Gst 100 Fall 2017 Final Exam Review The Final Exam Is Worth

Gst 100fall 2017final Exam Reviewthe Final Exam Is Worth 30 Of Your G

The final exam for GST 100 Fall 2017 covers a variety of topics related to globalization, economic systems, geopolitical theories, cultural exchanges, and contemporary global conflicts. It accounts for 30% of the final grade, comprising a map quiz worth 5% and a written component worth 25%. The exam aims to assess students’ understanding of core concepts such as Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory, Neoclassical economic theory, economic convergence, global trade dynamics, state and nation characteristics, cultural globalization, ethnic industry dominance, refugee crises, cultural impacts of globalization, climate change, and the use of globalization tools by groups like ISIS.

Paper For Above instruction

Globalization has profoundly transformed the economic, political, cultural, and environmental fabric of the world. The final exam review for GST 100 encapsulates these broad themes through specific theories, case studies, and contemporary issues. This paper will critically analyze each topic, providing an integrated understanding of how globalization shapes our world today.

1. Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory and the Global Division of Labor

Immanuel Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory offers a conceptual framework for understanding the global economic landscape. According to this theory, the world is divided into core, semi-periphery, and periphery regions, each characterized by distinct economic and political features. The core consists of developed countries with strong state institutions, technological advancement, and economic power, such as the United States and Western Europe. These countries dominate global capital, control technological innovation, and benefit from high-value production activities.

The semi-periphery serves as a middle ground, combining elements of both core and periphery economies. It includes emerging economies like Brazil, India, and South Africa, which experience industrial growth but lack the stability and technological prowess of core nations. The periphery comprises poorer, less developed countries that often supply raw materials, agricultural products, and cheap labor to the core. Examples include many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

The core-periphery relationship sustains global inequality. The core nations maintain their dominance through mechanisms such as financial control, technological innovation, and political influence. Conversely, the periphery remains impoverished due to historical exploitation, limited technological development, and dependency on exports of primary commodities. This dependence creates a cycle wherein peripheral countries lack the resources to develop diversified economies, thus perpetuating their subordinate status in the global system.

2. Neoclassical Economics and the Global Division of Labor

Neoclassical economic theory explains the global division of labor through principles of comparative advantage, specialization, and free markets. It posits that countries should produce goods and services according to their most efficient capacities, leading to increased global productivity and higher standards of living. According to this view, free international trade allows countries to access a broader market, benefit from economies of scale, and acquire goods at lower costs.

Trade opens opportunities for developing nations to integrate into the global economy, stimulating growth and elevating living standards. For example, countries that export labor-intensive goods like textiles or electronics experience economic expansion, job creation, and income growth. The theory suggests that participation in global trade fosters technology transfer, knowledge spillovers, and economic convergence—gradual leveling of income disparities among nations—ultimately leading to a more prosperous and interconnected world.

3. Economic Convergence

Economic convergence refers to the hypothesis that poorer economies tend to grow faster than richer ones, diminishing income disparities over time. This phenomenon suggests that countries with lower initial levels of income can catch up to wealthier nations through investments, technological adoption, and improvements in human capital. Factors driving convergence in the early 21st century include globalization, technological diffusion, foreign direct investment, and international trade integration.

In the first decade of the 2000s, the high growth rates of emerging economies like China and India significantly contributed to convergence. These nations experienced rapid industrialization, infrastructure development, and integration into global markets, narrowing the gap with advanced economies. Moreover, global communication technologies facilitated knowledge transfer, enabling developing countries to adopt innovations more quickly and enhance productivity.

4. The "Smiley Curve" and US-China Trade

The "smiley curve" illustrates the value-added stages along a global economic chain. The curve suggests that the highest value is captured during the early (design, innovation) and late (marketing, branding, after-sales services) stages, while manufacturing in the middle yields relatively low margins. China historically specialized in the manufacturing segment, often at the lower end of the curve, but has progressively moved toward innovation and design roles, climbing higher on the smiley curve.

According to Fallows, US-China trade has benefitted both countries by enabling China to acquire advanced technology, branding, and design expertise, boosting its economic transformation. Conversely, the US benefits from affordable manufacturing, access to a large consumer market, and opportunities for innovation collaboration. This mutually beneficial relationship underscores how globalization can foster economic growth and technological advancement despite geopolitical tensions.

5. Characteristics of a State and a Nation; Supranational Identity

Dr. Carpino's lecture highlights that a state is defined by its sovereignty, established borders, a permanent population, a government, and recognition within the international community. A nation, on the other hand, refers to a group of people sharing a common identity, culture, language, history, or ethnicity, which may or may not coincide with state boundaries.

