1.  Using World Systems Theory, explain how multinational corporations contribute to the formation of 3rd World Countries. Be sure to include threats to the environment in your answer.   (25 pts)

According to the world systems theory, the world is a functioning system, showing many characteristics similar to those of a nation. As nations are interdependent on one another, they work together to form a peaceful state. The word “peaceful” undermines the conflict and tensions which ultimately act to hold them together, but the said state can be viewed as a golden mean, in a sense, a compromise between all the conflicting drives of the participating members. Necessary for the function of the world system are third world countries, commonly referred to as Periphery nations. The world system is seen as capitalist, and therefore requires and thrives off of exploitation, namely of those who actually provide its adequate function. Because multinational corporations are the primary agents of commerce, they can be seen as solely responsible for the function of core nations, and that is to reap the benefits of the exploitation. It is common of a third world country to be abundant in natural resources. When this is the case, it is often in the best interests of core nations to keep them as such, so that they may continue to triumph over them and reap their natural resources, often to the point of exhaustion.

2.  Discuss the positive and negative issues in explaining the following statement by the UN Population Fund.    “Population may be the key to all the issues that will shape the future: economic growth, environmental security, and the health and well-being of countries, communities and families”.  (25 pts)

Population growth, once it gets going, becomes very difficult to control, and could easily become problematic. Even the most abundant environments have their limits, and if population is not controlled, they could very well exceed that limit. From an ecological standpoint, mankind has long since reached its carrying capacity in this world, as it must now compensate by cultivating land through agriculture. As societies tend to have a very small capacity for wealthy, or high class citizens, the poor would outnumber the wealthy by far greater numbers as population increases. The extent to which the elite few could control the amassing poor would then be called into question, as the numbers would eventually reach a point of impracticality. With literally billions sharing the same social positions, the prospect of uniqueness would diminish, and self-actualization for many would become a thing of the past. Conflicts would yield more deaths than ever, and many philosophical challenges to utilitarianism would arise. On the plus side, man power would be at all time high, capable of unprecedented efforts and achievements of monumental magnitude. If societal trends of classes continue into an overpopulated future, teamed with industrial capabilities and a mysterious availability of resources to support the growing numbers, the world could be entirely manned by a working class, while those of the upper class enjoy a life of indolence. More realistic yet, a higher population means a larger availability of skilled and specialized work. The competitive edge of living amongst millions of equally qualified citizens will drive people to perspire further than ever before, while stratifying those who cannot keep up, ultimately completing a new global class system. 

3.  Throughout this course, you have heard that the US exceeds the other industrialized nations (Germany, Japan, Canada, England, France, Scandinavia) in the levels of all social problems:  crime, poverty, unemployment, sub-standard housing, health care coverage, inadequate nutrition, quality of education, racism, sexism, inadequate child care, and so on.  What is it about the US that fosters this severe inadequacy of our society, and what can possibly be done to alleviate these conditions?   Be sure to include ideological justifications and legitimating rationales in your discussion. (50)

The United States is built on a system that fosters such social problems as those listed above. The individualistic mindset inspired by capitalism demands the existence of inequality within a society, in order for others to succeed.