Question 1
The world system theory is a famous theory developed by Immanuel Wallerstein. According to the theory, the world is a large economic system comprised of countries two types of countries. On the one hand, some nations benefit while, on the other hand, some get exploited (Theories of Global Stratification). The theory further intimates that the economic system of a nation cannot be understood without making direct reference to the world system in which they exist. The world system theory classifies countries into three different levels: the core, periphery, and semi-periphery countries (Theories of Global Stratification). The core countries are known for their dominance and tendency to exploit other nations for factors of production, such as raw materials and labor. On the other hand, the peripheral countries are dependent on the core countries for capital. Semi-peripheral countries hold both characteristics for core and peripheral nations.
Congo is a classic example of a country that fits into the world-systems theory. Despite being one of the world's poorest countries, Congo is rich in cobalt, a lucrative mineral. Poverty is a result of historical hegemony that stems from the days of colonialism (Special report: Inside the Congo cobalt mines that exploit children). The country is endowed with rich mineral mines where many poor citizens work for just over a dollar a day. Miners in Congo are not only poor but experience potentially life-threatening conditions during the mining process. However, they do not benefit directly from the mineral. Instead, corporations in America and China make millions out of the hard work of the Congolese miners. Based on the world system theory, Congo occupies the position of a peripheral country. It relies on core countries such as China and the US for capital. The core countries exploit Congo for labor and raw materials. Cobalt is a raw material used in the production of batteries for smartphones, among other uses (Special report: Revisiting the cobalt-mining boys).
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Question 2
Global inequality remains a significant sociological problem in the world. The inequality is not only witnessed in the area of wealth distribution but also income. The gap between the high income and low-income countries remains large hence setting the center-stage for poverty (Global Stratification & Poverty). The American media has remained adamant about discussing the global inequality that continues to cause many socioeconomic problems across the world. Several reasons can be put forth to justify the scarcity of this topic in the American media. Just like any other company, the American media is a business that relies on profits to continue existing. Most of the owners are capitalists whose exploits in the market come as a result of exploitation. Naturally, stories of inequality are downplayed because they risk upsetting the very corporate hierarchy that engages in the vice.
Secondly, the American media is known for its bias and prejudice against minority groups. In the past, the media has, for instance, been implicated for its bias in African Americans and Hispanic groups. Global inequality is a sociological problem that depicts the implicit bias that carries economic and social implications (There Aren’t Enough Tests). Since the American media rarely represent the interests of the minorities, such stories are not expected to make it to the mainstream space. Thirdly, stories about global inequality have existed for over the last century since the emergence of capitalism as an economic model. Most of these stories have lost taste, given that many countries have already accepted their situation in the global context (Social Distancing Is a Privilege). Therefore, the American media find these reports stale and non-marketable to the general American public.
References
“ Social Distancing Is a Privilege”: Pandemic Highlights India’s Class Divide as 1.3 Billion Lock Down. Retrieved from: https://www.democracynow.org/2020/4/2/rana_ayyub_india_coronavirus
“ There Aren’t Enough Tests”: As Pandemic Intensifies, Global South Prepares for the Worst. Retrieved from: https://www.democracynow.org/2020/4/2/yanis_ben_amor_developing_countries_coronavirus
Global Stratification & Poverty: Crash Course Sociology. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&=&v=6rts_PWIVTU&=&feature=emb_logo
Special report: Inside the Congo cobalt mines that exploit children. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcJ8me22NVs
Special report: Revisiting the cobalt-mining boys. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T___azqvPKI
Theories of Global Stratification: Crash Course Sociology. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b350ljkYWrU
