SOC 1100

Lec 2- Thurs Jan 9

• Homelessness is not a term used but rather home security because it is not a natural thing to be homeless, a person just become victim to the circumstances that lead to a loss of stable housing, often due to factors such as economic hardship, mental health issues, or systemic failures in social support.

• People who work more only to earn less, they don’t have time to be preparing nutritious meals; ONE of the many ways how socioeconomic statutes impact nutrition.

Wealth Inequality

• Half of the world’s does not have enough to meet their basic needs on a regular basis.

• The richest 1% of the world’s population own more than half of the world’s wealth

• In the past four years, the world’s five richest people doubled their fortunes, while 5 billion people became poorer.

• By the first working day of the year, January 2 at 10:54 am, top 100 CEOs already made on average 62,661 dollars. It takes an average Canadian worker all year to earn that amount.

• Canada’s richest 100 CEOs make 210 times more than an average worker.

Images Relevance

• Familiarize with the crises that exists and are still happening to this day.

Lec 3- Tues Jan 13

Jimmy Carter Quotes

• Carter valued peace and wanted to achieve it, but also acknowledged and recognized America's history as the "superpower" of the world. This is important becauseit highlights the complexity of U.S. foreign policy, where the pursuit of peace must be balanced against the responsibilities and consequences of being a global leader.

Course Rationale

• Humanist

  • Goal of is to be able to contribute to human well being- conditions of social justice, equality, and respect for human rights.

  • In orderder to achieve this, must first understand the processes, forces, or mechanisms that lead to inequalities, injustices, and human rights violations.

  • Self censorship and the normalizing, universalizing, naturalizing of certain ideologies can perpetuate systemic inequalities and hinder the progress toward a more just society.

  • UBUNTU = You can only be fully human through the humanity of others. By embracing the philosophy of Ubuntu, we recognize that our individual well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of others, fostering a collective responsibility to challenge and dismantle the structures that uphold inequality.

• Transformative

  • Change requires not only awareness of these interconnected issues but also active participation in social movements that advocate for equity and justice.

  • This means engaging in dialogue, supporting marginalized voices, and taking concrete actions that promote inclusivity and equity within our communities.

  • LIBERATORY EDUCATION is a Collective learning process

    through dialogue (Paulo Freire)

    • Receive information

    • Build knowledge (asking critical questions and analyzing)

    • Building awareness of your capacity to transform the world

    • Act

Lec 4- Jan 16

Dialectical Analytical Framework

• Micro-Macro / Individual Society

  • Sociological imagination is the ability to grasp relation between individuals and society, biography and history, self and world

  • Sociological imagination- ability to interplay / intersection between individuals and society, biography and history, self and world.

    • Intricate connection between pattern of our own lives and the course of world history.

  • The imagination is invisible and you need to think about it

WEEK 2 READING NOTES

Brym, R. (2021). Ch. 1

INTRO

• Society not only exists around us but also shapes our thoughts and behaviors. Sociologists define stable patterns of social relations as social structures, which help connect individual troubles to broader societal issues.

• To better understand these connections, we must expand our sociological awareness by recognizing four levels of social structure:

Four Levels of Social Structure

• Microstructures are intimate social relations formed through face-to-face interactions, such as families and friends. They emphasize the importance of weak ties in job searching, suggesting that distant acquaintances may provide broader job leads than close connections (Granovetter, 1973).

• Mesostructures involve organizations where members may not know each other personally, like colleges and political parties. Sociologists reveal that political parties are less democratic than perceived, as not all citizens have equal resources to advance within them (Lipsky, 1968; Michels, 1962 [1911]).

• Macrostructures are larger societal patterns, including class relations and patriarchy, affecting personal dynamics. For example, married women often undertake more household responsibilities than their husbands, contributing to marital dissatisfaction, with sociological research suggesting shared domestic duties lead to happier marriages (Hochschild and Machung, 1989).

• Global structures encompass international organizations and economic relations, increasingly significant due to globalization, linking cultures and economies across the world.

Connection

• Understanding global structures is crucial in addressing world poverty. While many support charity and foreign aid for the poor, they often overlook that these measures alone cannot resolve global inequality.

• Historical colonization by powers like Britain and France entrenched poverty in some countries. In the 20th century, developing nations took loans from wealthy countries and banks, resulting in them paying more in interest than they receive in aid—foreign aid typically equals about one-tenth of what they owe.

• This highlights the need to reconsider policy priorities, such as advocating for debt cancellation due to past injustices.

• Ultimately, personal issues, whether related to employment, political participation, marital stability, or global poverty, are intricately linked to social structures at various levels.

The Sociological Imagination

• Wright Mills introduced the concept of the sociological imagination in the 1950s, illustrating the connection between personal troubles and broader social structures.

• He argued that individual experiences cannot be understood without recognizing their link to societal changes. For instance, a woman losing her job and struggling financially reflects larger economic shifts, like North American companies relocating manufacturing to low-wage countries.

• While her personal issues stem from powerful social forces, countries like Denmark manage such transitions better by providing generous unemployment benefits and retraining programs.

This situation emphasizes the need for individuals to cultivate a sociological imagination to confront the structural transformations behind their troubles, highlighting the importance of political action for solutions.

Three Revolutions and the Origins of the Sociological Imagination

• The sociological imagination, developed in the last two centuries, emerged from three key revolutions:

  • The Scientific Revolution (beginning around 1550), which emphasized evidence-based conclusions about society

  • The Democratic Revolution (starting around 1750), which highlighted human responsibility in organizing societal structures

• The Industrial Revolution (beginning around 1780), which introduced significant social issues that prompted deeper analysis by social thinkers.

The Scientific Revolution

• The Scientific Revolution marked a shift towards systematic observation and inquiry, contrasting with earlier reliance on tradition and authoritative texts.

• A famous anecdote illustrates this transition: medieval monks debated how many angels could dance on a pin without considering empirical investigation, which would have been deemed heretical.

• Key figures like Copernicus and Newton contributed revolutionary ideas, but the essence of science lies in evidence-based inquiry.

• By the mid-1600s, philosophers such as Descartes and Hobbes advocated for a scientific approach to society, setting the foundation for sociology as a distinct discipline in the 19th century.

The Democratic Revolution

• The second pillar of the sociological imagination emphasizes that people can control and change society, a belief contrary to the views held by most Europeans four centuries ago, who thought God ordained the social order.

• An English engraving from Shakespeare’s time illustrates this belief, depicting God as the supreme force controlling humanity and nature through symbolic chains, suggesting that divine authority, rather than human agency, dictated social structures.

The Industrial Revolution

• The Industrial Revolution, starting around 1780 in England, significantly transformed society by prompting mass urban migration as people sought work in factories and mines.

• This shift led to harsh working conditions, the erosion of religious faith, and challenges posed by bureaucracies.

In response to the resulting poverty and social unrest, scholars recognized the need for sociological inquiry to address pressing social issues, thus fostering the development of the.

Theory, Research, and Values

• In sociology, the concepts of theory, research, and values highlight the tension between analysis and idealism.

• A theory is a tentative explanation linking social facts; for example, Durkheim's theory connects suicide rates to social solidarity.

• After formulating theories, sociologists conduct research to validate or challenge these theories.

• The choice of which social issues to study is influenced by sociologists' values, which also guide the development of theories.

Key theoretical traditions include functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, with feminism emerging to address gaps in these frameworks.

Functionalism

• Functionalism, exemplified by Durkheim's theory of suicide, posits that human behaviour is governed by stable social structures. Key features include

  • Social relations influence behaviour, particularly suicide rates linked to social solidarity;

  • Social structures can maintain or undermine stability, with rising industries reducing solidarity and increasing instability;

  • These structures are based on shared values that bind communities together;

  • To address social problems, restoring equilibrium through lowered expectations and new social associations is recommended. This approach reflects a conservative response to the social unrest of nineteenth-century France.

Summary

• Sociology systematically studies human behaviour in a social context, focusing on the connection between personal troubles and social structures.

• These social relations are categorized into micro (face-to-face), meso (organizational), macro (large-scale), and global (cross-cultural) structures, all of which influence behaviour.

• Sociological research, driven by values, aims to test theories through systematic observation to improve lives. Major theoretical traditions include functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and feminism.

• Sociology emerged from the Scientific, Democratic, and Industrial Revolutions, which shaped its focus on evidence, human agency, and social issues.

• Today, challenges include the Postindustrial and Globalization processes, highlighting tensions between autonomy, inequality, and cultural diversity.

Glossary

• Altruistic suicide occurs in high solidarity settings from strict norms

• While anomic suicide arises in low solidarity settings due to vague norms.

• Conflict theory examines macro-level inequalities and suggests eliminating privilege can reduce conflict.

• Cultural hegemony refers to dominant groups controlling cultural norms.

• The Democratic Revolution posited human agency in societal organization, while dysfunctional consequences create instability.

• Egoistic suicide results from weak social ties.

• Ethnomethodology studies meaning-making in social interactions.

• Feminist theory highlights patriarchy as a major determinant of life opportunities.

• Functionalism views behaviour shaped by stable social structures, while globalization connects economies and cultures.

• The Industrial Revolution marked a shift to industrial economies.

• Social structures can have manifest (intended) and latent (unintended) functions.

• Micro, meso, macro, and global structures characterize social relations.

• Postindustrial Revolution signifies a shift to service industries.

• Poststructuralism challenges the stability of social relations.

• The Protestant ethic links diligence to capitalist growth.

• Queer theory emphasizes the fluidity of sexual identities.

• Research validates sociological theories.

• The Scientific Revolution fostered evidence-based societal understanding.

• Social constructionism views natural features as culturally sustained.

• Social solidarity reflects shared beliefs and interaction intensity.

• Sociology systematically studies behaviour in social contexts, using the sociological imagination to link personal and structural issues.

• Symbolic interactionism focuses on personal meaning in micro interactions, asserting that subjective meanings shape social circumstances.

