REVIEW – OCTOBER 07

ORGANIZATIONAL PRACTICE AND THE STATE

AK/SOSCI 3570 6.0

 

 

{SYNOPSIS AND GENERAL OVERVIEW: THE FIRST SECTION OF THE COURSE HAS BEEN DIVIDED INTO FOUR SUBJECT AREAS: (1) THE SYSTEMATIC AND ANALYTIC STUDY OF SOCIETY (2) GLOBALIZATION [AS A SOCIAL CONTEXT OR OVERARCHING PARADIGM FOR UNDERSTANDING SOCIETY] (3) NEO-LIBERALISM IDEOLOGY AND THE WELFARE STATE, AND (4) SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN CAPITAL, LABOUR AND CLASS.

 

 

THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES ======>

(1)     TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SOCIAL FORCES OF CULTURE, POWER AND IDEOLOGY IN THE ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS, POLITICS AND THE STATE.

SOCIAL FORCES =è CULTURE, POWER & IDEOLOGY == HOW DOES SOCIETY WORK? IT IS CREATED BY CULTURES, MAINTAINED AND ENFORCED BY POWER AND JUSTIFIED BY IDEOLOGY.

I)       CULTURE =è CREATES SOCIAL STRATIFICATION (“JOCKEYING FOR POSITION”) IN AND THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIAL REALITY.

II)      POWER =è MAINTAINS SOCIAL STRATIFICATION BE ENFORCING AN CONSISTENT GROUP “PECKING ORDER”.

III)     IDEOLOGY =è CULTURAL BELIEFS THAT SERVE TO JUSTIFY SOCIAL STRATIFICATION.

 

GOVERNMENT ===> IS THE FORMAL ORGANIZATION THAT HAS THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL AUTHORITY TO REGULATE THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG MEMBERS OF A SOCIETY AND BETWEEN THE SOCIETY AND THOSE OUTSIDE ITS BORDERS.

[[[WE OFTEN USE THE TERM "GOVERNMENT" TO MEAN EVERYTHING CONNECTED WITH RUNNING A COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE PEOPLE OR PARTIES IN POWER AND THEIR LAWS, CUSTOMS, AND INSTITUTIONS. IN FACT, THAT IS WHAT WE MEAN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT "LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT" OR A "SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT."

WE ALSO USE "GOVERNMENT" TO MEAN ONE INSTITUTION, SUCH AS THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, OR PERHAPS JUST THE PARTY IN OFFICE, SUCH AS "THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT" OR "THE LIBERAL GOVERNMENT" OR "THE NEW DEMOCRAT GOVERNMENT." BUT IN OUR PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM, "GOVERNMENT" HAS A VERY LIMITED AND SPECIFIC MEANING: IT'S THE TEAM OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES (THE CABINET) WHO, WITH THE SUPPORT OF A MAJORITY IN THE ASSEMBLY, TAKES CARE OF PUBLIC BUSINESS, INCLUDING MAKING LAWS AND SPENDING TAX DOLLARS.]]]

STATE ====> A POLITICALLY ORGANIZED BODY OF PEOPLE UNDER A SINGLE GOVERNMENT – OR – WHAT SOCIAL SCIENTISTS CALL “GOVERNMENT” AS – THE POLITICAL ENTITY THAT POSSESSES A LEGITIMATE MONOPOLY OVER THE USE OF FORCE WITHIN ITS TERRITORY TO ACHIEVE ITS GOALS.

FINANCE ==> A BRANCH OF ECONOMICS CONCERNED WITH RESOURCE ALLOCATION AS WELL AS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, ACQUISITION AND INVESTMENT. SIMPLY, FINANCE DEALS WITH MATTERS RELATED TO MONEY AND THE MARKETS.

POLITICS ====> IS THE SOCIAL INSTITUTION THROUGH WHICH POWER IS ACQUIRED AND EXERCISED BY SOME PEOPLE AND GROUPS ==> HAROLD LASWELL, "POLITICS IS THE PROCESS BY WHICH IT IS DETERMINED WHO GETS WHAT, WHEN AND HOW."

 

 

(2)     TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL STRATIFICATION, SOCIAL INEQUALITY, AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

(I)      SOCIAL STRATIFICATION IS A MANIFESTATION OF THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY {HOW SOCIETY WORKS}.

          (II)     SOCIAL INEQUALITY IS A MANIFESTATION OF SOCIETY'S SOCIAL STRATIFICATION SYSTEM(S).

