Three Citations for Robbins

1. Robbins' cites Antonio Gramsci's idea of the "national-popular". In Robbins' own words, this is "an imperfect and historically determined version of common sense...that links the thoughts and feelings of ordinary people to the fate of others in a larger collectivity" (86). Robbins says that the only way for an international antiglobalization movement to emerge is for there to be a moment of consciousness experienced by an ethically-aware consumer. Robbins therefore proposes "the international-popular" (86). This is interesting because it means getting consumers involved in events that are physically and mentally extremely far removed from themselves, so inciting interest is extremely difficult, however necessary for the international antiglobalization movement. 

2. Dana Frank's novel Buy American: The Untold Story of Economic Nationalism is cited by Robbins because it provides the example of an American consumer who is upset that she cannot buy any goods that were made in the USA, therefore American workers were losing their jobs. This interests me because of the nationalism and anti-foreign sentiments that are paired with it. As Robbins says, these feelings usually lead to action, but of a counter-productive nationalist kind, like destroying Toyotas or lobbying Congress not to do trade with China. I guess my interest is rather a critique, as in, why do people think like that? Why are they so misguided?

3. Naomi Klein's book No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies is about how brands have turned corporate and stomped on people in their path. Her main claims include that brands went from being "friendly faces" to "selling lifestyles". The marketing of the brand name became more important than the quality of the product itself. Also, brands like Wal-Mart and Starbucks give consumers virtually no choice when they take over prices or regions. Her other claim is that the jobs moved to foreign countries where there are different working conditions and usually fewer labor laws causes a lack of manufacturing jobs in the USA, which makes an influx of jobs to the service sector. Klein then goes into detail about various movements aimed at putting an end to sweatshop labor. These claims are made by using various multi-national companies as examples, and citing their influence on consumers and the economy. Its relation to "The Sweatshop Sublime" is in its main argument, that sweatshop labor is bad and alternatives must be found. This book was interesting to me because it provides concrete examples, like Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Nike, that manipulate consumers and labor laws through globalization. In addition it talks about how brands target younger and younger audiences every year through ad campaigns that sell "lifestyles", and I've noticed how I'm a victim to that!