Goldin(2009) mentions that globalization is not inclusive and there is growing inequality and fragility, in which an event happening in one place quickly affects everything else. Such events include pandemics and financial crises. Technology has improved and is improving by huge leaps. Income inequality is a continuing problem, despite improvements in technology and travel, which is related to fragility.
In this essay, I would like to discuss about the phenomenon of aid-giving by developed countries to developing countries, and how I feel that this is not helpful. The phenomenon of aid-giving may actually be more beneficial for the developed countries than for the developing countries, due to the conditions imposed by the developed countries.
Developed countries have given aid to developing countries for a very long time. However, the developing countries appear to stagnate, which supports the overall view that the aid is not helpful to them. One reason is that the elite in the developing countries are corrupt, and channel aid meant for the poor to enable themselves to live comfortable lifestyles. Aid has been given in the form of food, money, medical services and supplies, building infrastructure etc.
One reason for the stagnation is that many people in developing countries do not value education, preferring their children to work in farms or in other low-skilled occupations rather than attend school, because school attendance may drain short-term family income and working contributes income. Therefore, children are often absent from school and many families pull their children out of school early, and this lack of education hinders the growth of the economies of developing countries.
A solution to this problem would be to provide aid in the form of school supplies and teacher training and salaries, with the developed countries providing the supplies, preferably produced locally to improve the local economy, and paying the teachers directly to minimize corruption.
Another reason for the stagnation is the tying of aid, in which the developed countries give aid on the condition that the developing countries buy goods and services from the developed countries, which benefits the economy of the developed countries by generating revenue for foreign companies but does not help the economy of the developing countries, generating further income inequality between developed and developing countries.
A possible solution to this problem is to provide aid in business and technical training, with developed countries mentoring developing ones, and remove aid-tying. This is already being done but without business and technical know-how, the economies of developing countries will progress slowly.
In conclusion, the development of the economies of developing countries is a multifaceted one, and requires the cooperation of governments and people, in order to solve the problems plaguing the developing countries.
Monday, 17 March 2014
Saturday, 1 March 2014
The Essay Process
Research Question
Does giving aid to developing countries really help them?
Stand
No, aid has been channelled to developing countries for many years but most are still poor, and some of the aid has been abused. Also, the developed countries seem to gain more from the aid economically.
Outline
Developed countries have always given aid to developing countries. However, despite the aid, developing countries seem to stagnate. The elite in the developing countries are corrupt and the channelled aid seems to enable them to live comfortable lifestyles, and the poor do not benefit much from the aid. Aid has been given in the form of food, money and medical services and supplies, building infrastructure etc.
Topic Sentence
The causes of poverty should be pinpointed and both developing and developed countries work to change them
Body Paragraph 1
Developed countries pledge an amount of their national income to help alleviate hunger and disease
Problem: People in developing countries do not control their birth rate based on their earning capacity. This has resulted in too many children being born who cannot be adequately provided for. Moreover, education is generally not as valued in developing countries as it does not bring immediate economic benefit. Also, corrupted governments squander money meant for helping their citizens.
Solution: Base aid on birth rate control and education of children, as these are likely to make a difference, coupled with the medical and infrastructural aid. Ensure strict monitoring of funds.
Body paragraph 2
Developed countries benefit more from the supposed aid.
Problem: Some developed countries give aid on condition that the developing countries buy goods and services from the country providing the aid, which is also known as tied aid. This usually has the intention of benefiting the developed country, and big firms and therefore economy of the developed countries benefit. Firms in developing countries are often no match for the big firms, even though more aid is now being untied, and if they cannot acquire adequate business knowledge and experience, the economies of developing countries will not improve much.
Solution: The reliance on foreign firms cannot be totally eradicated, and the foreign firms also have the potential to develop the economies of developing countries e.g. providing jobs. A possible solution would be for foreign firms to mentor local firms in the developing countries, for example, in the running of humanitarian operations. Transferring useful knowledge helps to empower local people to change their situation.
http://www.povertycure.org/issues/foreign-aid/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tied_aid
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/audio/geography/pdf/foreign_aid.pdf
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/datablog/2012/sep/21/why-is-uk-aid-going-to-uk-companies
Does giving aid to developing countries really help them?