          (III)    ETHINICTY, RACE, GENDER, AND CLASS ARE  MANIFESTATIONS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN SOCIETY.

          (IV)   SOCIAL PROBLEMS ARE MANIFESTATIONSOF ETHINICTY, RACE, GENDER, AND CLASS RELATIONS AND DYNAMICS.

 

 

PART I --- THE SYSTEMATIC AND ANALYTIC STUDY OF SOCIETY

EARLY SOCIOLOGISTS {“EVERTHING IS A SOCIAL PHENOMENON”} ====> INTRODUCED THE]“SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION” = A FORM OF CONSCIOUSNESS IS REQUIRED THAT LINKS THE PERSONAL TROUBLES OF MILIEU AND PUBLIC ISSUES OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE =======> TO UNDERSTAND PEOPLE, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY ===========> SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDIES PATTERNED. BEHAVIOUR THAT IS RECURRENT AND PREDICTABLE.

 

{THEREFORE} SOCIOLOGY INTRODUCTED THE QUESTION: WHO OR WHAT IS TO BE “BLAMED” FOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS ---- DEFECTIVE INDIVIDUALS OR FAULTY STRUCTURES? ====> THE MEDIATING IMPACT OF CULTURE- IDEOLOGY-AND-POWER ON SOCIAL STRATIFICATION IN SOCIAL LIFE AND INSTITUTIONS; “VICTIM-BLAMING” APPROACHES VS. “STRUCTURAL EXPLANATIONS.”

 

SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS TODAY ======> IN THE SPIRIT OF EARLY SOCIOLOGISTS AND THE “SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION,” {A FORM OF CONSCIOUSNESS IS REQUIRED THAT LINKS THE PERSONAL TROUBLES OF MILIEU AND PUBLIC ISSUES OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE} CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGISTS, IN THE ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL PHENOMENON, TEND TO PLACE {{{CRITICAL FOCUS ON SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT PRODUCE SOCIAL PROBLEMS]}}}

 

[EX: CH. 2 BOLARIA – WORK AND UNEMPLOYMENT AS SOCIAL ISSUES – SEE SYNOPSIS BELOW]

 

 

PART II --- GLOBALIZATION

 

THE DERIVATION OF THE TERM “GLOBALIZATION” IMPLIES THAT IT INVOLVES WORLDWIDE PROCESSES THAT ARE RELATIVELY NOVEL AND STILL UNFOLDING. THESE MULTIDIMENSIONAL PROCESSES ARE BEING EXPERIENCED UNEVENLY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AND IN DIFFERENT SECTORS OF SOCIAL LIFE.

 

GLOBALIZATION IS A COMPLEX SET OF HUMAN FORCES INVOLVING THE PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION/ TRANSMISSION, AND CONSUMPTION OF TECHNICAL, ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, AND SOCIOCULTURAL GOODS AND SERVICES WHICH ARE ADMINISTRATIVELY AND TECHNOLOGICALLY INTEGRATED ON A WORLDWIDE BASIS

 

“GLOBALIZATION” AND “GLOBALISM” DIFFER ====> GLOBALIZATION REFERS TO A PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION, WHEREAS GLOBALISM REFERS TO A NEOLIBERAL MARKET IDEOLOGY THAT ENDOWS GLOBALIZATION WITH THE FOLLOWING VALUES AND NORMS =====> PRIMACY OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, IMPORTANCE OF FREE TRADE FOR PROSPERITY, UNRESTRICTED FREE MARKET, INDIVIDUAL CHOICE, REDUCED GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, AND A MODERNIZATION MODEL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (STEGER, 2002)}.

 

DIMENSIONS:

1)       ECONOMIC PHENOMENON: HIGH VOLUMES OF INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE AND INVESTMENT.

2)       POLITICAL PHENOMENON: DIMINISHING STATE SOVEREIGNTY BECAUSE OF INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONS AND REGULATORY BODIES.

3)       CULTURAL PHENOMENON: POTENTIAL HOMOGENIZE CULTURES BECAUSE OF MARKET FORCES THAT DISRUPT LOCAL CONVENTIONS.

4)       SOCIAL PHENOMENON: DISRUPTION OF COMMUNITY PATTERNS – E.G. URBANIZATION (DISPLACEMENT OF TRADITIONAL PRACTICES AND LIFESTYLES) AND GLOBAL MIGRATION.

