IMF not fair

I feel that the International Monetary fund is not a fair organization. The IMF is a world money lender that lends countries money as short term loans for restructuring their economies. However, I feel that the IMF is doing more harm than good. This is because unlike the UN, the IMF is based on a point system, where the more the money a particular country puts into the bank, the more the money it can withdraw. Although this sounds financially good, it means that many of the poorer countries like African countries that need the money for their development cannot receive it because the governments are too poor to invest money in the bank. I feel that the IMF should be run like the UN where each country gets to vote on financial decision. Things are changing now as China, India, Russia and Brazil are developing very quickly, there share of the monetary system will increase, and thus they like the developed countries will be able to make important financial decision.

I feel that it is interesting to see how culture, values and practices spread from one part of the globe to another. In sociology we were studying how culture and values spread from the more developed countries top the less developed countries. This took place especially during colonization
when many of the curently independent countries have adopted education system and sometimes styles of dressing like the European. However, today, this is beginning to revers. The culture is spreading from less developed countries to western countries. An example of this is Chinese and Asian food that many of us eat regularily. Dressing fashion especially in Europe are coming from South Asia. I think that in the future, we will be a more interconnected world, and as time goes by, we will live parts of lifestyle from different parts of the world.

World Is Flat

I read Thomas Friedman's World is flat, and I though that was a very interesting book. It talks about how technology has enabled places around the world to be connected together. Information can travel from one part of the world to another in a split second. It discusses how due to the technology and the flow of information, many American companies are starting back offices, and even research and development centers in countries like India, China and Mexico. The book explains how Americans must be well educated in order to compete with developing countries like Mexico, China and India. I personally felt the book was interesting and recommend it.

Spread of Chinese culture

I feel that food is a good example of globalization is the spread of food. I feel that the spread of Chinese food around the world is a good example of globalization. Chinese food has become very popular around the world including in different parts of South and West Asia. However, this food is different in different countries. For example, the Chinese food in the United States is more sweet- orange chicken and Sweet and sour chicken. On the other hand, Chinese food in South Asia has many local spices to many it more flavourful and spicy. As people have accepted Chinese food, this Chinese culture has changed as it has crossed boundaries. I think it is very interesting how Chinese food has adapted to different tastes in different countries.

Outsourcing of culture

Culture can also be outsourced. Material cultural like films, music, fashion in clothes is often times spread over boundaries. For example, many people in Western Europe including in countries like Sweden watch American Hollywood films and listen to American music. Foreign countries especially European countries have been very open to American movies, music, clothing a foods (like McDonald's). However, in other parts of the world, American culture is not being accepted. In countries like China, Middle East, India and Africa are not embracing American culture very readily. For example, in the Middle East and parts of Africa, Bollywood movies from India instead of Hollywood movies are being accepted.

I feel that with the American relationship with the Middle East would deteriorate further if there is not a culture does not flow between the two countries.

Her is the article if you are interested

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/business/22scene.html

Chicken Nuggets outsourced

This article shows the shocking reality of where our chicken nuggets comes from. According to me, this is the height of globalization. The article shows how the chicken nuggets are processed in a production plant outside Bangkok. here, at the 'factory' chicken parts from Spain, China, Brazil are brought in and processed until the parts are indistinguishable from one another. According to the article unlike other meat, processed chicken nuggets are processed together maintaining the 15% fat, 30% bone and rest meat ratio. Thus, the texture has to do with the different parts of chicken added.

The article goes on to talk about the terrible working conditions of the workers working in these factories. It talks about how many workers lose their fingers by the blades used for cutting meat.

Lastly, the articles talks about the antibiotics added to the chicken processed in Thailand or China. These antibiotics are illegal in Europe, and thus, many European countries inspect the chicken nuggets before they reach the shore.

Next time you bite into McChicken nuggets, think again!

The Production of McNuggets article

Medical Tourism Disadvantages

This link, shows a news report on Medical Tourism that was shown on ABC news. It talks about Medical Tourism, are traveling to other countries to receive same surgery at a fraction of the cost. The video shows that patients not only travel for cosmetic surgery, but also for major surgery like hip surgery and orthopedics. However, according to the video, one major set back of medical tourism is that patients may get complications after surgery. Furthermore, many surgeons advice, patients not to travel right after surgery as this may cause complications. Some countries do not practice strong malpractice laws, and patients may not be able to sue the doctor if the surgery does not go well. Therefore, although medical tourism is a tempting choice for patients, patients should consult travel agencies and do research before traveling.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6807942641511856849&q=medical+tourism&total=439&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0