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:
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
{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}
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
SOCIETY “CAPITAL
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
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