Global Challenges, Local Responses, and the Role of Anthropology Part II

Global Challenges, Local Global Challenges, Local Responses, and the Role Responses, and the Role

of Anthropologyof Anthropology

Part IIPart II

Structural Power in the Age of Structural Power in the Age of Globalization:Globalization:

A new form of expansive international A new form of expansive international capitalism has emerged since the mid-1990s. capitalism has emerged since the mid-1990s. – Operating under the banner of globalization, it Operating under the banner of globalization, it

builds on earlier cultural structures of worldwide builds on earlier cultural structures of worldwide trade networks, and it is the successor to a system trade networks, and it is the successor to a system of colonialism in which a handful of powerful, of colonialism in which a handful of powerful, mainly European, capitalist states ruled and mainly European, capitalist states ruled and exploited foreign nations inhabiting distant exploited foreign nations inhabiting distant territories. territories.

– Power plays a major role in coordinating and Power plays a major role in coordinating and regulating collective behavior toward imposing or regulating collective behavior toward imposing or maintaining law and order within, and beyond, a maintaining law and order within, and beyond, a particular community or society.particular community or society.


Structural power: power that organizes and Structural power: power that organizes and orchestrates the systemic interaction within orchestrates the systemic interaction within and among societies, directing economic and and among societies, directing economic and political forces on the one hand and political forces on the one hand and ideological forces that shape public ideas, ideological forces that shape public ideas, values, and beliefs on the othervalues, and beliefs on the other

It focuses attention on the systematic It focuses attention on the systematic interaction between the global forces interaction between the global forces directing the world’s changing economies directing the world’s changing economies and political institutions on the one and hand and political institutions on the one and hand those that shape public ideas, values, and those that shape public ideas, values, and beliefs on the otherbeliefs on the other


Hard power: coercive power that is backed up Hard power: coercive power that is backed up by economies and military forces.by economies and military forces.

Soft power: co-optive power that presses others Soft power: co-optive power that presses others through attraction and persuasion to change through attraction and persuasion to change their ideas, beliefs, values and behaviortheir ideas, beliefs, values and behavior

The U.S. is the global leader in military The U.S. is the global leader in military expenditure, spending more than $420 billion in expenditure, spending more than $420 billion in 2005, followed by China ($62 billion), Russia 2005, followed by China ($62 billion), Russia ($62 billion), Britain ($51 billion), Japan ($45 ($62 billion), Britain ($51 billion), Japan ($45 billion) and Germany ($30 billion).billion) and Germany ($30 billion).


In addition to military might, hard power In addition to military might, hard power involves the use of economic strength as a involves the use of economic strength as a political instrument of coercion or political instrument of coercion or intimidation in the global structuring intimidation in the global structuring process. process.

As the world’s largest economy and As the world’s largest economy and leading exporter, the United States has leading exporter, the United States has long pushed for free trade for its long pushed for free trade for its corporations doing business on a global corporations doing business on a global scale. scale.


International Monetary Fund (IMF) International Monetary Fund (IMF) – Specializing in short-term loans to assist poor or Specializing in short-term loans to assist poor or

developing countries, the IMF’s financial resources developing countries, the IMF’s financial resources weigh in at about $300 billion. weigh in at about $300 billion.

– The five wealthiest countries in the world (U.S., The five wealthiest countries in the world (U.S., Japan, Germany, France and Britain) control 40% of Japan, Germany, France and Britain) control 40% of this global fund and dominate its executive board. this global fund and dominate its executive board.

– The IMF’s structural power is evident not only in The IMF’s structural power is evident not only in which development projects and policies it chooses which development projects and policies it chooses to give financial support, but also in its surveillance to give financial support, but also in its surveillance practices, which involve monitoring borrower’s practices, which involve monitoring borrower’s economic and financial developments.economic and financial developments.


Like IMF, the World Bank is largely controlled Like IMF, the World Bank is largely controlled by a handful or powerful capitalist states. by a handful or powerful capitalist states. – Operating under geopolitical constraints, these Operating under geopolitical constraints, these

global banking institutions strategically direct global banking institutions strategically direct capital flows to projects in certain parts of the capital flows to projects in certain parts of the world, financially supporting some governments world, financially supporting some governments and withholding capital from others. and withholding capital from others.

– Both IMF and the World Bank have been accused of Both IMF and the World Bank have been accused of being insensitive to the political and cultural being insensitive to the political and cultural consequences of the projects they support. consequences of the projects they support.


Globalization wreaks havoc in many Globalization wreaks havoc in many traditional cultures and disrupts long-traditional cultures and disrupts long-established social organizations established social organizations everywhere. everywhere.

