WW: CH 23

     The chapter starts out talking about Barbie and Ken dolls. It really gave a perspective on the vast size of global commerce. It also goes on to talk about to how Iran, in response to the creation of the Ken and Barbie dolls, created the Sara and Dara dolls. The Sara and Dara dolls were intended to portray Iranian Muslim values and practices. I thought it was ironic that all these dolls were made in China. China was responsible for this vast expansion of dolls representing other cultures.
     Throughout some part of the twentieth century the world was internationally connected through political relationships, economic transactions and cultural influences. By the time the 1990's rolled around, the process of accelerating engagement became known as globalization. Globalization did not really kick off until after the dust settled after World War II.
     For the most part, people recognize globalization as international economic transactions. To many, it has become unavoidable and an essential part to their lives as of 1950. Although throughout the majority of the second half of the twentieth century globalization was a prominent way of life, it was not the same for the first half of the twentieth century. Arguably the biggest reason behind this was the tension between nations, not only during, but in between each of the World Wars as well. Speaking of World Wars, after World War II, the capitalist nations that emerged the victors of the war were more than determined to ensure their economic safety and do everything within their power to ensure that something that was an economic threat, such as the Great Depression, never happened again.
     After World War II, the Bretton Woods agreements were developed in 1944. The key points of these agreements were the establishment of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. This was essential due to the fact that it laid out the foundation for postwar globalization. This promoted free trade as well. In addition to the Bretton Woods System, technological advancement also contributed to the increase in globalization.
     In the 1970's many capitalist countries started viewing the world as a single market. This was known as neo-liberalism. This was in favor of less tariffs, privatization of state enterprises, reduced government regulation of the economy, as well as spending and tax cuts.