Unit 4 IDRL 215 Exam prep Questions With
Verified Answers 2024/2025
Has globalization caused what is characterized as a "race to the bottom," a downward convergence of
national labour standards, social policies, and regulations in order to better compete in the global
marketplace?
Globalization as caused a race to the bottom. Develops countries are trading/competing with
manufacturers in under developed countries that provide cheap labor w/ little concern regarding
worker safety.
Is globalization a result of the "invisible hand" and, therefore, an unavoidable, self-regulating process?
Or is the inevitability of globalization a myth propagated and legitimized by those who stand to reap
the rewards and those who wish to obscure the political agendas behind it?
Globalization was unavoidable until it wasn't. The appeal and ease in which it can now happen is what
made it unavoidable. This was done on purpose, especially when we consider the creation of NAFTA
and WTO. At this point in globalization, it has now become inevitable and uncontrollable. It was
legitimized by those who stand to reap the rewards and they have done a successful job is obscuring
the political agenda from the public.
How has economic globalization affected Canadian workers?
Higher imports means less need for production jobs in Canada which results in job losses/high
unemployment rates. A reduction in corporate taxed by jurisdictions contributes to the race to the
bottom and this means that there is less money to invest in Canadian infrastructures, social and
environmental issues.
Globalization has also increased employer mobility which is used as a threat against workers
(threatening to close down plant and move overseas). This makes workers more reluctant to stand up
against capital.
Do you agree that globalization is simply another strategy by capital to maximize profitability at the
expense of workers? Why or why not?
It is agreed upon that globalization is a strategy by capital to maximize profits as this is proven to be
true by the actions of capital. Due to the rise in neoliberal policies, profit has become more important
than workers rights and globalization causes a rise in neoliberalism on an international level.
What are the key demographic changes that have affected the workforce?
Due to increased rights regarding education and employment, more women have entered the
workforce. Increasingly minorities are a key part of demographic changes due to a rise in immigration
and a change in the source countries of immigration. Older workers are retiring later.
How do changing work arrangements and organizational structures pose challenges to the practice of
labour relations?
Current gov't regulation and union strategies are based on the standard top-down organization with
workers who work full time at the work site. As work arrangements and organizational structures
change, union strategies will have to evolve so they can effectively unionize non standard workers and
include them in the collective agreement. Legislation will need to expand and adapt to these changes
and include more regulation of non standard workers.
What is precarious employment and why is it increasing?
Non-standard employment (Temp, casual, part time). Increasing b/c attractive to employers due to
lower pay, no benefits, less chance of unionization and easier to dismiss.
Verified Answers 2024/2025
Has globalization caused what is characterized as a "race to the bottom," a downward convergence of
national labour standards, social policies, and regulations in order to better compete in the global
marketplace?
Globalization as caused a race to the bottom. Develops countries are trading/competing with
manufacturers in under developed countries that provide cheap labor w/ little concern regarding
worker safety.
Is globalization a result of the "invisible hand" and, therefore, an unavoidable, self-regulating process?
Or is the inevitability of globalization a myth propagated and legitimized by those who stand to reap
the rewards and those who wish to obscure the political agendas behind it?
Globalization was unavoidable until it wasn't. The appeal and ease in which it can now happen is what
made it unavoidable. This was done on purpose, especially when we consider the creation of NAFTA
and WTO. At this point in globalization, it has now become inevitable and uncontrollable. It was
legitimized by those who stand to reap the rewards and they have done a successful job is obscuring
the political agenda from the public.
How has economic globalization affected Canadian workers?
Higher imports means less need for production jobs in Canada which results in job losses/high
unemployment rates. A reduction in corporate taxed by jurisdictions contributes to the race to the
bottom and this means that there is less money to invest in Canadian infrastructures, social and
environmental issues.
Globalization has also increased employer mobility which is used as a threat against workers
(threatening to close down plant and move overseas). This makes workers more reluctant to stand up
against capital.
Do you agree that globalization is simply another strategy by capital to maximize profitability at the
expense of workers? Why or why not?
It is agreed upon that globalization is a strategy by capital to maximize profits as this is proven to be
true by the actions of capital. Due to the rise in neoliberal policies, profit has become more important
than workers rights and globalization causes a rise in neoliberalism on an international level.
What are the key demographic changes that have affected the workforce?
Due to increased rights regarding education and employment, more women have entered the
workforce. Increasingly minorities are a key part of demographic changes due to a rise in immigration
and a change in the source countries of immigration. Older workers are retiring later.
How do changing work arrangements and organizational structures pose challenges to the practice of
labour relations?
Current gov't regulation and union strategies are based on the standard top-down organization with
workers who work full time at the work site. As work arrangements and organizational structures
change, union strategies will have to evolve so they can effectively unionize non standard workers and
include them in the collective agreement. Legislation will need to expand and adapt to these changes
and include more regulation of non standard workers.
What is precarious employment and why is it increasing?
Non-standard employment (Temp, casual, part time). Increasing b/c attractive to employers due to
lower pay, no benefits, less chance of unionization and easier to dismiss.
