World Regions

WORLD REGIONS

Introduction

We live at the time when globalization is integrally linked to regional specialization . Surprisingly , these processes do not contradict each other , but create a harmonic system of economic relations . When we need to buy a product produced in a foreign country , we again recognize the importance of globalization , which makes numerous brands available to us daily

1 . I cannot imagine my life without eating rice . It is one of my favorite food products . I do not like experiments , and I regularly purchase the products of only one

brand : Rice-A-Roni . This is the Italian product of extremely high quality . It is actually packaged rice mixed with various seasonings . The company has developed an extremely wide assortment of rice products , but I prefer the one with parmesan and chicken . The product contains parmesan cheese , natural flavors , palm oil , onions , parsley , turmeric , and several other spices . The usual package weighs 3 .8 oz . and costs around 5

2 . It took me a long time before I finally found what I wanted . It appears that the processes of globalization have not yet been as perfect as to deliver all necessary products to our local area . In fact Wal-Mart was the first place where I could find real Italian rice for a reasonable price . I had to surf dozens of food stores , looking for the rice of Italian origin . In reality , I think that globalization did not make people aware of other economies and other countries . Rice is still considered to be an original Chinese product . Many people thought I was mistaken when asking for Italian rice , but I knew what I wanted Wal-Mart is traditionally involved into selling the widest range of different food and non-food items . The economic situation in Southern Illinois is very favorable for all sorts of businesses , but I regularly face the need to visit Wal-Mart , because I cannot find the majority of my favorite products in any other food store . There is still a prejudice that eating Italian rice is extremely unusual , although many Wal-Mart customers prefer quality products without any regard to their origin . It seems to me that I had to visit about 12 stores before I came to Wal-Mart . I had to waste 2 days until I was able to find the desired product . I think that this is not the problem of globalization , but rather of the distorted perceptions of the Illinois customer preferences . The regional specialization of Southern Illinois is also connected with agriculture moreover , Illinois is one of the leading national corn manufacturers . However , with wholesale being the leading business trend in the state , it is still surprising that we face difficulties in looking for products which are usual to our daily lives

3 . Ultimately , Wal-Mart has become the place where I could find the requested item . I finally stopped my search and did not try any other smaller food stores . Successful retailing is rooted in providing the customers with the products they need . Globalization makes it possible to deliver any product to any customer in any part of the world , but it is still rather problematic for the Illinois customer to find certain types of goods

4 . It is interesting to view the discussed product from a different viewpoint . Rice-A-Roni is a product of Italian origin as a result it also reflects the characteristics of Italian culture , traditions , and climate . Italy is known for its mild Mediterranean climate . This means that the weather in Italy is mildly warm , with sufficient amount of rains . These conditions are extremely favorable for growing rice Italian rice is very peculiar : the customer will hardly find any Italian rice products in their pure form . Rice is traditionally combined with numerous seasonings and meat , which is traditional to Italian cuisine and culture . Rice-A-Roni is not an exception . The brand includes dozens of various mixtures with rice , meat , vegetables , and spices

Italy is also known for being populated by numerous ethnic groups . This is why the variety of rice mixtures is aimed at satisfying the taste preferences of all population groups . Grain constitutes considerable portion of Italian agriculture as a result , Italy is known as a quality exporter of rice products along with China

5 . Rice is a food item which can hardly be produced locally . The climate conditions of Southern Illinois , as well as its economic structures do not allow growing rice . Climate conditions have effects on human health and safety . Temperature extremes and storms are responsible for deaths and health problems . In such climate conditions growing rice would initially be an economic failure . Even in the light of the fact that Illinois is the second national corn producer , and the first producer of soybeans in the U .S , rice remains a problematic item The problem is not even in the fact that rice is not grown in Southern Illinois the problem is in the fact that Illinois retailers are reluctant at dealing with Italian rice , which cannot be grown at Southern Illinois