• Values guide perceptions of right and wrong in society.

Sainato, M. (2024). CEOs with lowest paid US workers (ARES)

Overview of CEOs and Low-Wage Workers

• A report highlights the disparity between CEO compensation and the wages of low-paid workers in the US, suggesting a critical focus on short-term profitability by CEOs.

Key Findings from the Report

• Author & Release: The report, from the Institute for Policy Studies, emphasizes CEOs at leading low-wage companies prioritize personal gains over employee welfare.

• Stock Buybacks: From 2019 to 2023, the 100 largest low-wage employers (S&P 500 companies) spent $522 billion on stock buybacks, often at the expense of employee investment.

  • Lowe’s: $42.6 billion on stock buybacks.

  • Home Depot: $37.2 billion on stock buybacks.

• Potential Employee Bonuses:

  • Lowe's could have given its 285,000 employees an annual bonus of $29,865 for five years.

  • Home Depot could have provided five annual $16,071 bonuses to each of its 463,100 employees.

CEO Priorities vs. Employee Benefits

• Long-term vs. Short-term: The report captures concerns about CEOs focusing disproportionately on immediate financial benefits, equating stock repurchase programs to a "financial scam" that inflates CEO compensation while workers struggle with daily living costs.

• Example Corporations: 47 of the 100 employers spent more on stock buybacks than on capital improvements.

Wage Disparities

• Glaring Gaps: Companies like AutoZone and Chipotle underscored disparities in stock buyback versus retirement contributions, with AutoZone spending 92 times more on buybacks than on 401(k) contributions, and Chipotle spending 48 times more.

• Retirement Plan Participation: 92% of Chipotle workers eligible for a 401(k) plan had a zero balance, highlighting issues with compensation adequacy.

Proposed Legislation

• Stock Buyback Legislation: Proposals in Congress aim to return stock buybacks to pre-1982 levels and impose limitations on CEO stock sales following buybacks. The SEC proposed a transparency rule for stock buybacks, later struck down by legal action.

• Taxation Proposals: Suggested increases in corporate taxes and limitations on excessive CEO compensation.

• Biden Administration Efforts: Attempts to align federal contracts with more equitable corporate pay structures.

CEO Compensation Trends

• Pay Discrepancies:

  • CEO median compensation compared to median worker pay resulted in a drop from 603 to 1 in 2022 to 538 to 1 in 2023.

  • Ross Stores: CEO Barbara Rentler earned $18.1 million in 2023, 2,100 times more than the median employee pay of $8,618.

  • Nike: CEO John Donahoe II’s total compensation was $32.8 million, which is 975 times the median employee salary.

Historical Context

• Longitudinal Trends: Between 1978 and 2022, CEO pay surged by 1,209.2%, in stark contrast to a mere 15.3% increase in median worker forecasts, according to a report by the Economic Policy Institute.

• Reflective Changes: There has been a slight improvement for low-wage workers in their struggles against rising inflation and living costs, attributed to successes in minimum wage hikes and labor organization efforts.

Canadians are facing higher levels of food insecurity - Statistics Canada

Overview of Food Insecurity in Canada

• Increased food prices in Canada significantly contribute to food insecurity.

• Food prices in grocery stores rose by 9.8% from 2021 to 2022.

• Overall, food prices increased by 19.1% from 2018 to 2022.

Definition of Food Insecurity

• Food Insecurity: Refers to limited or uncertain access to adequate food due to financial constraints.

  • Measured by: Household Food Security Survey Module from the Canadian Income Survey (CIS).

  • Categories of food insecurity:

    • Marginal: Worrying about running out of food or limited food selection.

    • Moderate: Compromising on the quality or quantity of food.

    • Severe: Missing meals, reduced food intake, or going days without eating.

• 2022 Statistics:

  • 16.9% of Canadians were food insecure, up from 12.9% in 2021.

  • Increase of 5.3 percentage points in food insecurity rates from 2018 to 2022.

  • Poverty Level: Approximately 9.9% of Canadians lived in poverty in 2022.

  • Food Insecurity Rates by Poverty Status:

    • 34.0% of people living in poverty faced food insecurity.

    • 15.0% of individuals not living in poverty faced food insecurity.

Food Insecurity Trends Over Time

• Graphical data illustrates food insecurity trends (2018-2022):

  • Individuals in poverty consistently higher than those not in poverty.

Geographic Variations in Food Insecurity

• Rates of food insecurity can vary by province:

  • Newfoundland and Labrador: 47.6% of people in poverty were food insecure.

  • British Columbia: 28.5% food insecurity among those in poverty.

  • Quebec: Lowest rate for those not in poverty at 9.3%.

Family Types and Food Insecurity Risk

• Certain family structures are more vulnerable to food insecurity:

  • Lone-Parent Families: Highest risk, with 34.0% facing food insecurity.

    • Female lone-parent families: 36.5% food insecure.

    • Male lone-parent families: 23.2% food insecure.

  • Children in lone-parent families: 36.4% are food insecure.

Racialized Groups and Indigenous Peoples

• Food Insecurity Rates by Racial Background:

  • Overall for racialized groups: 20.7% food insecure (up by 3.9 points from 2021).

  • Specific racial groups:

    • Black Canadians: 31.9% food insecure.

    • South Asian Canadians: 17.6% food insecure.

    • Chinese Canadians: 13.4% food insecure.

• Indigenous Peoples:

  • 28.6% experienced food insecurity; higher than non-Indigenous (15.7%).

  • Breakdown of Indigenous food insecurity:

    • 33.0% of First Nations people off reserve.

    • 23.8% of Métis individuals food insecure.

Resources and Further Reading

• For a comprehensive understanding of food insecurity and poverty trends in Canada, refer to the 2022 Canadian Income Survey release in The Daily and the Dimensions of Poverty Hub on the Statistics Canada website.

“Fatalities are Part of Life” in a Capitalist Climate Emergency – Socialist Project

Introduction to Social Murder

• Concept and Definition:

  • Coined by Friedrich Engels in The Condition of the Working Class in England.

  • Describes avoidable deaths of the working class due to capitalism's policies.

  • Acts of social murder are not penalized; they are a consequence of systemic economic structures.

Capitalism and Working-Class Deaths

• Policy Implications of Capitalism:

  • Engels argues that the bourgeoisie creates conditions for premature deaths among proletarians.

  • Social murder contrasts with street crimes; it involves systemic negligence rather than direct actions.

• Examples of Social Murder:

  • The lack of essential services (e.g., long-term care) and harmful policies (e.g., drug criminalization) contribute to working-class mortality.

Case Study: The British Columbia Heat Dome Incident

• Heat Dome Effects:

  • In June and July 2021, an extreme heat event resulted in hundreds of deaths in British Columbia.

  • A combination of climate crisis and government failure led to community-wide devastation and deaths considered "social murder."

• Government Response:

  • The responses to the crisis highlight the ineffectiveness of the state in protecting vulnerable populations.

Academic Perspectives on Austerity and Social Murder

• Chris Glover's Analysis:

  • Describes austerity measures as structural violence leading to the deaths of the most disadvantaged groups.

  • Emphasis on the social conditions under austerity that enforce lifestyle and health disparities.

• Statistics on Mortality:

  • Statistics Canada notes significant mortality discrepancies related to income, confirming the link between poverty and health outcomes.

Recent Death Counts in British Columbia

• Sudden Deaths Surge:

  • Between June 25 and July 1, 2021, there were 777 sudden deaths reported—a tripling of the average in previous years.

  • Highlighting the concentrated impact on isolated and inadequately housed individuals during the heat wave.

Additional Contributing Factors to Mortality

• Aging Population Vulnerability:

  • Predominance of older individuals in poorly ventilated living situations during the heat dome.

• Emergency Healthcare Failures:

  • Issues such as lengthy ambulance wait times and lack of preparedness exacerbated the crisis.

Environmental and Community Impact

• Marine Life Loss:

  • Over one billion marine animals estimated to have died during the heat dome, affecting biodiversity.

• Community Response:

  • Local government and Indigenous communities criticized for inadequate coordination and support during emergencies.

Critique of Government Responses

• Premier Horgan's Statements:

  • Controversial comments describing fatalities as part of life exemplify a disconnection from working-class realities.

• Criticism from Indigenous Leaders:

  • Instances of emergency response delays showcase systemic neglect towards Indigenous governance.

Broader Climate Change Implications

• Responsibility for Climate Change:

  • Unequal burden of environmental destruction on marginalized communities.

  • Report that a small number of fossil fuel companies are major contributors to climate change, emphasizing the role of capitalism in exacerbating crises.

• Call to Accountability:

  • Importance of recognizing individual responsibility within broader structural failures.

Lec 5- 6 Jan 21/23

Page 1: Origins of Capitalism

• Definition: Capitalism is a social structure characterized by inequality.

Page 2: Karl Marx

• Influential Scholar: Originator of an empirical historical account explaining the emergence of capitalism.

Page 3: Key Concepts from Marx’s Theory of Capitalism

• The Social Basis of Production

• Primitive Accumulation

• Class

• Capital / Productive Property

• Means of Production

• Relations of Production

• Mode of Production

• Working Class / Proletariat

• Capitalist Class / Bourgeoisie

• Exploitation

Page 4: Misinterpretations of Marx’s Ideas

• Marxist and Non-Marxist Literature: Includes intentional and unintentional misinterpretations of Marx’s writings (e.g., Vulgar Marxism).

• Anti-Marxist Literature: Critiques of Marx arise from those misunderstandings. Academics often reference distorted critiques instead of his original work.

Page 5: Overcoming Misconceptions about Marx’s Theories

• Economic Determinism: Correct interpretation requires understanding Marx's dialectical analytical approach.

• Working Class: Should not be limited to blue-collar work; it should reflect one’s relationship to the means of production.

• Communism and Socialism: Communism has never been realized; socialism has been experimented with in different regions.

Page 6: Distinguishing Humans from Animals

• Query: What fundamentally sets humans apart from animals according to capitalist society?

