1. Professor Giddens states that "Instantaneous electronic communication isn't just a way in which news or information is conveyed more quickly. Its exis-tence alters the very texture of our lives, rich and poor alike." Do you agree? How do you think your lives are different, for example, from those of your parents, who grew up in a different era? Which aspects of electronic com¬munication do you use every day?

2. Giddens claims that many of the most successful companies that benefit from globalization are based in the United States. Does this undercut a sense of global reach and turn it to Americanization? Could globalization simply be a cover for American influence and control?

3. What do you think about Giddens' idea that globalization leads to a growth of nationalism and a redefinition of a native cultural identity?

4. What is the World Trade Organization? Why are protests frequently held against what the WTO represents? Research websites and publications that support and dispute the aims of the WTO and explain the role and purpose of the organization for a general reader.

5. Find out what percentage of American households have a personal com-puter. Compare this to countries in South America, Africa, and Asia. How does this access to technology affect the daily lives of world citizenry?