As a resident of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, you have many opportunities
to experience the impact of globalization, and your community also
plays a very significant role in globalization. First, you have the
opportunity to purchase products at reasonable prices from all over
the world because of free trade. DVD players would be much less
popular if they cost $500 because they were made in the United States.
You can also purchase most kinds of produce year-round even though
they are out of season in the United States. Second, you have the
opportunity to experience many cultures. For example, the growth of
the auto industry attracted many Lebanese to Dearborn, Michigan to
work in the factories. Their culture is strongly evident in that
area. Third, because of the recent acquisition of Chrysler, a German
company plays a critical role in the economic health of your
community. If you and/or your family members are employed by Chrysler
or its suppliers, you have been especially directly impacted.
Particularly because of its role in the global auto industry, your
community also plays a very significant role in globalization. Three
of the world's largest manufacturing companies are based in your
community. Decisions made there have a global impact. These
decisions range from what models of vehicles will be available at what
price in which countries to what technologies will power our modes of
transportation in the future. To the extent that auto emissions are
changing the world's climate, decisions made in your community are
affecting the entire planet even in locations where the companies do
not have operations. Because automobiles are dependent upon oil, and
not some other technology, wars in distant lands have been and are
being fought. In addition, the economic fortunes of Chrysler strongly
influence those of its parent company and those of Germany as a whole.
Your decisions about which products you will consume and whether they
are American-made or foreign-made also have a global impact.
Particularly because of its strong presence in the global automobile
industry, your community is both strongly impacted by globalization
and plays a major role in promoting it.
Sincerely,
Wonko |
