Vulnerability and Violence: The Impact of Globalization

Book Description

'Vulnerability' is now a key term in globalisation studies. It is used to describe how globalisation impacts on individual security, local communities and even global flows of trade, finance and investment. Yet there has been little attempt to interrogate the term and what it is trying to express about globalisation.

Peadar Kirby examines what is really meant by 'vulnerability' and links it to new forms of violence that have resulted from decreased security and social cohesion. He argues that vulnerability and violence are characteristic features of a new world order dominated by neoliberal globalisation. Illustrating his argument with a wealth of examples taken from all over the world -- from the sudden collapse of the middle class in Argentina to increased levels of poverty internationally -- he offers a robust theoretical grounding that will be of use to anyone studying vulnerability and violence and their relation to contemporary globalisation.

Customer Reviews:

The Task is to Re-embed the Market into Society.......2006-04-17

Peader Kirby seeks to explore the impact of globalisation using the concept of vulnerability to bring into focus the ways in which it has destabilized people's lives world-wide.

In search of a definition of vulnerability, Peader Kirby quotes a UN report:

" ... vulnerability can be seen as a state of high exposure to certain risks and uncertainties, in combination with a reduced ability to protect or defend oneself against those risks and uncertainties and cope with their negative consequences."

He goes on to point out that vulnerability, in the context of globalisation, can affect any group in society, not just "the poor".

Vulnerability is multi-faceted: economic, political, cultural, social, and environmental factors are examined, and, it is argued, they are all negatively impacted by globalisation.

The Thatcher/Major/Blair "reforms" have both weakened job security, and weakened the support previously offered by the welfare state.

Thus the defeat of the miners, in 1984-85, was a defining event. ASDA-Walmart's recent attempt to deny the right to trade union membership indicates the on-going nature of this trend.

"The pattern is widespread - deregulation of labour markets, more use of temporary, short-term contracts, more use of part-time and shift work, the proliferation of low-paid jobs, the tightening of conditions for receipt of social benefits and reductions in their real value."

The role of the state has changed, from providing public services and welfare benefits, to ensuring a low-tax, low-regulatory regime which encourages "foot-loose" capital to invest in your country, rather than someone else`s.

This gives rise to three stratas within the workforce:

At the top of the hierarchy are the "integrated": workers who "serve global production and finance in reasonably stable employment".

Next are those who may have well-paid jobs, but who are not essential, and are therefore at risk of "downsizing" or "outsourcing". Their employment is "precarious".

Finally, the "excluded" who are either permanently unemployed or "who eke out a living through forms of employment marginal to the production economy ".

A UN estimate puts the numbers in the excluded group for Latin America and the Caribbean as over 70 per cent of the workforce.

Worse, social mobility between these groups is on the decline.

The media has come to play a vital role in reinforcing the grip of globalisation .

Just as other services have been deregulated, so controls on ownership of the media have been weakened.

The trend towards monopoly is illustrated by the fact that in 1983 there were 50 media corporations in the USA, which had dropped to six in 2000.

In this situation "no content - news, entertainment, or other public messages will reach the public unless a handful of corporate decision-makers decide that it will".

The author notes the "tabloidization of news... (the) pursuit of profits and sensationalism rather than enlightenment and democracy ".

In dominating " the incessant flows of images, sounds, goods and services ... then it (promotes) a culture of consumerism ... it seems that every human expression from art to sex to outrage, is ... used to sell a commodity".

Consumption and consumerism are not the same thing: "Commodities are being consumed not for themselves but rather for the meanings associated with them."

Thus the vital role played by branding, which has itself led to the development of a transnational advertising industry.

The question arises: how do people on modest incomes participate in globalised consumerism?

A study of Chile's "credit card citizenship" illustrates the `solution`.

"Through the use of multiple credit cards, people can achieve levels of consumption beyond what their income would permit. By this means they achieve their social identity and sense of belonging, thereby replacing an earlier practice of citizenship through belonging to political parties, trade unions and other collective organisations ..."

Globalisation has placed economics above politics, and in commandeering culture it has altered the bases of identity and belonging.

Intriguingly, Kirby argues that as the idea of identity with one's country declines, earlier forms of identity return, particularly with those who are - or feel - excluded from the new consumerism.

" ... it becomes more tempting to define oneself in terms of a cultural community such as an ethnic group, a religion or belief, a gender or a mode of behaviour."

At this point in the book Peadar Kirby introduces the work of Karl Polanyi, author of "The Great Transformation" which is a critique of market economics - laissez faire - as it developed in Britain after the Napoleonic Wars.

Polanyi's view - which is challenged - was that laissez faire was a reversal of the previous relationship between society and economics, in which economics was subordinate to social constraints.