Page 7: The Primacy of Material Production in Human Life

• Definition of Production: Production is a social activity essential for societal formation.

Page 8: Key Concepts for Analyzing Production

• Means of Production

• Relations of Production

• Mode of Production

Page 9: Interaction of Means, Relations, and Mode of Production

• Influences: Government, culture, laws, and justice systems are shaped by these production elements.

Page 10: Types of Societies Based on Mode of Production

• Band and Tribal Societies: Characterized as egalitarian.

• Ancient Slavery: Inegalitarian.

• Feudalism: Inegalitarian/unequal.

• Capitalism: Inegalitarian.

• Socialism: Egalitarian.

Page 11: Basic Requirements for Capitalism Functioning

• Resources: Availability is crucial.

• Labour: Workforce supply.

• Markets: Demand for goods and services.

Page 12: Historical Timeline of Capitalism Development

• 1300-1500: Collapse of feudalism in Britain.

• 1400s: Capitalism incepted in Britain.

• 1492: Columbus reaches the Americas.

• 1700s: Onset of the Industrial Revolution.

• 1800s: Spread of capitalism throughout Western Europe.

• Colonialism: Dominance by British, Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch.

Page 13: Feudalism: Predecessor to Capitalism

• Key Social Relations: Landlords (aristocrats) and serfs (peasants) were the main social categories.

Page 14: Social Relations Under Feudalism

• Serfs: Lived on landlords' estates, sharing a portion of produce or services in exchange for land access.

• Landlords' Obligations: Had responsibilities towards serfs; eviction was conditional upon serf obligations being unmet.

Page 15: Independent Peasants and The Commons

• Concepts related to individual landholders under the feudal system.

Page 16: Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism

• Primitive Accumulation: Involves the expropriation of serfs from their means of subsistence.

Page 17: Enclosure and Dispossession in Transition

• Privatization of communal lands and dispossession of peasants significant in the shift.

Page 18: Consequences of Primitive Accumulation

• Resulted in large-scale landlessness, leading individuals to rely solely on selling their labour for survival.

Page 19: Impacts of Primitive Accumulation on Capitalism Development

• Key Outcomes: Land/resources became available, creating a workforce dependent on wage labour and expanding consumer markets.

Page 20: Important Shifts Characterizing the Transition to Capitalism

• Types of Change: Shift from subsistence to market-oriented food production; extraction of value transitioned from direct to indirect coercion.

Page 21: Conflict During the Transition

• Resistance: Peasants actively opposed their dispossession and the move to capitalist structures.

Page 22: Mechanisms Against Resistance

• Political Counterparts to Capital: Included legal, violent, and ideological responses, shaping societal perceptions.

Page 23: Early Legal Mechanisms in Capitalist Development

• Role of Law: Functions as an instrument of dispossession and exclusion in the early capitalist context.

Page 24: Violence and Law under Capitalism

• Punitive Measures: Harsh consequences for vagabondage and social non-compliance.

Page 25: Further Statutory Violence

• Statutes of Edward VI: Enforced severe penalties for non-compliance with labour demands, including potential enslavement and branding.

Page 26: Legal Brutality and Control

• Elizabethan laws enforced severe punishments for begging and failure to secure service under capitalism.

Page 27: Citizenship in Capitalist Society

• Definition: Citizenship involves the ability to consume and produce; relates to rights regarding public space usage.

Page 28: Social Class Under Capitalism

• Definition of Class: Based on relationships to means of production; three main categories:

  • A) Owners of means and employers.

  • B) Owners who work on their means.

  • C) Labourers who sell their labour without ownership.

Page 29: Principal Classes in Capitalism

• Capitalists/Bourgeoisie: Owners who profit from workers' production.

• Workers/Proletariat: Sell their labour, inherently exploitative class dynamics leading to class conflict.

Page 30: Capital Accumulation

• Process Description: Expansion of capital through production and surplus value appropriation; capital viewed as a social relationship.

Page 31: Exploitation

• Definition: Extraction of surplus value from workers by capital owners.

Page 32: Elements of Exploitation

• Components: Necessary labour, surplus labour, and the rate of exploitation, showcasing economic relations.

Page 33: Example of Exploitation

• Case Study: A garment factory worker illustrates necessary vs. surplus labour dynamics in her daily routine to highlight economic realities.

Page 34: Class and Exploitation: Myths vs. Reality

• Common misconceptions regarding class identity, exploitation, and the correlation between economic status and class belonging.

Dialectical Relationship: Micro Macro

• Understanding how personal actions can influence and be influenced by societal structures is crucial for fostering change.

Lec 6- Jan 30

Introduction to Capitalism and Human Value

• Perception of Value: In a capitalist society, individuals are valued based on their ability to generate economic value. This occurs by:

  • Consuming goods and services (acting as buyers)

  • Producing goods/services that generate profit (acting as producers)

• Social Interactions: Politeness and social engagement are typically directed towards consumers who are expected to purchase, while non-purchasing individuals experience social exclusion.

Class Structure Under Capitalism

• Definition of Class: Class refers to groups of people categorized based on their relationship to the means of production:

  • Capitalists: Own the means of production and leverage labor to generate profit.

  • Self-Employed: Own their means of production and work independently.

  • Workers: Sell their labor to capitalists without ownership of production resources.

• Earnings Irrelevance: Marx’s class concept emphasizes the ownership of production over earnings or social prestige.

• Heterogeneity: Classes exhibit diversity; for instance:

  • Capitalists can range from small business owners to giant corporations.

  • Workers can be minimum wage laborers to highly skilled professionals.

Relevance of Class Today

• Inequality: There has been increased inequality, with wealth concentrated among a few large corporations.

• Workers' Experiences:

  • Many workers live paycheck to paycheck, especially as living costs rise.

  • Historical comparisons show that teachers and other professionals now have less purchasing power than their counterparts 40 years ago.

• Vulnerability: All classes are dependent on the ability to work; losing the capacity to labor threatens their lifestyle.

Capital Accumulation and Exploitation

• Understanding Capital: Capital is defined not merely as money but as value generated through the labor of others. Capital must grow to qualify as accumulation.

• Exploitation Defined: Exploitation is the extraction of surplus value from workers based on the difference between labor performed and wages paid.

  • Example: A worker produces t-shirts worth $300 in a day but is paid only $60, generating a surplus value of $240 for the employer.

• Required Labor: Surplus labor, which generates this surplus value, distinguishes exploitation from fair labor agreements.

Dynamics of Labor and Value

• Hourly Wage Illusion: Workers may perceive they are paid for each hour worked, blinding them to the actual value they generate for employers.

• Rate of Exploitation: This indicates how much value a worker generates relative to their compensation, which can affect both minimum wage and highly skilled laborers.

Foundations of Colonialism and its Relationship to Capital

• Emergence of Capitalism: Capitalism initially expanded in Britain and globally through colonialism to secure resources, labor, and markets.

• Colonialism Defined: A process of economic, political, and military domination by one nation over another, primarily motivated by capital accumulation.

• Racism as a Tool: Ideologies justifying colonialism often centered on racial superiority, framing indigenous populations as inferior.

Unfree Labor and Historical Context

• Labor Supply: The need for labor in the Americas led to various forms of unfree labor, including:

  • Indentured servitude and slavery from Africa and other parts of the world.

• Emergence of Racism: Racism as a social construct developed during the institutionalization of slavery to justify the exploitation and dehumanization of enslaved populations.

Othering in Capitalist Society

• Definition of Othering: Othering is the process of creating binaries, typically assessed against superiority/inferiority hierarchies, to justify exclusion from resources and rights.

• Historical Patterns: This practice has been prevalent in various epochs of capitalism, such as labeling peasants as vagabonds or indigenous peoples as savages.

• Modern Context: Contemporary examples exist where migrant populations are deemed criminals, mirroring past forms of exclusion in labor dynamics.

Conclusion

• Relevance of Concepts: Remaining cognizant of how class structure, exploitation, and racism continue to affect contemporary society is crucial for understanding capitalism's dynamics.

• Reflective Consideration: The discussion invites further examination of social relations within modern labor markets and continued structures of inequality.

Page 1: Introduction to Colonialism

• Colonialism as a significant stage in the global expansion of capitalism.

Page 2: Definition and Impact of Colonialism

• Colonialism: Economic, political, and military domination by one nation over another territory and its people.

  • Driven primarily by economic factors.

  • Enabled through acts of violence, including genocide, war, and enslavement.

  • Led to the rise of Slavery as a formal institution and Racism as an overarching ideology.

Page 3: Colonial Expansion

• Colonialism facilitated capitalism's needs for resources, labor, and markets on a global scale.

  • Territories and peoples incorporated into the capitalist economy as laborers, producers of raw materials, or consumers of European goods.

  • Appropriation of natural and human resources of Southern territories, catering to the requirements of Northern capitalist countries.

  • This dynamic represents a globalization of primitive accumulation.

Page 4: Pre-1600s Economic Exploitation

• Economic exploitation was not initially linked to racial oppression until mid-1600s.

  • Unfree labor included Europeans, indigenous populations, and Africans.

  • Forms of unfree labor: chattel slavery, debt bondage, and indentured labor.

Page 5: Shift Towards Racial Oppression

• Post-1600s: An emerging strategy of racial oppression as a method of economic exploitation.

  • Challenges in disciplining unfree laborers led to a strategy of dividing laborers by inventing the concept of Race.

  • This resulted in racial oppression becoming a method to control the laboring classes.

Page 6: Connection Between Slavery and Racism

• Relationship between Slavery and Racism:

  • Need to weaken unity among the working classes.

  • Institutionalization of slavery was justified through racism as an ideological rationale.

Page 7: Economic Advantages of Slavery and Racism

• Institutionalization of Slavery and establishment of Racism as an ideology.

  • Economic benefits for elites:

    • Access to cheap labor.

    • Division among the laboring class reduces resistance.

