The thesis of Norberg’s Nike essay is to show how huge national companies have benefited the third world and poorer nations. Like most Americans, I am not happy with the fact that many American citizens are losing their jobs to less qualified, third world citizens because of wage rates. It is not our fault that America’s economy is so strong and we need such high wages to be successful and financially well-off. However, Norberg uses critical thinking to demonstrate the benefits of sweatshops being created in foreign lands. These sweatshops would be considered poor working conditions in the United States with long hours and virtually no pay. But the weak economies of third world nations open these sweatshops with welcome arms. After reading the essay, I believe that the benefits of globalization and creating sweatshops are a good thing. These sweatshops allow less fortunate and underprivileged people to earn money. These sweatshop workers earn higher wages, have better working conditions, and receive medical care for free. All of which are a drastic improvement to their lives prior to working in sweatshops. These high wages help strengthen third world nations and help economies grow. Better wages also mean more chance for children to attend school. For example, Norberg showed that 2.2 more million Thailand children attend school now as opposed to working. Educating our children is one of the most important priorities in the world. This education provides 2.2 more children that could help cure cancer, AIDS, stop global warming, or form world peace. These sweatshops obviously help promote the general welfare of poor countries, but in the long run they could somehow help benefit the major powers of the world by trading with stronger economies or providing better trained doctors and scientists to help solve global problems and diseases.
The Nye article discusses the differences between globalization and modernization. Many people believe the world is trying to copy and replicate the culture of the United States. My personal opinion is that this statement is somewhat true. The United States has a successful economy, has great military power, and every individual has the chance to be successful. What nation wouldn’t want to have all of these things? The world is constantly changing and I believe it is changing for the better. Technology, medicine, and travel have all improved over the last 10 years and they will continue to improve forever. The rest of the world has to keep up the these changes and improvements, even the third world nations. I believe these nations are in fear of being left behind in the dust and that is why they try to be more like American culture. However, American culture is also trying to keep up with the rest of the world which is evident by all the foreign cars, restaurants, and products that are found throughout the United States. American culture is strong because of the diversity of the population. This diversity has brought on a culture that is a combination of almost every culture throughout the world. The reason it is being copied is because of its success.
February 12, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Very insightful and interesting post Travis. I think that you discuss this side of an extremely complex issue very well. The questions that come to mind when examining this side of the argument is, if the conditions of those shops are better than others in their country, but much worse than factories in our country, is there a moral element that we should make sure anybody that produces products for America have decent working conditions? It is a difficult answer to be sure.. Thanks for a great discussion on this issue!