Globalization How Are the Three

Globalization

How are the three presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama, interacting with and responding sociologically, that is what are they saying to the social changes and social challenges that are linked to globalization and free trade? The New York Times has published three stories recently that explain what the two candidates are saying about those issues. They are all similar in their theme (global economy and candidates) but different in their style and approach to the subject.

On March 16, the Times wrote that economists are "overwhelmingly free traders." In fact when a poll was taken of members of the American Economic Association (who had achieved a Ph.D in the university careers) 87.5% said, "the U.S. should eliminate remaining tariffs and other barriers to trade" (Mankiw, March 16, 2008). The Times' also reported that in a poll conducted recently 58% of Americans were against the U.S. economy going global. What is the view of the candidates? In June 2005, McCain voted yes on the "Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement" (it lowered "barriers" on U.S. trade with South American countries). Clinton and Obama voted "no" on the trade agreement.

Another New York Times article (Hulse, April 11, 2008) explained that the Democrat's majority in the House of Representatives helped in the "...stalling" of Bush's proposal to sign a free trade deal with Columbia. Some unions don't want trade deals "that have advanced globalization" and cost "the loss of millions of American...jobs." Obama and Clinton are both against the Bush proposal for a trade deal with Columbia (fearing jobs will be lost). McCain is for the trade deal. Finally, a third New York Times article (Uchitelle, April 20, 2008) points out that all three candidates have a rough time convincing "blue collar" (factory workers) voters they have the right formula; because the economy is now global, many jobs have gone overseas, and those earning at least $20 an hour fell from 23% of workers in 1979 to 18% in 2007. The social changes that are happening in America because of falling wages and jobs lost to globalization present one of the biggest challenges for whomever winds up winning the White House.