2/4 Readings (Chapters 1 ,2 ,and 8)

 I think that beginning with a section that generally introduces a topic such as globalization is, at least for me, key to understanding what the topic really means.  It's also good in establishing a background so that it can be more easily understood throughout.  This is what Chapter 1 does particularly well, putting globalization into a real-world perspective. I found it really interesting in this chapter as well that there are so many ways culturally and economically that globalization can come into effect in our daily lives.  Free trade is talked about a lot in this chapter, and I think this chapter makes it really easy to understand for the reader.  I like how it discusses that globalization can not only impact how you live your life, but also can impact who you are as a person, and to sometimes gain the freedom to recreate your own identity.  I find it interesting that in Chapter 2, they explain globalization mainly as Western Civilization contributing to the rest of the world.  Now it may be true that it's a big component of globalization, but to simply say that that's how its plainly seen to a lot of people is something I disagree with.  The author makes a good point about antiglobalization as well, bringing up the point that we can't just simply ignore the ideas and issues they bring up.  It's important to understand both sides of an argument about a topic because you can get a better perspective, and that's what the author brings up here in this chapter.  In Chapter 8, I love that they bring up the fact that there is inequality that exists in neoliberalism.  This chapter in particular does a good job overall of pointing out issues.  It explained well that while countries were taking the turn into neoliberalism in the second half of the 21st century, it was clearly problematic, such as countries like the UK and the US.  The author is clearly very critical in both Chapters 2 and 8, and I think that's what makes these readings particularly interesting.