6 . The variety of food products is the gateway towards business profitability and success . There are many reasons of why Italian rice is sold (or could be sold ) in Southern Illinois . First , it re-fills the gap in the food products assortment , which could not be filled by any local products . Second , it is aimed at satisfying the peculiar needs of customers . These two reasons are sufficient to make Italian rice a regular item in the product line of many food stores , but the majority of them still keep to outdated traditionalist principles , thinking that Italian rice can hardly be interesting to any Southern Illinois consumers

Conclusion

Globalization is often opposed to regional specialization . The benefits of globalization are frequently minimized under the impact of local trading constraints and principles . Even when the bs between the states are open , it is sometimes difficult to find the desired product in the local food store . As a result , there are still significant gaps in the assortment line of the numerous Illinois stores

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Central Intelligence Agency . The World Factbook - United States Central

Intelligence Agency . HYPERLINK "https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /us .htm l Geo https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /us .html Geo (accessed January 24 , 2008

2 . Central Intelligence Agency . The World Factbook - Italy Central Intelligence

Agency . HYPERLINK "https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /it .htm l https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /it .html (accessed January 24 , 2008

3 . State of Illinois . Business Portal ' Illinois

HYPERLINK "http /business .illinois .gov /io_keyIndustries .cfm http /business .illinois .gov /io_keyIndustries .cfm (accessed January 24 , 2008

THE CURRENT EVENTS IN SOUTH ASIA

Introduction

South Asia continually attracts our attention to its regional political conflicts . The murder of Benazir Bhutto has again initiated the rise of violence and opposition in Pakistan

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in an apparent suicide bombing in the military garrison town of Rawalpindi according to her aides , throwing Pakistan 's political system into a new round of turmoil (SouthAsia Network

Evidently , this was hardly a simple murder , but an action which is usually called assassination . The importance of the discussed event is two-fold : on the one hand , Bhutto 's death has completely changed the political and economic course of Pakistan . On the other hand , it has raised mass violence among those who could not silently accept Bhutto 's death

The perspectives of Bhutto 's death were constantly discussed by mass media , but world political circles did not anticipate that their predictions and fears would become real . It is important to understand that the death of the popular Pakistani political leader was echoed in the international political processes . Globalization touches all areas of human life it is not limited by economic impacts , but is also linked to the processes of political integration and political changes in the world . As a result , Bhutto 's death was immediately reflected in the political campaigns in the U .S , and the destabilization of Pakistani economy and government . The direction of the U .S . presidential campaigns were changed to emphasize the importance of peacemaking in South Asia and to promote political stability in Pakistan , in particular . In addition , the American candidates have acquired additional foundation to underline the importance of the national security policies . This might be surprising , how the assassination of the Pakistani political leader could directly or indirectly impact the course of political campaigns in the United States . Yet , these processes are more natural , that unusual and living at the age of globalization means living at the time when all political processes are linked into one integral system of political attitudes and consequences

Pakistan has become one of the closest American allies in the war against terrorism . As a result , the Pakistani nation mainly relied on the financial aid from their larger American partner . The year 2007 was marked by 7 percent fiscal growth , which actually hit the records of Pakistani economic development during the last 10 years . Bhutto 's death has put all previous achievements under threat . The 2007 inflation level in Pakistan was equal to 14 percent the death of Benazir Bhutto has revived the processes of increasing inflation and growing food prices Prices on some key foodstuffs rose further since Bhutto 's killing - even doubling for some goods like vegetables - due to fears of shortages after transport links were cut

There are even more important economic and political threats to be taken into account . The political and military conflict in Pakistan was always characterized by being regional . The local character of Pakistani political problems was changed after the events 9 /11 . Pakistan and the U .S . have become close allies in their war against terrorism . In this situation , and relying on the foreign aid , the conflict could no longer remain local . The major threat of such local conflicts is in that they easily become global . While political leaders cannot effectively keep their neutrality , they ruin the political foundations of their nations In their desire to support any of the conflicting parties , the countries join one out of several opposed political camps . Ultimately , these political camps openly blame each other for their political preferences and may apply radical means to protect their positions . Globalization has made political processes more integral , but it has also facilitated the flow of arms , military forces , and weapons of mass destruction across the nations . There is no guarantee that Bhutto 's death will not turn into the conflict of international scale

