Week 8: Why we should care about Global Inequality?

Rapid globalization has a huge impact on the future of global inequality. The question is: Why/How does Global Inequality matter to us? The truth is it is incorrect to look at inequality as being solely an issue to the poor as the fact remains that is is intrinsically connected to wealth. For instance, the ease with which corporations move from one country to another might result in falling wages for many people in high income countries and rising wages for  some in low-income countries. Globalization has intertwined countries and detaching one from the other is not easy. Where our country falls in this global stratification of economies effects most of our economic activities such as the prices we pay for goods and services, size and strength of our economy, the availability of technology and the quality of education, health and employment we receive. Each country has a lot to offer and contribute to the world either in a positive  or a negative way. Hence, each individual making up a society is affected by global inequality and also equally contributes to it.

Week 7: How much does social class matter in the U.S. today?

Today, class is not just limited to one's occupation but it also depends on one's lifestyle and consumption patterns. People do give importance to the price tag  on the watch than on the dial, they do feel it is important to buy branded clothes, teenagers want to own an iPod or an iPhone, membership in an elite polo/golf or a country club does matter. Depending on these is how you would form your social group or your 'friends' that you would hang out with. When I was in school it did matter what gadgets I own, which brands do I wear and what my parents do. I have to admit that since I belonged from a well to do family, it did help me get into the in-groups most of the times (if not the one with the very rich kids!). However, the question is who is the judge of what exactly is class? Friends might think you are a social climber, whereas children or your younger siblings may be embarrassed to introduce you to their friends! In an era, when people from different backgrounds can watch the same television show, can have access to the same programs on the internet, can shop in the same mall stores; aren't class differences nullified?

Modern societies have become more materialistic and are people are driven by goods they own. However, can we ever draw a distinct line between the social classes (upper, middle, lower etc.)? Won't every class have its own subclass? I do think that though the American society is class conscious, however, it is not that stratified as some other popular societies. Merit and education does play an important role and there have been quite a number of instances when people have beaten the odds to become successful.

Week 6: Are we more isolated due to technology??

There has been speculation and fear of the impact of technology such as internet on people and communities since it emerged. In my opinion, though internet has created a lifestyle that prevents people from engaging in face to face conversations, it has definitely bought people - families and friends together. It is true that internet has weakened day to day community life but at the same time it has created new forms of communities which brings people with shared interests together which can later flourish in to a personal relationship. Some experts and critics may say that the internet creates loneliness and boredom, but on the positive side it can be tool to kill loneliness. Moreover, today people do realize the importance of spending time with family and friends due to the awareness of the fact that they spend a major portion of their day in front of the computer and internet. Internet creates efficiency and helps make so many transactions quicker which in turn saves time for face to face socializing with family and friends. Furthermore, how can we blame technology for increasing isolation when it can be actually used as a tool to increase social network and be in touch with our loved ones which otherwise would have been a problem. 

However, by saying this I do not support sitting glued to the computer or any other form of technology all the time. If used to the right extent, technology can be a boon rather than a bane. Present and future generations should be taught the importance of balancing technology and personal face to face relationships. 

Week 5: Community Policing and Shaming

In my opinion, Community Policing and Shaming are good ideas to monitor crime and dealing with criminals. Community Policing provides the community with a voice in how it expects to be policed. The mutual understanding and partnership between the police and the community could bring up the most effective ways of policing. It  might also help in solving some recurring criminal problems in the community as both the police officials and the community members tend to be on the same page while trying to fix the issue. Moreover, it gives the police department a chance to become familiar with more people and change the negative views and reputation towards them if any. It helps both parties to interact and make the community a safer place to live in.

Shaming on the other hand could be effective to a certain extent. Some hardened criminals who have no qualms about what they do, probably won't feel embarrassment whatever the case maybe. However, it might work on young teenagers and school children who are usually afraid of their families, teachers and being boycotted by their friends. Shaming is definitely a better method than incarcerating these young children who might commit crimes under the influence of peer groups, drugs etc; and hence they should be given a chance to start afresh.