5)       COMMUNICATIVE PHENOMENON: NEW AND RAPID INFORMATION NETWORKS.

 

 

{FOR MORE ON THE DIMENSIONS OF GLOBALIZATION AS THE PRESENT STAGE OF CAPITALISM SEE CHANGING CANADA – MEL WATKINS “POLITICS IN THE TIME AND SPACE OF GLOBALIZATION  (PP. 8-9)} =====>

 

ECONOMIC OR CORPORATE GLOBALIZATION [FREE TRADE, UNLIMITED MOBILITY OF CAPITAL – TECHNOLOGICAL GLOBALIZATION [THE WIRED WORLD] – IDEOLOGICAL GLOBALIZATION [NEOLIBERALISM; FUNDAMENTALIST MESSIANIC CHRISTIANITY] – CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION [THE MONOCULTUAL AMERICANIZATION OF EVERYTHING AND ETHNIC FRAGMENTATION] – MILITARY GLOBALIZATION [THE AMERICAN MILITARIZATION OF EVERYTHING; HIGH-TECH WEAPONIZATION OF LAND AND SPACE; WORLD MARKETS FOR ARMS AND WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION] – POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION [THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND{IMF}; THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION {WTO}; NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION {NATO}; EMPHASIZING THE ANALYTIC HUB OF LIFE IN “TRANSNATIONAL PROCESSES” BEYOND THE LEVEL OF THE NATION-STATE] – SOCIAL GLOBALIZATION [GLOBAL APARTHEID AND GLOBAL MIGRATION AND DISPLACEMENT] – THE GLOBALIZATION OF DISEASE – [PAN-EPIDEMICS OF AIDS MAD COW, FOOT-AND-MOUTH, ETC.,] - THE GLOBALIZATION OF DISSENT [WORLD-WIDE MOVEMENTS AGAINST GLOBALIZATION FROM CHIAPAS TO SEATTLE TO QUEBEC CITY TO GENOA].

 

 

 

PART III – NEOLIBERALISM AND THE WELFARE STATE

 

EX: “NEO-LIBERAL IDEOLOGY” VERSUS “THE WELFARE STATE

DEF: NEO-LIBERALISM  ===> A POLITICAL ORIENTATION ORIGINATING IN THE 1960S; BLENDS LIBERAL POLITICAL VIEWS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH.THE TERM NEOLIBERALISM IS USED TO DESCRIBE A POLITICAL-ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY [[[AGAIN, THAT HAD MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT POLICIES BEGINNING IN THE 1960S & 70S – AND INCREASINGLY PROMINENT SINCE 1980]]] – THAT DE-EMPHASIZES OR REJECTS POSITIVE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE ECONOMY, FOCUSING INSTEAD ON ACHIEVING PROGRESS AND EVEN SOCIAL JUSTICE BY ENCOURAGING FREE-MARKET METHODS AND LESS RESTRICTED OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS AND "DEVELOPMENT". =====> IT ALSO REFERS TO A SET OF ECONOMIC POLICIES THAT HAVE BECOME WIDESPREAD DURING THE LAST 25 YEARS OR SO. ALTHOUGH THE WORD IS RARELY HEARD IN THE UNITED STATES, YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE EFFECTS OF NEO-LIBERALISM HERE AS THE RICH GROW RICHER AND THE POOR GROW POORER....AROUND THE WORLD, NEO-LIBERALISM HAS BEEN IMPOSED BY POWERFUL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF), THE WORLD BANK AND THE INTER- AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.

DEF: “THE WELFARE STATE” =====> A FRAMEWORK OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND MEASURES ORIENTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF BASIC LIVING STANTDARDS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL WITHIN A NATION, REGARDLESS OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS BASED ON THE VIEW THAT THE STATE SHOULD ACT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ON THE BASIS OF OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES.

{EX: CH.4 – BOLARIA – INCOME INEQUALITY, POVERTY AND HUNGER ==è NEOLIBERAL IDEOLOGY VS. THE WELFARE STATE}

 

 

 

PART VI ---SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN CAPITAL, LABOUR AND CLASS

 A)     THE STUDY OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY {PROPER}

HOW DO CERTAIN HUMAN DIFFERENCES COME TO REGULARLY HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES FOR THE LIVES THAT WE ARE ABLE TO LEAD IN SOCIETY?]] == STRUCTURED AND RECURRENT PATTERNS OF INEQUITABLE GROUP RELATIONS [*****DOMINANT-SUBDOMINANT INTERACTION].