    • Distinction between "Free" and "Enslaved" distracts from the exploitation of the working class, particularly among White/European descendants.

Page 8: Systems of Othering

• Distinctions based on various forms of Othering:

  • Men vs. Women.

  • Rich vs. Poor.

  • ‘Civilized’ vs. ‘Savages/Backwards’.

  • ‘Whites’ vs. ‘Colored’.

Page 9: Development as a System of Othering

• Justification for appropriation of land, enslavement, and imposition of European capitalist institutions framed as a civilizing mission.

  • Developed (capitalist) versus ‘Underdeveloped’ (pre-capitalist) societies.

Page 10: Expansion of the Capitalist Mode of Production

• Understanding development through the lens of capitalist industrialization.

  • Regulation of obstacles (e.g., vagabonds) during the Industrial Revolution involved violence and criminalization of the poor.

  • Development linked to colonialism leading to land dispossession, resource appropriation, slavery, and systemic racism.

WEEK 3 READING NOTES

Thomas, M. (2012). Class, State, and Power: Unpacking Social Relations in Contemporary Capitalism. In Brock, D., Raby, R. and Thomas, M.P. (Eds.). Power and Everyday Practices.
Toronto: Nelson, pp.114-119 (ARES)

Introduction

The text provides a comprehensive overview of class stratification, normalization, and power as articulated by Thomas, analyzing the intricate relationships that define social class dynamics.

Understanding Class Relations

Importance of Class as a Social Relation

• Class should be recognized not merely as a static position within an income hierarchy, but as a dynamic social relationship that interacts with various societal factors.

• Understanding class as relational illuminates how power structures operate to marginalize certain groups within society, emphasizing the fluidity of social exchanges and economic interactions.

Historical Context

• Karl Marx asserted that class struggle is inherently fundamental to human history, framing societal progress through the lens of class conflicts.

• Classes are not isolated entities; they emerge through complex interactions and dependencies between distinct social groups. This relational perspective shifts the analysis of class from a simple categorization to a nuanced understanding of social relationships.

Method of Analysis: Historical Materialism

Definition and Elements

• Historical Context: The understanding of social structures and relationships requires a comprehensive analysis of their historical background, acknowledging how past events shape contemporary class dynamics.

• Material Conditions: A focus on how individuals produce and reproduce their existence reveals the underlying class dynamics at play.

• Dorothy Smith emphasizes the necessity to delve into the real activities of individuals within their material conditions, fostering a deeper understanding of how class relations manifest in everyday life.

Class Relations in Capitalism

Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism

• Modern capitalism arose as a transformative force from earlier feudal societies, generating new classes that redefined social orders and forms of oppression.

• Primitive Accumulation: This term refers to the historical process of expropriating land and resources, forming the basis for the capitalist system. Its implications include:

  • Establishing private control of land for capital accumulation.

  • Generating a class of landless individuals who lack means for subsistence, leading to stark social divides.

Capitalism's Characteristics (Keith Faulks)

• A small percentage of the population owns the majority of the means of production.

• The primary focus of capitalism is maximizing profits, often at the expense of the labor force.

• Profits predominantly arise from the exploitation of wage labor, where workers receive less value than what they generate.

• Commodities are exchanged within free markets governed by the principles of supply and demand, often reflecting direct exploitation of labor.

Implications of Class Relations

Analyzing Class Structures

• The emergence of two primary classes is significant in understanding capitalist dynamics:

  • Bourgeoisie (Capitalists): Those who own the means of production and benefit from the exploitation of labor.

  • Proletariat (Workers): Individuals who sell their labor to provide for their basic needs, often vulnerable to systemic exploitation.

• The interaction and relationship between these two classes create a driving force behind capitalist economies.

Wage Labor Dynamics

• While wage labor may superficially present as an equitable exchange, it conceals exploitative power dynamics that favor capitalists.

• Marx posits that the wage labor system is inherently unequal and exploitative, generating surplus value (profit) through worker exploitation.

Commodification of Labor

• Understanding Labor as a Commodity: In capitalism, labor itself is treated as a commodity, with intrinsic value assigned in two forms:

  • Use Value: The practical utility in producing goods and services.

  • Exchange Value: The monetary compensation received for labor.

• This section explores how employees experience the commodification of their labor power in day-to-day environments, often feeling diminished and disconnected.

Consequences of Class Relations

Inequality and Alienation

• Economic inequalities are direct products of class relations, leading to heightened social discord.

• Alienation arises as a critical consequence of wage labor, manifesting through:

  • Loss of agency over decisions in the workplace.

  • Disconnection from the products of one’s labor and the tasks performed.

  • Erosion of creative potential, limiting individual expression and fulfillment.

• This alienation is prominently visible in various employment scenarios, from factory work to the fast-food industry, where tasks tend to be repetitive and closely monitored, resulting in a lack of meaningful engagement in one’s labor.

Brym, R. (2021). Ch. 7 (without section on “Distribution of Wealth”)

INTRO

• Social stratification, or persistent patterns of social inequality, is evident in current news stories about Canada. Headlines highlight issues like rising child poverty, homelessness in Edmonton, job struggles faced by the working poor, food insecurity among students, and financial stress experienced by many Canadians.

• A notable finding is that 46% of Canadians are only $200 away from financial insolvency, raising questions about the wealth disparity in a rich country. For instance, the wealth of the world's 26 richest billionaires is equivalent to that of 3.8 billion of the poorest individuals, and Canada's wealthiest families possess as much wealth as three provinces combined.

• Poverty affects various groups differently in Canada, especially Indigenous peoples living on reserves and in Northern regions, who face severe issues like food insecurity and high infant mortality rates. In 2019, the Cat Lake First Nation faced a state of emergency due to poor housing conditions, with stratification research indicating that systemic racism and discrimination are significant factors.

• Visible minority Canadians also confront employment and housing discrimination, with 16% of New Brunswick adults reporting racial discrimination and racialized workers in Ontario experiencing higher unemployment and low-wage positions. Hate crimes against Jewish, black, and Muslim individuals reached record highs in 2017, raising questions about the prevalence of racial and ethnic tensions in a supposedly multicultural society.

• Transgender individuals face significant discrimination in healthcare, with a 2010 survey revealing that 52% of trans people in Ontario experienced mistreatment in emergency rooms. Intersectionality, where individuals belong to multiple disadvantaged groups, exacerbates these issues. In stark contrast, the wealth gap is highlighted by the earnings of Canadian CEOs; the top 100 CEOs made an average of $10 million in 2017, nearly 200 times the average salary of Canadian workers. Furthermore, women CEOs earned only 68 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts.

• A downtown Edmonton cafe allows customers to donate extra funds to provide free coffee or pastries for people at risk of panhandling, raising questions about the effectiveness of charity versus other approaches to address social issues. Research in social stratification helps understand what strategies may work better.

The overarching issue is the ranking of groups in society—such as the unemployed, Indigenous people, women, and immigrants—who generally hold lower social positions, resulting in less wealth, power, and prestige. This chapter explores how sociologists study social stratification, its theories, and its impact on occupational and class structures, along with the implications of increasing social inequality.

Stratification: A Cornerstone of Sociology

• Sociologists focus on four key areas: social structure, social order, social change, and social stratification. They examine how society is organized, the factors that maintain or disrupt social order, and the dynamics of change within institutions and power structures. Social stratification is fundamental to sociology, as it describes the distribution of wealth, power, and prestige and how advantages persist across generations.

• Understanding stratification is essential for accurately describing societies, especially regarding corporate leadership demographics, the struggles of the working poor, poverty among Indigenous populations, and the challenges faced by immigrants today.

• Wealth inequality can undermine social stability by fostering resentment among the poor towards the wealthy, leading to demands for greater equality. Powerful entities often lobby governments to influence labor laws, potentially hindering union organization. In less democratic nations, significant inequality and control of law enforcement by elites can result in violent suppression of dissent.

• Understanding social stratification is vital for analyzing social change, exemplified by the shift in gender roles and women's gradual rise to power in North America, as well as the transformations following the collapse of the Soviet Union and changes in China.

Social Hierarchies in Stratified Societies

• Social stratification appears inevitable in any society, even one where value is distributed equally. In small groups, hierarchies may arise from differences in skills, leading to inequalities in wealth as families with more children can accumulate resources. As wealth is inherited, a permanent pattern of inequality emerges.

• Even in communal living arrangements emphasizing equality, skilled individuals may end up with more influence in decision-making. Overall, social stratification is pronounced in most societies, varying widely in ranking criteria, mobility, and levels of inequality in wealth and power.

Ascribed and Achieved Status

• In social hierarchies, a person's rank or status can be categorized as either ascribed or achieved. Ascribed status is assigned at birth and includes factors like race and gender, which are unchangeable. Conversely, achieved status reflects one's performance, such as becoming a lawyer through academic success or a professional athlete through skill.

• While a completely nonstratified society is unattainable, a preferable system is one where higher positions are achieved based on merit, promoting social mobility. In a meritocracy, individuals compete equally for status, allowing the most capable to rise in rank.

Open and Closed Stratification Systems

• Canada has a relatively open stratification system largely based on merit rather than inheritance or ascribed characteristics, allowing for social change. Despite its history, including slavery until the 1830s and legal job restrictions for Chinese labourers, Canada has made significant progress, abolishing slavery and implementing laws against racial discrimination. -

• Unlike countries with rigid aristocracies or caste systems, such as Britain or India, Canada provides more opportunities for upward social mobility and competition for higher status occupations.

• Ascribed statuses in Canada significantly limit opportunities for many individuals, including Indigenous people, visible minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, seniors, people with disabilities, and women. These groups often occupy lower status positions not due to personal failure but because of their identities. The contrast is seen in cases where individuals from wealthy families achieve high-status careers, raising questions about the role of inherited advantages.

• Overall, Canada's social stratification encompasses hierarchies based on both ascribed characteristics and achievements, which will be explored further in the book, along with intersections of gender, race, and ethnicity.

