Contemporary WorldContemporary World

SOL WHII.15SOL WHII.15

Both developed and developing Both developed and developing nations face many challenges. These nations face many challenges. These include include migrations, ethnic and migrations, ethnic and religious conflict, and new religious conflict, and new technologies.technologies.

The migrations of refugees and others The migrations of refugees and others is a source of international conflict. is a source of international conflict. Migrations of “guest workers” to Migrations of “guest workers” to European cities has created issues to European cities has created issues to be resolved. be resolved. Fighting among Serbs, Fighting among Serbs, Bosnians, and Croats has caused Bosnians, and Croats has caused Europe to become a major source of Europe to become a major source of refugees.refugees.

Ethnic and religious conflictEthnic and religious conflict is is another issue that challenges another issue that challenges developed and developing countries. developed and developing countries.

In the Middle East, conflicts exist In the Middle East, conflicts exist between:between: The Israelis and the PalestiniansThe Israelis and the Palestinians – The – The

Israelis and the Palestinians claim the Israelis and the Palestinians claim the same area as their religious same area as their religious homeland. This has created an homeland. This has created an ongoing conflict between the ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and the Jews.Palestinians and the Jews.

The KurdsThe Kurds are a large minority group of are a large minority group of Muslims located in Iraq, Turkey and other Muslims located in Iraq, Turkey and other areas in the Middle East. Conflicts between areas in the Middle East. Conflicts between cultures and religions arise. The Kurds cultures and religions arise. The Kurds have been persecuted by the Iranians over have been persecuted by the Iranians over religious beliefs, forbidden by the Turks to religious beliefs, forbidden by the Turks to speak their native language, and have had speak their native language, and have had poison gas dropped on them by; the Iraqis. poison gas dropped on them by; the Iraqis. They are truly a people without a country!They are truly a people without a country!

Another area with religious conflicts is Another area with religious conflicts is Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland. The conflict in this . The conflict in this area is between area is between Protestants and Protestants and CatholicsCatholics. This conflict has resulted in . This conflict has resulted in violence over the years. The roots of violence over the years. The roots of this conflict can be traced to Henry VIII this conflict can be traced to Henry VIII and his break with the Catholic Church. and his break with the Catholic Church.

Ethnic strife and conflict has plaguedEthnic strife and conflict has plagued the the Balkan regionBalkan region for centuries. Animosities for centuries. Animosities between the three largest ethnic groups between the three largest ethnic groups ((Croats, Serbs, and BosniansCroats, Serbs, and Bosnians) date back ) date back to WWII. After Bosnia declared to WWII. After Bosnia declared independence in 1992, fighting broke out independence in 1992, fighting broke out between Bosnian Serbs, Bosnian Muslims, between Bosnian Serbs, Bosnian Muslims, and Croats in an attempt by all sides to and Croats in an attempt by all sides to carve out as much of Bosnia's land as carve out as much of Bosnia's land as possible.possible.

AfricaAfricaWorld War II was a turning point in African history. After the war, many Africans were no longer satisfied to remain under European control. Pan-Africanism promoted the cultural unity of people of African heritage in their struggle for freedom.

The movement in South Africa The movement in South Africa toward African rule was a bitter one.toward African rule was a bitter one. Apartheid allowed non-African rule. Apartheid allowed non-African rule. The African Nation Congress was one The African Nation Congress was one group that fought this policy. In 1994, group that fought this policy. In 1994, South Africa held its first all-races South Africa held its first all-races election. election. Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela was was elected president.elected president.

Ethnic violence has flared in Africa.Ethnic violence has flared in Africa. Nigeria, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zaire Nigeria, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zaire have seen tensions explode into have seen tensions explode into violence. The Tutsi and Hutu in violence. The Tutsi and Hutu in Rwanda are but one example of the Rwanda are but one example of the ethnic conflicts that have dominated ethnic conflicts that have dominated politics in Africa.politics in Africa.

Asia has also seen many ethnic Asia has also seen many ethnic conflicts. conflicts.

In Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge Cambodian Communists enforced a brutal plan that resulted in a massive genocide of Cambodia’s population. More than 1 million Cambodians died under Pol Pot’s regime!

Mao Zadong, in China, launched a Mao Zadong, in China, launched a Cultural RevolutionCultural Revolution to rid China of its to rid China of its old customs, habits, and thoughts, He old customs, habits, and thoughts, He wanted to replace them with a new wanted to replace them with a new socialist culture. This encouraged socialist culture. This encouraged many to speak out for a “fifth many to speak out for a “fifth modernization” – democracy.modernization” – democracy.

