The issues of biodiversity are greatly related to the threats of cultural diversity. Biodiversity goes hand in hand with specific ecosystems and those who live there, while cultural diversity is peoples’ different cultural aspects in certain areas/populations. Biodiversity includes the cultural diversity in a country — the people of the country and their traditions, way of life, morals, religion, etc. Since there are countless cultures as well as differentiating environments, I believe there are certainly damages that can be seen both to biodiversity and cultural diversity.
Yes, I believe governing bodies should be actively involved through legislation and funding in order to protect cultural diversity; although, there is a fine line between protecting it, and controlling it. The government has a huge impact on its country and with their help, diversity can be protected and continue on. The government has the power to advocate for certain issues that have an impact on their country, cultures, and biodiversity. For example, in Thailand the continuous loss of biodiversity at such an alarming rate is due to lack of social awareness. If the government was to advocate for the issues of biodiversity, it would make the people of Thailand more aware, creating a chance to protect the biodiversity. Cultural diversity is what sets us apart as humans — it is what makes us different, yet what can connect us. Without the protection of cultural diversity, our world would no longer be polychromatic. It would be boring, and everyone would be the same. The government can help protect cultural diversity just as it can protect biodiversity. For example, in Australia they have set up programs that teach cultural acceptance, and also given each culture their own rights on how they want to express their culture. Wade Davis from the Ted Talk video states that with the protection of cultural diversity, we do not have to fear living in a monochromatic world that lacks diversity. I agree with Wade Davis — I believe our world should be polychromatic instead of monochromatic. I believe the government can make a huge impact on protecting cultural diversity through legislation and funding. Although, there is always a possibility of the lack of funding, which may disable the government from taking action to try and protect the cultural diversity in their country. In my opinion, the government should not act alone in protecting the countries cultural diversity. The people of the different cultures should advocate for their needs and develop programs that can help ensure the protection of their culture — hopefully leading to the protection of all the cultures of the country. Yes, the government is the ‘big man’ in the scenario who can get things done easier and faster; but individual people must also stand up for themselves and what they believe in.
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I just finished creating a report on the status of education in Thailand. Check it out on my Politics & Economics page, if you wish!
Globalization is “the process of changing to an integrated world from an isolated one” (Gibson, 2014). It is seen in artwork, migration, and linguistic changes (Green, Globalization I). Globalization has been made possible by technology and international trade. For example, a t-shirt made from American cotton gets sent to a lower wage countries (China, India, Guatemala), then sent to Europe or the United States for screen printing (Green, Globalization I). Globalization can be viewed as a positive and negative aspect to a country. It has led to individualism, increasing population, improved health care, and many other things (Green, Globalization II). Technology is a greta advancement in history, although it can be a “type of individualism that we usually don’t celebrate” - sitting alone in front of your screen, sharing fewer experiences (Green, Globalization II). Increasing population and globalization has lead to a negative affects on the environment; for example, what’s happening in the Amazon and climate change (Green, Globalization II).
