wonder why there are so many floods nowadays. PROGRESS?
Are we much better off today than 30 years ago? Yes we have achieved a lot. There is education for all yet many are still left behind, we have a lot of technological devices from smart phones, internet at our fingertips , we are locked in our homes with our 'precious gems- whatsapp,facebook, twitter and skype. But wait we travel with them too. We have 'reached'. We don't know if the old lady down the road needs a little company, somebody to talk to. Our taste have changed that we are no longer in touch with ourselves since we have chosen to cast our own cultures aside for 'better' ones. Our forest are destroyed all in the name of development and we wonder why there are so many floods nowadays. PROGRESS?
Globalization - C. Samuel
"Will a new 'golden age' bring convergence? Participation by developing countries in the earlier globalization of 1850-1900 was shallow and often based on unfavourable terms of trade...Today developing countries have the opportunity to play a far more active role. The potential for large gains is enormous. Whether they are realized will depend on the policy choices made by developing country governments...Globalization is unavoidable ... whether a new golden age arrives for all depends mostly on the responses of individual countries to this increasingly global economy." for example , if the developing countries compete in the global markets and follow the policies as urged by the World Bank, they may succeed and be termed a winner, but if they fail to comply they automatically become a loser and losers are excluded from the production and consumption in a fiercely competitive global economy. World Bank Report (1995): 53-54
HAITI'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE IMF
JULIET PORTILLO
Haiti has dutifully followed the prescriptions of the IMF and the world bank yet today Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Approximately 70 percent of Haitians are unemployed. The country suffers from one of the worst life expectancy rates in the world. The IMF policy mandates that Haiti increase its exports which they did and have been successful. Success came with a price. In an effort to attract foreign investment at whatever cost Haiti was forced to keep wages at poverty levels. By cutting assistance to small farmers the agricultural sector was ruined. Haiti relied on food imports and lacked food security. A lot of programs initiated by the institutions failed to help Haiti. Debt servicing left no room for development. To date they are still suffering.
Reference:
Global Exchange
September 2001
Haiti has dutifully followed the prescriptions of the IMF and the world bank yet today Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Approximately 70 percent of Haitians are unemployed. The country suffers from one of the worst life expectancy rates in the world. The IMF policy mandates that Haiti increase its exports which they did and have been successful. Success came with a price. In an effort to attract foreign investment at whatever cost Haiti was forced to keep wages at poverty levels. By cutting assistance to small farmers the agricultural sector was ruined. Haiti relied on food imports and lacked food security. A lot of programs initiated by the institutions failed to help Haiti. Debt servicing left no room for development. To date they are still suffering.
Reference:
Global Exchange
September 2001
STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENTS: AIDS IN AFRICA
JULIET PORTILLO
Due to structural adjustment with the reservicing of debt along with conditionalites, the role of government in third world countries such as Africa, has been performed by international institutions who are vested with the power to re-order those countries economic and social policies. When a country has to cut spending on social services who suffers? An estimated 36.1 million people around the world are living with HIV-AIDS. The vast majority of those infected,25.3 million people live in one of the globe's most impoverished regions, Sub-Saharan Africa. The fact that Africans are dying in horrendous numbers because they are poor-and that poverty has been exacerbated by the policies of the IMF and the World Bank,two institutions controlled by the world's wealthy nations. The country is unable to pay for health care services because they are spending so much money on interest payments. These institutions refuse to cancel the debts of these AIDS ravaged countries.
Reference
Global Exchange 2001
Due to structural adjustment with the reservicing of debt along with conditionalites, the role of government in third world countries such as Africa, has been performed by international institutions who are vested with the power to re-order those countries economic and social policies. When a country has to cut spending on social services who suffers? An estimated 36.1 million people around the world are living with HIV-AIDS. The vast majority of those infected,25.3 million people live in one of the globe's most impoverished regions, Sub-Saharan Africa. The fact that Africans are dying in horrendous numbers because they are poor-and that poverty has been exacerbated by the policies of the IMF and the World Bank,two institutions controlled by the world's wealthy nations. The country is unable to pay for health care services because they are spending so much money on interest payments. These institutions refuse to cancel the debts of these AIDS ravaged countries.
Reference
Global Exchange 2001
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising.
Shirley Baboolal
The Digital Economy
Promise and Peril in the Age of Networked Intelligence
by Don Tapscott
Reviewed by Rupali Babu
Don Tapscott described the age of Networked Intelligence as an all encompassing and revolutionizing phenomenon fuelled by the convergence of advancements in human communication, computing (computers, structures, services) and content (publishing, entertainment and information procedures) to create an interactive multimedia and information highway. This new age is gradually forcing us to rethink the way we perceive the traditional definitions of economy, wealth of creation, business organizations and other institutional structures. Tapscott has created a strong argument for the creation and establishment of a digital economy. However, he does not take in account that in order for the economy to succeed will be highly dependent on the way people perceive it and use it. There are issues of trust within organization and people, misunderstandings, linguistic barriers, and the entire social garmat of cultural dissimilarities, different values and beliefs, as well as plain and single economies. His concept of measuring wealth in terms of knowledge creation is brilliant but will definitely take time simply because a unanimous standardized guideline will have to be accepted by people.
The Digital Economy
Promise and Peril in the Age of Networked Intelligence
by Don Tapscott
Reviewed by Rupali Babu
Don Tapscott described the age of Networked Intelligence as an all encompassing and revolutionizing phenomenon fuelled by the convergence of advancements in human communication, computing (computers, structures, services) and content (publishing, entertainment and information procedures) to create an interactive multimedia and information highway. This new age is gradually forcing us to rethink the way we perceive the traditional definitions of economy, wealth of creation, business organizations and other institutional structures. Tapscott has created a strong argument for the creation and establishment of a digital economy. However, he does not take in account that in order for the economy to succeed will be highly dependent on the way people perceive it and use it. There are issues of trust within organization and people, misunderstandings, linguistic barriers, and the entire social garmat of cultural dissimilarities, different values and beliefs, as well as plain and single economies. His concept of measuring wealth in terms of knowledge creation is brilliant but will definitely take time simply because a unanimous standardized guideline will have to be accepted by people.
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising.
Response to Shirley Baboolal on Globalization
Yes I do fear the possibility of these development. For example, we see anti-globalization demonstrations against the IMF and the WTO as well as widespread anti-Americanism around much of the world, especially the Middle East. These forces may slow down globalization but not reverse the process because globalization is a strong force leading to improvement in institutions. Some countries like India and China, globalization has been a positive force in their progress.
SB
Yes I do fear the possibility of these development. For example, we see anti-globalization demonstrations against the IMF and the WTO as well as widespread anti-Americanism around much of the world, especially the Middle East. These forces may slow down globalization but not reverse the process because globalization is a strong force leading to improvement in institutions. Some countries like India and China, globalization has been a positive force in their progress.
SB
Global Uprising: Global Uprising.
Shirley Baboolal
Jeffrey Williams has reminded us that the first era of globalization in the period 1870-1914 was brought to a halt by a 'global backlash' as well as the impact of the first world war and its consequences. Huntington has also talked about 'the clash of civilizations'. Globalization is often associated with the exercise of the US power in many anti-globalist circles and this also fuels the potential of a backlash. Some even blame the USA for the current levels of world inequality.(Brian Snowdon).
Question - Do you fear the potential consequences for world economic progress of these development?
