reflection 12

Meyer et al. (1997) ask ‘If an unknown society were “discovered” on a previously unknown island’ what changes would occur? They predict that the following would happen:

•the island society would become a nation-state, with a government like other nation-states

•it would join international organizations, beginning with the United Nations

•international organizations would collect data about the society, which would be used to plan its development

•the island’s government would provide education and other services to its people

•the concepts of progress and development would take hold.

Do you agree with this? If not, what do you think would happen differently? Is there anything they have missed? What do the changes to this hypothetical island society say about the processes of globalization?