Wal-Mart's Success and the U.S. Economy

Paper Summary:

This paper takes an interdisciplinary approach to explore the effects of Wal-Mart's expansion on the American economy and its society. As the effects of Wal-Mart are multi-faceted, three of the most relevant disciplines are used to fully explore the positive and negative effects of Wal-Mart's entry into a community. As such, the economic perspective, (including employment rate and tax revenue), political science perspective, (including the effects on local elections and policies as well as federal policies), and the sociology perspective, (including social stratification), are used to shed light on this controversial topic. A qualitative literary review of appropriate journals, pertaining to the three identified disciplines, are used. The connections made between the economic, political, and sociological disciplines give rise to several interesting advantages and disadvantages of the entry of Wal-Mart into the American economy and society, advantages and disadvantages that wouldn't be identified with one discipline alone.

Outline:
Background
Problem Statement
The Importance of the Problem at Hand
Disciplinary Perspectives, Evidence and Insights
Wal-Mart's Advantages and Disadvantages from the Perspective of the Economic Discipline
Wal-Mart's Advantages and Disadvantages from the Perspective of the Political Discipline
Perspective of the Sociology Discipline
Integration
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"More than 235,000 Wal-Mart employees are 55 years of age or older ("Corporate facts", n.d.) and many are students. These employees find Wal-Mart's flexibility perfect for supplemental income, and for students it can provide valuable work experience ("Economic opportunity", n.d.). Not only does Wal-Mart offer opportunities to diverse social groups, but their benefit plans often help prevent struggling, low-income families from having to rely on welfare-funded healthcare plans, such as Medicaid."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bennett, B. (Summer 2003). Big box battle: Guelph's citizens favour community values and smaller developments. Alternatives Journal 29(3). Retrieved September 29, 2006, from Academic OneFile database.
• Boarnet, M. & Crane, R. (Sept 1999). The impact of big box grocers on Southern California: Jobs, wages, and municipal finances. Retrieved September 29, 2006, from http://www.coalitiontlc.org/big_box_study.htm.
• Charitable contributions fulfilled through grassroots. (2 Dec 2002). Supermarket News. Retrieved September 29, 2006, from InfoTrac database.
• The Congressional Black Caucus has received a three-year, $1 million grant from Wal-Mart Stores to help provide scholarships for two college access programs. (24 Aug 2006). Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 23(14): 46.
• Economic opportunity. (No date). Retrieved September 29, 2006, from http://www.walmartfacts.com/FactSheets/8292006_Economic_Benefits.pdf.

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