SOCIAL INEQUALITY – IS CHARACTERIZED BY THE EXISTENCE OF UNEQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND REWARDS FOR DIFFERENT SOCIAL POSITIONS OR STATUSES WITHIN A GROUP OR SOCIETY.

ALL CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGISTS AGREE ======> INEQUALITY IS ABOUT ENTITLEMENTS: THAT IS, WHO GETS WHAT, HOW AND WHY?

MEASUREMENTS(?)

(A)     INEQUALITY OF CONDITIONS =======>{ECONOMIC PRIVILEGE OR THE MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION OF REWARDS}; AND/OR

(B)     INEQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITIES ======> {“LIFE CHANCES” – REFLECTED IN SUCH MEASURES AS THEIR LEVEL OF EDUCATION, HEALTH STATUS, NUTRITION, AND TREATMENT BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM}

IN TERMS OF THESE MEASURES, CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGISTS TEND TO AGREE THAT ETHNICITY AND RACE AND GENDER ARE KEY STATUS-INEQUALITY SYSTEMS

 

 

 

B)      POVERTY (AS PATTERNED-CONTEXT OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY)

 

ABSOLUTE --- REFLECTS A CHRONIC ABSENCE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL NECESSITIES OF LIFE (NEEDS) PERTAINING TO FOOD SHELTER AND CLOTHING ===> ABSOLUTE MEASURES LOOK AT WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE IN CANADA BY EXAMINING A BASKET OF GOODS FOR PHYSICAL SURVIVAL.

 

{I.E., MBM [MARKET BASKET MEASURE] A BASKET OF NECESSITIES AND PRICE THE BASKET ACCORDING TO LOCATION}

 

RELATIVE --- REFLECTS THE FACT THAT POVERTY VARIES OVER TIME AND PLACE. POVERTY IS A KIND OF RELATIONSHIP SINE PEOPLE TEND TO THINK OF THEMSELVES AS POOR ONLY IF OTHERS ARE RICH AND A PERSON’S POVERTY IS COMPARED WITH SOMEONE ELSES AFFLUENCE.

 

LOW INCOME MEASURE (LIM) --- DRAWS THE LINE AT HALF THE MEDIAN INCOME OF THE AVERAGE CANADIAN FAMILY.

 

“LOW-INCOME CUT-OFF” LINE --- COMPARES THE SPENDING ON NECESSITIES BY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH THE SPENDING OF TYPICAL FAMILIES == STATS CANADA HAS CONSISTENTLY EMPHASIZED THAT THE LICO IS NOT A MEASURE OF POVERTY BUT A YARDSTICK THAT SIMPLY IDENTIFIES THOSE WHO ARE SUBSTANTIALLY WORSE OF THAN THE AVERAGE == POVERTY IS DEFINED AS IMPLICIT IN ANY HOUSEHOLD THAT SPENDS MORE THAN 55 PERCENT OF ITS INCOME ON FOOD, SHELTER, OR CLOTHING {BASED ON THREE BEDROOM APARTMENT, FAMILY OF FOUR?}

 

DIMENSIONS OF POVERTY:

 

I)       HUMAN POVERTY – THE LACK OF ESSENTIAL HUMAN CAPABILITIES SUCH AS LITERACY OR NOURISHMENT.

 

II)      INCOME POVERTY – THELACK OF MINIMAL ADEQUATE INCOME.

 

III)     EXTREME POVERTY – DESTITUTION FROM AN AILITY TO SATISFY MINIMUM FOOD NEEDS

 

IV)     OVERALL POVERTY – INABILITY TO SATISFY BOTH FOOD AND NON-FOOD REQUIRMENTS.

 

 

INTEGRATING {CONCEPTS/REALITY} READINGS:

 

