PP247 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Capitalism, Cultural Relativism, Deep Ecology
Document Summary
Some see multinationals as a + source of jobs and tech transfers, while others see them as exploiters of 3rd world resources & workers. Multinationals are blamed for paying workers less than in the west, but when they pay > local wages, local companies blame them for skimming off the best workers. Multinationals are blamed for importing western values and undermining local cultures. Also blamed for supporting local, unjust regimes. Richard de george"s 7 guidelines for multinationals operating in the 3rd world: Produce more good than bad for the host country (utilitarian principle) Respect employee human rights (minimum standards for pay, health, safety) This would forbid sweatshops, child labour, etc. Respect and work with local culture to the extent it doesn"t violate moral norms. Answer to the problem of cultural relativism. Cooperate with local government in the development of just background institutions (labour unions, taxes, regulations, redistribution of wealth) Global implications- environmental issues tend to transcend local and national boundaries.