By the early 21st century, the global By the early 21st century, the global trend of economic inequality is trend of economic inequality is becoming clear: The poor are becoming clear: The poor are becoming poorer, and the rich are becoming poorer, and the rich are becoming richer.becoming richer.


One of the major tasks of soft power is to One of the major tasks of soft power is to package and sell the general idea of package and sell the general idea of globalization as something positive and globalization as something positive and progressive (as “freedom”, “free” trade, progressive (as “freedom”, “free” trade, “free” market) and to frame or brand anything “free” market) and to frame or brand anything that opposes capitalism in negative terms.that opposes capitalism in negative terms.– Structural power and its associated concepts of Structural power and its associated concepts of

hard and soft power enable us to better hard and soft power enable us to better understand the wider field of force in which local understand the wider field of force in which local communities throughout the world are now communities throughout the world are now compelled to operate.compelled to operate.


No matter how effectively a dominant state or No matter how effectively a dominant state or corporation combines its hard and soft power, corporation combines its hard and soft power, globalization does run into oppositionglobalization does run into opposition

While it is true that states and big While it is true that states and big corporations have expanded their power and corporations have expanded their power and influence through electronic communication influence through electronic communication technologies, it is also true that these same technologies, it is also true that these same technologies present opportunities to technologies present opportunities to individuals and groups that have traditionally individuals and groups that have traditionally been powerlessbeen powerless– Together with radio and television, the Internet is Together with radio and television, the Internet is

now the dominant means of mass communication now the dominant means of mass communication around the world. around the world.

Problems of Structural Problems of Structural Violence:Violence:

Based on their capacity to harness, direct, and Based on their capacity to harness, direct, and distribute global resources and energy flows, distribute global resources and energy flows, heavily armed states, megacorporations, and heavily armed states, megacorporations, and very wealthy elites are using their coercive and very wealthy elites are using their coercive and co-optive powers to structure or rearrange the co-optive powers to structure or rearrange the emerging world system and direct global emerging world system and direct global processes to their own competitive advantage. processes to their own competitive advantage. – Structural violence: physical and/or psychological Structural violence: physical and/or psychological

harm (including repression, environmental harm (including repression, environmental destruction, poverty, hunger, illness, and premature destruction, poverty, hunger, illness, and premature death) caused by impersonal, exploitative, and death) caused by impersonal, exploitative, and unjust social, political, and economic systems.unjust social, political, and economic systems.


Every day millions of people around the world face:– famine– ecological disasters– health problems– political instability– violence rooted in development programs

of profit-making maneuvers directed by powerful states of global corporations.


Although human rights abuses are Although human rights abuses are nothing new, globalization has nothing new, globalization has enormously expanded and intensified enormously expanded and intensified structural violence. structural violence. – In 1960 the average income for the In 1960 the average income for the

twenty wealthiest countries it the world twenty wealthiest countries it the world was fifteen times that of the twenty was fifteen times that of the twenty poorest. poorest.

Today it is thirty times higher. Today it is thirty times higher.


More remarkable is the fact that the More remarkable is the fact that the world’s 225 riches individuals have a world’s 225 riches individuals have a combined wealth equal to the annual combined wealth equal to the annual income of the poorest 47% of the income of the poorest 47% of the entire world population. entire world population.

The poorest 80% of the human The poorest 80% of the human population make do with 14% of all population make do with 14% of all goods and services in the world. goods and services in the world. – Meanwhile, the richest 20% enjoy 86%.Meanwhile, the richest 20% enjoy 86%.

Overpopulation and Overpopulation and Poverty:Poverty:

Although controlling population growth Although controlling population growth does not by itself make the other problems does not by itself make the other problems go away, it is unlikely those other go away, it is unlikely those other problems can be solved unless population problems can be solved unless population growth is stopped or even reversed. growth is stopped or even reversed. – For a population to hold steady, there must be For a population to hold steady, there must be

a balance between birthrates and death rates. a balance between birthrates and death rates. – Replacement reproduction: the point at which Replacement reproduction: the point at which

birthrates and death rates are in equilibrium; birthrates and death rates are in equilibrium; people producing only enough offspring to people producing only enough offspring to replace themselves when they die.replace themselves when they die.

Overpopulation and Overpopulation and Poverty:Poverty:

Despite progress in population Despite progress in population control, the number of humans on control, the number of humans on earth continues to grow overall. earth continues to grow overall.

The problem’s severity becomes clear The problem’s severity becomes clear when it is realized that the present when it is realized that the present world population of more than 6 world population of more than 6 billion people can be sustained only billion people can be sustained only by using up non-renewable resources by using up non-renewable resources such as oil, which is like living off such as oil, which is like living off income-producing capital. income-producing capital.

