http://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/capitalism-needs-criminal-syndicates-and-criminal-markets-says-mafia-expert/30/08/ In response to Mittelman's chapter on Globalized Crime, let's investigate and unpack how our system of capitalism symbiotically profits from crime in our global societies and economies. Mittelman argues "In the way they make money and … [Read more...]
Identity as Commodity
Food for thought: Theodore Bestor's How Sushi Went Global speaks to the increased status and prestige surrounding sushi in a quickly globalizing world. Sushi is marketed as a high status food, as something that marks one as sophisticated and cultured in a world of cheeseburgers and fries. What I found especially intriguing in his discussion of the branding of this global … [Read more...]
Western Curse? What About Eastern Solutions?
When I first think of the word globalization, I tend to immediately translate it in my mind to reflect what is better understood as "Westernization", which is reasonable enough given that my semester abroad was littered with McDonald's and American pop-culture references. As a powerhouse of the world in entertainment, thought, and politics, it is easy to understand why a great … [Read more...]
