POST#1 After reading the pieces by Marion Young and Ronaldo Mnuck and considerin

POST#1
After reading the pieces by Marion Young and Ronaldo Mnuck and considering the questions posed this week, I firmly believe that Americans should genuinely care about the conditions of employment in other countries such as China or Mexico. Furthermore, I am convinced that U.S. workers bear a significant political responsibility to support workers’ efforts to unionize in other countries and demand from their employers and governments the same standards of workplace conditions and safety enjoyed by their American counterparts.
Iris Marion Young’s notion of political responsibility powerfully highlights the interconnectedness between individuals and communities, recognizing that various forms of injustice are sustained not only through direct actions but also by adhering to accepted norms and conventions within our societies and institutions (Young, 2004 p. 371). When we examine the realm of global labor, it becomes apparent that American workers often inadvertently contribute to the perpetuation of inequalities by benefiting from systems that prioritize profit over workers’ rights, both domestically and internationally. As Marion Young emphasizes, the acknowledgment of how most of us, as individuals, contribute to the production and reproduction of structural injustice is a crucial starting point for understanding the impact of labor practices on workers worldwide (Young, 2004, p. 378). American workers must recognize that even seemingly small or indirect actions and choices can have far-reaching consequences for workers in other parts of the world. The global economy’s interconnected nature means that decisions made by companies, governments, and consumers in one country can significantly influence the working conditions and livelihoods of individuals in another. For instance, when companies outsource production to countries with lower wages and fewer workplace protections, they perpetuate a race-to-the-bottom dynamic that compromises workers’ rights and well-being. As consumers, we may unknowingly contribute to this cycle by demanding cheaper goods without considering the human cost behind them.
Moreover, recognizing the ethical responsibility that comes with our interconnectedness, American workers bear a political responsibility to actively support and empower workers in other countries to form unions and advocate for better workplace conditions and safety standards. This responsibility is rooted in the understanding that the well-being of workers should not be determined by geographical borders but by universal principles of human rights. While advocating for improved labor standards globally, American workers should also be mindful of how their own government and corporations contribute to or exacerbate labor inequalities in other countries (Young, 2004 p. 373). This includes scrutinizing trade policies, corporate practices, and supply chain arrangements to ensure that they do not perpetuate exploitation and abuse of workers in pursuit of profit. Workers in the U.S may not have direct control over policies and practices in other nations. However, they can use their collective influence to push for change. By assisting workers in other nations to strengthen their collective bargaining power through unionization, workers in the United States can contribute to leveling the playing field for labor rights globally.
As members of a global society, it is crucial for American workers to stand in solidarity with fellow workers in different regions and recognize the shared humanity and common struggles that unite them. Something important to keep in mind which Mnuck aptly highlights is that “There is no singular path forward. Key directions include recruiting in new areas, with migrant workers an obvious option, building coalitions with other social movements, and intensifying international solidarity actions” (Mnuck, 2019, p. 6). It is essential to approach this responsibility with humility and cultural sensitivity. American workers must recognize that they do not hold all the answers or solutions, and that change must be driven by the workers within each specific context. This requires fostering mutual learning and support, understanding the unique challenges faced by workers in different countries, and acknowledging the historical and systemic factors that have shaped their labor conditions.
References
Munck, R. (2019). “Workers of the World Unite (At Last)”.
Young, I. M. (2004). “Responsibility and Global Labor Justice”. Journal of Political Philosophy, 12(4), 365-388.
POST #2
If the goal is to be a global citizens, then yes we should be concerned for people in other countries experiencing injustice. O’Neil says it best when stating that “I am connected to all these people through my consumer actions, I have obligations of justice toward them” (Young, 2004, p. 372). Arendt has a similar view in her community analogy. The key word here is “connected”. Both readings point out that we are more connected or globalized than ever. Of course, there are pros and cons to this. The readings explain one of the cons which is the exploitation of workers in other countries which also affects the amount of jobs in affluent countries. This is evidence that actions in both types of countries affect one another greatly. It should be in all of our best interest to be concerned about things that occur outside our borders.
I also agree that we should at least realize our political responsibility. I can understand however when an individual has a hard time seeing where they fit in all this. Scheffler points out the moral theory where an individual can have a hard time understanding how their actions are a part of a “large scale social structure which millions participate” in (Young, 2004, p. 374). I also think that we shouldn’t place personal blame on individuals or even larger groups. This is counter productive because there is blame to go around and it will make people defensive and want to pass the blame onto someone else. No one individual or entity is solely at fault. This is an unfortunate by-product of the system we currently have. In my opinion, it goes to far when someone says that system has failed because there are things that work well. To summarize, it’s important to be aware that are actions are felt by other people outside our borders. Now that we are aware of this, how do we do things to combat this? There has to be a collective effort by both affluent and poor countries to improve things like low wages and long hours.
Work cited:
Young, Iris Marion. 2004. “Responsibility and Global Labor Justice.” Journal of Political Philosophy 12 (4): 365–88