Jeffrey Williams has reminded us that the first era of globalization in the period 1870-1914 was brought to a halt by a 'global backlash' as well as the impact of the first world war and its consequences. Huntington has also talked about 'the clash of civilizations'. Globalization is often associated with the exercise of the US power in many anti-globalist circles and this also fuels the potential of a backlash. Some even blame the USA for the current levels of world inequality.(Brian Snowdon).
Question - Do you fear the potential consequences for world economic progress of these development?
Saturday, 28 March 2015
Effects of Gobalization on the Environment
Shantel Lawrence
Air Pollution affecting the O-Zone Layer
Globalization and Cultural Identity
Shantel Lawrence
In John Tomlinson's book Globalization and culture he spoke about the era before globalization and there existed local, autonomous, distinct and well-defined, robust and culturally sustaining connections between geographical place and cultural experience. He mentioned that these connections constituted one’s, one’s community’s and cultural identity.
However, globalization as Tomlinson mentioned in his book has swept like a flood tide through the world’s diverse cultures, destroying stable localities, displacing peoples, bringing a market-driven, ‘branded’ homogenization of cultural experience, thus obliterating the differences between locality-defined cultures which had constituted our identities. Cultures in the West and, specifically, the United States saw a sort of standardized version of their cultures exported worldwide while the ‘weaker’ cultures of the developing world has been most threatened and at risk.
The developing countries cultural existence has been penetrated with globalized media and communications technologies such as television, mobile phones, email, the internet and ‘international’ food cultures. This is evident by the way we dress, the music we listen to and type of food we consume. In addition, our local festivities are dying out, as I remembered growing up as child in Trinidad, particularly the San Juan/Laventille region and looking forward to Best Village competition amongst the various communities. This I have observed in recent years has dwindled down and we are now seeing these multinational corporations funding and backing more westernized competitions such as ‘rising star’ themed after the US ‘American Idol’.
We need to hold on our culture, beliefs and norms as this gives us a people a sense of where we came from to guide and motivate us in our journey ahead.
REFERNCE
• Tomlinson, J. (1999) Globalization and Culture. Cambridge: Polity Press.
In John Tomlinson's book Globalization and culture he spoke about the era before globalization and there existed local, autonomous, distinct and well-defined, robust and culturally sustaining connections between geographical place and cultural experience. He mentioned that these connections constituted one’s, one’s community’s and cultural identity.
However, globalization as Tomlinson mentioned in his book has swept like a flood tide through the world’s diverse cultures, destroying stable localities, displacing peoples, bringing a market-driven, ‘branded’ homogenization of cultural experience, thus obliterating the differences between locality-defined cultures which had constituted our identities. Cultures in the West and, specifically, the United States saw a sort of standardized version of their cultures exported worldwide while the ‘weaker’ cultures of the developing world has been most threatened and at risk.
The developing countries cultural existence has been penetrated with globalized media and communications technologies such as television, mobile phones, email, the internet and ‘international’ food cultures. This is evident by the way we dress, the music we listen to and type of food we consume. In addition, our local festivities are dying out, as I remembered growing up as child in Trinidad, particularly the San Juan/Laventille region and looking forward to Best Village competition amongst the various communities. This I have observed in recent years has dwindled down and we are now seeing these multinational corporations funding and backing more westernized competitions such as ‘rising star’ themed after the US ‘American Idol’.
We need to hold on our culture, beliefs and norms as this gives us a people a sense of where we came from to guide and motivate us in our journey ahead.
REFERNCE
• Tomlinson, J. (1999) Globalization and Culture. Cambridge: Polity Press.
TECHNOLOGY
JULIET PORTILLO
The transformation of technology has rendered many in the workforce without jobs. Large sectors of the workforce has become obsolete. According to Selwyn Ryan people lack the skills to compete for jobs in computer driven technology industries or services which now dominate the modern economic horizon. Some of the older workers feel overwhelmed by these changes and cannot cope. With advances in technology certain positions have been rendered useless resulting in one individual doing the work of three people since technology has allowed for more integration. An example of this is the new customs and excise ASYCUDA system. Some data input employees jobs have become redundant. In order to compete one has to become more than just computer literate or risk being left behind since technology promises speedier delivery of goods and services in less time and improved efficiency. In the capitalist world time equates money. Progress with technology. Who benefits the most?
The transformation of technology has rendered many in the workforce without jobs. Large sectors of the workforce has become obsolete. According to Selwyn Ryan people lack the skills to compete for jobs in computer driven technology industries or services which now dominate the modern economic horizon. Some of the older workers feel overwhelmed by these changes and cannot cope. With advances in technology certain positions have been rendered useless resulting in one individual doing the work of three people since technology has allowed for more integration. An example of this is the new customs and excise ASYCUDA system. Some data input employees jobs have become redundant. In order to compete one has to become more than just computer literate or risk being left behind since technology promises speedier delivery of goods and services in less time and improved efficiency. In the capitalist world time equates money. Progress with technology. Who benefits the most?
JULIET PORTILLO
What does globalization mean to you? It is seen as positive for some and negative for others. We are integrated into the world economy where we enjoy diverse cultures, increased technology has bridged the communication divide, global media allows us to see and understand the world around us through different lens but have we considered the winners and losers of this 'game'? There are two main players of this game ... transnational corporations and international banks. When was the last time you patronized the drag mall for hand-made slippers, or the young mother who is a seamstress as against the so called 'brands'? You pay more just to show others and prove to yourself that you have evolved. Having these brands measures your success. Have you ever stopped and considered that you are contributing to some of your fellowman's poverty? Don't you sometimes feel bombarded by so many choices? At least buy local once in a while and help our budding entrepreneurs.
What does globalization mean to you? It is seen as positive for some and negative for others. We are integrated into the world economy where we enjoy diverse cultures, increased technology has bridged the communication divide, global media allows us to see and understand the world around us through different lens but have we considered the winners and losers of this 'game'? There are two main players of this game ... transnational corporations and international banks. When was the last time you patronized the drag mall for hand-made slippers, or the young mother who is a seamstress as against the so called 'brands'? You pay more just to show others and prove to yourself that you have evolved. Having these brands measures your success. Have you ever stopped and considered that you are contributing to some of your fellowman's poverty? Don't you sometimes feel bombarded by so many choices? At least buy local once in a while and help our budding entrepreneurs.
Thursday, 26 March 2015
INEQUALITY IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
JULIET PORTILLO
Within the periphery there is evidence of disparities where small groups are benefiting through the means of production. Some of these groups which comprises the upper and middle class often own and operate businesses benefiting from tax reliefs and other concessions increasing their profits. They also benefit from low wage payouts and increased productivity from underpaid labour. Due to high rates of unemployment the working class are forced to hold on to their jobs thereby creating an atmosphere of exploitation and abuse. Little or no protection is offered by the state in the interest of the lower income earner in society and many fear the backlash of joining trade unions.
Within the periphery there is evidence of disparities where small groups are benefiting through the means of production. Some of these groups which comprises the upper and middle class often own and operate businesses benefiting from tax reliefs and other concessions increasing their profits. They also benefit from low wage payouts and increased productivity from underpaid labour. Due to high rates of unemployment the working class are forced to hold on to their jobs thereby creating an atmosphere of exploitation and abuse. Little or no protection is offered by the state in the interest of the lower income earner in society and many fear the backlash of joining trade unions.
