Lesson 4 - Page 2 - Collaborative Learning Activity 4.1 - How is wealth and power distributed globally?

The locations of corporate head offices can give us an idea of the global geography of wealth and economic power. In the concluding activity, your team will discuss the prospects that globalization will someday raise standards of living in places where people are living in poverty.

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Summary

This module introduced your team to challenges and opportunities related to the global economy. Your team examined the two main forces of the global economy - international trade and multinational corporations - and you also looked at the global economy's impacts upon human development issues. It is clear that there remains considerable inequality within the global economy. Those differentials can be found at the global, international, national and even local and individual scales of analysis. Economic growth has taken place but the acquisition of wealth is concentrated into the hands of relatively small numbers of countries, institutions, enterprises, and individuals. There is still much progress to be made to lessen the gap between the world's wealthiest and poorest nations.

Review of Materials Due

This is the final Lesson of the module. We hope this module has increased your understanding of the global economy and of the value of geography for studying and solving problems related to economic change in the world. We also hope you valued the opportunity to learn geography in collaboration with international students using the materials and tools provided in this module. Perhaps you now have a broader perspective of economic geography and how people in different parts of the world are dealing with issues related to the global economy.

For a concluding discussion, please return to the Course Documents area in Blackboard and read the statement "Geography and Global Citizenship: Concluding Thoughts, Suggestions for Further Reading, and Getting Involved". But first, each local group should:

1. Submit your team's three-page statement on international economic cooperation to your instructor (from Collaborative Learning Activity 4.1).
2. Post answers to all "blue box" discussion questions in the Group Discussion Board.