Thousands of students in China staged Thousands of students in China staged a hunger strike in a a hunger strike in a pro-democracy pro-democracy demonstrationdemonstration and ignored and ignored government orders to leave. In government orders to leave. In response, troops moved and hundreds response, troops moved and hundreds of students were killed in the of students were killed in the Tiananmen Square Massacre.Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Widespread but unequal access to Widespread but unequal access to computers and instantaneous computers and instantaneous communications has grown in the communications has grown in the contemporary world. Developed contemporary world. Developed countries have utilized these countries have utilized these technological advances to further global technological advances to further global markets.markets.

The astounding advancements of The astounding advancements of technology has led to genetic technology has led to genetic engineering. engineering. Biotechnology Biotechnology presents an exciting range of presents an exciting range of possibilities, from feeding the possibilities, from feeding the hungry to preventing and treating hungry to preventing and treating diseases;diseases; however, these promises however, these promises are not without potential peril. are not without potential peril.

Issues that arise in genetic engineering Issues that arise in genetic engineering surround ethics and what restraints should surround ethics and what restraints should be placed on the possible tampering with be placed on the possible tampering with Mother Nature. Mother Nature. Cloning and crossing Cloning and crossing species are two issues that arise as the species are two issues that arise as the moral, religious, and political issues are moral, religious, and political issues are addressed.addressed. Determining who would have Determining who would have control of this type of power and under control of this type of power and under what circumstances. is a grave issue to be what circumstances. is a grave issue to be decided in the bioethics of this technology.decided in the bioethics of this technology.

Determining who would have control of this Determining who would have control of this type of power and under what circumstances. type of power and under what circumstances. is a grave issue to be decided in the bioethics is a grave issue to be decided in the bioethics of this technology. of this technology. The study of heredity The study of heredity through research on genes is genetics.through research on genes is genetics.

Developed and developing nationsDeveloped and developing nations are characterized by different levels of are characterized by different levels of economic development, population economic development, population characteristics, and social conditions.characteristics, and social conditions.

A A developing countrydeveloping country is a country is a country with a relatively with a relatively low standard of low standard of living, undeveloped industrial base, living, undeveloped industrial base, and moderate to low Human and moderate to low Human Development Index.Development Index.

In developing countries, In developing countries, agriculture is agriculture is still the main economic activity.still the main economic activity. Large families are needed to work the Large families are needed to work the farms in these countries so the birth rate farms in these countries so the birth rate is very high.is very high.

A A developed countrydeveloped country is one that is one that enjoys a relatively high standard of enjoys a relatively high standard of living derived through an industrialized, living derived through an industrialized, diversified economy. Countries with a diversified economy. Countries with a very high Human Development Index very high Human Development Index (HDI) are generally considered (HDI) are generally considered developed countries. developed countries.

The The United Nations United Nations Human Human Development IndexDevelopment Index ( (HDIHDI) is a ) is a comparative measure of comparative measure of poverty, poverty, literacy, education, life expectancy, literacy, education, life expectancy, childbirth, and other factors for childbirth, and other factors for countries worldwide.countries worldwide. It is a standard It is a standard means of measuring well being, means of measuring well being, especially child welfare. especially child welfare.

The industrialization difference The industrialization difference between developed and developing between developed and developing countries contributes to the economic countries contributes to the economic conditions of the country.conditions of the country.

Developed countriesDeveloped countries usually have usually have economic systems based on economic systems based on continuous, self-sustaining economic continuous, self-sustaining economic growth and growth and high standards of livinghigh standards of living while developing countries have not while developing countries have not developed these systems.developed these systems.

Developed countriesDeveloped countries also have also have higher literacy rateshigher literacy rates and a and a higher higher access to health careaccess to health care than developing than developing countries. These higher rates affect countries. These higher rates affect the standard of living in the two the standard of living in the two countries.countries.

Developing countries have a high Developing countries have a high fertility rate.fertility rate. The rate of population The rate of population growth creates problems in health care, growth creates problems in health care, child welfare, education, and housing.child welfare, education, and housing.

Rapid growth of population and Rapid growth of population and economic development are having an economic development are having an impact on the environmentimpact on the environment..

Environmental challenges:Environmental challenges:

PollutionPollution Loss of habitatLoss of habitat Ozone depletionOzone depletion

Social challenges:Social challenges:

PovertyPoverty Poor healthPoor health IlliteracyIlliteracy FamineFamine MigrationMigration

Sound economic conditions contribute Sound economic conditions contribute to a stable democracy, and political to a stable democracy, and political freedom helps foster economic freedom helps foster economic development.development.