DEVELOPMENT,POVERTY AND THE CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE
Ramphall (1994)posits that Caribbean development as it is currently conceptualized and practiced, is not the solution to Caribbean poverty but one of its major causes." A similar view is advanced by Duncan (1995) who indicated that "Western development ideology and practice is one which generates and increases poverty,dis-empowers individuals and households, marginalizes women, debilitates and progressively depreciates the environment, and introduces values which corrupts and corrode human psyche and cultural variety. (class notes).
Since development is pursued from an economical perspective these ideologies have not been working for many countries of the Global South. Structural adjustment policies have totally eroded any chance for future developments of these economies and has instead created dependency for some Caribbean countries which has filtered down on the poor causing continued poverty and marginalization. Third world countries have a flawed ideology of development and has thus continued along the same path of its colonizers.
JULIET PORTILLO
Since development is pursued from an economical perspective these ideologies have not been working for many countries of the Global South. Structural adjustment policies have totally eroded any chance for future developments of these economies and has instead created dependency for some Caribbean countries which has filtered down on the poor causing continued poverty and marginalization. Third world countries have a flawed ideology of development and has thus continued along the same path of its colonizers.
JULIET PORTILLO
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
Global Uprising.
Response to Shantel Lawrence (Globalization, Technology and Media in Third World Development)
How can we the third world develop through technology when there is a media/information hierarchy where the west has the control over the means of global media production and information technology while the non-west do not have the means to make their points of view in order to enter the global media networks. A spiritual hierarchy that privileged Christians over non-Christians/ non-western spritualities institutionalized in the globalization of the Christian (Catholic and Protestant) churches.(class notes)
According to Sardar ( 1999;p.44) the real power of the West is not located in its economic muscle and technological might. Rather it resides in its power to define. The West defines what is for example freedom, progress and civil behavior, law, tradition and community, reason, mathematics and service what is real and what it means to be human.
Speaking of freedom, they use language in a subtil way to make people believe that they care, e.g. President Truman speech concerning development was indeed toward their own benefit. S. B.
How can we the third world develop through technology when there is a media/information hierarchy where the west has the control over the means of global media production and information technology while the non-west do not have the means to make their points of view in order to enter the global media networks. A spiritual hierarchy that privileged Christians over non-Christians/ non-western spritualities institutionalized in the globalization of the Christian (Catholic and Protestant) churches.(class notes)
According to Sardar ( 1999;p.44) the real power of the West is not located in its economic muscle and technological might. Rather it resides in its power to define. The West defines what is for example freedom, progress and civil behavior, law, tradition and community, reason, mathematics and service what is real and what it means to be human.
Speaking of freedom, they use language in a subtil way to make people believe that they care, e.g. President Truman speech concerning development was indeed toward their own benefit. S. B.
Response to Juliet Portillo's (Development for the Caribbean on the basis of whose ideology?
Development is not what we perceive through the teachings of those in authority, as the global south which includes the Caribbean is brainwashed by accepting the American ideology of development. Ramphall (1994) concludes that Caribbean development as currently conceptualized and practiced is not the solution to Caribbean poverty, but one of its major causes. A similar view is advanced by Duncan (1995), who posits that 'Western development and practice is one that generates and increases poverty, disempowers individuals and households, marginalizes women, debilitates and progressively depreciates the environment and introduces values which corrupts and corrode the human psyche and cultural variety. S. B.
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Globalization Technology and Media:
In response to C. Samuel (Globalization, Technology and Media)
Yes there are email, cell phones, internet, and skype where we sit in the comfort of our own homes, and it is evident that the world has changed drastically through globalization and technology which we refer to as 'Modernity'. Quick access of mails, messages, answer to questions, and games and movies. Before this era, neighbours used to communicate, children played games of hopscotch and rounders which are outdoor games, boys will meet on afternoons and play chess, and cards which enhance relationships as face to face contact were displayed. Even though the positives of technology is quick where emails could reach in in seconds and you could actually have face to face communication with skype, the negatives are the fact that people are locked in their own little world with their computers, children will not even listen to parents and will choose to stay locked in on the computer than to get involve outdoors to exercise and have face to face communications, exercise and fresh air with this 'Jaggernath of Modernity'. With the rise in technology, less human labor is needed as machinery has replaced human labor and workers are affected. Is there hope for improvement?
Yes there are email, cell phones, internet, and skype where we sit in the comfort of our own homes, and it is evident that the world has changed drastically through globalization and technology which we refer to as 'Modernity'. Quick access of mails, messages, answer to questions, and games and movies. Before this era, neighbours used to communicate, children played games of hopscotch and rounders which are outdoor games, boys will meet on afternoons and play chess, and cards which enhance relationships as face to face contact were displayed. Even though the positives of technology is quick where emails could reach in in seconds and you could actually have face to face communication with skype, the negatives are the fact that people are locked in their own little world with their computers, children will not even listen to parents and will choose to stay locked in on the computer than to get involve outdoors to exercise and have face to face communications, exercise and fresh air with this 'Jaggernath of Modernity'. With the rise in technology, less human labor is needed as machinery has replaced human labor and workers are affected. Is there hope for improvement?
THE IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION ON POVERTY
JULIET PORTILLO
Globalization has presented many opportunities for developing countries but has also created many problems. The rich is getting richer and the poor poorer.
According to Charles Ross Globalisation is now blamed for many ills and is viewed by some as the new threat to the prosperity and growth of developing countries.
Private capital inflows has brought with it an increase in technological expertise, much needed investment and opportunites for training and development.
We must realise that as poor, capital-deficient countries, it cannot be in our interest to restrict the inflow of capital into our economies.
It would seem that to resist capital would propel us back to the stone age.
However by allowing investors to benefit from their investments with hardly any benefit for us has resulted in continued poverty as the state's removal
of barrier to trade has allowed for the influx of goods from around the world and has also resulted in the privatisation of state owned companies to the detriment
of local employees. As power is taken away from governments due to the process of globalisation a capitalist playground is thereby created with little or no distribution of wealth.
TECHNOLOGY
JULIET PORTILLO
New types of communication technologies have been a driving force behind the space and time
compression that characterizes globalization and have had a profound impact on the ways in
which people around the world relate to one another. Through social networking students
have the opportunity to pursue online courses and through emails and skype a teacher in
a secondary school in West Trinidad has found a new way to give lessons to some of his
students without them leaving the comfort of their homes. New ways of teaching and
learning has been achieved through globalization and technology. According to Manuel
Castells 'space of flows' have been created through information communication technologies.
There are many positives in communication technologies.
POVERTY THROUGH DIFFERENT LENS
JULIET PORTILLO
Many middle and upper class in society seems to blame the poor for the situation that they are in.
They often condemn them for not trying to raise their own standard of living. These individuals
or groups look at poverty through different lens. It is often heard by some that people are lazy,
they lack achievement and motivation, have plenty children who they cannot adequately provide for
and depends on the state for handouts. Has the system failed poor people? Is it a never ending cycle
or as Oscar Lewis puts it, a culture of poverty whereby poverty stricken individuals feels a sense
of hopelessness in their situation. The culture of poverty is a sub culture of poverty. It is
both an adaptation and a reaction of the poor to their marginalized position in a class-stratified,
highly individuated, capitalist society. It represents an effort of cope with feelings of hopelessness
and despair that arise from the realization by the members of the marginal communities in these societies
of the improbability of their achieving success in terms of the prevailing values and goals. It perpetuates
itself thus becoming a cycle passed on from generation to generation.
