Download chapter 8: global stratification

CHAPTER 8: GLOBAL STRATIFICATION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Define what sociologists mean by the term global stratification, and how it differs
from social class stratification in the U.S. Describe the effects global stratification has
life chances of people in different countries.
2. Explain how stratification is measured globally by the GNI; how accurate is that
measure?
3. Identify at least three if the richest countries and three of the poorest countries on the
globe. Describe the general characteristics of the poorest and wealthiest countries.
4. Discuss how the economic structure of the U.S. has been changing, and how this has
impacted production globally. Explore how your own patterns of consumerism are
influenced by globalization.
5. Differentiate between first, second and third world countries and give the indicators
(index) used to classify nations accordingly.
6. Discuss and differentiate between core and periphery countries and how power and
economics contribute to these conditions.
7. Explain what sociologists mean by an international division of labor. Discuss the
role of multinational corporations in the international division of labor. Include a
definition of transnational in your discussion.
8. Explain how race and global inequality are correlated.
9. Discuss modernization theory including Weber’s contributions. Explain the major
criticisms of modernization theory, and how it is similar to culture of poverty theories
of stratification.
10. Explain dependency theory and how it differs from modernization theory. Define
colonialism and give examples of countries that were and continue to be shaped by
colonialism.
11. Compare world systems theory to dependency and modernization theories. Describe
the business practices of multinational corporations and they impact they have on
business and the poverty/wealth stratification of countries.
12. Describe how the world economy is changing the landscape of population migration
and the concentration of people into different transnational communities and cities on
this planet.
13. Discuss how transnational migration has altered the racial and ethnic composition of
the U.S. and of other Asian and European Nations.
14. Discuss global stratification in terms of the relationship between fertility rates, death
rates, life expectancy and population size.
15. Discuss the relationship between health and the environment and explain how
sanitation contributes to the birth and death rates globally.
16. Explain how war and terrorism are related to global stratification and discuss these in
term of economics, power, and capitalism.
17. Define conceptions of world poverty using relative, absolute, extreme, and human
poverty index measures. Discuss the world’s poor in terms of region.
18. Explain the relationship between gender and poverty globally. Define double
deprivation. How are traditional and cultural gender norms related to poverty; what is
the role of education in reducing poverty. Do you believe education could help end
poverty; what would hinder efforts to increase education levels for all, including
women?
19. Discuss conditions for children living in poverty. Describe the problems of hunger,
homelessness and the probable causes of these conditions globally.
20. Identify conditions that distinguish the newly industrializing countries from those that
are not achieving economic and political security.
21. Discuss how globalization is a force that can shape the future of our nation (and other
nations).