Stand
No, aid has been channelled to developing countries for many years but most are still poor, and some of the aid has been abused. Also, the developed countries seem to gain more from the aid economically.
Outline
Developed countries have always given aid to developing countries. However, despite the aid, developing countries seem to stagnate. The elite in the developing countries are corrupt and the channelled aid seems to enable them to live comfortable lifestyles, and the poor do not benefit much from the aid. Aid has been given in the form of food, money and medical services and supplies, building infrastructure etc.
Topic Sentence
The causes of poverty should be pinpointed and both developing and developed countries work to change them
Body Paragraph 1
Developed countries pledge an amount of their national income to help alleviate hunger and disease
Problem: People in developing countries do not control their birth rate based on their earning capacity. This has resulted in too many children being born who cannot be adequately provided for. Moreover, education is generally not as valued in developing countries as it does not bring immediate economic benefit. Also, corrupted governments squander money meant for helping their citizens.
Solution: Base aid on birth rate control and education of children, as these are likely to make a difference, coupled with the medical and infrastructural aid. Ensure strict monitoring of funds.
Body paragraph 2
Developed countries benefit more from the supposed aid.
Problem: Some developed countries give aid on condition that the developing countries buy goods and services from the country providing the aid, which is also known as tied aid. This usually has the intention of benefiting the developed country, and big firms and therefore economy of the developed countries benefit. Firms in developing countries are often no match for the big firms, even though more aid is now being untied, and if they cannot acquire adequate business knowledge and experience, the economies of developing countries will not improve much.
Solution: The reliance on foreign firms cannot be totally eradicated, and the foreign firms also have the potential to develop the economies of developing countries e.g. providing jobs. A possible solution would be for foreign firms to mentor local firms in the developing countries, for example, in the running of humanitarian operations. Transferring useful knowledge helps to empower local people to change their situation.
http://www.povertycure.org/issues/foreign-aid/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tied_aid
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/audio/geography/pdf/foreign_aid.pdf
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/datablog/2012/sep/21/why-is-uk-aid-going-to-uk-companies
Friday, 21 February 2014
Reader Response (2nd draft)
In the article, Kraidy(2002) states that the globalization of culture has molded the entire world in the image of Western, mainly American culture, and this globalization of culture is chiefly represented by international mass media. The embrace of Western lifestyles globally has led to the cultural imperialism theory in international communication theory and research, which argues that audiences across the globe are heavily affected by media messages emanating from the Western industrialized countries.
I agree with him that the globalization of culture is chiefly represented by Western, mainly American culture as English is commonly studied most countries of the world, and America is arguably the most powerful country at the moment. Many well-known broadcasters are American and also, American popular culture and its elements are seen as desirable and worthy to be emulated. However, every non-Western country has its own unique culture and society that their inhabitants conform to, and practices such as religion may be strongly ingrained, therefore there would always be taboos and superstitions that contradict Western cultural values. Simple control of global media by Western countries cannot impose their values on others.
Kraidy also mentions that cultural hybridity or hybridization provides the understanding of the interface of globalization and hybridization as a dynamic process and hybrid process of mixed traditions and cultural forms. This view states that it "does not give rise to globalization as a homogenizing force, or does it believe in localization as a resistive force opposed to globalization".
I agree with this view as cultures have always absorbed outside influences and over time, the absorbed influences became integral parts of the cultures. Sometimes, the fact that the influences were originally foreign was subsequently disregarded by the subsequent generations and/or the influences even reinvented. For example, trains and cars were invented by the West but Japan is known for its bullet train and good quality reasonably priced automobiles. Although Western influence is strong mostly due to the economic power of the Western industrialized countries, the Western countries are also influenced by the other countries of the world, whether developed or developing.
The advent of convenient global travel has allowed people to experience the cultures of different countries. With more global travel, people are less likely to be insular and look only through the paradigm of their own culture. They would also be able to evaluate the differences and good and bad points of cultures. In this way, the domination of culture by the West is likely to be counter-balanced due to the better mutual understanding of people from both Western and other countries .
