The passage that I chose out of the book was on page 107:
“Thanks to globalization, the sweatshops, and the race to the bottom, He Yuan Zhi of Shanghai Brightness doesn’t worry about being stuck on the farm anymore. She married when and whom she chose, she makes her own living and her own choices. If current trends are an indication, her income will grow at more than double the rate of that of her Western sisters.”
My interpretation of this paragraph is that He Yuan Zhi is just happy to be out and away from her family’s farm. She is free and loving her own life with out having to listen to what someone else is telling her to do. The factories give some of these people a way to branch out into a new way of life. Although the condition are not good, this is something new to them and it is a way for them to break free from their traditional lives. For example the way I read this passage is that Zhi is happy because she now has the freedom and choice to live on her own, make her own money, marry and also choose who she want to marry. It gives them a chance to change.
The article that I found that relates to the passage that I chose is a perfect example of this. The article brings up both sides of this issue. Like they say it really depends on how you look at it. Some say that it is exploitation or opportunity for these countries. It brings up the point that there are two ways you can interpret this problem. In my opinion I am not opposed to the factories in other countries, because it gives jobs to many people. And thing gives them the opportunity to grow and become better. By I do not agree with some of the ways in which they are treated.
Globalization’s Reality: The Wheel That Turns:
http://select.nytimes.com/iht/2006/11/25/world/IHT-25globalist.html?scp=6&sq=globalization%20in%20china&st=cse
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I agree with your post. I made a similar post to yours defending the opportunities sweatshops and textile plants provide individuals. Of course the conditions are horrendous and inhumane, but so are the next best alternatives for these workers.
ReplyDeleteThe grass isn't always greener on the other side. These jobs provide regular (low) income and provide some a sense of freedom.
If these job did not exist, what would come of these millions of workers? Yes, the conditions need to be upgraded at these factories but also don't be so quick to close them down because life without them could get worse.
While yes, these foreign factories do give countries the opportunity to develop economically, with a negative factor being poor working conditions facilitated by the "race to the bottom", but these factories also affect our ability to compete in these industries. I feel as though many Americans hold resentment toward the Walmart type stores (which are supported by foreign industries), because they put the mom and pop stores out of business, but they neglect to realize that foreign industries are doing the same thing. It is cheaper for foreign countries, such as China, to produce goods, especially with the hukuo system in China keeping the labor market costs to a minimum. So, manufacturing factories are moved there in order to produce more, at a lower cost, and meet our high demand for cheap goods. This displacement is putting U.S. industries, i.e. cotton industries, out of business.
ReplyDeleteI like to paragraph that you picked. I agree with many parts of your post. First off I think that globalization is a good thing. It gives people options. One of the more obvious ones, like the one that is implied from the paragraph you picked, there is more freedom elsewhere in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe other part of your post that I like is that you showed both sides to the story. Yes there is the freedom to marry when and where you want but that also shows there are still parts of the world that are very traditional.
To go along with the cotton factories and other factories in general there are also many opportunities. Opportunities for wealth, for innovation, and for an all around new life. Although people may have to deal with the hard working conditions there are more opportunities that arise in many of the countries that people can strive for.