Wallerstein spoke about the term, core/periphery, and semi-periphery. He defined them as, "Core/Periphery- Defines the difference between developed countries and developing countries, characterized e.g. by power or wealth. The core stands refers to developed countries, and the periphery is a synonym for the dependent developing countries. The main reason for the position of the developed countries is economic power.
Semi-periphery- Defines states that are located between core and periphery, they benefit from the periphery and have to contribute to the centre. Mostly these states are authoritarian, allowing the core to put oppressive measures on them" (Wikipedia).
Its a concept that seems difficult to understand, but it is not if one looks into its definition. The relation between core and the periphery is desribed as dependent and the exploitation between rich and poor. Semi-periphery which some look at at being problematic say its a "vague allusion to a middle ground between core and periphery. To understand Wallerstein's ideas one would need to analyze his ideas more than just from outside the source. "Wallerstein does not conceive of these differences as mere residues or irregularities that can and will be overcome as the system as a whole evolves. Much more, a lasting division of the world in core, semi-periphery and periphery is an inherent feature of the world-system" (Modern World System 1).
These ideas by Wallerstein can still be observed today in sociology. Wallerstein was born in 1930 and he has in fact still has been giving speeches about his ideas and theories. The Modern World System is probably the most popular thing from Wallerstein, but his work is still discussed today.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Creative Destruction
In order toexpand capital markets, you need to blow these places up. In sociology, this is known as creative destruction. For example, some cities in Japan can be used as an example. It allowed a moderniation to the city because they had to start over. There factories got competitive. By having this, it creates the factories to open up again for the possibility for value, gain, profit. This happened in New York City in the 1980's. It went in three steps of gentrification: 1.) uses of space- (Artists)
2.) perspective
3.) nature of space- (Reinvestment)
In an article written by Deirdre McCloskey, the author speaks about creative destruction vs. the new industrial state. Another article spoke of Schumpeter's Creative Destruction, and asked an interesting question. "Thoughtful scholars from Adam Smith to Jared Diamond, have asked the same life-and-death question: why do some societies succeed, and others fail, in producing the goods that make life long, healthy and prosperous? Smith's answer was basically that when societies adopt the rules of market capitalism, their economies grow, and when they do not adopt the rules of market capitalism, their economies do not. Since Smith, other economists have developed more formal models of economic growth. The classic "Solow growth model" emphasized the investment of capital" (Diamond 1).
"The oxymoron "creative destruction" suggests the tensions that are at the heart of urban life: between stability and change, between particular places and undifferentiated spaces, between market forces and planning controls, and between the "natural" and "unnatural" in city growth. Page investigates these cultural counterweights through case studies of Manhattan's development, with depictions ranging from private real estate development along Fifth Avenue to Jacob Riis's slum clearance efforts on the Lower East Side, from the elimination of street trees to the efforts to save City Hall from demolition" (Page 1).
This creative destruction is an interesting concept in sociology, and is a great way to express some of the history of certain cities.
2.) perspective
3.) nature of space- (Reinvestment)
In an article written by Deirdre McCloskey, the author speaks about creative destruction vs. the new industrial state. Another article spoke of Schumpeter's Creative Destruction, and asked an interesting question. "Thoughtful scholars from Adam Smith to Jared Diamond, have asked the same life-and-death question: why do some societies succeed, and others fail, in producing the goods that make life long, healthy and prosperous? Smith's answer was basically that when societies adopt the rules of market capitalism, their economies grow, and when they do not adopt the rules of market capitalism, their economies do not. Since Smith, other economists have developed more formal models of economic growth. The classic "Solow growth model" emphasized the investment of capital" (Diamond 1).
"The oxymoron "creative destruction" suggests the tensions that are at the heart of urban life: between stability and change, between particular places and undifferentiated spaces, between market forces and planning controls, and between the "natural" and "unnatural" in city growth. Page investigates these cultural counterweights through case studies of Manhattan's development, with depictions ranging from private real estate development along Fifth Avenue to Jacob Riis's slum clearance efforts on the Lower East Side, from the elimination of street trees to the efforts to save City Hall from demolition" (Page 1).
This creative destruction is an interesting concept in sociology, and is a great way to express some of the history of certain cities.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sasser, Globalization, Transnationalization
Globalization has to do with the erosion of sovereignty(nation state)>Business, finance, corporation.
Sasser who studied late mdern capitalism said, "We have this new form of legality." It deregulates markets, it defers global capital, and its capital priviledges and rights. Along with this, as we view Obama's new stimuluss plans, we are footing bill for a global financial system that we will not be a part of.
Transationalization states, "Borders no longer matter." There is multiculturalism and immigration that is taking place every day. With financial services there is centrality-infrastructure, human capital/overvalulization, undervaluization.
"Transnationalization is not a slogan. Transnationalization is a process, and it is aproject. Inside and outside Europe, migrants move from one country to another one,looking for a better future, refusing subordination and exploitation. Crossing theborders, migrants are transnationalizing the world. This process is already takingplace, that is why the transnationalization of migrants' struggles, against theborder regime, must become a project too" (Frassanito 1). Of course this type of activity is already taking place as we see it in everyday society.