EX: CH. 2 – SOCIAL ISSUES AND CONTRADITIONS IN CANADIAN SOCIETY “WORK AND UNEMPLOYMENT AS SOCIAL ISSUES {DICKINSON}=====> OVERVIEW OF (A) OUTLINE OF THE LABOUR PROCESS THEORY {HOW SOCIETY SOLVES THE PROBLEM OF THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES};(B) THE RISE TO DOMINANCE OF THE CAPITALIST MODE OF PRODUCTION; (C) THE WAYS IN WHICH THE TRANSFORMATION OF WORK RESULTS IN CHANGES TO TH STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY, AND THE NATURE OF BOTH EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT {PURSUIT OF EMPLOYER INTERESTS, SUCH AS THE GROWTH OF PART-TIME WORK AND THE REDUCTION IN AVERAGE INCOMES ESPECIALLY AMONG CERTAIN SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION}; AND (D) THE SOLUTION TO UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE POLITICAL REALM AND THE REORGANIZAITON OF THE SOCIAL RELATIONS OF WORK   ========> THESIS AND THEMES:  (A) THE STIGMA OF UNEMPLOYMENT AS CULTURAL BIAS {DISCOURSES ON “SHOP-TALK AND “CONSUMING”}; (B) CHANGING EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS {ATTEMPTS TO DESKILL WORK, DISEMPOWER WORKERS, AND DEVALUE LABOUR POWER; DECLINE OF THE “GOODS-PRODUCING” SECTOR AND THE INCREASE IN THE “SERVICE-PRODUCING” SECTOR}; (C)UNEMPLOYMENT AS A SOCIAL ISSUE {EG. TECHNOLOGICALLY-BASED CHANGES TO THE PRODUCTION PROCESS -- “STREAMLINING” AND “DOWNSIZING” AND “AMALGAMATING” AND “DELAYERING”}; AND (D) THE MARGINALIZATION OF WORK {INCREASED FEMALE  LABOUR-FORCE PARTICIPATION; THE EXPANSION OF PART-TIME WORK AND THE DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON WAGES, BENEFITS AND JOB SECURITY}.

 

 

CH. 3 – SOCIAL ISSUES AND CONTRADITIONS IN CANADIAN SOCIETYCAPITAL ACCUMULTAION AND STATE FORMATION: THE CONTRADICTIONS OF INTERNATION MIGRATION {SATZEWICH} =======> OVERVIEW OF (A) THE CONFLICTING INTERESTS OF INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES (i) TO MAXIMIZE THE LABOUR SUPPLY AND (ii) TO PROTECT CULTURAL INTEGRITY {MIGRATION AS AN ASPECT OF “CAPTIAL ACCUMULATION”} AND MIGRATION AS AN ASPECT OF “STATE FORMATION”; (B) THE LINKS BETWEEN THE PROCESS OF MIGRATION AND THE CAPITALIST MODE OF PRODUCTION; (C) POTENTIAL SOCIAL AND ACCUMULATION PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH “POPULATION AGING” AND “DECLINING FERTILIZATION;” AND (D) THE LINKS BETWEEN RACISM AND THE IMMIGRATION SELECTION PROCESS{CLOAKED RACIAL SELECTIVITY UNDER THE FACADE OF MORE POLITICALLY ACCEPTABLE CRITERIA} =======> THESIS AND THEMES: (A) THE “DERACIALIZATION”{THE PROCESS IN WHICH EXPLICITLY RACIST TERMS AND CONCEPTS ARE REPLACED WITH APPARENTLY NON-RACIST ONES, BUT WITH THE MEANINGS REMAINING IN TACKED}, AND THE “NEO-RACISM”{THE CLOAKING OF RACISM UNDER THE FACADE OF MORE POLITICALLY ACCEPTABLE CRITERIA}OF IMMIGRATION; (B) THE MARGINALIZATION OF IMMIGRANTS AS A SOURCE OF CHEAP LABOUR; (C) THE CANADIAN IMAGINED COMMUNITY (WHITE SETTLER SOCIETY AND THE RESISTANCE TO OPENNESS).

 

 