Free market economiesFree market economies produce produce rising standards of living and an rising standards of living and an expanding middle class.expanding middle class.

An An expanding middle classexpanding middle class increases demands for political increases demands for political freedoms and individual rights. More freedoms and individual rights. More middle class citizens also means a middle class citizens also means a rise in spending on luxury items. rise in spending on luxury items. Recent examples include Taiwan and Recent examples include Taiwan and South Korea.South Korea.

The countries of the world are The countries of the world are increasingly dependent on each increasingly dependent on each otherother for raw materials, markets, and for raw materials, markets, and financial resources, although there is financial resources, although there is still a difference between the still a difference between the developed and developing nations.developed and developing nations.

Rapid transportation, communication, Rapid transportation, communication, and computer networks have and computer networks have contributed to economic contributed to economic interdependence.interdependence.

The rise and influence of multinational The rise and influence of multinational corporations have also led to economic corporations have also led to economic interdependence as global business interdependence as global business and marketing increase. and marketing increase. Multinational Multinational corporations must seek the raw corporations must seek the raw materials they need from a materials they need from a multitude of nations.multitude of nations.

The European Union (EU) is a union of twenty-The European Union (EU) is a union of twenty-five independent states in Europe. This union five independent states in Europe. This union was founded to enhance was founded to enhance political, economic political, economic and social co-operation.and social co-operation.

In January 1994, Canada, the United States In January 1994, Canada, the United States and Mexico launched the and Mexico launched the NorthNorth American American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and and formed the world's largest free trade area. formed the world's largest free trade area.

This trade agreement has brought This trade agreement has brought economic growth and rising standards of economic growth and rising standards of living for people in all three countries. In living for people in all three countries. In addition, addition, NAFTANAFTA has established a has established a strong foundation for future growth and strong foundation for future growth and has set a valuable example of the has set a valuable example of the benefits of trade liberalization.benefits of trade liberalization.

The The World Trade OrganizationWorld Trade Organization ( (WTOWTO) ) is an international organization, which is an international organization, which sets the rules for the global trading sets the rules for the global trading system and resolves disputes between system and resolves disputes between its member states. its member states.

The United Nations (UN) is a global The United Nations (UN) is a global association of governments that association of governments that facilitates cooperation in facilitates cooperation in international law, security, economic international law, security, economic development, and social equity. development, and social equity.

The The United Nations United Nations was created was created primarily to provide primarily to provide solutions for solutions for international international problemsproblems. One way . One way the UN encourages the UN encourages world peace is to world peace is to provide protection for provide protection for refugees of refugees of international conflicts.international conflicts.

The International Monetary FundThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the international organization (IMF) is the international organization entrusted with overseeing the global entrusted with overseeing the global financial system. This organization financial system. This organization was set up after WWII to assist with was set up after WWII to assist with global economic development by global economic development by allowing nations to borrow money.allowing nations to borrow money.

1. What two groups is the on-going 1. What two groups is the on-going conflict in Israel between?conflict in Israel between?

The Jews and the Palestinians

Why?

They want the same religious land.

2. Why was the United Nations 2. Why was the United Nations created?created?

To solve international problems and help keep world peace

3. Why was there a major surge of 3. Why was there a major surge of refugees in the 1990s?refugees in the 1990s?

Fighting in the Balkans among the Serbs, Bosnians, and Croats

4. What two groups had a religious 4. What two groups had a religious conflict in Northern Ireland?conflict in Northern Ireland?

The Protestants and the Catholics

5. What type of country has a 5. What type of country has a higher standard of living?higher standard of living?

A developed country

What index is used to measure this?

The HDI – Human Development Index

6. What type of economy is found in 6. What type of economy is found in developing countries?developing countries?

An agricultural economy

What does this promote?

High birth rate and large families to work the farms

7. How did the International 7. How did the International Monetary Fund assist global Monetary Fund assist global economic development?economic development?

By allowing nations to borrow money to assist economic growth

8. Name two trade agreements 8. Name two trade agreements that were developed to stimulate that were developed to stimulate economic growth.economic growth.

European Union

North American Free Trade Agreement

9. What is interdependence?9. What is interdependence?

Nations sharing technology and communications that make them reliant on each other

10. What developments have 10. What developments have allowed cultures to mix easily?allowed cultures to mix easily?

Rapid transportation

Computers

Global communication