Social Class

• Studies of gender, race, and ethnicity highlight income and wealth inequalities that lead to power disparities. Women have earned less than 75% of men for the past two decades, and older women face higher poverty rates. Immigrants and Indigenous people often experience unemployment or low-paying jobs. Wealthy business owners surpass other societal members financially, while managerial roles receive higher earnings than lower-level jobs.

• This chapter will focus on material inequality and social class, which reflects an individual's position in an economic hierarchy defined by shared access to resources. Although many may not identify with a specific social class, the concept remains significant due to the stability of economic hierarchies. Understanding these classes and their impact is essential, as pronounced patterns of inequality persist, overlapping with other social stratifications.

Explanations of Social Stratification

• This section introduces the theories of social stratification, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical and contextual factors influencing these theories. Sociologists develop explanations based on their observations of contemporary society.

Karl Marx: Capitalism, Exploitation, and Class Conflict

• Karl Marx, born in 1818 in Germany and later living in England, profoundly influenced our understanding of social stratification. His writings focus on the social and economic changes during the Industrial Revolution, a period marked by the rise of industrial capitalism.

• This era saw rapid urbanization as peasants moved to cities for factory jobs, leading to significant material inequality, with factory owners profiting while workers lived in poverty and lacked protections from trade unions and labor laws.

• Marx posited that the value of products correlates directly with the labor invested in their production, defining surplus value as the difference between this value and the costs of wages and materials. This surplus is converted into profits for owners, leading Marx to view the employer-employee relationship as exploitative, despite workers receiving wages and having the legal right to change jobs. However, with limited employment options and owner control, this freedom is often illusory.

• Marx argued that class conflict drives social change, with historical shifts in production modes stemming from power struggles among classes. He believed that feudalism was replaced by capitalism through the rising

Max Weber: Class and Other Dimensions of Inequality

• Max Weber, born in 1864, analyzed social stratification influenced by historical and economic events occurring after Marx. He agreed with Marx on the significance of economic inequality but expanded the discussion to include status and political power, suggesting that power arises not just from property ownership but from broader social dynamics, including prestige and political control.

• Weber recognized the evolving nature of the workforce, particularly the rise of white-collar jobs and bureaucratic organizations, and saw a diverse social structure rather than a simplified class system.

• He believed that class encompasses a variety of positions based on property, occupation, and education, emphasizing the life-chances afforded by higher economic status.

• This approach recognizes the interplay of class, race, gender, and other factors in understanding social inequality, aligning with the definition of class as a stable position within an economic hierarchy that controls resources.

Income Distribution

• Income Distribution in Canada highlights disparities between high-paying and low-paying occupations. Affluent households often contain individuals in high-paying jobs; for example, dentists earned a median income of $98,582 in 2015, while medical specialists earned $122,002 and judges $259,603. In contrast, cashiers and service workers earned significantly less, reflecting part-time employment.

• Occupational earnings also display gender inequality, with women's earnings at 80% of men's in 2015, with lower ratios in high-status jobs. Overall, income inequality has increased sharply since 1985, where the top 10% received 38.5% of all income by 2016, up from 35% in 1985. The top 1% earned 10.7% of total income, indicating growing disparities, further exacerbated by tax-reducing strategies utilized by high earners.

The Poor

• Poverty can be defined as absolute or relative. Most Canadians consider relative poverty more relevant, meaning if one earns less than their neighbors, they may feel poor, even if basic needs are met. Discussions about poverty often reference the low-income cutoff (LICO), which determines who is considered low-income based on spending patterns. In 2015, 9.2% of Canadians lived below the LICO, with the working poor increasingly represented due to part-time work.

• Indigenous peoples face higher poverty rates, with unemployment at 15.2%, while recent immigrants also disproportionately occupy low-income brackets despite high education levels. Poverty rates among seniors have decreased due to pensions. Single parents, particularly women, experience high poverty rates. Social assistance has fluctuated, with varying support levels for different groups; for instance, single parents with children saw increased assistance in recent years, receiving around 83% of LICO in 2017.

• Welfare assistance levels in Canada remain low, and although recent increases have offset earlier cuts, they still do not meet the poverty line. This supports the argument that welfare does not deter work for those who depend on it.

• Poverty is dynamic, with many individuals transitioning in and out of low-income status; from 2009 to 2016, about 27% of Canadians experienced poverty during a year. However, factors such as job loss or changes in family structure increase the likelihood of remaining poor.

• Additionally, as unemployment rates rise, more Canadians are forced into part-time, precarious jobs, leading to a growing income inequality. Overall, disparities between full-time, stable jobs and temporary positions contribute to widening economic gaps across society, shifting more risk onto the workers.

Responding to Inequality

• There are differing views on social inequality in Canada. Some advocate for reforms to reduce material inequality through changes in laws and tax systems, while others support a more radical shift towards socialism. Conversely, some believe inequality is inevitable and functional, feeling that efforts to reduce it are futile.

• The Canadian government plays a role in wealth distribution through tax systems and social assistance, yet it spends less on poverty reduction compared to other industrialized nations, with significant inequality persisting. Recent shifts in policy focus on deficit reduction rather than inequality exacerbation.

• Solutions include job-creation initiatives, tax reforms targeting the wealthy, and affordable housing support. However, efforts to redistribute wealth may face opposition from those with privilege, suggesting that achieving material equality may require sacrifices from the affluent.

SUMMARY

• Social stratification refers to persistent social inequalities based on ascribed statuses (like gender and race) or achieved statuses (like performance in roles). Karl Marx viewed it as a result of class conflict and exploitation of the working class, while Max Weber highlighted the influence of property ownership, prestige, and political power.

• The functionalist theory sees inequality as necessary for ensuring qualified individuals fill important roles. Modern theorists like Erik Olin Wright and Frank Parkin adapt these views, emphasizing class dynamics and exclusion of power.

• In Canada, wealth and property ownership remain concentrated, with significant income inequality disadvantaging the poor, who have limited resources for social change.

• While earlier theories suggested a decline in inequality with economic growth, current evidence indicates that material inequality is increasing, accompanied by rising unemployment and a growth in part-time, precarious jobs.

GLOSSARY

• Absolute Poverty: Insufficient income to meet basic living needs.

• Achieved Status: Status derived from individual performance in roles.

• Ascribed Status: Status assigned at birth, e.g., gender, race.

• Bourgeoisie: Capitalist class owning the means of production (Marx).

• Caste System: Closed stratification with strict occupational roles.

• Class Conflict: Struggles between classes leading to social change (Marx).

• Circulatory Mobility: Mobility where skilled individuals replace less skilled ones.

• Class Consciousness: Awareness of shared interests among class members (Marx).

• Class Structure: Economic hierarchy of classes in society.

• Contradictory Class Locations: Occupational groups with divided loyalties (Wright).

• Cultural Capital: Knowledge and skills to navigate social advantages.

• Economic Capital: Money and material assets; core capital form.

• Exclusion: Efforts of privileged groups to maintain advantage (Parkin).

• Habitus: Ways individuals navigate their social environment (Bourdieu).

• Intergenerational Mobility: Mobility compared to parents’ statuses.

• Intragenerational Mobility: Mobility within an individual’s lifetime.

• Life-Chances: Opportunities for a better life tied to class (Weber).

• Low-Income Cutoff (LICO): Income level indicating poverty based on basic necessities.

• Means of Production: Key components of an economic system (Marx).

• Meritocracy: Society where status is based on individual merit.

• Open Stratification System: Social rank determined by merit, not inheritance.

• Petite Bourgeoisie: Small business owners and independent producers (Marx).

• Power: Ability to impose one's will.

• Proletariat: Working class trading labor for wages (Marx).

• Relative Poverty: Income significantly below societal norms affecting lifestyle.

• Social Capital: Relationships aiding social advancement (Bourdieu).

• Social Class: Economic hierarchy position indicating resource control.

• Social Closure: Practices ensuring unequal access to resources (Weber, Parkin).

• Social Mobility: Movement within class structures.

• Social Relations of Production: Class relationships in production settings (Marx).

• Social Stratification: Persistent inequality patterns based on resource distribution.

• Status: Culturally defined position within society.

• Structural Mobility: Mobility due to changes in job structures.

• Surplus Value: Profit exceeding production costs (Marx).

• Symbolic Capital: Recognition and status associated with achievements.

• Usurpation: Efforts by marginalized groups to gain power at the expense of others (Parkin).

Lec 7- Feb 4,6 + Feb 13 (Part I)

Social Inequality

Globalization Part One: Neoliberal Policies and the Global Economy

The Expansion of Capitalism

• Capitalism Characteristics

  • Expansionary since inception.

  • Spread globally through colonialism, becoming the world's first global society—the capitalist world-system.

• Types of Capitalist Expansion

  1. Intensive Expansion: Deepening commodification of goods/services previously in the public realm.

  2. Extensive Expansion: Geographic expansion of commodification.

Stages of Capitalism

• Questions to Consider

  • What type of expansion is present?

  • What role does the state play regarding the capitalist class and the working class?

Stage One: Free-market / Liberal Capitalism

• Context: Colonial / Post-Colonial Era.

• Characteristics:

  • Extensive expansion; emergence of core-periphery inequalities.

  • Development of a small-capitalist class in the South.

  • State intervenes on behalf of capitalists, protecting national interests against foreign competition.

Stage Two: Welfare State Capitalism (1945-1970s)

• Achievements for Workers:

  • Public healthcare (e.g., Canada).

  • Workplace health/safety regulations, sick pay, vacation pay, and workers' compensation.

  • Social assistance measures and a safety net strong enough to significantly increase workers' wealth share.

• State Role: Mediates capital-labor conflicts through worker protections and concessions, while also enacting protectionist measures for national capitalists.

• Transition Explanation:

  • Reaction to the 'threat' of socialism seen in nations like China, Eastern Europe, USSR, Cuba.

Stage Three: Globalization

• Expansion Type: Both extensive and intensive.