It is obvious , that many political leaders have already taken certain positions in terms of Bhutto 's death . Many countries have judged the fact of assassination and have expressed their open displeasure with the Pakistani political situation . However , this does not mean that other countries were simply not indifferent ' towards the situation in Pakistan . On the contrary , this means that more and more political parties are getting involved into the conflict which could be easily resolved without external assistance

When the whole world is divided into several political camps , this division is also reflected among national population of the country in conflict . Bhutto was often referred to as the person who could build a bridge between the separated elements of the nation . This means , that her death has buried all political efforts aimed at creating peace in Pakistan . When political conflict has already crossed all reasonable boundaries , there is also another important aspect of globalization which comes into action . The effect of political integration upon conflicting nations can be two-fold : on the one hand , outside involvement into Pakistani domestic policies threatens its vulnerable stability . On the other hand , this is the case when reasonable international approaches may take the country out of crisis . Again , such political and economic assistance should not be expressed in the form of support to any of conflicting parties . It is crucial that political and economic assistance from the outside of the country is directed at the whole population in its mass , and not at supporters of any specific political party . These approaches should be based upon political neutrality , and will ultimately result in the more effective peacemaking

Death of any political leader is always a considerable shake to all spheres of national politics , economics , social , and cultural values South Asia has significant potential to stop violence in Pakistan , and to use the benefits of globalization to unite political and economic efforts for more effective peacemaking . It is crucial that international assistance is provided on the basis of political neutrality . Otherwise the gap between different political supporters within the country risks turning the conflict into the matter of international concern

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1 . SouthAsia Network . Pakistan : Last voice of democracy is strangulated . End of Bhuttos

SouthAsia Network . HYPERLINK "http /southasia .net /World /pakistan-bhutto .html http /southasia .net /World /pakistan-bhutto .html (accessed January 24 2008

2 . CNN . Bhutto 's death a blow to economy ' CNN .com

HYPERLINK "http /edition .cnn .com /2008 /BUSINESS /01 /01 /pakistan .economy .ap /index .ht ml http /edition .cnn .com /2008 /BUSINESS /01 /01 /pakistan .economy .ap /index .htm l (accessed January 24 , 2008

Central Intelligence Agency , The World Factbook - Italy ' Central Intelligence Agency , HYPERLINK "https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /it .htm l https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /it .html (accessed January 24 , 2008

Central Intelligence Agency , The World Factbook - Italy ' Central Intelligence Agency , HYPERLINK "https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /it .htm l https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /it .html Central Intelligence Agency , The World Factbook - Italy ' Central Intelligence Agency , HYPERLINK "https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /it .htm l https /www .cia .gov /library /publications /the-world-factbook /geos /it .html State of Illinois , Business Portal ,Illinois , HYPERLINK "http /business .illinois .gov /io_keyIndustries .cfm http /business .illinois .gov /io_keyIndustries .cfm

State of Illinois , Business Portal ,Illinois , HYPERLINK "http /business .illinois .gov /io_keyIndustries .cfm http /business .illinois .gov /io_keyIndustries .cfm

CNN , Bhutto 's death a blow to economy , CNN .com , HYPERLINK "http /edition .cnn .com /2008 /BUSINESS /01 /01 /pakistan .economy .ap /index .ht ml http /edition .cnn .com /2008 /BUSINESS /01 /01 /pakistan .economy .ap /index .htm l

CNN , Bhutto 's death a blow to economy , CNN .com , HYPERLINK "http /edition .cnn .com /2008 /BUSINESS /01 /01 /pakistan .economy .ap /index .ht ml http /edition .cnn .com /2008 /BUSINESS /01 /01 /pakistan .economy .ap /index .htm l

CNN , Bhutto 's death a blow to economy , CNN .com , HYPERLINK "http /edition .cnn .com /2008 /BUSINESS /01 /01 /pakistan .economy .ap /index .ht ml http /edition .cnn .com /2008 /BUSINESS /01 /01 /pakistan .economy .ap /index .htm l

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