Manfred Steger, Globalization, chap. 6
Steger chap. 6: The ecological dimension of globalization April 5 Thurs. lecture: Consumerism, over- population, and globalization —Chap. 6 Response paper due: Tues. April 17
10:00 PM Wed. April 18 Chap. 6 Recitation
Chap 6 readings April 10 Tues. lecture: Hydropower and the politics of managing water resources — Reading: Kenneth Pommeranz, “The Great Himalayan
Watershed: Water shortages, mega-projects, and environmental politics in China, India, and Southeast Asia,” japanfocus.org (2009)
April 12 Thurs. lecture: Depopulation and the environment — Reading: Peter Matanle, “Towards an Asia-Pacific
‘depopulation dividend’ in the 21st century: regional growth and shrinkage in Japan and New Zealand” japanfocus.org (2017)
Tues. April 17 extra credit opportunity 6:10-7:30 documentary film by dir. Steven Okazaki, White Light, Black Rain: the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki —Clicker will be used to take attendance at
beginning and end of film
Chap. 6 Ecological dimension Chap. 3 Economic dimensions Chap. 4 Political dimensions Chap. 5 Cultural dimensions
—All impact each other —All impact the environment
Chap. 6 Threshold to nowhere? “…the contemporary phase of globalization has been the most environmentally destructive period in human history.” (p. 108)
Which are the two worst polluters of CO2 per capita in the world? A. Canada (15.9) & the U.S. (16.5) = 32.8 B. China (7.6) & India (1.8) = 9.4 C. Russia (12.4) & Japan (10.1) = 22.5
(tons per capita)
Which country emits the highest per capita volume of carbon dioxide (CO2)? A. China (7.6) tons per capita B. Japan (10.1) C. Republic of Korea (12.3)
16,000 scientists sign dire warning to humanity 11.14.17 http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/14/health/scientists-warn- humanity/index.html
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/14/health/scientists-warn-humanity/index.html&data=02%7C01%7Cschalow@rutgers.edu%7C49102b625120484acfed08d52c43a360%7Cb92d2b234d35447093ff69aca6632ffe%7C1%7C0%7C636463591369023338&sdata=3jsb%2Bpcy74Kg9Vq85T20zgFcF0SHQF6s1edeqyFn7so%3D&reserved=0
Transboundary pollution Success story: in 1970s, researchers noticed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) depleted ozone, resulting in international regulations to phase out production of CFCs and similar substances. Ongoing crisis: Industry emits sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which return to the ground in the form of acid rain, damaging forests, soils, and freshwater ecosystems.
Dangers to survival — Population growth
— Patterns of consumption
— Transboundary pollution
— Food insecurity and disease
— Global warming/climate change
— Genetically modified organisms
— Hazardous waste, industrial accidents, warfare — Chernobyl, Ukraine (1986)
— Fukushima, Japan (2011)
— Loss of biodiversity
How did we reach this state? Steger: East/West cultural differences—result of dominance of West
Eastern view of the natural world
Cultures steeped in Taoist, Buddhist, or other animist religions see all living things as interdependent; humanity exists in a delicate balance with nature.
Eastern view of the natural world —Wholistic (Holistic) —Unitary —Non-dualistic
Western view of the natural world
Judaeo-Christian humanism is dualistic, placing humanity in control of the natural world.
—Dualism: nature is on one side, humankind is on the other
Steger’s analysis (based on cultural stereotypes)
East “delicate balance” • Holistic engagement with nature
West “dominates & exploits” • Dualistic engagement with nature
Alternative analysis Judaeo-Christian humanism is not as simple as Steger describes. —Originally, based on a balance between:
—Dominion (in a hierarchy, humankind is in control of nature)
—Stewardship (humankind is responsible for taking care of the natural world)
Alternative analysis: modernity Pre-modern East & West • Existed in ‘delicate balance’ with
nature
Modern East & West • Abandoned ‘stewardship’ of nature in
favor of ‘dominion’
Alternative analysis: Modernity is what changed both East’s & West’s relationship to the natural world
In modernity, since the 18th century Age of Enlightenment and 19th century Industrial Revolution, nature is seen as a resource to be exploited in fulfillment of human desires.
Anthropocentrism (Humanism)
Humans are at the center of the value system. — If something benefits mankind, it is
right/good/justified
Consumerism
Definition: Humanity’s desires can be satisfied by accumulation of material possessions. —Consumerism is the most extreme form of
the anthropocentric (human-centered) paradigm.
Consumerism The American-dominated culture industry appeals to a global audience and convinces them to “consume.”
—Otmazgin: Asia is NOT a passive player, consuming a Western universalizing consumer culture; Asia is an originator of consumer culture.
Consumerism
The consumer lifestyle wastes resources by encouraging frivolous desires, instead of meeting basic needs. —Steger doesn’t address the difficulty of
defining frivolous vs. basic
Early environmental degradation
Until the Industrial Revolution: —Local scale —Slow pace
Today’s environmental degradation —Global scale —Fast pace
“Great Pacific Garbage Patch” AKA — Great Pacific Rubbish Patch — Trash Vortex — Plastic Vortex — Plastic Graveyard — North Pacific Gyre
“Great Pacific Garbage Patch”
Fish from Atlantic Garbage Patch
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