One thing that stood out to me in Chapter 70 is how the reading pushes back on the idea that globalization is just something that naturally happened because of technology. Instead, it describes what we have now as a kind of corporate or neoliberal globalization that is controlled by powerful groups. That part stuck with me because it changes how you think about the system entirely. The section about workers being treated more like a market than people with stable jobs also stood out, because it shows how little security people actually have in this system. At the same time, the chapter talks about global movements like labor and environmental groups trying to fight back using the same global connections. That made me realize that globalization itself isn’t necessarily the issue, but who controls it. While I don’t support how that power is used, it is interesting to think about what it might be like to be in that position and why holding onto that control might seem necessary from their perspective.
Chapter 76 stood out to me because it explains the divide between globalists and nationalists in a way that connects directly to what we still see today. The reading talks about events like Brexit and the rise of Donald Trump as examples of nationalism pushing back against globalization, which makes it feel very relevant. The part about how wealthier and more secure groups tend to be more open, while others focus more on stability and protection, made a lot of sense when thinking about those events. It also challenged the idea that nationalism is only based on racism, since the reading compares it more to a sense of loyalty to one’s country. Looking at things now, it feels like that divide has only gotten stronger, with people still split between global ideas and national priorities. It made me realize that this isn’t just something that happened in the past, but something that is still shaping politics and society today.
Chapter 77 takes a different tone and focuses more on how frustration builds over time. The part that stood out to me most was the idea that people once believed globalization would lead to steady progress, but that expectation didn’t fully come true. Because of that, people are now dealing with disappointment and uncertainty instead of optimism. The reading also talks about how globalization allows people to constantly compare themselves to others, which increases feelings of resentment. That explains why anger and extremism are becoming more common, because people feel like they are part of a system that isn’t working for them. It shows that this anger isn’t random, but actually a reaction to how globalization has played out.
The “Long Journey From Despair” made these ideas feel a lot more real by showing how inequality actually looks in everyday life. The way it describes Mexico as divided into the “penthouse,” “middle,” “lower,” and “basement” levels really stood out, especially how the people at the top are completely focused on money and economic decisions while ignoring what is happening below them. The description of the “basement” being made up of people who are basically treated as if they don’t even exist was one of the most powerful parts of the reading . It also shows how people at the bottom eventually reach a point where they push back and resist. Looking at all of these readings together, it becomes clear that the main issue isn’t just globalization itself, but the imbalance of power within it and how different groups react to that imbalance in different ways.
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