Re3ference:
Lewis, Oscar. The Culture of Poverty
Monday, 23 March 2015
Globalization Technology and Media
C. Samuel
Globalization has produced larger and more inclusive social networks where there is greater interconnectedness.
The worldwide network of the internet has changed the way in which we communicate, people and countries bridge via social networks, for example the traditional structure of the family has change drastically, families of today are not as tightly knit as long ago however, communication among members are kept alive through the social networks as facebook, skype and email by sitting in the comfort of our homes and connecting with them miles away.
Media and Communication
C. Samuel
Manuel Castells became concerned with the impact of media and communication technologies. He called the new global world the 'automation'. He believed that we no longer control the world we have created. He argued that telecommunications and computers are the basis of production, and that in the network society personal identity become a much more open matter, we have to actively make them in interacting with others.
Globalization and Poverty: A Single Global Process
After 500 years of globalization we claim that we have made many achievements. However, centuries have passed and the poor is yet to benefit; we currently have the largest population of poor people in the world. Many are affected by labor issues. Illiteracy, homelessness and health issues have increased and a host of other social and economic ills have not only persisted but are on the increase. While the rich are getting richer, the poor have not benefited in any material way and has even become poorer; increasing the wealth gap between the rich and the poor. However, globalization should have had the opposite effect since Third World countries would be able to tap into a wider market and have access to a larger scope of technology. Why has the level of inequality persisted when globalization should have assisted developing countries to achieve developed status?
JACQUELINE MARQUIS
POVERTY AN ECONOMIC PROBLEM
JULIET PORTILLO
Is economic development the solution for poverty reduction?
By accelerating development through space and time, globalization has aggravated problems facing poor people.
Poverty can never be eradicated from a world that is ruled by powerful forces of globalisation.
'Poverty is a condition where some people in society experience long term scarcities of goods that satisfy basic
needs such as food, shelter, health care and clothing' (Lakshman Yapa). Some governments are encouraging
micro entrepreneurship and micro credit as a means of employment to help reduce poverty. Yet through globalisation
and an increase in cultural exchange small businesses are still struggling to make a decent profit. Consumers
are bombarded by so many foreign commodities that they refuse to 'buy local'. Foreign is better
Gobalization, Technology and Media in Third World Development
Shantel Lawrence
In a paper written by Norman Girvan, he states ‘Globalization’ in its ideological usage is the label employed for the post-Cold War, US-led project of the 1990s to organize the world according to the principles of neo-liberal economies. It connotes an allegedly irreversible process towards the formation of a single world economy, society and culture driven by technology and by the transnationalization of investment and of money capital.
In the last few decades, the world has witnessed a technological revolution that has produced computers, the internet, mobile phones, and multitude of other new technologies that have propelled us into what is being called the “information Age.” Many people have predicted that these modern information and communication technologies could bring the citizens of the world together, make governments more accountable, improve education levels, help business and commerce, and spread democracy and prosperity around the world. However, this new era of ‘information age’ although beneficial to the developed countries has made the existing gap between developed and third world countries worse.
Technology, it was believed, would not only amplify material progress, it would also confer upon it a sense of direction and significance. This has proven not to be the case for third world countries as they are faced with challenges when technology is used. These challenges includes the price of internet access, the shortage of telephone lines and wired access, a lack of electricity in rural areas, the required expertise and training required, and the media and flow of information. The media and flow of information between the developed and third world countries is controlled by transnational corporations. Money provides the muscle power for the transnational corporations. Technology is the nervous system. Information in the sense of the flow of news through the press and the electronic media is the persuader. More than 85 percent of the international news flow almost exclusively in a north to south direction. Very little of the total news traffic moves from south to south or from south to north. The main agencies responsible for the flow of news to the Third World are transnational enterprises with headquarters in a developed industrial country. Third World news media get little space for participation in the international information system. At the same time, the transnational news agencies provide coverage that is linked in the main to the interest of the modern news market. As a consequence, the realities of Third World countries are often misreported or distorted.
A good example of this is Jamaica and when they became a major target between 1975 and 1980, there was a clear bias of the flow of information by the media. These news agencies, the journalists who work for them, and the newspapers which depend on them for the interpretation of the news succeeded in under-mining the credibility of the country’s leadership. The flow of propaganda created a fear among the leaders of the local commercial enterprises and helped to ensure that foreign entrepreneurs came to regard Jamaica as a place to avoid at all costs. This false information spread by the media affected Jamaica’s economy negatively. Many times people tend to believe those who hold power while ignoring the truth and facts. Third World countries should be allowed to have an even playing field when receiving and disseminating media with developed counties in order for growth and development to take place.
References
• Escobar, Arturo. (1995). Encountering Development: the Making and Unmaking of The Third World: Princeton University Press Publishers
• Girvan, Norman. (1999).The Globalization and Counter-Globalization: The Caribbean in the Context of the South
• Manley, Michael. ( 1987).Up the Down Escalator: Development and the International Economy: Andre Deutsch Publishers
• Miller, Debra A. (2007).Developing Nations: Christine Nasso Publisher
In a paper written by Norman Girvan, he states ‘Globalization’ in its ideological usage is the label employed for the post-Cold War, US-led project of the 1990s to organize the world according to the principles of neo-liberal economies. It connotes an allegedly irreversible process towards the formation of a single world economy, society and culture driven by technology and by the transnationalization of investment and of money capital.
In the last few decades, the world has witnessed a technological revolution that has produced computers, the internet, mobile phones, and multitude of other new technologies that have propelled us into what is being called the “information Age.” Many people have predicted that these modern information and communication technologies could bring the citizens of the world together, make governments more accountable, improve education levels, help business and commerce, and spread democracy and prosperity around the world. However, this new era of ‘information age’ although beneficial to the developed countries has made the existing gap between developed and third world countries worse.
Technology, it was believed, would not only amplify material progress, it would also confer upon it a sense of direction and significance. This has proven not to be the case for third world countries as they are faced with challenges when technology is used. These challenges includes the price of internet access, the shortage of telephone lines and wired access, a lack of electricity in rural areas, the required expertise and training required, and the media and flow of information. The media and flow of information between the developed and third world countries is controlled by transnational corporations. Money provides the muscle power for the transnational corporations. Technology is the nervous system. Information in the sense of the flow of news through the press and the electronic media is the persuader. More than 85 percent of the international news flow almost exclusively in a north to south direction. Very little of the total news traffic moves from south to south or from south to north. The main agencies responsible for the flow of news to the Third World are transnational enterprises with headquarters in a developed industrial country. Third World news media get little space for participation in the international information system. At the same time, the transnational news agencies provide coverage that is linked in the main to the interest of the modern news market. As a consequence, the realities of Third World countries are often misreported or distorted.
A good example of this is Jamaica and when they became a major target between 1975 and 1980, there was a clear bias of the flow of information by the media. These news agencies, the journalists who work for them, and the newspapers which depend on them for the interpretation of the news succeeded in under-mining the credibility of the country’s leadership. The flow of propaganda created a fear among the leaders of the local commercial enterprises and helped to ensure that foreign entrepreneurs came to regard Jamaica as a place to avoid at all costs. This false information spread by the media affected Jamaica’s economy negatively. Many times people tend to believe those who hold power while ignoring the truth and facts. Third World countries should be allowed to have an even playing field when receiving and disseminating media with developed counties in order for growth and development to take place.