Be that as it may, any such subordination vanished, leaving: "fear of starvation with the worker, lure of profit with the employer".

This early form of globalisation was destroyed by the First World War - which resulted the return to tariffs, and the Second World War which saw the rise of social democracy and communism.

These two forces were not to survive the collapse of communism, and were followed by the return of laissez faire/globalisation after 1989.

Now there were new factors: the "insatiable demands of consumerism" widens "scandalous inequalities", and also poses extreme threats to the natural environment.

Here Peadar Kirby introduces the negative impact on Western ideas of Cartesian dualism.

He cites two examples: the dualism implicit in the split between nature and human life; and the dualism implicit in treating people, not as social animals, but as machines.

The mentally ill are at the sharp end of the problem: they are treated as machines when their problems might be social, economic, political or ecological.

"Denial of the desire to live in harmony with the natural world ... leads to alienation, numbness, anxiety and depression."

Peadar Kirby offers the most thorough and rigorous examination of the impacts of globalisation, the deterioration of society and the collective, and the multi-levelled stranglehold which corporate-capitalism has achieved in less than twenty years.

The width and depth of the author's survey is magisterial; I believe no better book on this complex subject is currently available.

Amazon.com

Place to Space, by Peter Weill and Michael Vitale, is an accessible entry point for old-economy senior managers who know e-business is in their future but are not quite sure how to best tackle this brave new world. Weill, director of the Center for Information Systems Research at the MIT Sloan School, and Vitale, dean and director of the Australian Graduate School of Management, identify and examine eight "atomic e-business models" (looking into everything from strategic objectives and IT requirements to how money is made) and propose ways these can be adapted to create individualized e-business initiatives in all types of existing firms. "This book," write Weill and Vitale, "focuses on the key challenges facing leaders of successful, established businesses migrating from their traditional marketplace business models to a combination of place and space"--a tag they've adopted for operations both offline and on. Their purpose is to "provide a structured approach to understanding and implementing e-business models" that mix new Net-based strategies including electronic auctions and virtual communities with traditional approaches like direct-to-customer connections and full-service relationships. Incorporating informative case studies, they present a solid primer on ways business can be conducted electronically and clear direction to help in choosing among the proper solutions to various situations. --Howard Rothman

Book Description

As the second wave of the e-business revolution plays out, traditional firms-not ephemeral dot-coms-will do the hard work of making e-business both viable and profitable. But while established companies no longer question why they must migrate from traditional marketplace businesses to a combination of offline and online presence, most still struggle with how to do so.

An indispensable e-business guidebook for established firms in all industries, Place to Space provides a simple but powerful strategic framework for analyzing, choosing, and implementing successful e-business enterprises. Based on several years of research and a detailed study of fifty online initiatives in a variety of traditional firms, authors Peter Weill and Michael R. Vitale describe eight atomic business models that they argue represent the core building blocks of all e-business ventures.

Using powerful real-world case studies of international companies including Lonely Planet, GE Supply Company, Cisco, Reuters, and others, the authors illustrate each atomic business model-direct-to-customer, full-service provider, whole-of-enterprise/government, intermediary, shared infrastructure, virtual community, value net integrator, and content provider-in practice, and reveal the strategic objectives, sources of revenue, core competencies, critical success factors, and necessary IT infrastructures required for implementation.

The authors also introduce a new diagnostic tool-the e-business model schematic-and show how leaders can create company-specific schematics that empower them to assess their current business models, identify the atomic e-business models that best suit their organizations, and combine those models to create powerful and customized value propositions for customers.

The first book to provide a structured, practical approach for traditional firms migrating to the Web, this hands-on book will give leaders in all industries-from CEOs and senior managers to marketing and IT executives-the insight and confidence they need to operate successfully in both place and space.

Customer Reviews:

smooth transaction, exact product, nice&easy supplier.......2007-05-14

exact product at an affordable price w a smooth transaction

Academia Ahoy.......2002-06-25

I find this book provides an insightful deconstruction of things past - the B2B/B2C business models of the new economy pre April 2001, but neither provides insight into the realities of todays strategic use of the internet as a business channel/media, nor of lessons learned from past failures.

More insights from business experience, not academic deconstruction please!

Good summary of the state of play.......2002-06-17

I was looking for an e-business book that would be useful for the MBA classes I teach - this fits the bill nicely. Readable, not technical, not overly academic, and not full of the usual e-hype! In fact, tends to a negative outlook. The "atomic business models" are familiar, but it's worthwhile to have them defined with some rigour. Useful mini-case studies and anecdotes.

If you' ve read one, you' ve read them all...........2002-02-11

It seems that all books that refer to ecommerce and respective issues are all alike. This is not a bad book. On the contrary, it makes some very interesting points. But it is no breakthrough. It's just a different way of categorizing the different forms of business currently online. The proposed models are undoubtedly interesting and pretty much cover everything. Unless you are new in this area, don't bother.

