How often is the origin of a product actually considered or under what conditions was it produced? While shopping, the consumer's main goal is to get the needed or desired item, not to select goods based on the "made in" tag. It is well known that many products are imported from other countries. However, little attention is paid to the sub-standard conditions that workers endure to earn a living and maintain a poverty-stricken existence. In Mardi Gras: Made in China, director David Redmon demonstrates the effect globalization and capitalism have on the lives of the owner and workers of a pearl factory in China, contrasting the revelry of New Orleans revelers. Underpaid and overworked staff struggle and live in an inhumane environment, exploited by a boss who demands a lot for a small fee and makes large profits, to support himself and his families. In the film the factory owner, Roger Wong, is hired by entities outside of China. , from the United States, to produce beads at the lowest possible cost to maximize maximum profit. This exchange of money for goods is an example of capitalism and global distribution. Capitalism is described by Conley (2008) as “an economic system in which resources are privately owned; investments are determined by private decisions; and the prices, production and distribution of goods are determined primarily by competition in an unrestricted market.” (p.372) Wong agrees to produce the pearls for a certain sum of money. From this amount determine the costs involved in production such as material, electricity and wages which detract from the profit. After these considerations, a workforce is employed. This particular factory mostly used… half the paper… for beads that they considered ugly and worthless. On the other hand, Americans oscillated between disgust, some guilt, indignation, or ambivalence about the terrible working conditions and meager wages endured by Chinese workers. However, no one took off their beads. As long as the demand for beads continues during Mardi Gras, the profit made by U.S. companies that sell them will continue as well. In China, Roger Wong will continue to exploit its young employees to strengthen its profits. Other businessmen, corporations and a few wealthy people will also benefit from this same strategy used for thousands of products that are part of everyday life. Works Cited Conley, D. (2008). You might ask: an introduction to thinking like a sociologist. New York, NY: W. W. Norton and Company.Redmon, D. (Editor). (2010) Mardi gras: made in china [DVD].