Globalization, Part 2
Two pan balance, Author Nikodem Nijaki (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
“And I heard a voice…saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine’ “ (Rev. 6: 6).
When the populace can no longer afford the goods being offered for sale or services required for daily life, there is hardship and unrest. Real people suffer. Governments have toppled under such circumstances, and totalitarian regimes come to power.
Emerging Economies
- Average annual wage in India $616 per capita, $3168 per household [1A]
- Average annual income in South Africa $1217 per capita, $5217 per household [1B]
- Average annual income in Romania $4495 [2]
- Average annual income in Thailand $4509 [3]
- Average annual income in China $4397 rural, $7947 urban [4]
- Average annual income in Mexico $6143 [5]
- Average annual income in Poland $8280 [6]
- Average annual income in Brazil $9801 [7]
- Average annual income in Russia $11,378 [8]
Many pre-industrialized nations have yet to regulate working hours or conditions to ensure employee or product safety.
These are costs built into the pay-scale of industrialized nations (as are the costs associated with an improved standard of living, e.g. a universally accessible electric grid and nationwide highway system).
In fact, outright slavery is not uncommon in the developing world [9]. India, China, and Qatar are among the nations known to utilize it. Underpaying workers encourages slavery. That American companies are benefiting from this is a travesty [10].
The cost of doing business in emerging countries will remain low until there are no longer people desperate enough to live in pitiable conditions and risk their lives to make a living [11].
If the Lord tarries, that is likely to be a very long time.
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[1A and 1B] https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-413a0744b016486a022a54ddc3859b03-c.
[2] World Salaries, Romania, http://www.worldsalaries.org/romania.shtml.
[3] World Salaries, Thailand, http://www.worldsalaries.org/thailand.shtml.
[4] World Salaries, China, http://www.worldsalaries.org/china.shtml.
[5] World Salaries, Mexico, http://www.worldsalaries.org/mexico.shtml.
[6] World Salaries, Poland, http://www.worldsalaries.org/poland.shtml.
[7] World Salaries, Brazil, http://www.worldsalaries.org/brazil.shtml.
[8] World Salaries, Russia, http://www.worldsalaries.org/russia.shtml.
[9] Time, “The Developed World Is Missing the Point about Modern Slavery” by Chandrn Nair, 6/19/16, http://time.com/4374377/slavery-developed-developing-world-index-slave-labor/.
[10] The industries most heavily impacted by slavery include agriculture, automobiles and steel, technology, mining/minerals, and transportation. See, Ethical Corporation, “Modern slavery and the role of business” by Polly Foley, 10/8/14, http://www.ethicalcorp.com/supply-chains/modern-slavery-and-role-business.
[11] Scientific American, “Does Globalization Help or Hurt the Poor? Overview/Globalization and Poverty” by Pranab Bardhan, 3/26/06, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-globalization-help-o-2006-04/.
This series focused last week on industrialized nations.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse https://avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
Its very sad that slavery today is massive, and most people would rather bury their head in the sand. Cant really escape it though cause we are all slaves to something/someone.
We must, without question, fight against evils like slavery. But in a spiritual sense, as you know, Christ has set us free. Scripture says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8: 36). Those who believe in Christ are set free from sin. Their relationship with God is restored. That has sustaining power…even in the face of evils like slavery.
G’day, I read you loud and clear. This is why face to face convo’s are so much better, things are better explained.
While we are complete in Christ, new creations where the old has gone and have been set free from sin, well we still get to make choices.
So what I meant by my comment for example is, that while many Christians know where their clothes are being made and in what type of conditions, they still buy those brands. While we cant escape the truth of what type of evil takes place so we can play with our smart phones and technology, we still line up and get these products. Just 2 examples of how even though we are children of God and free because of what took place on the cross, we still make pretty bad ethical choices. I am guilty of this and lets be honest, most Christians are. So in a way we are slaves to the world and its culture when we continuously invest in it and conform to it.
I cannot say most Christians, my bad, but I know a lot of believers here in Australia who buy into this stuff and its inconvenient to do research make changes if you know what I mean
I know exactly what you mean. We do what is convenient, while bemoaning the state of the world. But we are the world. Things only change if we take the trouble to change them.
True, human nature is flawed. Even Christians wrestle with the “old man”. As Paul said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate I do” (Rom. 7: 15). Too many Christians, however, have a very shallow understanding of their faith, and the obligations it brings with it.
We are NOT to be conformed to this world (Rom. 12: 2). We are to be a living and holy sacrifice (Rom. 12: 1). Those of us in the developed world lose sight of that.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Jesus said that we would always have the poor with us. While history proves this to be true, the causes of why extreme poverty and slavery exists are many. History also proves that extreme poverty and slavery are also nearly impossible to eradicate using conventional methods.
Consumer societies like the U.S. for example, will always clamor for more and more “stuff”, yet demand it for less and less cost. Herein lies a very big problem. Whether it’s sneakers or iPhones, the company whose name is on the product must continue to find ways to undercut their competition. Too often, this is at the expense of the workers,who must work longer hours or for reduced wages, either of which perpetuates the cycle of poverty.
Corporate profit and loss drives every decision a company must make, for ultimately it exists for one reason alone,and that is to make money. Unfortunately, these decisions are often made with little or no regard for the humanity of the workforce. After all, someone else will immediately take the place of those unfortunate casualties and the machine keeps on humming along.
I think much could be done to help the plight of the poor,especially the working poor by implementing a very unconventional method. If employers would implement a business plan of “people before profit”, meaning the welfare’s of employees comes before anything else,including the bottom line, you would see an immediate uptick in the standard of living.
It’s a simple reality; when people know they are loved and cared for, it will show up in many ways, not the least of which is productivity. Of course, this “pie in the sky” idea of mine would require a major shift in the ethics of the business world. To which a change of heart would be necessary.
Good post Anna!
You, my friend, have a good head and a good heart. 🙂
Very interesting Anna, I did not know this. Thank you.