the social sciences

  Discussion Question   the social sciences at this point in our readings and discussions, so issues of economics and identity become central. Consider this week's readings Iooking at the global supply chain and how interconnected we are both as producers and consumers of goods. First, are you convinced by Friedman's theory that suggests that so long as countries are engaged in meaningful trade and share a place in the production chain of major commodities that those countries will refrain from conflict/war or do you think he overstates the power of these economic arrangements? Second, consider the impact globalization both on the Chinese workers building ipads for Western consumers and on Western workers who no longer have these manufacturing jobs- Is this global arrangement "fair" to the Chinese worker, the American worker? Is the globalization of labor inevitable at this point or something that can change in the future? Now, obviously there can be some very strong feelings when it comes to these issues, so remember that respectful disagreement is the mode of the day.