Assignment 1: Globalization in the Imperial Age

The objective of this assignment is to help you understand important aspects of the pattern, process, and impacts of globalization during the Imperial Age by reviewing actual trading activities and their consequences and compare these with both the ideas of Adam Smith and Noam Chomsky.

First watch the short video providing and overview of Adam Smith’s ideas (about 4 minutes long) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejJRhn53X2M Take brief notes as you watch this for later use, and to turn in.

Then review some of Noam Chomsky’s ideas (about 5 minutes long) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdYwAXZh0ME Again take some brief notes.

Just as background, let me assure you that Adam Smith is one of the most important thinkers in what has become the Neo-Classical school of economics, what we have been referring to as the Locational School of Economic Geography. In comparison, although Chomsky is not a true Structuralist and doesn’t at all consider himself a Marxist, instead describing himself as more of an anarcho-syndicalist or a libertarian socialist (you can look those words up if necessary), he

would appear to have most in common with our structuralist camp in Economic Geography. He definitely is opposed to modern imperialism and capitalism as it is currently practiced. That aside, we will use these two different thinkers to provide us with lenses through which to view the 19th century development of the British Empire through its trade with China.

Second turn to the videos on the East India Company and development of trade between England and China.

A Gentleman's Trade Part 1 (older video but good information) ( 7.5 minutes) GUNS, SLAVES, and DRUGS – The (dis)Honerable Company and impoverishment of India http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocN1ipMTHPI&feature=related

A Gentleman's Trade Part 2 (part 2 of above) (7 minutes) Rise of Opium http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cskOuaDafwA&feature=related

Pacific Century: Two Coasts of China https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq7fhNeewWI Start at minute 17:00 go to at least 50:00

I have provided you with two versions of the same story because each has slightly different foci even when covering the same ground and by putting them together I think you will have a better over-all understanding of this early version of “globalization”. As you watch these videos consider which if any of Adam Smith’s four major points can be illustrated here (either supporting his ideas or attacking them). Likewise consider Chomsky’s ideas, especially in regards to the peasants. Do the videos support his ideas or contradict them? (Again make notes as you are going – you will turn these in). Now we are ready to write.

1. Personal Work: In a brief paragraph explain what was happening between England and China and the role of the East India Company in these events. Keep it brief, we just want to make sure you understand things, that is describe the geographic patterns, processes, and impacts across the landscape (you may illustrate your description with a map).

2. Group Work: Only after you have individually done the above meet together as a group, so you come with your own thoughts and evidence (paragraph and notes). As a group answer and discuss the following (remember make statements and then provide evidence).

1. Adam Smith Section: Can you find evidence to support each of Adam Smith’s four major points? As you think about each of these, does it seem to lead to a better world as Smith anticipated or a worse one? Write a few paragraphs about this. If your group disagrees on the outcomes, you can provide a majority report and minority report in your response. Don’t be bashful about using titles or subtitles to organize your work.

2. Noam Chomsky Section: What about evidence to support Chomsky’s thoughts? Are things as dour as Chomsky thinks? Again make statements and provide evidence.

3. Our Group Opinion and Conclusions -- Beneficial or Not: Based on the evidence at hand, was this incident of Imperial Age globalization beneficial or detrimental to society? Did geography have anything to do with it (think trade in particular)? Are there other factors that lead to these results (the good or bad ones) outside of what you already mentioned? Remember make statements and provide evidence.

Write upOn all work put name(s) and provide your own or group work as required

Due on the date noted in CANVAS

Type and single space all the following using 11 point font size. If you have direct quotes, make sure you use quotation marks. Try to keep such quotations to a minimum and mainly use your own words. Use endnotes for any such citations.

Following goes into CANVAS1. Personal Work – Typed and single spaced put under your name in Canvas. Make sure that your name is in the top left corner. (Due in Canvas as noted)

2. Group Work – Put the group number in the center top in nice large font after that all group member’s names in size 11 font should be placed in the upper left corner. Organize the names alphabetically and enter it into Canvas under the first listed name (you only enter this material once not under each group member). Insert page numbers. (Due as noted in CANVAS)

Example of Group Work Layout