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12: Global Stratification

  • Page ID
    231770

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    Are gender equality and democracy ...

    Global Stratification refers to the unequal distribution of resources, wealth, power and opportunities across countries around the world. Some nations, largely situated in what is known as the Global North, are wealthier, hold more political and economic power, and are more technologically and industrially developed than nations typically located in the Global South.

    In terms of global economic inequality, some countries have far more advanced economies (such as the United States, China, German and Japan). These wealthier nations generally enjoy better access to education, healthcare, technology, clean water and global employment opportunities. Certain nations also wield more political, military and cultural power on a global scale. One key consideration is how Western (Global North) dominance, especially through U.S. cultural influence, shapes global media, language and artistic expression. U.S. culture is often spread worldwide though the internationalization of English and through films, literature music and art. This raises important sociological questions:

    • How do cultures survive and maintain their identities amid this dominance?
    • Do these cultures get absorbed by the West in ways that further disadvantage poorer nations?
    • Are these cultures understood on their own terms, or are they muted and appropriated as they become part of Wester consumer culture?

    In this module we will explore global economic stratification and the sociological theories that explain it. We will also assess visual data depicting global inequality and examine cultural practices that reflect either privilege and over consumption or scarcity and marginalization.


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