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1. Economic Globalization. In the Communist Manifesto Marx provides a description of the expansionary and global nature of capitalism. (a) Explicate Marx’s argument. Why is capitalism inherently expansionary, according to Marx? How does Marx describe the relationship between the nation-state and global capital? (b) Use Marx’s theory to make the strongest argument you can that globalization is oppressive and exploitative. Utilize at least one outside article and some statistics to support your position. (c) Make the strongest argument you can in favor of globalization. Utilize at least one outside article and some statistics to support your position.

2. Exploitation and Profit. Marx argues that profit derives from the exploitation of workers. For Marx, however, exploitation was not an abstract theory of justice, but a concrete examination of actual conditions. In this spirit, describe a real life example of exploitation, either in the US or abroad. Can a wage be exploitative if the workers voluntarily accept the wage? Why or why not? What would Marx say about the rise of household and consumer debt over the past 40 years? What would an adequate wage be? Who or what should determine wages, if not the market? Finally, if you could pass legislation to eliminate exploitation, what would it be, and what might be some potential problems with this policy?