In his last chapter, Kevin Reilly makes some important points about a world wher
ID: 109333 • Letter: I
Question
In his last chapter, Kevin Reilly makes some important points about a world where the economic system is no longer based primarily on "production," as during the industrial revolution and its aftermath, but on "consumption." In fact, statistics point out that 2/3 of the world's economy is based on consumption. And much of this consumption is defined in the cultural terms of "Americanism," of the expansion originally U.S.-based businesses (McDonald's, Apple, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, etc.) and popular culture (Hollywood, the music industry, etc.). As a result, Reilly argues that this transformation has given rise to a new view of the human, since a critical number of humans on the planet now view themselves primarily as "consumers."
1) What are some of the "positives" and "negatives" of this new consumer-ethic, according to Reilly. Be sure to give examples from the text.
2) What is your opinion of Reilly's overall argument? Why? Please elaborate.
Explanation / Answer
1. According to the Reilly, the global industrialisation has some positive impacts that it rapidly increased the economic integration of the many people worldwide. Due to the progress in transportation and communication technology the global network has strengthened. Due to increasing use of TV, radio, telephones, satellite based communication and internet allows exchange of vast ideas, social practices and money. Also due to the increasing use of passenger airplanes, automobiles, shipping, superfreighters now more people and goods can be transported far more rapidly and with less cost. Due to the economic globalisation there is rapid increase in the international trade and the flow of money across the world. With the advancement in the telecommunication facilities the capital can now be transfered instantly anywhere across the world.
But there are negative points also. The industrialisation has increased the economic gap between the rich and the poor countries. The rich countries income has increased by about 6 fold as compared to the poor countries. Some new companies have shifted their production sites to those countries where taxes and wages of the workers are low as well as where environmental regulations are less strict. These companies give little attention to the consequence of their economic activities on the local environment and the nearby community. Also due to the strengthening of the global network the germs of the diseases can also travel globally. Due to this there are increasing number of cases worldwide of deadly diseases like AIDS, flu etc. Inspite of all this negative points, the finacial condition of many poor people have changed which help in improving their life.
2. The Reilly' s overall argument is that though industrialisation has been disadvantages like degradation of the local environment, increase in number of cases of diseases worldwide, increase in gap between rich and poor countries. But it has helped in improving financial condition of many poor people and thus help in upliftment of their life style. Now the with the globalisation the world becomes more densely connected with exchange of ideas, social practices. people, money, trades, goods worldwide. So overall global industrialisation is good.