It has become apparent to me that the world is expanding culturally. For instance, the restaurants in America are influenced by many nations, many of America’s doctors are from different countries, and even walking through campus, there are many different people walking along side me. However, all of this mixing of customs and practices does not affect the way many people in the country live their lives, or even the way they think. I myself have had no concern about what goes on in the world outside of the United States. I even ignore what happens in regions of this country, as long as it doesn’t affect me personally. What I mean by this is, unless some foreign political movement significantly hinders my everyday actions, my life would not change at all. So, it can be safely said that even though people generally have a tendency to not care what goes on around them, globalization is becoming more and more of an issue, regardless of how very little it can effect individual people.
For instance, after the events of 9/11, gas prices have skyrocketed and continue to rise. As a result, minimum wage has increased to try and compensate for the rise in the cost of living. Many people have died fighting in a war that some believe to be for a ridiculous cause. We should not even be in the Middle East trying to liberate the people. That is a kind of globalization that is negative. We should have never forced our soldiers into their culture and government, only to break it down to the ground and force them to accept a democratic type of government. That is an instance where the effects of globalization are very prominent in the nations of the Middle East. However, it doesn’t stir me at all what type of government is accepted there. I go by a live and let live policy. America’s involvement with foreign peoples should only be restricted to those within the United States. We have no right to go into another country and tell them how to run it. That would be like me going into someone’s house, holding a gun to the owner’s head and telling him to re-decorate it to my liking. It’s just not right.
Although we may look into globalization as a way to help us understand and accept the people all over the globe, it is not a very prominent cause for the way we live our lives. I go day to day trying to do the best I can at whatever I do. The fact that there are people starving in Africa, or there are children being forced to work in sweatshops doesn’t make me stop and think about what I should do next. In fact, it is the immediate area around me that influences my thoughts and actions. I know that not everybody’s mind works the way mine does but I would like to think that I am not alone in my way of looking at globalization and it’s minimal effect on the lives of people in an individual spectrum.
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Great job so far Ed – keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing the final paper. Some things to think about as you continue writing:
You may not feel the tug of globalization yet, but what do you think it will be like in ten years? As you enter the job market? What if your job requires you to have knowledge of global culture? (After all, my Wife’s dad owns a little construction company here in Indiana, but has to work with people outside the country all the time for supplies, etc)
You mention that we should not get involved in other countries, but what happens if we keep doing it? After all, our country seems to go to war every 10-15 years or so. What if oil prices keep going up because of the continuing wars? Does the individual citizen have a responsibility to hold their government responsible for this?
How about if your local Congress person votes to go to war with Iran tomorrow – should average citizens get involved? What can we do?
I am curious what you think about these ideas. Thanks!