Discussion of the Meaning of the Term Globalization

The meaning of the term of globalization is somewhat broad considering the number of factors put into consideration. It refers to the global interaction based on the economic, trade and the communication which concerns matters integration. It, therefore, inform about the broadening of the local and nationalistic outlook with the view of the interdependence and interconnection of the globe especially on the transfer of goods, services, and capital using the national frontiers as the medium. It also gets important to realize that globalization draws dependence on investment and international trade with the assistance of information technology. Its major impacts are directed to the environment or the surrounding, political systems, culture, economic growth and prosperity and on the well-being of human beings among others.

Question 2b

The 1884-85 Berlin Conference majored on the regulation of the European domination and trade in the African continent during the era of the New Imperialism period. The conference also took place when Germany was also emerging as one of the Imperial powers. Historians argue that the conference can also be referred to as the Congo or West Africa Conference. The chief organizer was one Otto Von Bismarck, the then German Chancellor.

My political perspectives on the partitioning of Africa (Sir Edward Malet)

In consideration of my position of the British Ambassador to Germany, I was not impressed by the steps taken by other Colonial Powers in partitioning Africa. I, therefore, went on record for informing other colonial powers that the step taken had never happened in the history of humanity, where the states of a particular continent would come together and initiate the partitioning of another without the knowledge of the continents lawful rulers. My political perspective is that the ownership of Congo by one person was not to be tolerated and Britain would not recognize King Leopolds rule over Congo. The king would only exercise his power under a democratic legislature or parliament. My strategy for obtaining Africa was, therefore, to be based on ending slavery to allow the international prohibition on the slave trade. I also proposed for the initiation of friendly ties between the colonial powers and the Africans and advised the King that his civilization activity should not be pegged on self-gain.

Results of the 1884-85 Berlin Conference

The major result of the conference was that river Congo and Niger were to be opened for free ship traffic.

There was the introduction of the principle of affectivity to prevent the colonial powers who were setting up colonies in their names.

The other concern also noted that any action which was directed on taking a portion of the African Coast had to be notified by the body in charge of power taking possession to the other signatories.

Question 3

The primary components of the Human Development Index (HDI) include education, income, and health and which are argued from the view of metrics. The components also play a fundamental role in representing the basic needs of a human being. In the event I was hired by the United Nations to critique the value of HDI in assessing developing countries, I would use the outline below. It is also important to note that the outline contains both the strength and the weaknesses.

Outline

The first point on the outline is on looking at the variables used while assessing the developing countries. The advantage of a proper variable is that accuracy will be guaranteed while the weakness will be based on a wrong variable which fails to reflect the developmental ideas and programs of human beings accurately.

The other issue is on ascertaining whether pure economic indicators such as the GNI and GDP majored their focus on economic growth. The strength of the mentioned critique is on its provision of serious discussion regarding human development particularly those of the intrinsic correlation of all the HDI key components. The weakness attached to the point is that at times, it may only offer the GDP of the developing nations for assessment.

Lastly, I would also critique the value of the HDI used for assessment based on the methodological soundness and the statistical quality. The strength of the critique is based on its ability to highlight the biases and errors which may have been inherited from the data of the developing nations. The major weakness is its requirement of personnel with high integrity who can be trusted with raw data. At times, there may exist chances of data manipulations.

Question 4

Completing the case study of Sally Jones

The model which will be used in responding to the task is the Porters Diamond Model which is composed of four major components. The first part is the Strategy, structure and the rivalry of the firm. The next issue is based on the factor conditions with the assessment of possible changes between it and firm strategy and structure. The last two are based on the related and support industries together with the demand conditions. The two components also look at the role played by the government.

Recommendations.

The first recommendation will be based on reviewing the structure and strategy of Think about Globe (TAG) and the opposition which is being experienced by Sally. The structure and the strategies used must be those comparable to those of Kraft and PepsiCo. That is the only way which can guarantee fair business environment and reduce opposition. The rationale for the recommendation is for the TAG to familiarize itself with the manner in which the opposing firms are working and to develop better means which will enable the TAG to reduce the opposition getting experienced.

The next recommendation is that which ensures the sustainability of the small farmers. As noted in the case study, most of them in the Southeastern United States of America tend to see a lucrative business in switching from the conventional crops to the cultivation of chickpeas, a major ingredient of hummus but their worry is on the issue of sustainability. Some of their threats are the offshore producers hence most of them failing to visualize the future. The recommendation takes to account the issue of factor conditions from the Porters Diamond Decision making model. For the small farmers in the Southeastern United States to remain relevant, Sally and TAG, in general, must be ready to educate them on the transition method where they will offer a significant contribution in the cultivation of chickpeas. The rationale for the argued is on the TAGs ease of operation with the small farmers in managing the increasing opposition from PepsiCo and Kraft among others that would see the placement of hummus on the trays in American homes and the refrigerators.

The third recommendation and rationale are informed by the Porter Diamond models on related support and industries with the inclusion of governments. Just like PepsiCo was making advancement to Africa and signing an MOU with the government of Ethiopia, Sally should recommend for the TAG not only to do the same in Africa but also other continents. The rationale for the argued is on working with the underdeveloped nations in creating a market for the product and managing the opposition.

Lastly, it gets important to realize that Sallys boss was concerned about the way forward for the TAG. It is, therefore, conquerable to argue that Sally is supposed to educate its consumers about the marketing effort in a manner aimed at putting it in a better position as opposed to its rivals.

Question 5

Discuss social stratification and debt based on information from ONE of the following images on the next page. Approximate length 1 paragraph. (5 points)

 The image above describes a situation of social stratification where the rich continue to become richer and the poor become poorer thus justifying the poor state of most of the underdeveloped countries. It also depicts that the ratio of the rich and the poor is not proportional in any way hence the overall poverty noted in most of the underdeveloped nations. A good justification is on the 62 richest people owning wealth owned by 3.2 billion poorest people.