Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

15.1 Contrast democracy and dictatorship.

Video Link: Democracy Vs Dictatorships - How Democracy Works, People Power & Govt Control 1940s

Description: Encyclopedia Britannica, in collaboration with Yale University, has released an educational video created in the 1940s, which defines the difference between a democracy and dictatorship and how each form of government affects its citizens.

Audio Link: New Chinese Social Media Policy May Be Used To Target Political Speech

Description: The audio discusses the new way the Chinese government is trying to control free speech. Users of any social media in China will be required to register with their real name rather than an alias as is common in most countries.

Web Resource: Democracy and Dictatorship: Key differences

Description: This short article compares and contrasts a democracy and dictatorship. It uses a corresponding table for each characteristic and highlights differences between the two forms of government.

 

15.2 Explain how global politics affect war and terrorism, geopolitics, and the nation-state.

Video Link: How governments respond to terrorism | Dr. Max Abrahms | TEDxHollywood

Description: Dr. Abraham is a professor of public policy at the department of political science at Northeastern University and a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. After talking to citizens of Israel and Palestine, he explains the results of his research on why terrorist groups target civilians and the effects terror attacks have on a population.

Audio Link: House Considers Bill To Stop NSA Bulk Collection Program

Description: Edward Snowden revealed that the government collects Americans’ phone records under the Patriot Act. As of 2015, Congress is divided on whether to extend the program for another five years or amend the law to stop the bulk collection of phone data. The audio addresses both sides of the debate and discusses the pros and cons of extending the Patriot Act.

Web Resource: These Are the Top 10 Geopolitical Risks of 2015

Description: The Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, publishes an annual report on geopolitical trends. The article discusses the key global political events that will dominate and affect the political arena in 2015. The events they highlight are politics in Middle East and how it will affect American interests in the region; China’s rising economic power and its influence on the global economy; the outcomes of the British elections and how it will affect world politics; the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; and the growing global threat of terrorism.

 

15.3 Describe the US economy’s transition from industrialization to deindustrialization.

Video Link: Deindustrialization of America

Description: The video discusses the Whirlpool Corporation, the world’s largest home appliance producer, and the consequences of their decision to outsource jobs. The Whirlpool Corporation left 60% of people in Benton Harbor, Michigan unemployed by outsourcing jobs, even though it received grants from the federal and state governments to create and maintain jobs in the area.

Audio Link: Future U.S. Manufacturing Jobs Will Require More Brain Than Brawn

Description: The audio discusses that nowadays it’s rare to find items with the label “Made in the USA.” It addresses the reasons for the decline and how the face of manufacturing has changed.

Web Resource: The Unintended Consequences of Outsourcing

Description: The article in Forbes magazine discusses the pros and cons for outsourcing from a company’s perspective. The article explains that outsourcing can lead to unintentional consequences for a company’s employees, the customers, and for the company itself.

 

15.4 Discuss your relationship to employment, unemployment and underemployment, consumption, and leisure.

Video Link: Degree for Minimum Wage: A Closer Look at Unemployment and Underemployment of College Graduates

Description: This short documentary explores the percentage of recent college graduates who now face underemployment or unemployment. Experts also offer their advice on how to obtain a job in a desired field after graduation.

Audio Link: Carmakers Ditch Luxury Names For Something More Practical

Description: The audio discusses how car names are connected to period of time, consumption and leisure. When the economy is booming, names evoke images of indulgence, independence and speed.

Web Resource: Food

Description: The article explains how classic and contemporary sociological theorists study food by examining food production, distribution, and consumption.

 

15.5 Describe the effects of globalization on the world economy.

Video Link: BBC Hard Talk - Discussion on effect of globalization on developing nations

Description: Professor Babu Mathew discusses why globalization has not improved the lives of the poor in India, but has led to an increase in unemployment.

Audio Link: Global Bankers Meet To Resolve A Two-Speed World Economy

Description: The International Monetary Fund and World Bank meet annually to discuss the state of the global economy. In the audio, David Rothkopf, CEO and editor of the Foreign Policy Group, talks about the important global political aspects that will concern the Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Web Resource: The World Bank

Description: The World Bank Group’s website describes the various projects that the bank finances and manages in developing regions. The goal of the bank is to reduce poverty and support development. The bank provides loans, credits, and grants to developing countries. The World Bank also tracks every country’s economy, demographics and health. This information is freely accessible on The World Bank Open Data website.