Globalization in Thailand has been “welcomed as a means to increase opportunity, investment, and economic growth” (Voss, 2009). One aspect that globalization in Thailand has focused on is “rapid industrialization and urbanization” (Voss, 2009). Construction of dams along Thai waters has been one of the dominate industrializations. These dams provide two goals: providing water for irrigation and generating electricity. Unfortunately, most of the dams have failed and have resulted in “a decline of the overall livelihood and well-being of nearby communities” (Voss, 2009). For example, “the construction of a damn in the north-eastern region has caused natural disasters affecting food production” (Sitthi-amorn, 2001). I believe these dams had good intentions, and if executed properly would have been great advancements for the Thai people; unfortunately, environmental factors and proper locations seem to have been overlooked. Although the overall income per person has increased, “the gap between the income of rich and poor has also enlarged” (Voss, 2009). There is an expansive inequality in the distribution of wealth in Thailand. This large gap between social classes leads to a variety of issues. The most important effect of globalization on health in Thailand is “unequal access to medical care by different social groups” (Sitthi-amorn, 2001). Thailand’s economy is highly dependent on international forces, leading to advances in health care technology and improvements in living standard. This rise in imported technologies has increased costs of receiving medical care, leading to only the wealthy being able to afford it. “Infant mortality in the poorest regions was twice as high as in the richest ones” (Sitthi-amorn, 2001). In my opinion, globalization in Thailand can be viewed as a good thing and a bad thing. Although it has lead to many great economic advances, it has also made overall living in the country harder for the less fortunate. Health care has made major advances in Thailand, but it is too expensive and can only be received by the rich. I believe one major benefit from globalization includes Thailand being the biggest rice exporter; being able to export mass quantities of rice around the world yearly due to its agriculture and vast fields of rice. This has produced many jobs and brought in an increased income to the country; also opening up Thailand as a trader for other countries. Sources: Gibson, N. (2014, March 26). Pros and Cons of Globalization: Controversy and Discussion. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from https://blog.udemy.com/pros-and-cons-of-globalization/ Green, J. (Director). (2012, November 2). Globalization I - The Upside: Crash Course World History #41 [Video file]. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SnR-e0S6Ic&feature=youtu.be Green, J. (Director). (2012, November 9). Globalization II - Good or Bad?: Crash Course World History #42 [Video file]. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_iwrt7D5OA&feature=youtu.be Sitthi-amorn, C. (2001). Globalization and health viewed from three parts of the world. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 889-890. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2566639/pdf/11584739.pdf Voss, K. (2009, October 13). Katalyn Voss on Development and Globalization in Thailand. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/letters/katalyn-voss-on-development-and-globalization-in-thailand The role of women in Thailand has changed drastically over time. In the past, Thai women were expected to do household chores, take care of their family, and be a “follower of their husband” (Sarutta, 2002). These women were completely obedient to him, even though men in high society were able to have several wives. It did not matter what societal status a women was born into, they all were considered to have a lower status than the men (Sarutta, 2002). The men were required to leave home for about 4-6 months either to do labor or guard the capital. This left the women at home, trying to make a living while still caring for the family and doing the household chores. Women would work in fields, farm, weave cloth for their families, and do any other thing to make their family a living.
This is extremely interesting to me, how submissive these women were to their husbands — they were not even aloud to chose their husband, their parents would do it for them. Although, these “women had been taught since they were young about their expected role and duties” (Sarutta, 2002). They grew up around this cultural environment where these things were normal; for example, growing up boys would be sent to study at a temple, while girls would stay home and learn house chores. One thing I found extremely interesting, which further proves how men were viewed as “better” than women, is this old belief that “a man who committed adultery would, after his death, be sent to hell to be severely punished; after the suffering in hell, he would have to be born a woman for 500 lives and a transvestite for another 500 lives before being born a man again” (Sarutta, 2002). The view of women in Thailand, starting in high society, began to change under the reign of King Rama IV, starting in 1851. This was a great time of change for the role of women in Thailand. He encouraged women to partake in social activities; he even set an example to other men, after traveling abroad, by “treating women politely, like in Western culture, and taking his fiancee to social functions” (Sarutta, 2002). Real change came for women after this time when King Rama traveled to the Western world in about 1910. He said that women should be well educated, sharp-witted, responsible, and are citizens who should help their country; for instance, by voting. Men were also outlawed of having multiple wives, which I believe was a wonderful turn around in the aspect of a strong, real relationship and very beneficial for family aspects. Today, women go to work like men and many are promoted to leaders in organizations; for example, Thailand’s Prime Minister is a women. (YAY for gender role reformation!) Many Thai women are more self confident of their role in the work place, but do not neglect their original duties. These women still do household chores, cook, and take care of their family. I believe that is how things are in many cultures around the world. There is this unspoken gender role that takes place where women are expected to clean, cook, and be the main caregiver to the family. I do not completely agree with that outlook, but that is how men and society continue to think today. Sources: Sarutta. (2002). Women's Status in Thai Society. Thaiways Magazine, 19(11). Retrieved February 23, 2016, from http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_article/1911_thai_women_status/thai_women_status.html Lim, M. (2011, December 2). Women of Northeast Thailand: Privilege and Obligation. Retrieved February 23, 2016, from http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/letters/women-of-northeast-thailand-privilege-and-obligation |
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April 2016
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