For this week’s discussion board, you will be examining global inequalities.
Create a list of at least 10 items you have at home and include in what country each item was made. (You may also choose to visit a store that sells a variety of items, such as Target or Walmart, if you prefer.) Your list may include things such as articles of clothing, TVs, microwaves, furniture, computers, shoes…. Don’t forget to tell us where each item was made, and try to get a variety of different types of items.
Pick at least 1 country from the list and find out what the average (factory worker) wage is in that country. You can do a google search and let us know from what website you got your information. (Look for websites from reliable sources). If you were not able to find specific information regarding the pay of factory workers, you can provide us with any information that you found interesting regarding workers and working conditions in that country.
Read the Thinking Critically section on pages 222-223 (or section 7.7 in the ebook) titled “When Globalization Comes Home: Maquiladoras South of the Boarder.” Answer one of the questions listed under “For Your Consideration.” Below is a brief summary of the questions:
Conflict Theory: Capitalists weaken the bargaining power of workers by exploiting divisions among them. They pit one group of workers against another to lower the cost of labor. How do you think maquiladoras fit this conflict perspective?
Functionalism: What functions and dysfunctions of maquiladoras do you see?
Symbolic Interactionism: How would people’s different social locations lead to different answers to “Do maquiladoras represent exploitation or opportunity?”
Sample Solution
