Monday, January 19, 2009
The State and Policy
I found this article interesting because throughout the past four years of sociology I have found that inequality has been a prominent area of discussion and yet never with regards to the environment. By taking racial, gender, and imperialism a step farther we are able to see the affects of these conditions on the globe, while looking at the world through the metaphor of as butterflies flaps its wings it can create a hurricane on the other side of the globe. I found the ideas included within the article to follow the Marx’s capitalist regime because only a few select individuals have the power and money while most of the population is left in disadvantaged circumstances and in unwanted areas of the community and globe with no voice. These individuals working in the mines and plantations become dispensable commodities for the great “reward”. I found the concept greater good was not all encompassing and mostly exclusionary to all but those of top power. For example the idea that the land will be the natives unless the government believes it would be of great use for the country in another way demonstrates this inequality of the undervalued majority of the population. I believe the high correlation between low socio economic status and poor living condition is an extension of the world systems theory and individualism, as those in high power are thinking only of the bottom dollar of today to make a profit, and are not concerned of the collective.
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I enjoyed the connection the Chapter made to inequality. The past four years have focused on inequality and their interlocking relationships. It is interesting to insert another variable into all that we have learned. I agree with a lot of the Marxist approaches that were suggested in the readings as well as the lectures. I think the environment plays a role in capitalism, and affects modes of production and inequality. The Not In My Backyard Discourse (NIMBY) would suggest that capitalist economies would rather exploit those in other countries, thus avoiding any environmental degradation, and maintaining the safety and health of their citizens. Capitalists have obvious motivations behind relocation. I think it is imperative as consumers that we question where our products come from, and what the environmental, and social costs are.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the comment you made regarding the application of the environment to other issues we have encountered in sociology. I agree it is interesting and highly important because it allows us to connect inequalities. The correlation between human and ecological exploitation is given a deliberate lack of attention so that capitalist applied practices may persist. As Simon mentioned, the notion of production and consumption is so important and ingrained, it has become valued over environment and humans.
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