• Consequences:

  • Regression of workers' rights and working conditions as states withdraw social responsibilities in favor of capitalist interests.

  • Core-periphery division becomes less relevant; new dynamics show First World entities in Third World contexts and vice versa.

The Transition to Globalization

Economic Globalization Seeds

• Neoliberal Movements:

  • Emergence from organizations like the Monte Pelerin Society, advocating neoliberalism as a systematic approach.

• Premises:

  • Redistribution for social justice is regarded as undesirable.

  • Emphasis on individualism with a fear of state intervention leading to totalitarianism.

• Economic Program:

  • Involves privatization, reduction in unemployment programs, elimination of subsidies, and restrictions on trade-union power.

Characteristics of the Global Economy

• Definition: National economies interconnected through an integrated international market.

• Key Features:

  • Transnationalization leads to decentralized global production processes.

  • A shift from viewing the global economy as an aggregation of national economies to a more integrated transnational system, facilitated by mobile global capital.

Neoliberalism and Economic Policies

Components of Neoliberalism

• Main Components:

  1. Trade Liberalization (Free Trade)

  2. Privatization

  3. Deregulation

  4. Austerity

Detailed Component Definitions

• Trade Liberalization: Removal of trade barriers (tariffs, quotas).

• Foreign Direct Investment: Acquisition of land, buildings for production.

• Privatization: Sale of public assets to private owners.

• Deregulation: Reducing government restrictions, allowing markets to self-regulate.

• Austerity: Significant cuts to social program budgets.

Historical Context and Neoliberal Implementation

The Debt Regime and Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs)

• Overview:

  • 1970s: Wall Street banks loan to the Third World.

  • 1980s: Global interest rates rise, leading Third World nations into debt crises.

  • IMF intervenes to repay banks, resulting in new loans with SAP conditions.

• SAP Goals: Restructure economies to ensure revenues for debt repayments, often by cutting subsidies and curbing regulations.

Global Actors in Neoliberal Advancement

• Key Institutions:

  • World Bank (WB)

  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)

  • US Treasury

  • G7 Governments

  • Transnational Corporations

• Consensus: In 1989, these entities constructed a framework for structural adjustment targeted at Third World economies, dubbed the Washington Consensus.

Free Trade Agreements

• Effects:

  • Empower transnational corporations against local policies that might harm profits.

  • Limit government capacity to safeguard human and environmental health (e.g., Metaclad, Ethyl cases).

Export Processing Zones & Free Trade Zones

• Creation: Designated areas facilitating offshore assembly and manufacturing with less regulation.

Foreign Direct Investment Impacts

• Consequences:

  • Land-grabbing and displacement issues intersected with agribusiness, mining, and tourism ventures versus actual job creation.

Neoliberal Effects on Human Development

• Example of Human Costs:

  • In Guatemala, violent land-grabs undercut social stability.

• Quote from Sarath Fernando criticizing pro-poor growth strategies that exacerbate poverty.

Understanding Global Trade Dynamics

• Trade Characteristics:

  • Large proportion of world trade involves intra-firm exchanges and offshoring.

  • The intertwined economic relationship between the US and China, showcasing investments and resource flows.

Labor Under Neoliberal Production Chains

Labor Flexibilization

• Definition: Policies leading to increased worker exploitation under neoliberal conditions.

• Examples include casualization and downsizing practices.

De-industrialization in the Global North

• Impact: Shift of manufacturing abroad leads to significant job losses in traditional sectors.

Subcontracting and Outsourcing

• Illustration: Companies (e.g., Benetton) implementing extensive outsourcing to exploit cheaper labor costs across numerous countries.

Off-shore Assembly and Export Zones

• Characteristics: These zones frequently feature deregulation with minimal worker protections.

Conclusion: Functions of Neoliberal Policies in Capitalism

Major Requirements for Capitalism

1. Resources (Land): Involves dispossession from subsistence farmers converting lands into corporate assets for agriculture and mining.

2. Markets: Southern countries increasingly function as consumer markets for Northern products due to economic restructuring.

3. Labor: Workers face unprecedented vulnerabilities, influenced by capital mobility and labor market flexibilities facilitated through various neoliberal policies.

Myths vs. Reality of Neoliberalism

• State Role: The perception that the state remains neutral is misleading.

• Evidence of State Intervention:

  • Bailouts and legislative collaborations with corporate interests illustrate active state involvement in shaping economic outcomes.

Lec 7 FEB 13 RECORDING PART 1

From World Economy to Global Economy

• World Capitalist Economy (pre-1980s):

  • Most countries operated under capitalism.

  • Genuine trade existed where goods were made in one country and exchanged for others.

• Emergence of Global Economy (1980s onwards):

  • Shift towards globalization characterized by greater interconnectedness in production.

  • Countries began to rely on global supply chains rather than solely domestic resources.

Political Shift and Economic Structure

• States withdrew from social responsibilities, favoring capitalist interests over worker protections.

• Erosion of social protections and rights for workers was a backdrop to globalization.

• The Mont Pelerin Society is identified as influential in the neoliberal agenda.

Characteristics of the Global Economy

Global Production Chains

• A single commodity is produced using inputs from various countries, referred to as the "global assembly line."

• Highly interconnected production processes illustrate this global integration.

• Example: Automotive production often involves components crossing borders multiple times before completion.

Global Capital

• Businesses worldwide are integrated into production chains; not limited to multinationals.

• Example: An Indonesian palm oil plantation contributes to global capital, impacting multiple industries.

• National vs. Global Capital: Businesses producing solely for local markets are diminishing in wealth and power compared to those integrated into global chains.

Mobility of Capital vs. Labor

• Capital is highly mobile; businesses can easily relocate across borders.

• Workers, especially those in poorer economic conditions, face restrictions and serious vulnerabilities in mobility.

• Example: Undocumented immigrants are especially vulnerable to exploitation due to their status, despite their efforts to seek better opportunities.

Impacts of the Global Economy

• Workers are increasingly disposable and vulnerable; conditions intensified during economic shifts.

• Governments may enact deportation policies that inadvertently enhance capital's exploitative power over migrant labor conditions.

• With the capital's power being upheld by global production chains, employees have a decreasing ability to negotiate their working conditions.

Neoliberalism: Policies Driving Globalization

• Neoliberalism is a set of economic policies aimed at maximizing capital accumulation by removing obstacles to its flow.

Key Components of Neoliberalism

1. Free Trade/Trade Liberalization:

   • Removal of trade barriers (tariffs, quotas) facilitating global market access.

2. Privatization:

   • Transition of public resources/services to private ownership, aiming for profit generation.

   • Example: Healthcare services transitioning to private providers.

3. Deregulation:

   • Removal of legal restrictions allowing capital to operate more freely; impacts labor protections and environmental controls.

4. Austerity:

   • Reduction of public spending, affecting social welfare programs and increasing pressures on workers.

   • Encourages privatization by creating a crisis within public sectors, justifying the need for private solutions.

Conclusion

• Emphasizes the need for critical understanding of the implications of neoliberal policies on labor and society in the context of globalization.

• Acknowledges that the interdependence of global capital fundamentally affects everyday commodities and services.

Lec 7 FEB 13 RECORDING PART 2

Overview of Neoliberal Policies

• Neoliberal policies, also referred to as structural adjustment policies (SAPs), are measures adopted by countries to adjust their economies.

  • Austerity: Cutting government subsidies for essential services like food, healthcare, and transportation.

  • Privatization: Transfer of public sector services and assets to private entities.

  • Deregulation: Reducing government regulations on businesses.

  • Free Trade: Creating opportunities for free trade agreements to cut tariffs and promote trade liberalization.

Key Actors Promoting Neoliberalism

• Global Level Entities:

  • World Bank: Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development projects.

  • International Monetary Fund (IMF): Works to stabilize economies, often by implementing neoliberal policies.

  • G7 Governments: Influential countries in the Global North that support neoliberal reforms.

  • Transnational Corporations: Use global disparities to maximize profits through exploitation and minimal regulations.

  • US Treasury Department: Plays a significant role in enforcing neoliberal policies globally.

• Washington Consensus: A framework that prescribes the same neoliberal policies for developing countries created by a meeting of the World Bank, IMF, and US Treasury.

Social Inequality and Neoliberal Policies

• Central Theme: Social inequality is a primary focus in sociology; it manifests in various forms throughout human societies.

  • Inequality has existed across human societies except in tribal and socialist contexts.

  • Capitalism inherently requires inequality; neoliberalism exacerbates it, especially in its global stage.

• Impact on Classes: Different classes experience the effects of neoliberal policies variably, with marginalized groups typically suffering more.

Impacts of Free Trade Agreements

• Misleading Terminology: Free trade often favors powerful corporations, limiting the benefits for labor and local economies.

  • Trade agreements provide corporations with significant power over governments, allowing them to sue local authorities for policies that harm profits.

  • Example: American company MetaClad sued the Mexican government for attempting to regulate their operations due to environmental concerns.

• Export Processing Zones (EPZs):

  • Factories in EPZs operate with minimal labor and environmental regulations, often exploiting workers.

  • These zones are synonymous with low wages, excessive working hours, and hazardous conditions.

  • Often described as "sweatshops," these zones hide the real exploitation occurring under the guise of free trade.

Consequences of Land Dispossession

• Land Grabbing: Resulting in displacement of local communities, primarily for mining, agriculture, and large development projects.

  • Many areas that could grow staple foods are taken over for export crops, threatening food security.

• Economic Violence: Economic coercion and violence are often enacted to dispossess local populations, leading to resistance and conflict.

• Examples of Violence: Cases document the violence faced by local communities resisting land dispossession by multinational corporations.

Questioning Economic Globalization

• Pros and Cons: It's crucial to analyze the benefits and drawbacks of globalization for different social groups rather than proposing a simplistic binary.

  • Benefits primarily accrue to large corporations, while the working majority suffers increased poverty and exploitation.

