Introduction to the Readings and Resources in Part One
The Consumer, the Laborer, The Capitalist, and the Nation-State
In Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism we suggest that the culture of capitalism can be understood through the relationships between four historically unique social entities: the consumer, the laborer, the capitalist, and the nation-state. The role of the consumer is to accumulate goods, that of the laborer to accumulate wages through the sale of his or her labor, and that of the capitalist to accumulate capital by profiting from his or her investments. The nation-state serves to regulate, in some fashion, the relationships between consumer, laborer, and capitalist largely by gaining a monopoly on the use of armed force, ensuring the orderly circulation of goods, and taking for itself a share of the national income. We suggest further that money is the language of social relations in the culture of capitalism. At it simplest level, these relationships can be represented as follows:
We assume, also, that understanding the relationships among these entities is necessary if we are to appreciate the impact of the culture of capitalism on the world.
The readings and resources for Part One all address, in one form or another, the origin, nature, and consequences of the actions of the consumer, the laborer, the capitalist, and the nation-state.
Suggested films:
The following films are available for viewing online and would assist you in understanding many of the concepts discussed in the course:
“Inside the Global Economy” at http://www.learner.org/resources/series86.html (you will be asked to complete a free registration) is a series of 1 hour videos that help to understand the various facets of globalization. Several segments are directly related to topics we will cover in the course.
“Human Geography: People, Places and Change” at http://www.learner.org/resources/series85.html offer some excellent segments about topics that we will cover in our class.
“Rural Communities: Legacy and Change” at http://www.learner.org/resources/series7.html (may need to copy/paste URL into browser) may help you to understand some of the socio-economic and cultural changes that occur when transitions within society take place.
“Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century” at http://www.learner.org/resources/series180.html# has some wonderful segments that illustrate the effect of development on cultures and nations