Our problem is that we overvalue financial system and undervalue the people/physical space needed to run the city. Some believe the global financial system is about to collapse. In conclusion, all of these things are important to consider when figuring out certain problems that we have to deal with. This type of consideration and activity should be viewed first because of the global financial system's importance.
Sasser who studied late mdern capitalism said, "We have this new form of legality." It deregulates markets, it defers global capital, and its capital priviledges and rights. Along with this, as we view Obama's new stimuluss plans, we are footing bill for a global financial system that we will not be a part of.
Transationalization states, "Borders no longer matter." There is multiculturalism and immigration that is taking place every day. With financial services there is centrality-infrastructure, human capital/overvalulization, undervaluization.
"Transnationalization is not a slogan. Transnationalization is a process, and it is aproject. Inside and outside Europe, migrants move from one country to another one,looking for a better future, refusing subordination and exploitation. Crossing theborders, migrants are transnationalizing the world. This process is already takingplace, that is why the transnationalization of migrants' struggles, against theborder regime, must become a project too" (Frassanito 1). Of course this type of activity is already taking place as we see it in everyday society.
Our problem is that we overvalue financial system and undervalue the people/physical space needed to run the city. Some believe the global financial system is about to collapse. In conclusion, all of these things are important to consider when figuring out certain problems that we have to deal with. This type of consideration and activity should be viewed first because of the global financial system's importance.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Slums
In simple terms a slum is known as a poor standard of living. In slums there seems to be a certain environment. This environment has certain characteristics which seem to exist in all slums. The thing about slums is they are, insecure tenure, pollution takes place in them, they lack a solid infrastructure, there is often too much overcrowding, and finally poor housing. Many of you who have seen "Slumdog Millionaire" probably can relate the living conditions from that movie to those that I discussed.
A man by the name of Mike Davis wrote a book titled, "Planet of the Slums" in which he discusses just as the title states, slums. He includes details about them and explains how many people are in slums today. According to the United Nations, more than one billion people now live in the slums of the cities of the South. The reader learns that urbanization has become disconnected for industrialization therefore contributing to this term, we know as slums. Davis ends his book by relating to a present conflict that we are trying to figure out today in the United States. Davis states, “What is clear is that the contemporary mega-slum poses unique problems of imperial order and social control that conventional geopolitics has barely begun to register. If the aim of the “war on terrorism” is to pursue the erstwhile enemy into his sociological and cultural labyrinth, then the poor peripheries of developing cities will be the permanent battlefields of the twenty-first century" (Davis).
Along with, "Planet of the Slums," definitions such as squatting can be heard when talked about in a slum like society. Squatting is when one shows up to a place that may be abandoned and begin to live there until they are evicted or have other problems. In New York, if one is found squatting in a house after ten years then they cannot lose the house. The law states that if you're there more then ten years, then it is your property. In the 40's, 50's, and 60's squatting had political decolonization, but in the 80's, squatting becomes economic. Finally, squatting is formed on the periphory of cities.
It was interesting to read another person's blog on slums. This area that I am talking about is known as Panama City and Casco Viejo. The blog includes a little history and detail behind what is now known as a tourist attraction to some.
Overall, slums will continue to exist throughout the world. The interesting part behind them is the nature of the slums, and the very rough conditions one can have to suffer and live in that some of us take for granted such as using the bathroom. In slums, a task as easy as getting rid of waste by flushing the toilet, may be very tough in a slum. This is because in a slum, one does not have a toilet to flush and it may be dumped right next to their living space.
A man by the name of Mike Davis wrote a book titled, "Planet of the Slums" in which he discusses just as the title states, slums. He includes details about them and explains how many people are in slums today. According to the United Nations, more than one billion people now live in the slums of the cities of the South. The reader learns that urbanization has become disconnected for industrialization therefore contributing to this term, we know as slums. Davis ends his book by relating to a present conflict that we are trying to figure out today in the United States. Davis states, “What is clear is that the contemporary mega-slum poses unique problems of imperial order and social control that conventional geopolitics has barely begun to register. If the aim of the “war on terrorism” is to pursue the erstwhile enemy into his sociological and cultural labyrinth, then the poor peripheries of developing cities will be the permanent battlefields of the twenty-first century" (Davis).
Along with, "Planet of the Slums," definitions such as squatting can be heard when talked about in a slum like society. Squatting is when one shows up to a place that may be abandoned and begin to live there until they are evicted or have other problems. In New York, if one is found squatting in a house after ten years then they cannot lose the house. The law states that if you're there more then ten years, then it is your property. In the 40's, 50's, and 60's squatting had political decolonization, but in the 80's, squatting becomes economic. Finally, squatting is formed on the periphory of cities.
It was interesting to read another person's blog on slums. This area that I am talking about is known as Panama City and Casco Viejo. The blog includes a little history and detail behind what is now known as a tourist attraction to some.
Overall, slums will continue to exist throughout the world. The interesting part behind them is the nature of the slums, and the very rough conditions one can have to suffer and live in that some of us take for granted such as using the bathroom. In slums, a task as easy as getting rid of waste by flushing the toilet, may be very tough in a slum. This is because in a slum, one does not have a toilet to flush and it may be dumped right next to their living space.
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