Globalization

TEKS Alignment - §113.43. World Geography Studies (One Credit), Beginning 2011-2012.

(7)  Geography. The student understands the growth, distribution, movement, and characteristics of world population. The student is expected to:

(D)  examine benefits and challenges of globalization, including connectivity, standard of living, pandemics, and loss of local culture.

(10)  Economics. The student understands the distribution, characteristics, and interactions of the economic systems in the world. The student is expected to:

(D)  compare global trade patterns over time and examine the implications of globalization, including outsourcing and free trade zones.

(20)  Science, technology, and society. The student understands how current technology affects human interaction. The student is expected to:

(B)  examine the economic, environmental, and social effects of technology such as medical advancements or changing trade patterns on societies at different levels of development.
 

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Globalization

A popular coffee franchise once stated that “Geography is a flavor”.  A close examination of the flavors of Southeast Asia reveals an incredibly rich and complex palate of flavors which have been heavily influenced by the processes of globalization over time.   Sit down in any Thai or Vietnamese restaurant and the first thing you will most likely see is either a pot of chili oil or a bottle of sriracha – both made from chiles brought by the Spanish from Mexico and Central America.  Go across the street to a Mexican restaurant and you will inevitably be served a side of rice, which the Spanish brought back from their travels in Southeast Asia.  In fact, Southeast Asia is the culture hearth for many of the products we use every day – from bananas and rice to spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and mace.  It was the search for those very spices which generated one of the largest periods of trade growth in the world and spread European culture to every corner of the globe.

That growth continues today as consumers constantly search for lower prices and unique products.  As those products increasingly flow out of countries in Southeast Asia, global culture continues to flow in.  Major trading cities such as Singapore and Bangkok are already centers of urban culture and becoming more indistinguishable from other world cities.  Even formerly closed economies such as Burma are beginning to open their doors – earlier this year, Coca-cola opened its first factory in Yangon, leaving only two countries in the world without the presence of this American icon.   As immigration from these countries continues to increase, so does their cultural presence around the world.  Both Thai and Vietnamese cuisines have spread across the globe as the result of increasing tourism to these countries and the large numbers of immigrants who have come from both countries.  While diners in America can be grateful for the addition of such lively and flavorful additions to their dinner options, the presence of global culture and the demand for resources can have destructive consequences in the region.