Class Questions for Readings, October 28th

Questions from Lauren Pocccia

Article 15: Globalization and its Contents

1.      Today we think about all the poor people in the world and there are a lot to our knowledge. Marber discusses how in the past everyone was poor. In 1820, 80% of the world’s population was living in poverty and less than 15% was living in poverty in 2000. How have we reached this modern golden age? What do you think it was like to live 100-200 years ago?

 

2.      Marber is clearly showing many positive statistics about how the world is reaching the middle class. How have people progressed to become part of the middle class?

 

3.      How do social scientists measure income dispersion between and within countries? Explain.

 

4.      Since people are moving out of the poverty gap and their quality of life is improving what does this mean for mankind? Does this connect to our country studies?

Article 16: It’s a Flat World, After All

1.      The author is told, “Tom, the playing field is being leveled.” What does this mean? What are the results?

 

2.      How have we made our world flat?

 

3.      How are countries like China and India going to surpass the United States? What do we have to step up our game?

 

4.      Why has the saying change from “Tom, finish your dinner – people in China are starving” to “Girls, finish your homework – people in China are starving for your jobs”?

 

Kristen Van Vleck

Questions for Common Wealth

Ch. 11: Economic Security in a Changing World

 

  1. How does Sachs define social insurance? (pg. 256)

 

  1. Sachs writes that social-welfare states such as Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, have, “achieved vibrant, well-functioning democracies that assure a very high level of social well-being for all of the citizens.”  What is the evidence he provides to support this statement? (pg 261- 262)

 

  1. According to Sachs, what is one major problem that would prevent a solid social welfare system that the United States has but the Nordic states do not have? (pg 265)

 

  1. Sachs notes that it would only take 2 percent of the national income of the U.S. to address many social problems including poor quality of public schools in low income neighborhoods.  What are your thoughts on this?  Why has the U.S. government not done anything if it will take such a small percentage of our GDP?

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Lisa Palladino

Chapter  6 International Futures

 

  1. On page 100, it is said that there are reasons to think  that global economic rates in the 21st century could exceed those of the twentieth. What are the three reasons given? Do you agree with this statement?

  1. On page 104, it talks about economic production. What are three important factors that economic production depend on?

  1. “Countries that have strong multifactory productivity growth tend to have economic growth and improving living standards. High growth in physical capital or labor supply are not, by themselves, enough to guarantee rapid economic growth.” What are the other ways discussed in this chapter that help to expand economic growth? What do you think is the most effective way to guarantee economic growth?