References
• Escobar, Arturo. (1995). Encountering Development: the Making and Unmaking of The Third World: Princeton University Press Publishers
• Girvan, Norman. (1999).The Globalization and Counter-Globalization: The Caribbean in the Context of the South
• Manley, Michael. ( 1987).Up the Down Escalator: Development and the International Economy: Andre Deutsch Publishers
• Miller, Debra A. (2007).Developing Nations: Christine Nasso Publisher
Sunday, 22 March 2015
POVERTY ALLEVIATION: TRADE LIBERALISATION
JULIET PORTILLO
Has the removal of VAT and Import Duties on certain types of imported food items such as canned tuna, mackerel, sardines, juices and curry
just to name a few helped the poor in any meaningful way? No. Consumers have not seen a marked reduction in food prices
and supermarket owners cite several reasons for this. The spike in crime has allowed for an increase in overheads namely
security cameras and personnel and also increased charges on the ports.Unfortunately all of these have to be absorbed by
the consumer since the capitalist world is one of profit making. Consumers even end up paying more. The lowering of tariffs
therefore has not filtered down to the poor and we talk poverty alleviation. What's the use since it benefits the wealthy.
TRADE LIBERALISATION :IS THE PRICE OF FOOD AFFORDABLE FOR THE POOR?
JULIET PORTILLO
In Trinidad and Tobago the governments past and present has attempted to make the price of certain food items more affordable
for the poor. Through the removal of VAT from certain food items it is hoped that some relief is given to the poor. According to John Nash and Donald mitchell
the best ways to put food on the tables of the poor would be to remove protectionist barriers. A few years ago when the price of local chicken rose due to an
increase in the price of grains, the population cried 'foul' the government was forced to consider removing barrier on the importation of foreign chicken
chicken producers locally, protested that they will be forced to shut down their business resulting in loss of jobs. How do you off-set something like that?
The government was forced to shelve that idea. Who benefits from trade liberalisation when developing countries cannot withstand those types of external shocks?
By lowering applied tariffs on food product imports in order to mitigate adverse effects on small producers who have limited resources to adjust, safety nets are needed.
What?
Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights - C Samuel
World Trade Organization (WTO) deals with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.This organization is not simply a continuation the the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), it has a completely different character. GATT was a series of rules, a multilateral agreement without an institutional foundation and with just an ad hoc secretariat, originating from the attempt to establish an Industrial Trade Organization in the 1940s. The WTO is a permanent institution with its own secretariat. The GATT rules applied to trade in goods while the WTO covers not just goods, but also trade in services and trade-related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.
The Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement seeks to provide increased multilaterally agreed protection for patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial design, geographical indications, integrated circuits and undisclosed information (trade secrets)along the lines of the regulations existing in the developed countries, most notably the US. Has TRIPS reduced the amount of cross border crimes with Trinidad and Tobago?
This was promoted in response to pressures from their corporate group to prevent developing countries from gaining unauthorized access to such technology thereby weakening the competitiveness of the developed countries.
Intellectual Property rights are the rights given to persons over the creation of their minds. They usually give the creator an exclusive right over the use of his/her creation for a certain period of time e.g. coconut oil became bad when the US was trying to project soya bean oil. Western science has contributed to people being misled because it was said that is bad for one's health because of cholesterol thus creating a market for their product. IPR is divided into two categories: (i) Industrial property which includes inventions (patents) trademarks, industrial designs and geographic indications of sources and (ii) copyright which includes literary and artistic works such as novels, poems and plays, films, musical works, artistic works such as paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures and architectural designs. Why is it important to protect Intellectual Property Rights?
Trademarks are symbols, words and phrases that identify a product or company. It must be registered like a patent to protect it from use by others. Unlike most forms of intellectual property, trademarks don't expire as long as the requirements for filing for its continual use are met. One area which falls under trademarks is trade names. A company can own several trade marks in their business. However, they only have one trade name to distinguish themselves from their competitors. The name is independent of whatever the products are which the company sells under a particular trademark. e.g. The General Electric Company. General Electric Company is the registered trade name, with the registered trade marks GE and their monogram,
Other areas under the umbrella concept of trademarks are franchises, such as Burger King and famous character names such as Mickey mouse. These can come from literature, pictoral matters or actual people, and are all used a recognizable figures in merchandizing. However there are protections for live people against unauthorized use of their names, images or other characteristics which are above the rights of intellectual property. This is generally covered under such rights as those to privacy and protection against libel or defamation.
Trade secrets often consists of information which could be patentable, such as the formula for coco cola. However patents expire, whereas a trade secret, if it is not discovered, can continue to be used exclusively by a company for an indeterminate length of time, so some companies make the decision that it is better for the company not to patent the information.
IPR and the North-South Debate over Plant Genetic Resources (PGR)
Due to the widespread diffusion of biotechnology within the different industrial domains, the industrialized world has massively increased its demands for IP protection of living organisms. According to Khor the 'Gene Rush' has thus become a new version of the old 'Godl Rush' in the scramble for future profits., the genes of living organisms i.e. IPR are the basic 'raw material' of the new bio technologies.
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising:...
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising:...: Global Uprising Anthony Giddens on Globalization. (Intensification of worldwide social relations by Giddens on Globalization. (www.system dynamics.org/conferences/2009/proceed/papers/P1072.pdf
A widely cited sociologist, Anthony Giddens, former director of the London School of Economics
and an adviser to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair writes about the Globalization process.
Giddens focused on the individual in society. Giddens sees globalization as the motor of development that brings varied changes which shape modern societies. It is a process that contained varied, often opposing tendencies. According to Lane and Huseman(2008) emphasized that Transnational Corporations(TC) can create competition among countries as TC power grows with an increasingly large influence in the world economy thereby causing individual citizens to lose their sense of influence on shaping the political agenda. Lane and Huseman is in agreement with Giddens concerning the individual. Giddens said that Globalization through TC growth outsourcing and international division of labor leads to social unevenness. Short-termed unemployment grows in nation states where jobs are outsourced. This reduced peoples' quality of life. Giddens also stressed about the global risk of social disorientation which affects the citizen of the world. and the ecological risk connected with the threat of health risk. These risks reduce peoples' quality of life.
Even though globalization has its good where free trade and borderless economy is concerned yet that same globalization could impact peoples' lives negatively.
A widely cited sociologist, Anthony Giddens, former director of the London School of Economics
and an adviser to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair writes about the Globalization process.
Giddens focused on the individual in society. Giddens sees globalization as the motor of development that brings varied changes which shape modern societies. It is a process that contained varied, often opposing tendencies. According to Lane and Huseman(2008) emphasized that Transnational Corporations(TC) can create competition among countries as TC power grows with an increasingly large influence in the world economy thereby causing individual citizens to lose their sense of influence on shaping the political agenda. Lane and Huseman is in agreement with Giddens concerning the individual. Giddens said that Globalization through TC growth outsourcing and international division of labor leads to social unevenness. Short-termed unemployment grows in nation states where jobs are outsourced. This reduced peoples' quality of life. Giddens also stressed about the global risk of social disorientation which affects the citizen of the world. and the ecological risk connected with the threat of health risk. These risks reduce peoples' quality of life.
Even though globalization has its good where free trade and borderless economy is concerned yet that same globalization could impact peoples' lives negatively.
