Blog #1

  I decided to take this course because I needed a political science credit and this course seemed to be interesting. I want to learn more about the difference between the way food is regulated here in the US and in other countries. I'm looking forward to being in a service learning class because it is structured so differently than any other class I have taken so far at Carolina. I also like how much this course studies and incorporates the region and local businesses, practices and programs within it.
   I disagree largely with the assertion that social hierarchies are 'unnatural, undesirable and avoidable.' In many different species, not just humans, there exists some kind of social hierarchy, and in most species there is at the least some kind of competition for domination. It is in no way 'unnatural.' Nor is it undesirable- most people prefer someone to lead them. There are many social hierarchies in place that are undesirable, but this does not mean they are all unnecessary. I would argue that government is certainly a type of social hierarchy. Without government there would be anarchy which I believe to be more undesirable.
  I agree with the green value demanding nature to be respected. I think this value is especially important because it is one that is dangerously forsaken. People and businesses treat nature as if it is another endlessly abundant and unlimited resource and abuse it extensively. We get our food from the earth, and in doing so green values are very often not respected.
  What surprised me most about the readings how much of an ideology being 'green' really is. When I think about local food and green values, I picture only a few industries being involved, but the reading showed that it is actually an entire lifestyle. I think that the green ideology has many important and morally sound facets, but like any other ideology, it is difficult to achieve this successfully. In the US, where capitalism dominates the market, little government is encouraged, and bare-minimum over head costs are intrinsic to most business models, it seems improbable for consumerism to be less valued and for quality and ethical practices for food production to be more widespread.