The Role of Anthropology in a Globalized World

The Role of Anthropology in a Globalized World

• 1.
  THE ROLE OF ANTHROPOLOGY INA GLOBALIZED WORLD
• 2.
  GLOBAL INTEGRATION • Since theIndustrial Revolution, humans have experienced dramatic changes in: • how we live (i.e. more electricity, resources, and nuclear toxins) • means of transportation (i.e. increased use of fossil fuels) • distance between destinations (i.e. international and space travel) • These changes have a negative impact on the environment • Excessive pollution • Resource degradation • As such, these massive environmental changes brought on by humans (since the Industrial Revolution) has been defined as it’s own geologic epoch called the Anthropocene
• 3.
  THE ANTHROPOCENE Anthropomorphic changes are happeningat an expedited rate due to globalization The increased rate at which humans destroy the environment is possible because of structural violence
• 4.
  STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE MILITARY POWERECONOMIC POWER THE GLOBAL MEDIASCAPE
• 5.
  GLOBAL INTEGRATION ECONOMIC POWER •Large corporations monopolize on resources, and means of distributing resources, which widen the inequality gap • Local markets collapse because disadvantaged groups abandon local farming to export crops for cash • Big corporations outsource goods and services to fuel their own interests (and not those who supply goods/services) • Megacorporations are not regulated by international policy, and are based in secrecy
• 6.
  GLOBAL INTEGRATION MILITARY POWER •World leaders in military power use money as an instrument of coercion and intimidation • Have the most nuclear weapons • Have the highest budget • Can manipulate the foreign political landscape via invasion, armed intervention, or imposing trade embargos • Powerless groups have resorted to guerilla tactics, insurgencies, and terrorism • Military power destroys traditional culture, social organization, and natural habitats
• 7.
  GLOBAL INTEGRATION MEDIASCAPE • Theglobal mediascape is a tool for harnessing soft power • Influence public opinion and perception • Take political action • Advertise products • Move capital • Gain prestige • Leaders in the global mediascape seek to dominate, profit, and benefit from the transmission of information
• 8.
  GLOBAL INTEGRATION • Culturesmake changes (adaptations) to goods and services integrated from outside • Language • Type of resources • Methods of production and use • A transnational culture will be difficult to attain (and maintain) • Revitalization movements work to preserve cultures • Traditionalism focuses on returning to how life used to be
• 9.
  GLOBAL CHALLENGES OVERPOPULATION • Increasedpopulation leads to a growth in the scale of hunger/malnutrition and pollution • Adequate nutrition is required to resist disease MALNUTRITION • Starvation/obesity caused by: • Environmental calamities • Warfare • Collapse of local markets caused by foreign imports • Massive job cuts • Growing poverty rates • Raising cash crops for export • Availability of processed foods
• 10.
  GLOBAL CHALLENGES VIOLENCE • Dueto ethnocentrism, nationalism, extremism, etc. • Large numbers of people are displaced Multiculturalism – public policy for managing cultural diversity in multi-ethnic societies, officially stressing mutual resect and tolerance for cultural differences within a countries boarders
• 11.
  GLOBAL CHALLENGES • Approaching atransnational culture • Eliminates uniqueness • Favors the dominant • Requires rearranging human relations • Requires restructuring cultural systems
• 12.
  ANTHROPOLOGY Consider Consider cultural factorsand views for a holistic perspective to problem solving •Show how issues relate to each other Explain Explain cultural features and structures that may not be obvious to experts in other disciplines Help Help shed light on already identified problems •Human rights for indigenous peoples Identify Identify patterns and trends that may help foresee future consequences