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising: SHIRLEY BABOOLAL.....
Respond to Juliet Portillo
Globalization is a reflection of Neo-liberalism which entails removing barriers. The poorer countries which are referred to as the global south, benefits not from Neo-Liberalism globalization. Neo-Liberalism ignore human rights. Of course the USA benefits. Margaret Tatcher"s There is no alternative (TINA) has failed and replaced by The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
Hegemonic Paradigm - We are locked into this dominant paradigm.
Question? - Can we still say that there exists some good things in Capitalism?
Respond to Juliet Portillo
Globalization is a reflection of Neo-liberalism which entails removing barriers. The poorer countries which are referred to as the global south, benefits not from Neo-Liberalism globalization. Neo-Liberalism ignore human rights. Of course the USA benefits. Margaret Tatcher"s There is no alternative (TINA) has failed and replaced by The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
Hegemonic Paradigm - We are locked into this dominant paradigm.
Question? - Can we still say that there exists some good things in Capitalism?
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising: SHIRLEY BABOOLAL.....
Respond to Juliet Portillo
Globalization is a reflection of Neo-liberalism which entails removing barriers. The poorer countries which are referred to as the global south, benefits not from Neo-Liberalism globalization. Neo-Liberalism ignore human rights. Of course the USA benefits. Margaret Tatcher"s There is no alternative (TINA) has failed and replaced by The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
Hegemonic Paradigm - We are locked into this dominant paradigm.
Question? - Can we still say that there exists some good things in Capitalism?
Respond to Juliet Portillo
Globalization is a reflection of Neo-liberalism which entails removing barriers. The poorer countries which are referred to as the global south, benefits not from Neo-Liberalism globalization. Neo-Liberalism ignore human rights. Of course the USA benefits. Margaret Tatcher"s There is no alternative (TINA) has failed and replaced by The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
Hegemonic Paradigm - We are locked into this dominant paradigm.
Question? - Can we still say that there exists some good things in Capitalism?
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising: SHIRLEY BABOOLAL.....
Respond to Juliet Portillo
Globalization is a reflection of Neo-liberalism which entails removing barriers. The poorer countries which are referred to as the global south, benefits not from Neo-Liberalism globalization. Neo-Liberalism ignore human rights. Of course the USA benefits. Margaret Tatcher"s There is no alternative (TINA) has failed and replaced by The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
Hegemonic Paradigm - We are locked into this dominant paradigm.
Question? - Can we still say that there exists some good things in Capitalism?
Respond to Juliet Portillo
Globalization is a reflection of Neo-liberalism which entails removing barriers. The poorer countries which are referred to as the global south, benefits not from Neo-Liberalism globalization. Neo-Liberalism ignore human rights. Of course the USA benefits. Margaret Tatcher"s There is no alternative (TINA) has failed and replaced by The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
Hegemonic Paradigm - We are locked into this dominant paradigm.
Question? - Can we still say that there exists some good things in Capitalism?
Saturday, 21 March 2015
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: Global Uprising: SHIRLEY BABOOLAL
Scott Sernau (Social Inequality in a global age) - Social stratification and inequality have remained at the core of sociological thinking from the classical theorists on through the work of current scholars who are demonstrating new interests in issues of race, class and gender. Students are more concerned and interested in learning about the part aspects of inequality that they see affecting themselves than they are examining the whole structure of social inequality.
The Great Debate - An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics. (Plutarch, Greek Philosopher, 46-120 A.D.).
Consider the following questions for a moment. Is inequality a good thing? And good for whom? This is philosophical rather than an empirical question?
Is inequality necessary to motivate people or can they be be motivated by other factors such as love for the common good or the instrinsic interest of a particular vocation?.
If we seek equality, what does that mean? Do we seek equality of opportunities or equality of outcomes?
Aristotle did not believe that a society should be marked by extremes of wealth and poverty. For Aristotle , however, inequality was rooted in human nature.
The Romans succeeded the Greeks in dominating the Mediterranean built their empire on this Aristotelian view of the world as had Alexander. Like many others, the Romans gave their ideology of inequality, "a racial bias" that could justify slavery. The influential Roman narrator and counselor Cicero warned his friend Atticus ,"Do not obtain your slaves from Britain because they are so shaped and so utterly incapable of being taught that they are not fit to form part of the household of Athens".
It is noticeable that inequality is based on the rich and poor and racial bias but is it a good thing?
Some measures of inequality is almost universal. inequalities occur everywhere. Is it because inequality is inevitable or is it just a universal hindrance (perhaps like prejudice, intolerance, ethnocentrism and violence)?
Scott Sernau (Social Inequality in a global age) - Social stratification and inequality have remained at the core of sociological thinking from the classical theorists on through the work of current scholars who are demonstrating new interests in issues of race, class and gender. Students are more concerned and interested in learning about the part aspects of inequality that they see affecting themselves than they are examining the whole structure of social inequality.
The Great Debate - An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics. (Plutarch, Greek Philosopher, 46-120 A.D.).
Consider the following questions for a moment. Is inequality a good thing? And good for whom? This is philosophical rather than an empirical question?
Is inequality necessary to motivate people or can they be be motivated by other factors such as love for the common good or the instrinsic interest of a particular vocation?.
If we seek equality, what does that mean? Do we seek equality of opportunities or equality of outcomes?
Aristotle did not believe that a society should be marked by extremes of wealth and poverty. For Aristotle , however, inequality was rooted in human nature.
The Romans succeeded the Greeks in dominating the Mediterranean built their empire on this Aristotelian view of the world as had Alexander. Like many others, the Romans gave their ideology of inequality, "a racial bias" that could justify slavery. The influential Roman narrator and counselor Cicero warned his friend Atticus ,"Do not obtain your slaves from Britain because they are so shaped and so utterly incapable of being taught that they are not fit to form part of the household of Athens".
It is noticeable that inequality is based on the rich and poor and racial bias but is it a good thing?
Some measures of inequality is almost universal. inequalities occur everywhere. Is it because inequality is inevitable or is it just a universal hindrance (perhaps like prejudice, intolerance, ethnocentrism and violence)?
JULIET PORTILLO
A cross country study on poverty reduction and human development in the Caribbean by Judy Baker states that approximately 38 percent of the total population in the Caribbean can be classified as poor. She further states that the more unequal the distribution of income in a country, the more difficult it is to reduce poverty for a given increase in in average income. High levels of income inequality can exacerbate political instability and reduce the incentives to invest. Income inequality has also been associated with delays in the execution of structural adjustment which in turn adversely affect growth.
Gender inequality in the workplace is a global concern in that many women perform the same task as their male counterparts and still receive less pay. Clearly there is a disparity as relates to gender equality which needs to be addressed. There are many single parent women run households which suffer from a lack of income to properly manage their families.Unions continuously struggle against the state for wage increases for workers and better working conditions.
When the wealth of a nation is not equally distributed a number of things occur but foremost is the issue of crime and violence. It is said that inequality breeds contempt.
Global Uprising: Global Uprising
Global Uprising: Global Uprising: SHIRLEY BABOOLAL
POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
According to David B. Grusky and Ravi This newfound concern with poverty and inequality which dates back to at least the early 1990s(see Atkinson 1997) may be attributed to such factors as (1) the dramatic increase in economic inequality in many countries over the last quarter century. (2) the rise of a global village in which disparities in the standard of living have become more widely visible and difficult to ignore. (3) a growing commitment to a concept of human entitlements that include the rights to seek or secure employment and thereby be spared extreme deprivation. (4) an emerging concern that poverty and inequality may have negative macro-level effects on terrorism and (5) a growing awareness of the negative individual-level effects of poverty and health, political participation and a host of other life conditions.