Business Models.......2002-01-09

It has conceptualised the idea of business models into an atomic form and allows these atomic models to either stand alone or be joined together. As e-business evolves, increasingly we see the molecular form.

Great book to read to get up to speed on business models for e-business.

Book Description

Life itself and today's hottest science are examined in The Handy Biology Answer Book. From the newsworthy (What are stem cells? What is genetically modified food and why is it so controversial?) to the practical (Does antibiotic soap really help reduce infection? How does caffeine affect cells? How many kinds of mushrooms are edible?) and the curious (What is the most dangerous poison produced by a plant?), Handy Biology answers 1,600 questions about human, animal, and plant biology. You’ll find answers to such intriguing questions as: What is cell cloning? What is DNA and RNA? When and how did cells first evolve? Can two blue-eyed people have a brown-eyed child? How serious a disease is influenza? Do overweight children have a greater risk of being overweight adults? What is an atom? Why are some fats “good”? and others “bad”? Why do humans need cholesterol? How do birds know to fly south in winter? Can the environment determine the sex of an animal? When was the first microscope developed?

Customer Reviews:

pretty awesome.......2005-03-11

this book is definately quite "handy." A strange adjective to describe a condensed biology reference book, but it fits. The layout consists of bold questions with answers that are concise and pertinant. Its essentially a college bio textbook in a Q and A format.

Average customer rating:

Handy Biology Answer Book.
James Bobick
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M4HPG6

Book Description

This comprehensive and authoritative guide covers the practicalities of looking after horses and ponies on a day-to-day basis.

Book Description

Paintball is one of the fastest growing action sports worldwide, played in 50 countries, and boasting more than 3.5 million participants. The authoritative Ultimate Paintball Field Guide offers expert advice from Action Pursuit Games, the premier paintball magazine. Everything you need to know whether you're a beginning or experienced player is covered in this essential resource, including basic safety and playing rules, the 10 most important tips for newcomers, techniques and tactics, creative ways to play the game, tips for buying gear, competition strategies, and history and traditions.

Customer Reviews:

Out of Date.......2004-06-25

"A Complete History of Paintball" would be a better title.

Excellent for Starters.......2004-03-31

This is an excellent starter guide. It lets experts guide the beginner through a great way to get started. More advanced players may be bored with the slower pace, but beginners will enjoy it and welcome some of the repetition. The title "Ultimate" does not mean "Complete". For that, I would get the "Complete Guide to Paintball" (2nd edition). Or, do what I did and get both.

Great for the beginner, useful for the intermediate player........2002-10-29

If you have been playing paintball for a while this book covers a lot of what you already know but I bet you will learn some new stuff too (excellent chapter on barrel technology). If you are new or relatively new to paintball then this book is perfect for you. It covers a wide range of topics including how to buy new and used equipment. At about the cost of a hopper full of paint this book is a good deal. Get this book and save yourself some money, time, and pain!

Begginer Helper.......2002-07-29

This is a realy good guide if you are just starting or if you haven't started yet. It was not a help to me at all to me because i am a pretty expirianced player. The articles are written by expirianced players, but the book makes it seem like they are writing to begginers. I would not spend money on this if you are already got a grip on paintball, but it will help nonexpirianced players get a good idea, and if not, they could change the plan and have a complex stratigy! There were a whole lot of articles that got off the subject as well. The maker needs to make another book for more expirianced players to read and still get help or better ideas.

Ultimate Paintball Field Guide (for newbies).......2002-04-22

Dont get me wrong, this isnt a bad guide to paintball. It covers all the basics very well and has specific sections for both recball and tourney players. However if you have a few years worth of experiance under your belt chances are you already know everything that this book has to offer.

For Newbies- 5 stars
For seasoned ballers- 3 stars

Average customer rating:
Ultimate Guide To Paintball
John Little
Manufacturer: NTC PUBLISHING @ GROUP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SN2K98

Average customer rating:

a lot of the same info

Save money and skip it

Bridal Passport Wedding Planner: The Dollars and Sense Guide to Planning Your Wedding
Denise Fields , and Alan Fields
Manufacturer: Windsor Peak Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

General | Weddings | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Planning | Weddings | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Marriage & Family | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Bridal Bargains, 8th Edition: Secrets to throwing a fantastic wedding on a realistic budget (Bridal Bargains)

1001 Ways To Save Money . . . and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding

How to Have an Elegant Wedding for $5000 (or Less) : Achieving Beautiful Simplicity Without Mortgaging Your Future

The Everything Wedding Organizer; Checklists, calendars, and worksheets for planning the perfect wedding