I agree with him that the globalization of culture is chiefly represented by Western, mainly American culture as English is commonly studied most countries of the world, and America is arguably the most powerful country at the moment. Many well-known broadcasters are American and also, American popular culture and its elements are seen as desirable and worthy to be emulated. However, every non-Western country has its own unique culture and society that their inhabitants conform to, and practices such as religion may be strongly ingrained, therefore there would always be taboos and superstitions that contradict Western cultural values. Simple control of global media by Western countries cannot impose their values on others.
Kraidy also mentions that cultural hybridity or hybridization provides the understanding of the interface of globalization and hybridization as a dynamic process and hybrid process of mixed traditions and cultural forms. This view states that it "does not give rise to globalization as a homogenizing force, or does it believe in localization as a resistive force opposed to globalization".
I agree with this view as cultures have always absorbed outside influences and over time, the absorbed influences became integral parts of the cultures. Sometimes, the fact that the influences were originally foreign was subsequently disregarded by the subsequent generations and/or the influences even reinvented. For example, trains and cars were invented by the West but Japan is known for its bullet train and good quality reasonably priced automobiles. Although Western influence is strong mostly due to the economic power of the Western industrialized countries, the Western countries are also influenced by the other countries of the world, whether developed or developing.
The advent of convenient global travel has allowed people to experience the cultures of different countries. With more global travel, people are less likely to be insular and look only through the paradigm of their own culture. They would also be able to evaluate the differences and good and bad points of cultures. In this way, the domination of culture by the West is likely to be counter-balanced due to the better mutual understanding of people from both Western and other countries .
Reader Response (1st draft)
In the article, Kraidy(2002) states that the globalization of culture has molded the entire world in the image of Western, mainly American culture, and this globalization of culture is chiefly represented by international mass media. The embrace of Western lifestyles globally has led to the cultural imperialism theory in international communication theory and research, which argues that audiences across the globe are heavily affected by media messages emanating from the Western industrialized countries.
I agree with him that the globalization of culture is chiefly represented by Western, mainly American culture as English is commonly studied most countries of the world, and America is arguably the most powerful country at the moment. Many well-known broadcasters are American and also, American popular culture and its elements are seen as desirable and worthy to be emulated. However, every non-Western country has its own unique culture and social structures that its inhabitants are proud of and taboos and superstitions that contradict the Western cultural values, and Western countries cannot impose their values on others solely through international mass media.
Kraidy also mentions that cultural hybridity or hybridization provides the understanding of the interface of globalization and hybridization as a dynamic process and hybrid process of mixed traditions and cultural forms. This view states that it "does not give rise to globalization as a homogenizing force, or does it believe in localization as a resistive force opposed to globalization".
I agree with this view as cultures have always absorbed outside influences and over time, the absorbed influences became integral parts of the cultures. Sometimes, the fact that the influences were originally foreign was subsequently disregarded by the subsequent generations. Although Western influence is strong mostly due to the economic power of the Western industrialized countries, the Western countries are also influenced by the other countries of the world, whether developed or developing. The advent of convenient global travel has allowed people to experience the cultures of different countries, which I think promotes the understanding of other cultures. With more global travel, people are less likely to be insular and look only through the paradigm of their own culture. In this way, the domination of culture by the West is likely to be counter-balanced.
I agree with him that the globalization of culture is chiefly represented by Western, mainly American culture as English is commonly studied most countries of the world, and America is arguably the most powerful country at the moment. Many well-known broadcasters are American and also, American popular culture and its elements are seen as desirable and worthy to be emulated. However, every non-Western country has its own unique culture and social structures that its inhabitants are proud of and taboos and superstitions that contradict the Western cultural values, and Western countries cannot impose their values on others solely through international mass media.
Kraidy also mentions that cultural hybridity or hybridization provides the understanding of the interface of globalization and hybridization as a dynamic process and hybrid process of mixed traditions and cultural forms. This view states that it "does not give rise to globalization as a homogenizing force, or does it believe in localization as a resistive force opposed to globalization".
I agree with this view as cultures have always absorbed outside influences and over time, the absorbed influences became integral parts of the cultures. Sometimes, the fact that the influences were originally foreign was subsequently disregarded by the subsequent generations. Although Western influence is strong mostly due to the economic power of the Western industrialized countries, the Western countries are also influenced by the other countries of the world, whether developed or developing. The advent of convenient global travel has allowed people to experience the cultures of different countries, which I think promotes the understanding of other cultures. With more global travel, people are less likely to be insular and look only through the paradigm of their own culture. In this way, the domination of culture by the West is likely to be counter-balanced.