Hunger and Obesity:Hunger and Obesity:

Today, over a quarter of the world’s Today, over a quarter of the world’s countries to not produce enough food countries to not produce enough food to feed their populations and cannot to feed their populations and cannot afford to import what is needed. afford to import what is needed.

About 1 billion people in the world About 1 billion people in the world are undernourished. are undernourished. – Some 6 million children aged 5and Some 6 million children aged 5and

under die every year due to hunger, and under die every year due to hunger, and those who survive often suffer from those who survive often suffer from physical and mental impairment.physical and mental impairment.


While millions of people in some While millions of people in some parts of the world are starving, many parts of the world are starving, many millions of others are overeatingmillions of others are overeating

The obesity epidemic is not due The obesity epidemic is not due solely to excessive eating and lack of solely to excessive eating and lack of physical activity. physical activity. – The highest rates of obesity in the world The highest rates of obesity in the world

now exist among the Pacific Islanders now exist among the Pacific Islanders living in places such as Samoa and Fiji.living in places such as Samoa and Fiji.


As for hunger cases, about 10% of As for hunger cases, about 10% of them can be traced to specific them can be traced to specific events; droughts or floods, as well as events; droughts or floods, as well as various social, economic, and various social, economic, and political disruptions, including political disruptions, including warfare. warfare. – During the 20th century 44 million During the 20th century 44 million

people died due to human-made famine. people died due to human-made famine.


U.S. style farming has additional U.S. style farming has additional problems, including energy problems, including energy inefficiency. inefficiency. – For every calorie produced, at least 8 For every calorie produced, at least 8

(some say as many as 20) calories go (some say as many as 20) calories go into its production and distribution. into its production and distribution.

– By contrast, an Asian wet-rice framer By contrast, an Asian wet-rice framer using traditional methods produces 300 using traditional methods produces 300 calories for each 1 expended.calories for each 1 expended.


North American agriculture is wasteful North American agriculture is wasteful of other resources as well: About 30 of other resources as well: About 30 pounds of fertile topsoil are ruined for pounds of fertile topsoil are ruined for every pound of food produced. every pound of food produced. – Toxic substances from chemical nutrients Toxic substances from chemical nutrients

and pesticides pile up in unexpected and pesticides pile up in unexpected places, poisoning ground and surface places, poisoning ground and surface waters; killing fish, birds, and other useful waters; killing fish, birds, and other useful forms of life’ upsetting natural ecological forms of life’ upsetting natural ecological cycles; and causing major public health cycles; and causing major public health problems. problems.


Confronted with such economic forces Confronted with such economic forces in the global arena, small farmers in in the global arena, small farmers in poor countries find themselves in poor countries find themselves in serious trouble when trying to sell their serious trouble when trying to sell their products on markets open to subsidized products on markets open to subsidized agricultural corporations dumping agricultural corporations dumping mass-produced and often genetically mass-produced and often genetically engineered crops and other farm engineered crops and other farm products. products. – Such is the fate of many Maya Indians Such is the fate of many Maya Indians

today today

Pollution:Pollution:

Industrial activities are producing highly Industrial activities are producing highly toxic waste at unprecedented rates, and toxic waste at unprecedented rates, and factory emissions are poisoning the air. factory emissions are poisoning the air. – For instance, aluminum contamination is high For instance, aluminum contamination is high

enough on 17% of the world’s farmland to be enough on 17% of the world’s farmland to be toxic to plants, and has been linked to senile toxic to plants, and has been linked to senile dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases, three major health problems in diseases, three major health problems in industrial countries. industrial countries.

Added to this is the problem of global Added to this is the problem of global warming, the greenhouse effect, caused warming, the greenhouse effect, caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels. primarily by the burning of fossil fuels.

Pollution:Pollution:

Structural violence also manifests Structural violence also manifests itself in the shifting of manufacturing itself in the shifting of manufacturing and hazardous waste disposal from and hazardous waste disposal from developed to developing countries. developed to developing countries.

Seeking cheaper ways to get rid of Seeking cheaper ways to get rid of the wastes, “toxic traders” began the wastes, “toxic traders” began shipping hazardous waste to Eastern shipping hazardous waste to Eastern Europe and especially to poor and Europe and especially to poor and underdeveloped countries in Western underdeveloped countries in Western Africa.Africa.

