| Summary: | In Coat of Many Countries we see how the clothes we wear today are the remarkable coming together of goods and services from all over the world. By following the evolution of a suit, we glimpse the practical application of the new global economy. The motivating force behind this well-traveled suit jacket is to get maximum quality at minimum labor costs. We follow the fleece from an Australian sheep farm to northern India where it is spun into cloth. The shoulder pads are made in China; the lining in Korea; the buttons in Canada; and it all meets in Hamburg. Then it's trucked to Russia, where the frontier guards are paid off, and there it is cut and assembled to an Italian design for ultimate sale at Sears. The film explains why each of the stops on the itinerary makes economic sense. And, surprisingly, the savings far outweigh the transportation costs. The manufacture of a single garment mirrors the inter-relatedness of national economies and often reflects foreign policy as well. This fast-paced portrait of the global assembly line is a must for classes in economics, business, management, marketing, and international studies.
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