• Job Creation Myth: Neoliberal narratives claim job creation, but often jobs come at the cost of previous livelihoods and often fail to provide stable employment.

  • Displaced workers from small-scale farming often find themselves in precarious conditions that offer minimal wages and security.

• Quote from Serath Fernando highlights how economic policies are designed to create poverty to promote 'job creation' narratives.

Understanding Global Trade Dynamics

• Intra-firm Trade: Much of global trade consists of movements within the same company's global branches rather than truly independent trade.

  • For example, components might be made in one country, sent to another for assembly, and then sent back, complicating the notion of straightforward trade.

Labor Trends Under Globalization

• Flexibilization of Labor: Characterized by casualization (temporary, part-time, non-union jobs) leading to job insecurity and acceptance of poor working conditions.

• Deindustrialization: Shifts manufacturing jobs from the Global North to the Global South where labor is cheaper.

• Outsourcing/Subcontracting: Responsibility for labor conditions is diffused, and large corporations remain detached from the ethical implications of their production chains.

  • Incidents like the Rana Plaza Collapse illustrate the lethal consequences of neglecting worker safety.

The Role of the State

• State Involvement: Contrary to neoliberal claims, the state plays a significant role in aiding capital through favorable policies.

  • Neoliberalism relies on the state to enact laws that benefit corporations at the expense of labor rights.

Debunking Neoliberal Myths

• Myth of Minimal Government: The idea that government should not intervene in the economy overlooks the essential support it provides to corporations.

  • True state intervention benefits corporate interests and maintains the conditions necessary for capital.

Conclusion

• The final lecture discussion will cover why countries adopted neoliberalism despite its adverse effects on the majority, setting the stage for the next topic in the course.

WEEK 4 READING NOTES

Hickel, J. (2012). A Short History of Neoliberalism and How We Can Fix It. (ARES)

Introduction to Neoliberalism

• Definition and Context: Neoliberalism has become the dominant economic ideology since the late 20th century, often perceived as natural and inevitable, especially by younger generations born post-1990.

• Historical Roots: Understanding the history of neoliberalism is essential as it highlights that the current economic order was specifically created and is not a natural phenomenon.

Historical Trajectory of Neoliberalism

• Prevalent Ideologies Before Neoliberalism: For much of the 20th century, the idea of market dominance was seen as absurd; economists favored Keynesianism and social democracy, promoting state involvement in economic regulation.

• Great Depression Influence: The Great Depression of the 1930s revealed deficiencies in capitalism that led to increased state intervention through Keynesian policies, known as embedded liberalism, which focused on balancing the interests of labor and capital.

The Crisis and Transition to Neoliberalism

• Stagflation in the 1970s: By the 1970s, the embedded liberalism framework faced a crisis known as stagflation—high inflation combined with stagnant economic growth.

• Shift to Neoliberal Policies: The ineffectiveness of the existing model led to a push for neoliberal policies, initiated by figures like Paul Volcker, who elevated interest rates to combat inflation, resulting in massive recessions and reduced labor power.

Core Components of Neoliberalism

• Monetarism: Focused on controlling the money supply to manage inflation, which was supported by rising interest rates.

• Supply-Side Economics: Under Reagan, tax cuts were implemented for the wealthy with the belief that wealth would trickle down to the rest of society.

• Deregulation: Significant cuts to regulations, particularly in the financial sector, which contributed to economic instability seen in the 2008 crisis.

Impact of Neoliberalism on Society

• Rising Inequality: Neoliberal policies have led to unprecedented levels of income inequality in the U.S., contrasting with rising productivity.

• Percentage of Wealth Distribution: By 2012, the share of national income for the top 1% more than doubled from 1980, leading to poverty increases among the lower echelons of society.

• Crisis of Organized Labor: Labor unions faced significant weakening, which allowed for more exploitation and less worker protections.

Global Reach of Neoliberalism

• IMF and Structural Adjustment: The IMF used structural adjustment programs as a condition for loans, leading to privatization and deregulation in developing countries.

• Debt Crisis: Many developing nations faced economic collapse due to the high-interest loans exacerbated by neoliberal policies.

Alternatives and Solutions

• Amend the Constitution: Proposals to prevent corporate personhood and limit corporate influence in politics.

• Strengthening Labor Rights: Enhancing workers' rights and labor policies to provide a counterbalance against capital.

• Reform Financial Regulations: Reinstating previous regulations to prevent speculation and market volatility.

Conclusion

• Possibility of Change: Recognizing that neoliberalism was constructed by people implies it can also be reconstructed; another economic order is feasible.

• Reclaiming Economic Freedom: The need to redefine freedom in economic terms, emphasizing regulation and support for social goods over unfettered market dynamics.

Brym, R. (2021). Ch. 7: Distribution of Wealth

• In Canada, wealth is significantly concentrated among a small number of families, exemplified by the Thomson family, whose net worth was about $36.8 billion in 2019, making them the wealthiest family in the country.

• This figure starkly contrasts with the average household net worth of $669,300 in 2016, which is less than 0.002 percent of the Thomsons' wealth.

• The wealth gap highlights disparities between affluent families, such as the Thomsons, Westons, and Irvings, whose business interests are extensive and global, and low-income families.

• Notably, 7 percent of Canadian families reported a median net worth of only $1,000 in 2009, reflecting reliance on government transfer payments for survival, with many struggling to pay monthly bills.

• Historically, Canadian wealth inequality decreased in the first half of the 20th century due to economic growth and some government interventions, but more recent trends since the late 1970s show increasing inequality.

• By 2016, the top 10 percent of Canadian families owned 67.3 percent of total family wealth, and the wealthiest 87 families had more combined wealth than all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick.

• Income distribution also reveals inequalities, with high-paying occupations like dentists and judges earning significant salaries compared to lower-paying roles in the service sector, such as cashiers and taxi drivers.

• In 2015, full-time working women earned only 80 percent of what men earned, and this gap widened in higher-paying jobs, where women's underrepresentation further exacerbates wage disparities.

• By 2016, the top 10 percent of income earners received 38.5 percent of the total income, demonstrating the growth of income inequality over time.

Detailed Insights

1. Wealth Concentration: The vast wealth disparities in Canada are exemplified by the contrast between the wealthy elite and average Canadians. David Thomson's family's wealth underscores how a minority holds a disproportionate share of total wealth in contrast to the majority's financial situation.

2. Wealth Inequality Trends: Historical data reveal that between the 1920s and the 1970s, wealth inequality experienced a gradual decline, likely due to economic expansions and redistributive policies. However, recent decades have seen this trend reverse, with increasing concentration of wealth among the richest families.

3. Income Disparities by Occupation: The income landscape across different occupations is marked by significant variation, reflecting broader societal trends. High-paying professions, particularly within healthcare and law, yield incomes that are drastically higher than jobs in the service sector, revealing systemic inequalities in pay structures.

4. Gender Wage Gap: Persistent wage gaps exist between men and women across various sectors, with women earning substantially less than their male counterparts. This gap is more pronounced in higher-paying roles and illustrates the complexities of achieving equality in the workplace.

5. Overall Income Inequality: The increasing concentration of income among the top earners in Canada signifies a broader systemic issue of economic inequality, where the wealthiest Canadians have seen their share of national income grow over decades, influencing public policy discussions about economic fairness and social justice.

Brym, R. (2021). Ch. 9

Video: Smartphones and Sustainability

Life Cycle of a Smartphone

• Smartphones are integral consumer products, enhancing communication, work, and leisure.

• 800 million smartphones were sold worldwide in 2012; however, many consumers are unaware of the production lifecycle and associated issues.

Stages of the Smartphone Lifecycle

1. Development and Design

• Development takes place in the company's design departments (e.g., Apple in California).

2. Raw Material Collection

• Essential metals include:

  • Tantalum: Used in capacitors; large quantities mined in the Congo.

  • Cobalt: Integral for batteries; mostly mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

  • Copper: Used extensively in smartphones.

• Over 100,000 Congolese work in cobalt mines under hazardous conditions:

  • Long hours, low wages, lack of protective equipment.

• Tantalum mining in the DRC has a history of financing civil war, raising ethical concerns.

3. Environmental Impact of Raw Material Extraction

• Surface mining leads to large land degradation.

• Chemical processes for extraction pollute local water bodies and soil.

4. Production and Assembly

• Most production occurs in factories in China and India (e.g., Foxconn, Flextronics).

• Labor conditions include:

  • Long hours without social benefits.

  • Health risks from exposure to harmful substances (e.g., aluminum, nickel dust).

  • Reports of suicides due to extreme pressure.

5. Consumer Market

• Smartphones are marketed globally, including in industrial and emerging markets (e.g., Germany, China, Brazil).

• Frequent model releases (every 1-2 years) encourage consumer purchase every 18 months in countries like Germany.

  • Manufacturers design devices for limited repairability.

  • Apps often restrict compatibility to the latest models.

  • Mobile providers frequently offer subsidized contracts, making the latest devices accessible.

6. E-Waste Generation

• In 2012, Germany sold about 23 million smartphones, contributing to 1.8 million tons of electronic waste each year.

• E-waste contains heavy metals and lacks a regulated recycling system, exacerbating environmental issues.

Economic and Social Implications

• The smartphone production chain contributes significantly to jobs and economic growth.

• However, working conditions and environmental impacts require urgent improvements.

• High profit margins (e.g., roughly half the price of an iPhone is profit for Apple) raise ethical concerns regarding labor and environmental preservation.

Video: The End of Poverty

Lec 8 FEB 25

Neoliberalism under Trump

• Exploration of the continuities and novelties in policies during Trump's presidency.

Key Misconceptions about Trump’s Policies

• Shifts in Economic Focus:

  • Misconception of moving away from capitalism towards support for workers and small businesses.

  • Belief that there is a significant departure from free market capitalism and economic globalization.

  • Viewed as a wholly new project rather than a continuation of existing policies.

• Idealized Past:

  • Suggestion that the current situation reflects a deviation from a previously peaceful and just society.