The Culture of Discontent:The Culture of Discontent: For the past several decades, the world’s poor For the past several decades, the world’s poor

countries have been sold on the idea they countries have been sold on the idea they should and actually can enjoy as standard of should and actually can enjoy as standard of living comparable to that of the rich countries. living comparable to that of the rich countries.

The problem involves not just population The problem involves not just population growth outstripping available natural growth outstripping available natural resources, but also un-equal access to decent resources, but also un-equal access to decent jobs, housing, sanitation, health care, leisure jobs, housing, sanitation, health care, leisure and adequate police and fire protection.and adequate police and fire protection.

This culture of discontent is not limited to This culture of discontent is not limited to people living in poor and overpopulated people living in poor and overpopulated countries.countries.

The Culture of Discontent:The Culture of Discontent:

The short-sighted emphasis on consumerism and The short-sighted emphasis on consumerism and individual self-interest so characteristic of the individual self-interest so characteristic of the world’s affluent countries needs to be abandoned world’s affluent countries needs to be abandoned in favor of a more balanced social and in favor of a more balanced social and environmental ethic. environmental ethic. – Such values include a worldview that sees humanity as Such values include a worldview that sees humanity as

part of the natural world rather than superior to it. part of the natural world rather than superior to it. – Included, too is a sense of social responsibility that Included, too is a sense of social responsibility that

recognizes that no individual, people, or state has the recognizes that no individual, people, or state has the right to expropriate resources at he expense of others. right to expropriate resources at he expense of others.

– Awareness is needed of how important supportive ties Awareness is needed of how important supportive ties are for individuals, such as seen in kinship or other are for individuals, such as seen in kinship or other associations in the world’s traditional societies. associations in the world’s traditional societies.

QuestionQuestion

One of the consequences of the One of the consequences of the development of global culture has been development of global culture has been _______________._______________.

A.A. the disappearance of differences between the disappearance of differences between peoplepeople

B.B. reduction in the possibility of warreduction in the possibility of war

C.C. a resurgence of separatist movementsa resurgence of separatist movements

D.D. the replacement of traditional cultures by the replacement of traditional cultures by more adaptive, modern culturesmore adaptive, modern cultures

E.E. reduction in the number of anthropologistsreduction in the number of anthropologists

Answer: CAnswer: C

One of the consequences of the One of the consequences of the development of global culture has development of global culture has been a been a resurgence of separatist resurgence of separatist movements.movements.

QuestionQuestion An Asian wet rice farmer might choose not to An Asian wet rice farmer might choose not to

adopt North American techniques of intensive adopt North American techniques of intensive agriculture because _______________.agriculture because _______________.

A.A. he cannot afford to buy the chemical products he cannot afford to buy the chemical products typically used in this type of agriculturetypically used in this type of agriculture

B.B. the North American method requires at least 8 the North American method requires at least 8 calories of energy to be expended for every calorie calories of energy to be expended for every calorie produced, whereas the wet rice farmer produces produced, whereas the wet rice farmer produces 300 calories for every calorie he invests300 calories for every calorie he invests

C.C. the North American method produces toxic the North American method produces toxic substances that destroy delicate ecological substances that destroy delicate ecological balancesbalances

D.D. the North American method, while successful for a the North American method, while successful for a short period of time, is sowing the seed of its own short period of time, is sowing the seed of its own destructiondestruction

E.E. all of the aboveall of the above

Answer: EAnswer: E

An Asian wet rice farmer might An Asian wet rice farmer might choose not to adopt North American choose not to adopt North American techniques of intensive agriculture techniques of intensive agriculture because because all of the aboveall of the above..

QuestionQuestion

The worldwide spread of such The worldwide spread of such products as Pepsi is taken by some products as Pepsi is taken by some as a sign that a _______________ as a sign that a _______________ world culture is developing.world culture is developing.

A.A. StandardizedStandardizedB.B. HeterogeneousHeterogeneousC.C. HomogeneousHomogeneousD.D. MotleyMotleyE.E. VariedVaried

Answer: CAnswer: C

The worldwide spread of such The worldwide spread of such products as Pepsi is taken by some products as Pepsi is taken by some as a sign that a as a sign that a homogenoushomogenous world world culture is developing.culture is developing.

QuestionQuestion

Coercive power that is backed up Coercive power that is backed up by economic and military force is by economic and military force is called _______________.called _______________.

A.A. structural violencestructural violence

B.B. imposed forceimposed force

C.C. coercioncoercion

D.D. hard powerhard power

E.E. soft powersoft power

Answer: DAnswer: D

Coercive power that is backed up by Coercive power that is backed up by economic and military force is called economic and military force is called hard powerhard power. .

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Global Challenges, Local Responses, and the Role of Anthropology Part II