Thursday, 13 February 2014
Reader Response Summary
In "Globalization of Culture Through the Media", Kraidy(2002) states that the globalization of culture is represented by international mass media, in which the entire world is disproportionately affected
by Western, especially American culture. The role of mass media is therefore contested, as the Western industrialized countries are seen to have intentions and actions when they export their cultural products, such as imposing their sociocultural values on developing countries, which result in the developing countries becoming concerned about economic and cultural domination. The developing countries receive scant and prejudicial coverage in Western media and the Western industrialized countries insist on the "free flow of information", leading the developing countries to accuse the Western countries of justifying their economic and cultural domination. However, cultural hybridity, in which globalization and localization are coequal dynamic processes, gives rise to hybrid traditions and cultural forms which are resilient and dynamic.
by Western, especially American culture. The role of mass media is therefore contested, as the Western industrialized countries are seen to have intentions and actions when they export their cultural products, such as imposing their sociocultural values on developing countries, which result in the developing countries becoming concerned about economic and cultural domination. The developing countries receive scant and prejudicial coverage in Western media and the Western industrialized countries insist on the "free flow of information", leading the developing countries to accuse the Western countries of justifying their economic and cultural domination. However, cultural hybridity, in which globalization and localization are coequal dynamic processes, gives rise to hybrid traditions and cultural forms which are resilient and dynamic.
Monday, 3 February 2014
An event that has shaped my life
The learning of foreign languages has shaped my life. I feel that I have learnt many things about myself and others due to this.
In 2007, I decided to learn Japanese. I enrolled into a beginners' class where I struggled with grammar, pronunciation and seemingly simple tasks such as telling time and phone numbers. I also could not express myself. I found these extremely frustrating as it was not what I had expected.
I learnt Japanese for around a year but cannot understand most of it. Now I try to be more understanding of the poor pronunciation and/or grammar of some people because I know that I may actually be worser in ability. Also, I now know that I should not judge others without understanding what they go through.
In the polytechnic, I decided to learn German and I experienced similar difficulties. I still learn German here in NUS, although not in this semester. German grammatical structure is easier for me to understand than that of Japanese due to its similarities to English grammar but I find many grammatical points such as prepositions and cases difficult to understand. I also do not understand why certain words phrased in certain ways have unexpected meanings.
I now realize why non-native English speakers fluent in English often make mistakes with prepositions, misunderstand certain phrases or use strange idioms. I hope that I can become a person able to cope with difficult circumstances.
Friday, 24 January 2014
My English Language Learning Journey
English is a language I have always been familiar with, probably due to the fact that my parents went to English medium schools and speak English better than their native Chinese tongues and have always spoken English to me. This is however is not standard English and the English of some people of my parents' generation have a lot of mistakes, as they found English grammar difficult. I also make grammatical mistakes personally.
Personally, English can be said to be my native language, and although I do speak some poor Mandarin to some members of my extended family, I am unable to understand chinese dialects which are truly different languages, which I definitely feel is a loss.
Learning English became a chore to me in secondary school, and I still find this to be true when I attend this module, even though my English is probably not as good as that of others in the class, primarily because I am not fond of writing essays, doing critiques, using rubrics etc, am poor at these and also find them to be meaningless and boring to me. However, I know that it will be beneficial to learn new things and do my best and will therefore try to do so in this course, and in the compulsory English module for science students in the future.
Personally, English can be said to be my native language, and although I do speak some poor Mandarin to some members of my extended family, I am unable to understand chinese dialects which are truly different languages, which I definitely feel is a loss.
Learning English became a chore to me in secondary school, and I still find this to be true when I attend this module, even though my English is probably not as good as that of others in the class, primarily because I am not fond of writing essays, doing critiques, using rubrics etc, am poor at these and also find them to be meaningless and boring to me. However, I know that it will be beneficial to learn new things and do my best and will therefore try to do so in this course, and in the compulsory English module for science students in the future.
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