" The Underclass has been the subject of considerable debate among scholars of urban poverty".
Will it continue?
POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
According to David B. Grusky and Ravi This newfound concern with poverty and inequality which dates back to at least the early 1990s(see Atkinson 1997) may be attributed to such factors as (1) the dramatic increase in economic inequality in many countries over the last quarter century. (2) the rise of a global village in which disparities in the standard of living have become more widely visible and difficult to ignore. (3) a growing commitment to a concept of human entitlements that include the rights to seek or secure employment and thereby be spared extreme deprivation. (4) an emerging concern that poverty and inequality may have negative macro-level effects on terrorism and (5) a growing awareness of the negative individual-level effects of poverty and health, political participation and a host of other life conditions.
" The Underclass has been the subject of considerable debate among scholars of urban poverty".
Will it continue?
POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGIES
JULIET PORTILLO
HOW COMMITTED ARE WE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO IN ERADICATING POVERTY?
Is the present energy crisis facing us reason enough for diversifying the economy? What can we do to help minimize these external shocks on our economies and the well being of our people? Since our budget is pegged to the price of oil and gas social programs to help alleviate poverty needs as much funding as possible to help develop people. It should be people centered and people driven without creating a dependency on the state for their every need. Some types of poverty reduction strategies have not been effective in reducing poverty in Trinidad and Tobago. On the contrary it has produced a mindset of dependency on the state. Some social programs have contributed to dependency.According to the United Nations Development Programme Poverty Report 2000 on Overcoming Poverty it was stated that much remains to be learned about how to make anti-poverty plans effective. Should these programs be more than just a few projects "targeted" at the poor? How do we diversify the economy in such a way so that sustainable jobs could be created? Should we contend that the poor will always be with us? Has the negative impact of globalization and neoliberalism with structural adjustment policies contributed to our demise ?
POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
JULIET PORTILLO
The Caribbean is beautiful. Beautiful scenery, lovely beaches, food, music....but is that the only realities of the Caribbean. What about the ugly truth POVERTY.
What exactly is poverty? Should we blame neoliberal globalization? should we try to hide it behind walls like we did when the US president came to visit Trinidad and Tobago?
How do we deal with poverty? are individuals the cause of their own poverty? According to Hebe Verrest and Rhoda Reddock attention was drawn to UNDP statistics on poverty in the Human Development Report 2004 which stated that approx.12% of the population was living on less than US$1 a day and 39% on less than US$2 a day in Trinidad and Tobago.
WE ARE PRODUCERS OF NATURAL GAS AND PETROLEUM yet everyday we observe poverty that contradicts the perceived buoyant economic situation in the country and the government's commitment to poverty reduction.
What can we do about poverty? Can we escape globalization or find other ways to minimize its impact? Since we in the Caribbean are quite vulnerable to external shocks we have according to Jessica Byron 'inadequate resources to devote to devising strategies for participating effectively in the new global order.'A new global strategy against poverty needs to be mounted(UNDP POVERTY REPORT 2000) poverty continues however despite strategies used or proposed.
Global Uprising
Global Uprising: SHIRLEY BABOOLAL
We cannot take for granted that the world will continue down the road of globalization, greater prosperity and greater democracy. that may be an astonishing thing to say at the end of a century that witnessed the first sustained competition between two clearly defined economic and political systems. The pro- democracy, pro- market, pro-globalization systems won that contest decisively. Nonetheless, the system is under attack .Stanley Fischer. (2003, p.26).
If you look around the globe, you can see a majority of countries benefitting from this globalization drive have seen a rise in inequality and poverty. The failure of market driven globalization to reward the benefits equitably led the United Nation to proclaim1996 as the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty (IYEP) and the decade of 1997-2006 as the international decade for the eradication of poverty and to promote 'people-centered sustainable development.(The Political Economy of Globalization, (Satya Dev Gupta).
This is food for thought. From 1996 till present, the strained relations between capital and labor, gender equity, increasing tensions between north and south and changes in the roles of international institutions, labor organizations, nation states and non-governmental organizations, has impacted negatively, where the north countries seem to be in control of the global south and exploitation is still the name of the game. Can poverty be eradicated while being exploited?
We cannot take for granted that the world will continue down the road of globalization, greater prosperity and greater democracy. that may be an astonishing thing to say at the end of a century that witnessed the first sustained competition between two clearly defined economic and political systems. The pro- democracy, pro- market, pro-globalization systems won that contest decisively. Nonetheless, the system is under attack .Stanley Fischer. (2003, p.26).
If you look around the globe, you can see a majority of countries benefitting from this globalization drive have seen a rise in inequality and poverty. The failure of market driven globalization to reward the benefits equitably led the United Nation to proclaim1996 as the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty (IYEP) and the decade of 1997-2006 as the international decade for the eradication of poverty and to promote 'people-centered sustainable development.(The Political Economy of Globalization, (Satya Dev Gupta).
This is food for thought. From 1996 till present, the strained relations between capital and labor, gender equity, increasing tensions between north and south and changes in the roles of international institutions, labor organizations, nation states and non-governmental organizations, has impacted negatively, where the north countries seem to be in control of the global south and exploitation is still the name of the game. Can poverty be eradicated while being exploited?
Friday, 20 March 2015
Is globalization any good?
Shirley Babloolal
"Globalization today is not working for many of the world's poor...... To some there is an easy answer -Abandon Globalization. That is neither feasible nor desirable.....the problem is not with globalization but how it has been managed." Joseph Stiglitz- Globalization, Development and Transition (2002 a, p.214)
Thursday, 19 March 2015
Juliet Portillo
Development for the Caribbean on the basis of whose ideologies? The Global North?
Development implies purposive action to get from an existing state to a desired state. But from what or through whose lens do we equate development. Why do we in the Caribbean have to depend on others to tell us how to live...what we should eat, wear or the type of houses in which to live to get the approving nod? Is it not unfair to use the same yardstick to measure development as relates to small size of some Caribbean countries as against others? Has market led development benefitted us in this region? Jamaica for example is not much better than it was years ago. Foreign aid accompanied by structural adjustment policies has crippled Jamaica. Its debt is over 4 billion dollars Trying to honour its debt meant cuts in social programs, wages, employment and health just to name a few and has hindered any kind of development. Multinational corporations are flourishing whilst the country is riddled in crime and poverty.
Former prime minister Michael Manley said that Jamaica was not for sale. He was however forced to sign his country's first loan with the IMF in 1977. There seem to be no other alternative. No meaningful development has taken place. Clearly the Caribbean needs an ideology of development of its own.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Development for the Caribbean on the basis of whose ideologies? The Global North?
Development implies purposive action to get from an existing state to a desired state. But from what or through whose lens do we equate development. Why do we in the Caribbean have to depend on others to tell us how to live...what we should eat, wear or the type of houses in which to live to get the approving nod? Is it not unfair to use the same yardstick to measure development as relates to small size of some Caribbean countries as against others? Has market led development benefitted us in this region? Jamaica for example is not much better than it was years ago. Foreign aid accompanied by structural adjustment policies has crippled Jamaica. Its debt is over 4 billion dollars Trying to honour its debt meant cuts in social programs, wages, employment and health just to name a few and has hindered any kind of development. Multinational corporations are flourishing whilst the country is riddled in crime and poverty.