The European Union exemplifies how member states can create a supranational identity through shared institutions, policies, and values. EU integration fosters cooperation in economic, political, and social domains, promoting a collective identity beyond individual national loyalties. Initiatives like shared currencies (Euro), common laws, and joint decision-making bodies help cultivate a sense of unity that transcends traditional nation-state boundaries, exemplifying how states can forge a supranational identity.

6. The Tuna Trade and Globalization

The globalization of the tuna trade exemplifies several key features: interconnected supply chains, technological advances, and cultural exchanges. Tuna fishing involves a complex network of international fleets, processing facilities, and markets across continents. This trade relies heavily on modern technology such as sonar, fishing vessels, and cold storage, exemplifying globalization's role in disrupting traditional local economies.

The globalization of sushi reflects cultural hybridization rather than the disappearance of cultural differences. While sushi originally originated in Japan, its worldwide popularity showcases how culinary practices adapt and blend, resulting in diverse global variations. This trend indicates cultural exchange and hybridization rather than cultural homogenization, strengthening the idea that globalization can both spread and transform cultural identities.

7. Ethnic Dominance in Industries

Scholars explain that certain ethnicities dominate specific industries due to historical migration patterns, community networks, cultural affinity, and specialized skills. For example, Chinese Americans have become prominent in restaurant and small business sectors, partly due to immigrant settlement patterns and strong community ties. Similarly, Indian immigrants often control a significant portion of IT services and pharmacy sectors due to educational emphasis and network effects. These patterns result from a combination of economic opportunity, social capital, and cultural familiarity, reinforcing ethnic specialization within industries.

8. The Rohingya Crisis

The Rohingya are a Muslim minority group from Myanmar, historically marginalized and denied citizenship by the Myanmar government. Since 2017, violence and military crackdowns have forced hundreds of thousands to flee to neighboring Bangladesh and other countries, seeking safety. The Rohingya face persecution, loss of rights, and dire humanitarian conditions. Their displacement poses significant challenges for international humanitarian efforts and regional stability, as they seek refuge predominantly in Bangladesh, with some moving onward to other countries as part of ongoing migratory flows.

9. Globalization’s Impact on Papua New Guineans

The documentary "Cannibal Tours" depicts how globalization has affected the indigenous populations of Papua New Guinea, particularly in terms of cultural integrity and livelihoods. Many Papua New Guineans, once self-sufficient and culturally autonomous, have experienced cultural commodification and economic dependency due to tourism and foreign influence. The portrayal of these communities in Western narratives often distorts their realities, impacting their self-esteem and global perceptions.

Overall, globalization has had mixed effects—while some benefits include economic opportunities and exposure to global markets, adverse effects encompass cultural erosion, loss of traditional livelihoods, and environmental degradation. Future impacts are uncertain but may involve further cultural homogenization or increased resilience through adaptation and local agency.

10. Climate Change and Its Causes

Climate change refers to long-term alterations in global weather patterns, primarily driven by human activities releasing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. The primary causes include the burning of fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices. These activities trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.

11. Globalization and Extremist Groups

Groups like ISIS exploit tools of globalization, such as social media, to spread propaganda, recruit members, and coordinate activities across borders. The internet facilitates rapid dissemination of their ideology, allowing them to attract a global following and coordinate attacks internationally. Moreover, financial networks and transnational communication channels enable such groups to operate semi-independently in different regions, illustrating how tools of globalization can be weaponized for ideological propaganda and terrorist activities.

References

• Wallerstein, I. (1974). The Modern World-System I: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century. Academic Press.
• Rodrik, D. (2018). Straight Talk on Globalization. Princeton University Press.
• Aslund, A. (2012). The Last Shall Be the First: The Origins of the Global Economy. Univ. of Chicago Press.
• Fallow, M. (2014). What the Future Looks Like for U.S.-China Trade. The Atlantic.
• Cigiano, R. (2020). Perspectives on State and Nation. Journal of Political Geography.
• Klein, N. (2000). No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies. Knopf Canada.
• UNHCR. (2023). The Rohingya Crisis: A Forgotten Genocide. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
• Mathews, G. (2011). Globalization and Its Discontents. Oxford University Press.
• Giddens, A. (2009). Runaway World: How Globalization Is Reshaping Our Lives. Routledge.
• Sageman, M. (2008). Leaderless Jihad: Terror Networks in the Twenty-First Century. University of Pennsylvania Press.