CH. 4 – SOCIAL ISSUES AND CONTRADITIONS IN CANADIAN SOCIETY “INCOME INEQUALITY, POVERTY AND HUNGER {BOLARIA AND WOTHERSPOON} ========> OVERVIEW OF (A) {DESPITE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM TO THE CONTRARY} POVERTY IS {ALSO} WIDESPREAD IN CANADA AND OTHER ADVANCED CAPITALIST SOCIETIES; (B) OVER FIVE MILLION CANADIANS, OR JUST UNDER ONE-FIFTH OF THE POPULATION, LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINES DEFINED IN RELATION TO INCOME REQUIREMENTS TO MEET BASIC LIVING COSTS; (C)  FOOD BANKS HAVE BEEN OPENED IN SEVERAL CENTRES ACROSS CANADA AS A VOLUNTARY RESPONSE TO THE URGENT NEED FOR BASIC SUSTENANCE AMONG OVER TWO MILLION CANADIANS; (D) FOOD BANK RECIPIENTS INCLUDE MANY PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON SOCIAL ASSISTANCE, BUT YHEY ALSO INCREASINGLY INCLUDE CHILDREN, YOUNG PERSONS, AND THE WORKING POOR; AND (E) WHILE FOOD BANKS PROVIE A CRUCIAL SERVICE TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM, THEY ALSO BENEFIT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, MANY EMPLOYERS, BUSINESSES, AN STATE AGENCIES ===========> THESIS AND THEMES: (A) (A) POVERTY IN RELATION TO STRUCTURES OF “INCOME INEQUALITY” AND UNEQUAL “LIFE CHANCES”; (B) THE CONTRADICTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH “HUNGER IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY” (STARKLY ILLUSTRATED BY THE RISE OF FOOD BANKS ACROSS CANADA); (C) THE IMPLICATIONS OF EXPLANATIONS OF POVERTY {EG. BIOLOGICAL, INTELLECTUAL O CULTURAL) FOR SOCIAL POLICY; (D) THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “VICTIM-BLAMING” AND “STRUCTURAL EXPLANATIONS” OF INEQUALITY, POVERTY, AND HUNGER; (E) THE PERPETUATION OF POVERTY IS A CONSEQUENCE OF DEEPLY ROOTED SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES IN OUR SOCIETY; POVERTY AND HUNGER ARE CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH MAJOR RISKS TO PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING.

 

 

 

CH. 5 – CHANGING CANADA “POLITICS AND TRANSFORMATION: WELFARE STATE RESTRUCTURING IN CANADA {MCKEEN AND PORTER} ARGUE THAT “THE WELFARE STATE  [THE VIEW THAT THE STATE SHOULD ACT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ON THE BASIS OF OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES] AFFECTS THE LIVES OF ALL CANADIANS. ITS ACTIVITIES RANGE FROM PROVIDING HEALTH CARE AND DEDUCTION TO PROVIDING SOME FORM OF INCOME FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF ILLNESS OR OD AGE OR BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND WORK =======> DRAMATIC CHANGES HAVE OCCURRED OVER IN THE WELFARE STATE OVER THE YEARS THE STATE  {SURROUNDING DEBATES CONCERNING THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN THE ECONOMY AND IN THE PROVISION OF THE SOCIAL GOODS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR DAILY SURVIVAL, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT  =====> EG., “CONSERVATIVE WELFARE REFORM MEASURES AS 'TOUGH LOVE' [PROPOSITON: GETTING PEOPLE OFF OF WELFARE IS IN THEIR OWN BEST INTEREST.]}.===========> THESIS AND THEMES: (A)

HISTORICAL PARADIGM SHIFT: THE PHILOSOPHIC AND POLICY “PARADIGM SHIFT” FROM “THE WELFARE STATE” TO “NEO-LIBERALISM ENTAILS ======> A SHIFT IN FAMILY-MARKET-STATE RELATIONS AND A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN STATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOCIAL REPRODUCTION {THE PROCESS WHEREBY PEOPLE'S NEEDS ARE MET} ======> THIS HAS LEAD TO EMPHASIS ON (1) MARKET FORCES,  (2) A REDUCTION IN STATE EXPENDITURE, AND (3) INCREASED INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CONSUMER CHOICE. ========> (B)THIS HAS LEAD TO THE (1) DOWNLOADING OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOCIAL REPRODUCTION TO THE MARKET, HOUSEHOLDS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF CIVIL SOCIETY =========> THIS HAS LEAD TO THE (C) TOUGH LOVE PHILOSOPHY AND THE “EMPLOYABILITY” MODEL WHEREBY A MAJOR FUNCTION OF SOCIAL POLICY IS TO “ENCOURAGE” PEOPLE TO TAKE OR TO STAY EMPLOYED; (2) AND THE RESTRUCTURING OF PROGRAMS THAT RESULTED IN BOTH TARGETING THE POOR {EG., FAMILY/CHILD BENEFITS} AND PRIVILEGING AN UPPER TIER OF FULL-TIME STEADILY EMPLOYED WORKERS {EG., CHANGES TO UI}; (3) A SHIFT IN THE SUBJECT OF BENEFITS FROM ADULTS TO CHILDREN AND AN ACCOMPNYING OVERALL REDUCTION IN FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR SOCIAL PROGRAMS; AND  (4) AN OVERALL STATEGY THAT HAS ENCOURAGED THE GROWTH OF LOW-WAGE INDUSTRIES =======> {ERGO} THE IMPACT OF THIS RESTRUCTURING HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN POVERY, INEQUALITY, AND HARDSHIP, PARTICULARLY AMONG CERTAIN GROUPS[?].