Former prime minister Michael Manley said that Jamaica was not for sale. He was however forced to sign his country's first loan with the IMF in 1977. There seem to be no other alternative. No meaningful development has taken place. Clearly the Caribbean needs an ideology of development of its own.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
JULIET PORTILLO
Even though there are positives associated with globalization some developing countries are negatively affected by some aspects of globalization. Some of these issues relates to Neoliberalism and its effects on some countries whereby local businesses are suffering due to free and open market of trade. How can we compete when we lack the technological prowess used by Multi national corporations who can afford to sell their commodities at a much lower price and at acceptable quality? The availability of foreign commodities has caused a change in consumer taste and many individuals have been socialised into believing that foreign products are better. NOW TELL ME WHO BENEFITS THE MOST FROM NEOLIBERALISM? Unfortunately it is not us. How do we attempt to change people's taste in a democratic society where one is free to choose what they choose to eat,wear and the type of cars to drive? Meiling, JAPS chicken and chips and charles chocolate to name a few are some of the losers not forgetting the employees who suffers from wage cuts and layoffs.
Even though there are positives associated with globalization some developing countries are negatively affected by some aspects of globalization. Some of these issues relates to Neoliberalism and its effects on some countries whereby local businesses are suffering due to free and open market of trade. How can we compete when we lack the technological prowess used by Multi national corporations who can afford to sell their commodities at a much lower price and at acceptable quality? The availability of foreign commodities has caused a change in consumer taste and many individuals have been socialised into believing that foreign products are better. NOW TELL ME WHO BENEFITS THE MOST FROM NEOLIBERALISM? Unfortunately it is not us. How do we attempt to change people's taste in a democratic society where one is free to choose what they choose to eat,wear and the type of cars to drive? Meiling, JAPS chicken and chips and charles chocolate to name a few are some of the losers not forgetting the employees who suffers from wage cuts and layoffs.
Juliet Portillo
WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT GLOBALIZATION? IS THERE REALLY NO ALTERNATIVE?
GOOD OR BAD? NEGATIVES OF GLOBALIZATION
The influx of foreign goods and services on hapless developing countries especially in the Caribbean region has resulted in an increase in job losses due to small business owners inability to compete on the world stage. MNC's have eroded the market in the borderless process of trade masked as 'development'.
WINNERS AND LOSERS
Farmers are not given their just dues for fresh milk supplied to a major foreign owned firm operating in Trinidad. We have to take what we get. In many instances profits earned by these companies are transferred to their main headquarters without being used for any local development. But then again globalization has allowed us to connect with the rest of the world and allows for exchanges of cultures,technology has eliminated barriers and allowed for increases in knowledge. We have acquired new taste that would have been alien to us. The world can now proceed at a faster pace. Globalization is a capitalist paradise. In it's wake large corporations rise even higher and smaller ones are eliminated.
According to Richard Bernal ' the pace, extent and character of globalization differ among the economic, political and social. It is a process in which barriers are being increasingly eroded and or eliminated.
WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT GLOBALIZATION? IS THERE REALLY NO ALTERNATIVE?
GOOD OR BAD? NEGATIVES OF GLOBALIZATION
The influx of foreign goods and services on hapless developing countries especially in the Caribbean region has resulted in an increase in job losses due to small business owners inability to compete on the world stage. MNC's have eroded the market in the borderless process of trade masked as 'development'.
WINNERS AND LOSERS
Farmers are not given their just dues for fresh milk supplied to a major foreign owned firm operating in Trinidad. We have to take what we get. In many instances profits earned by these companies are transferred to their main headquarters without being used for any local development. But then again globalization has allowed us to connect with the rest of the world and allows for exchanges of cultures,technology has eliminated barriers and allowed for increases in knowledge. We have acquired new taste that would have been alien to us. The world can now proceed at a faster pace. Globalization is a capitalist paradise. In it's wake large corporations rise even higher and smaller ones are eliminated.
According to Richard Bernal ' the pace, extent and character of globalization differ among the economic, political and social. It is a process in which barriers are being increasingly eroded and or eliminated.
Globalisation and Thirdworld Development
Shantel Lawrence
GLOBALISATION
Globalisation refers to a world in which societies,
culture, polities and economies have, in some sense, come closer together. According to Giddens (1990:64), the concept
can be defined as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link
distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events
occurring many miles away and vice versa.
Globalisation is best understood as expressing fundamental aspects of
time-space distanciation. It concerns the intersection of presence and absence,
the interlacing of social events and social relations "at a distance"
with local contextualities' (Giddens 1991:21). Davis Harvey (1989:240), too,
refers to the fact that globalisation describes our changing experience of time
and space, or 'time-space compression.'
The above definitions refer to two key factors; more
parts of the world are drawn into global system and so are affected by what
happens elsewhere. Second, there is a sense that we know what is happening
elsewhere more quickly, which in turn affects our sense of space and place.
One can reflect on the Rwanda genocide and the horrific
events of 1994 that claimed the lives of over 500,000 Rwandans. On that particular date of April 18th, nearly
two weeks after the plane crash that claimed the life of Rwandan President
Juenal Hayarimana and plunged the tiny central African country into the
abyss. The minority Tutsi ethnic
population was seen as the enemy by the Hutu ethnic population. The Hutsi slaughtered and raped anyone who
was associated with the Tutsi ethnicity. The Tutsi homes were destroyed,
families were torn apart, and many fled to neighboring countries for safety.
However, most international news organizations initially
misunderstood the nature of the killing, portraying it as the result of tribal
warfare, rather than genocide. Much of
the international coverage focused on the scramble to evacuate expatriates from
the country. The killings intensified in
mid-April and the volume of news reports actually declined. Most journalists had left along with other
foreigners. The wider world had no idea of what was taking place in Rwanda at
that time. Eventually, the international
media reports on Rwanda were filled with images of bloated corpses, strewn at
the roadside or choking Rwanda's rivers. The U.S. eventually intervened by
sending in UN troops.
When this horrific event took place I was in my early teens and remembered vaguely hearing about it over the media. It was only when I became a adult, while working at a law firm my manager loaned a book named 'left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust' written by Immaculee Llibagiza. Ms. Llibagiza was one of the few survivors from her village and shared her experience with the world. The book brought tears to my eyes and made my stomach turn. I was fortunate to meet Immacullee Llibagiza at an event held in The National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA). I felt empowered by her strength and determination to survive.
I often wondered about those first class countries that held the power to
disseminate information to the wider world and did a poor job at it. With
globalisation aren't we suppose to know what is happening elsewhere more quickly?
Those first class countries that held the power to assist Rwanda before many
lives were lost, failed. With globalisation shouldn't any plural society be
able to live in harmony? More comprehensive and informed coverage of the
genocide might have saved a lot of lives.
I believe Rwanda, a small African, third world country was not perceived
as important by those elite first class countries. A component of neoliberalism
- 'I would only help those if I'm to benefit the most.'
REFERENCE
·
Kiely, Ray & Marflett. 1998.
Globalsiation and the Third World. Routledge.
·
Edited by A. Thompson. The Media and the
Rwanda Genocide
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
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