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Globalization and Social Change Choose one question in Part A and one question in Part B and write essay responses for both of approximately 2-3 pages each. Be sure to respond to all parts of each question. You should review all the course readings, lectures, and films in Parts III-IV for potential relevance; I will judge your essays on whether you've made maximally-effective use of the full range of relevant course materials. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS EXAM IS MEANT TO BE BASED ON COURSE READINGS, FILMS, LECTURES, AND DISCUSSIONS. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU USE ANY INTERNET RESOURCES TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS OTHER THAN THOSE THAT ARE INCLUDED ON THE COURSE SCHEDULE WEBPAGE (e.,g. the World Bank site, the optional news articles, etc.). Use of other published books and journal articles to supplement these resources is acceptable, but is not expected or required. Please proofread your essays for proper spelling and punctuation. All sources should be cited properly and a list of references should be included at the end of each essay. Please consult the Citation Page at the department's website for guidance. Your essay exams are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, April 3rd. Part A: Choose One A-1. In his second inaugural address, President George W. Bush stated that "it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world." He also reiterated his faith that the spread of free markets and trade were key to global economic prosperity. Discuss in detail why Amy Chua would at a minimum express reservations about these goals, despite her own personal preference for democracy and a market-based economy. What concerns would she express? What evidence would she cite? Why might single-minded pursuit of these goals have the potential to make things worse? After summarizing her argument, comment on what you would conclude about sensible goals and guidelines for U.S. policy toward developing countries. A-2. Why does Chua argue that there is a "profound tension between market capitalism and democracy" (p. 191)? According to her analysis, what had to be done in the past to reconcile capitalism and democracy in the developed world? What kinds of policies and initiatives does she feel will be necessary to accomplish a similar reconciliation in the developing world? Discuss in detail. Part B: Choose One B-1. What are the cultural implications of globalization? Combining the typologies in the articles by David Held (from the beginning of the course) and Jan Pierterse, summarize the three positions they lay out about globalization’s impact on culture. Then, drawing on the relevant resources in the course, including Chua and the two films, Trekking on Tradition and 1-800-India, explain which of these position(s) seem most supported by the evidence and what overall conclusion you draw about globalization’s impact on culture. Be sure to state your argument clearly, and to marshall evidence in support of it. B-2. Using the Jeffrey Sachs reading, describe the global geography of poverty, paying attention to both poverty rates and numbers. Then, integrating the various resources in this course (including Chua and Rice at a minimum, but also other relevant readings, films, and class lecture/discussions) develop an argument about the causes of rising poverty rates in Africa and what needs to be done. State your argument clearly, and provide evidence to back it up. Note: Please indicate the number of the question you are answering, but you need not include the text of the question.
March 26, 2007 |