Research and write a short analysis of one important moment in the commodification and globalization of one commodity (in most cases, early 20th century or prior). Just a few examples could include bananas, cement, diamonds, palm oil, rubber, tobacco… (but not wheat, corn, cotton, or petroleum; if chocolate or coffee, must be 19th century or earlier).
– Pick a commodity, and then pick a single phase or moment in the process of it becoming a commodity, and analyze how that change came about. Remember, commodification is the process of creating all the right conditions so that a particular thing can be produced, for profit, on a large scale, for large markets (often for a global market). Remember also that commodification is an ongoing process—nothing is ever fully commodified, merely commodified to a greater or lesser extent.
-Contextualize this moment of commodification within the broader history of the commodity, but focus most energy on one time and place: what change occurred, and why is it a particularly important moment?
-Use the concepts from the readings and class as an integral part of the analysis, employing quotes from the readings (and sources) where appropriate.
Below are PDFs of readings that I would like to be cited if possible. Thank you so much!