In Reality

• Continuity with Neoliberalism:

  • Trump's policies are not a departure from neoliberalism but rather a deepening of existing pathways for capital accumulation.

  • The discourse emphasizes "saving victims of neoliberalism" intertwined with racial and other prejudices.

• Rapid Change:

  • The novelty in this era includes both the ideological framing and the swift pace of change.

  • Efforts to address social issues (like job loss) simultaneously exacerbate the issues fostered by the neoliberal system.

Myths, False Promises, and Reality

• Example of Job Misattribution:

  • Myth: Accusation of Mexico and China as primary causes for American job loss.

  • Promise: Jobs would be returned to Americans from free trade losses.

  • Reality: The global economy is now based on integrated global production chains.

  • U.S. government limitations in influencing capital movements across borders.

Insights from William Robinson’s Article

• New Protectionism vs. Traditional Protectionism:

  • Current protectionism aims to attract transnational investment rather than keep out foreign entities.

  • Trump's administration declares America as a business-friendly environment, seeking foreign investments.

• Labor Degradation Goal:

  • Aimed to undermine U.S.-based labor, making it more susceptible to exploitation.

  • Tariffs hurt workers by increasing costs passed by corporations, leading to decreased working-class consumption.

Additional Insights from Robinson

• Impact of Hypernationalism:

  • Neo-nationalism fosters divisions among the working class, often through scapegoating minorities.

• Influence of Billionaires:

  • An unprecedented number of billionaires appointed, aligning policies to favor corporate interests.

  • Large sums of money from tech and financial sectors contributed to Trump’s campaign and administration.

Economic Outcomes Under Trump

• Stock Market and Corporate Gains:

  • Markets surged post-election, reflecting confidence from transnational capital.

  • Notable profit increases reported, particularly from banking and fossil fuel sectors.

Not Just About Drugs or Trade

• Broader Imperialist Ambitions:

  • Reflection on U.S. military influence and intervention strategies internationally.

Attacks on Health, Science, and Human Rights

• CDC Research Restrictions:

  • Political oversight imposed on the CDC affects scientific integrity and freedom.

  • Administration controlling permissible research topics and limiting findings.

Further Restrictions on CDC

• Research Communication Hazards:

  • Limitations on publication of studies conflicting with executive orders.

  • Concerns over suppression of critical public health information.

The Political-Economic Dialectical Relationship

• Power Structures:

  • The linkage between economic wealth concentration and political power decision-making.

• Legal Mechanisms:

  • Increased deregulation beneficial to large-scale capital pursuits, potentially silencing opposition.

• Repressive Mechanisms:

  • Utilizing military force against dissent and promoting xenophobic discourses.

Continuities in Policy

• Neoliberal Model Persistence:

  • Despite widespread suffering, the neoliberal framework remains intact.

  • Continued cuts to social programs and labor rights advocacy.

• Foreign Policy Consistency:

  • Persistent U.S. intervention for corporate resource access.

Novelties in Policy Approaches

• Aggressive Foreign Policy:

  • More assertive and coercive tactics to attain favorable trade conditions for U.S. capital.

• Emergence of Authoritarianism:

  • Trend towards a more authoritarian governance style intertwined with global capitalism.

WEEK 5 READING NOTES

WEEK 6 READING NOTES

one article, summarize it, and apply dialectical approach, does not have to be in Canada

write a sentence about not forgetting where I came from and still choosing to acquaint myself with news about the philippines, specifically, governmental news in hopes that the Filipino population learn from the mistakes of the past and elect a better and more efficient leader rather than somebody who enables privatization of big companies, work towards eradicating corruption within the government and legal system as well as the lingering poverty and lack of resources in the country

I choose to stay informed about the Philippines' governmental news, remembering my roots, as I believe it's vital for the Filipino population to learn from past mistakes and elect a leader committed to eradicating corruption, addressing poverty, and resisting the privatization of large corporations, ultimately striving for a more efficient and equitable society.

make it longer and more detailed

Overview of the Article

Title:

The Electoral Consequences of Voter Ignorance

Journal:

Electoral Studies

Volume and Issue:

Volume 31, Issue 4, December 2012

Pages:

796-815

Author:

Jason Ross Arnold

DOI:

10.1016/j.electstud.2012.06.003

Research Context

The article begins by addressing a persistent concern among political theorists regarding the implications of voter ignorance, particularly focusing on the impacts this ignorance has on political parties. There is a well-documented belief that parties on the left face greater disadvantages due to higher levels of voter unawareness or misinformation. Existing research has rarely quantified how this issue differentially impacts left-leaning parties compared to right or centrist parties. This leads to several critical questions:

• Why does it appear that voter ignorance disproportionately weakens leftist political parties in electoral contexts?

• In what potential ways might informed electorates serve as a boon for leftist political parties in terms of voter share and electoral success?

Research Questions

The article addresses three pivotal research questions that frame the inquiry into voter ignorance:

1. Impact of Political Knowledge on Voting Choices: Would individuals, especially those with lower incomes who may typically be less informed, change their voting intentions if provided with better political information?

2. Political Leaning Post-Information: If these individuals were equipped with accurate information, would their voting preferences lean more towards left or center-left parties?

3. Effect of Enhanced Understanding on Collective Voting Behavior: If electorates were less ignorant overall, how would this affect the collective choices made at the ballot box, potentially leading to a shift towards left-wing politics?

Data and Methods

The research utilizes a series of simulations to investigate how varying levels of political knowledge may influence voter behavior. The methodology includes an examination of whether information shortcuts—cues or markers—could enable less informed voters to make decisions that approximate those of more informed individuals. A key point of skepticism raised in the article revolves around the possibility that simply increasing the information available to less informed voters would not result in significant changes in their voting behavior.

The analysis scrutinizes the assumption that under-informed voters can seamlessly transition to a more informed voting pattern merely through access to additional information.

Empirical Results

The findings challenge the optimistic narrative that less informed voters would naturally reflect the decision-making patterns of their better-informed peers when provided with more information. The simulations indicate that there are substantial hurdles in interpreting cues and translating them into changes in behavior or preferences.

The research suggests that less informed voters may not shift their voting patterns as significantly as theorized when faced with new information, casting doubt on the effectiveness of strategies aimed solely at increasing voter knowledge as a remedy for electoral bias against leftist parties.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the article calls for a critical reevaluation of prevailing theories concerning voter ignorance and its role in shaping electoral outcomes. The empirical results presented in the study offer vital insights into the complex ways in which voter ignorance can affect different political dynamics and parties, potentially reinforcing existing disparities rather than mitigating them. Arnold's work urges policymakers and political strategists to consider the nuanced impacts of voter knowledge on electoral performance and to rethink strategies designed to engage and inform the electorate.

write a sentence about not forgetting where I came from and still choosing to acquaint myself with news about the philippines, specifically, governmental news in hopes that the Filipino population learn from the mistakes of the past and elect a better and more efficient leader rather than somebody who enables privatization of big companies, work towards eradicating corruption within the government and legal system as well as the lingering poverty and lack of resources in the country

make it longer and more detailed and more creative

As I navigate my path forward, I remain deeply committed to never forgetting my roots, understanding that my journey is intertwined with the rich and complex history of the Philippines; thus, I actively immerse myself in governmental news from my homeland, driven by the hope that my fellow Filipinos can collectively learn from the lessons of our past struggles and triumphs, and that together we can aspire to elect leaders who prioritize the common good over profit, advocate against the rampant privatization of essential resources, and take decisive action to eradicate corruption that plagues both our government and legal system, all while addressing the specter of poverty that continues to loom over countless families, ensuring that future generations inherit not just a legacy of resilience, but a nation that thrives on equity, justice, and opportunity.

write a paragraph about the fact that filipinos have lack of political awareness and knowledge as seen in the recent incident in a famous TV show in the philippines; one of the contestants at the age of 20 were asked about their opinion on the COMELEC which stands for commision on election and how she is not knowledgeable about such topic and has not voted ever since she became of age to vote

tie this story to the relation to this article

The recent incident on a popular television show in the Philippines highlighted a troubling lack of political awareness among younger Filipinos, exemplified by a 20-year-old contestant's admission that she had never voted since reaching voting age and knew little about the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). This scenario starkly illustrates the findings of Jason Ross Arnold’s article "The Electoral Consequences of Voter Ignorance," which explores how widespread voter ignorance can manifest substantially, particularly affecting left-leaning political parties. The lack of knowledge and engagement among the youth not only reflects the challenges faced by the electorate but also raises profound concerns about the future direction of Philippine politics. The incident underlines the importance of fostering political education and awareness, as a disengaged voter base may perpetuate cycles of ineffective leadership and hinder efforts to eradicate corruption and poverty within the nation. Such patterns of ignorance can lead to missed opportunities in electing accountable leaders who prioritize the needs of the people over privatization and self-interest, reinforcing the necessity for informed electorates to make choices that will enhance democratic governance and societal well-being.

write a captoivating last sentence for the introductory sentence that questions people's want for a better government yet refuse to acknowledge the means to achieve that through exercising their rights

Are we truly committed to demanding a better government, or do we merely bask in the illusion of progress while turning a blind eye to the essential act of exercising our rights and responsibilities that could bring that transformation to fruition?

don't end as question end as strong statememnt

Are we truly committed to demanding a better government, or do we merely bask in the illusion of progress while turning a blind eye to the essential act of exercising our rights and responsibilities that could bring that transformation to fruition? This stark reality serves as a reminder that true change cannot emerge from passive observation; it requires active participation and a collective commitment to engaging in the democratic process with vigor and resolve.

write a paragraph about the fact that filipinos have lack of political awareness and knowledge as seen in the recent incident in a famous TV show in the philippines; one of the contestants at the age of 20 were asked about their opinion on the COMELEC which stands for commision on election and how she is not knowledgeable about such topic and has not voted ever since she became of age to vote

tie this story to the relation to this article. write the paragrph in a relational/dialectical approach application