Thinking Gl●bally

The Earth is home to 6.5 billion people who live in the cities and villages of 192 nations. To grasp the social shape of the world, imagine shrinking the planet's population to a "global village" of just 1000 people. In this "village," more than half (610) of the inhabitants are Asian, of whom 200 are citizens of China. Next, in terms of numbers, we would find 140 Africans, 110 Europeans, 85 people from Latin America and the Caribbean, 5 from Australia and the South Pacific - and just 45 Americans and 5 Canadians.

A close look at this settlement would reveal some startling facts. The village is a rich place, with a spectacular range of goods and services for sale; yet most of the villagers can only dream about such treasures, because they are so poor: 80 percent of the village's total income is earned by just 200 people. For most, the greatest problem is getting enough food. Every year, village workers produce more than enough to feed everyone; even so, half the villagers, including most of the children, do not get enough to eat, and many must go to sleep hungry every night. The worst-off 200 residents - who, together, have less money than the richest person in the village, - lack both clean drinking water and safe shelter. Weak and unable to work, their lives are at risk from life-threatening diseases.

The village has many schools, including a fine university. About 50 inhabitants have completed a college degree, but about one-third of the village's people are not able even to read or write.

Canadians, on average, would be among the village's richest people. Although we may think that our comfortable lives are the result of our own talent and hard work, the sociological perspective reminds us that our achievements also result from our nation's privileged position in the worldwide social system.

Source: Macionis, John J., & Gerber, Linda M. (2008). Sociology: Sixth Canadian Edition. Toronto, ON: Pearson Education Canada.