Wedding Chic : The Savvy Bride's Guide to Getting More While Spending Less

ASIN: 1889392189

Book Description

Bridal Passport Wedding Planner is the first wedding planner to help couples solve the most fundamental question about putting together a wedding: how to afford it! This organizer includes detailed worksheets, checklists, and calendars that let the prospective bride and groom write in all the details. For example, they can document three potential photographers, writing down their location, availability, cost, deposit, and so on to make the most educated decision for their budget. In an era when bridal magazines, according to The Wall Street Journal, "block ads from bridal wear discount and rental companies," this honest, authoritative guide is especially needed. Detailed website resources and in-depth tips on how to personalize a wedding make this book unique. The Fields's step-by-step approach to planning a wedding and reception leaves no detail uncovered; even the honeymoon. Best of all, Bridal Passport Wedding Planner features a concealed spiral binding that makes it a breeze to carry and use.

Customer Reviews:

a lot of the same info.......2005-08-24

I bought both this planner and the Bridal Bargains. Even though a lot of the info was the same, the worksheets in this book were great because they spelled out the vital details to look for and ask about from vendors. I looked to the book for tips and to the planner for the specifics on information gathering. With the Amazon price at just over $10, it is worth it. I looked through every planner at the bookstore and I chose this one for two reasons first the reputation of the authors in their quest to inform unknowing brides of the dark side of the wedding industry and secondly because it was no frills and no nonsense - it approaches planning in a clear cut and easy to tackle manner.

Save money and skip it.......2005-03-08

I loved "Bridal Bargains" and got this planner to go with it. I didn't really need it. It's a workbook but I find that I visit so many vendors that I can't fit all my notes into it. It pretty much has the same information as "Bridal Bargains" but less of it. Do yourself a favor and get "Bridal Bargains" only. Use a 3-ring binder, some dividers, and notebook paper as a planner.

Average customer rating:

A great book for beginners!

Nice idea spoiled by carelessness

Really lays out the basics well

An Introduction to Oil Painting (DK Art School)
Ray Campbell Smith
Manufacturer: DK ADULT
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

An Introduction to Acrylics (DK Art School)

Watercolor Landscape (DK Art School)

DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques (DK Art School)

ASIN: 0789432897

Book Description

Whether you've taken art classes or never held a brush before, An Introduction to Oil Painting will show you everything you need to know about working in this challenging -- but rewarding -- medium. Easy-to-follow projects, shown as they were created, teach the essentials while inspiring the student to tackle increasingly complex techniques. Each volume of The DK Art School series focuses on a specific art medium and subject, so you can choose precisely what you want to learn. When complete, the series will offer the widest choice of specific subjects -- from acrylic figure to oil portrait, and from pastel still life to watercolor landscape. Build your own private Art School in your home library.

Customer Reviews:

A great book for beginners!.......1999-12-19

I enjoyed this book. It spent two pages on every topic that's important to beginning artists. It never rambled on about useless, trivial information. The author focused in on clear definitions and illustrations. This reader was never confused by the book's precise method in handling complicated exercises. These exercises not only explained the material, but also led to completed works of art. The book also had a small, but vital glossary. The glossary helped to reiterate important concepts, such as scumbling, aerial perspective, fat-over-lean painting and high-key colors (just to name a few). Reading this book is like taking an art class. It focuses in on the most important concepts; and, it explains them in a brief, succinct manner.

Nice idea spoiled by carelessness.......1999-11-29

My soft-cover version of this highly-attractive book has plenty of nice features. The overall concept is sound, (although a little cursory in places, even for a book aimed at beginners); the instructional and informational content is generally useful and interesting; the illustrations and reproductions are excellent. There are even some health and safety tips that were very welcome.

So, what's the problem? The low rating I gave this book falls squarely at the feet of the editor(s). Simply put, there are far too many mistakes for a book of this size!

Completely wrong labels on a graph of oil content in paints makes for total confusion, especially if you're trying to come to terms with the "fat over lean" concept or similar technical ideas. Page cross-references that are incorrect are frustrating, but tolerable, in a monthly magazine or daily newspaper, but not in a textbook! There are numerous other little labelling, spelling, word-usage and grammatical errors, as well as a couple of invented words ("sawned off" is going to stick in my memory for a long time!) and a few "explanations" that don't explain anything.

I'm not sorry I bought the book, but it would be so much easier for my wife, who is just starting out in oil painting, and who is not a native user of English, if the information were a bit more reliable.

I purchased another Ray Smith book [Portraits, hardcover] and have no real criticisms of that book. I would consider buying others in the series, but this one is a little disappointing. A very beautiful book spoiled by sloppy editing. It's really a shame!

Really lays out the basics well.......1999-08-16

This is the kind of book that organizes the information you need to know in a logical and straight-forward manner. A great place to start for any aspiring artist.

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