Welcome, and remember...

Just a reminder about what we'd like to see here. Students will be responding to readings, and their grade will be based on the following rubric:
  • Reflection statements (self positioning within the course concepts);
  • Commentary statements (effective use of the course content in discussion and analysis);
  • New idea statements (synthesis of ideas to a higher level); and
  • Application statements (direct use of the new ideas in a real life setting).
Don't forget to mark the comments you want for credit with an FC.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Coca-Cola good globalization-FC

Ok I can see the similarities between imperialism and globalization. The stronger countries make the smaller ones work for them. But the differences are so vast that they should be put in two totally different categories. For one imperialism really is oppressive and does force another countries way of life on people who do not want it. People in India did not like British people telling them what to do and profiting off their resources, and neither did think Incas when the Spanish tried to force Christianity on them. Now, globalization is different in that it benefits both countries. The poorer country gets jobs and the indigenous people now have money in their pockets they did not have before. Also, the stronger country benefits from cheaper production cost. Coca-Cola might be the embodiment of American ideals but it is not being forced down peoples throats. People continue to by Coca-Cola because they enjoy it not because they are scared America will punish them if they do not. Another American company that has been given a bad rap because of its global influence is McDonalds. McDonalds is the embodiment of fat greasy American hamburgers, and the company operates all over the world. But this does not mean that McDonalds is selling the world Americas obesity problems, they do market reaserch and adapt to their region. Like in Japan they sell shrimp burgers. One more thing globalization brings the world closer together, and forms more of global community. I believe the sake of maintaining economic power is more important to countries now that having complete military power. If one country has global economic power it has allies
-Edward Gooch

3 comments:

  1. I agree with what you said in your post. It is very true that America isn't forcing coca cola upon other countries and other people, they buy the drink simply because they enjoy drinking it. I do though think that coca cola could be seen by some people as a drink that anyone can buy and enjoy, and that could possibly be one of the reasons that it has became such a beverage giant, it can be purchased and drank by a king or a homeless man. This to me sets coke apart from many other popular drinks from the past, because it doesn't have a sterotype tied to it on who can and cannot drink it. Maybe this could possibly be a little part of the explanation of why coke is so popular to so many people all over the world...?

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  2. I also agree with you post. America isn't forcing people to enjoy Coke, people drink it because they can afford it and enjoy it. The factor of why people may resent an American influence in their country could be derived from years of america trying to force "uncivilized" countries into being more like america. For instance the philippines and cuban invasions. Years of forcing american culture on different places is where I believe the resentment of America and its products derives. Even something as simple as drinking a coke may be disliked among many because of Americas past.

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  3. ... Even though i do agree with your post. There is some sort of submittal ethnocentric psychological effects that not on Coca-Cola has over the entire world when the a can is popped open. Think about it. When another country sells a country a product the for instance "guns" to a weaker country. The weaker country is now more dependent on the good of the country that supplied them those resources. They associate the guns with what ever culture gave it to them. Thus giving the country a psychological advantage. I mean it might not be very influential but nonetheless its and advantage.

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