 

CONCLUSIONS: THE PROCESS OF CONSOLIDATING NEOLIBERALISM AS A HEGEMONIC PARADIM HAS INVOLVED BOTH TH CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW GOVERNING CONSENSUS, INVOLVING THE REPLACEMENT OF NOTIONS OF SOCIAL SOLIDARITY WITH THE IDEALS OF GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE CONDITIONS THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO MOUNT AN EFFECTIVE CHALLENGE.

 

 

 

CH. 15 – CHANGING CANADA “IMMIGRATION, ETHNICITY, AND RACE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF TRANSNATIONALISM, LOCALISM, AND IDENTITIES” {SATZEWICH AND WONG} =======> OVERVIEW OF (A)  “CONTEMPORARY MIGRATION FLOWS IN CANADA NOT ONLY INVOLVE THE MOVEMENT OF HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONALS AND TECHNICAL WORKERS WHO FILL WELL-PAYING AND SOCIALLY DESIRABLE JOBS, THEY ALSO INVOLVE THE MOVEMENT OF UNSKILLED WORKERS WHO FILL UNDESIRABLE, LOW-WAGE JOBS THAT ARE HARD TO FILL WITH DOMESTIC LABOUR; (B) AND THIS ALL OCCURS ESSENTIALLY IN URBAN LABOUR MARKETS WHERE MOST IMMIGRANTS ARE DESTINED; (C) CONSEQUENTLY, OVER THE PAST DECADE IN CANADA AND OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES A "PARADIGM OF TRANSNATIONALISM" HAS EMERGED TO CHARACTERIZE PROCESSES OF IMMIGRATION SETTLEMENT, ADAPTION AND INTEGRATION IN WAYS THAT CHALLENGE TRADITIONAL THEORIES OF MIGRATION AND POLICIES OF NATION-BUILDING =======>  IMMIGRANTS ARE INCREASINGLY CHARACTERIZED NOT AS BEING UPROOTED BUT RATHER AS MAINTAINING MULTIPLE LINKS TO THEIR HOMELAND THROUGH DEVELOPED NETWORKS, ACTIVITIES, PATTERNS OF LIVING, AND IDEOLOGIES THAT SPAN NATIONAL BORDERS (BASCH, SCHILLER, AND BLANC 1994).===========> THESIS AND THEMES: (A) ONE CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH ISSUE [IMMGRATION, ETHNICITY AND RACE RELATED]: “PARADIGM OF TRANSNATIONALISM

 

I)       SOCIAL PRACTICES OF IMMIGRANTS AND ETHNIC GROUPS SEEM INCREASINGLY TO REFLECT A TRANSNATIONAL APPROACH TO SOCIAL LIFE AND CITIZENSHIP

II)      IMMIGRANTS ARE INCREASINGLY CHARACTERIZED NOT AS BEING UPROOTED BUT RATHER AS MAINTAINING LINKS TO THEIR HOMELAND THROUGH DEVELOPED NETWORKS, ACTIVITIES, PATERNS OF LIVING AND IDEOLOGIES THAT SPAN NATIONAL   BORDERS (BASCH, SCHILLER AND BLANC 1994)

III)     RESULT: ISSUES OF ETHNIC AND RACIAL INEQUALITY, EXPLOITATION, AND DISCRIMINATION HAVE BECOME MORE COMPLEX AS THE CLASS, ETHNIC AND RACIAL COMPOSITION OF IMMGRATION FLOW TO CANADA HAS           BROADENED.

 

CONCLUSIONS: [THEREFORE, IT IS SUGGESTED, WE AS STUDENTS NEED A BROADER LENS TO INCLUDE ISSUES OF TRANSNATIONAL CITIZENSHIP AND IDENTITY {TRANSNATIONAL- ENTREPRENEURSHIP, -MEDIA, -TERRORISM, ORGANIZED CRIME {DRUG TRADE / WEAPONS TRAFFICKING /MONEY LAUNDERING / BANK FRAUD /MIGRANT SMUGGLING , ETC} – RESEARCH THAT LOOKS BEYOND THE BOUNDRIES OF CANADA]