Strayer WOTW Chapter 23 Reading Guide
Chickpo:
"Tree-hugging" movement in India that sought to protect the livelihood of farmers, artisans, and herders in areas subject to extreme deforestation. Movements in developing countries were different in that they were more locally-based with smaller organizations; involved the lower instead of middle class; less engaged in political lobbying or corporate strategies; concerned more with issues such as food security, health, basic survival over wilderness protection; more connected to social justice movements
What is "reglobalization" as Strayer explains it?
-A dramatic quickening of global economic transactions after World War II.
Explain the significance of the last 60 years in terms of global economic and human developmental growth.
-Economic globalization over the past 50 years helped generate the most remarkable spurt of economic growth in all of world history. Total world output grew from $7 trillion in 1950 to $73 trillion in 2009. -Life expectancies and literacy rates climbed almost everywhere, while infant mortality rates declined. According to the U.N. Human Development Report in 1997, in the past 50 years, poverty has fallen more than in the previous 500.
Examples of mass movements:
-Migrants immigrating from the developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America to the industrialized world of Europe and North America -The collapse of the Ottoman Empire led to the repatriation of over a million Greeks from Turkey -Millions of Jews migrated to Israel fleeing Anti-Semitism, fascism, and the Holocaust -Political repression and forced labor in the Soviet Union forced millions into the camps of Gulag, primarily in Siberia -In South Africa, an industrializing economy and apartheid policies grew millions of male worker from the countryside into mines and factories, often under horrific conditions
Explain the purpose, components, and effects of the "Britten Woods System".
-Purpose: to avoid any return to Depression-era conditions and to lay a foundation for postwar globalization -Components: negotiated rules for commercial and financial dealings among capitalist countries while promoting relatively free trade -Effects: Established stable currency values linked to the U.S. Dollar and high levels of capital investment
One could say a global Proletariat and Bourgeoisie have developed since capitalism has become the predominant global economic model. Explain this observation and the available evidence for it.
-The Proletariat and Bourgeoisie reference alludes to a worker who cannot keep the profits he makes and an owner of capital, respectively. This means that ever since the dawn of capitalism, there has been a more pronounced gap between those of the lowest class and those of the highest. -This analogy is true to some extent in the capitalist economy, and in most cases it is caused by unequal opportunities and is inevitable
What examples of this "reglobalization" phenomenon are given?
-World Trade skyrocketed from a value of $57 billion in 1947 to about $16 trillion in 2009 -Department stores and supermarkets around the world stocked their shelves with goods from every part of the globe -Twinings of London marketed its 120 blends of tea in more than 100 countries -Australian-based Kiwi shoe polish retailed in 180 countries -In 2005, 70% of Walmart products reportedly included components from China -In 2006, Toyota replaced General Motors as the world's largest automaker with manufacturing facilities in at least 18 countries
Feminism in the West:
-a popular approach, inspired by Betty Fridan's book, The Feminine Mystique, was for a woman to attend consciousness-raising groups and to become aware of the previously subconscious oppression -Simone de Beauvoir published The Second Sex, and in it wrote how woman are viewed as the "other" sex; that they were deviant from the "normal" male sex -equal rights feminists preferred political lobbying and many others favored direct action -women of color shared few concerns with white women, as being defined to work at home was seen as a secure base from racism. They believed that solidarity with black men, rather than separation, was essential in confronting a racist America
What have been the causes of global environmental change? Causes of Global Environmental Change:
-explosion in human numbers; unprecedented quadrupling of world population in one century -new ability of humankind to use fossil fuels (coal in 19th, oil in 20th) -phenomenal economic growth as modern science and technology immensely increase production of goods and services -almost everywhere - in capitalist, communist, and developing countries alike - the idea of economic development took hold as desirable in possible
International Feminism:
-feminism was able to project the "woman question" as a global issue and gained international recognition for the view that "women's rights are human rights" -patriarchy lost some legitimacy, but was far from being vanquished -was registered as a global issue when the United Nations, under pressure from women activists, declared 1975 as International Women's Year and the next 10 years as the Decade for Women -many different interests were among the women -in the Islamic world, some very strongly opposed the feminist movement, and in turn restricted women even more so
What changes have resulted from the above conditions? Effects of Global Enivronmental Change:
-growing numbers of poor and increase in consumption of rich lead to doubling of cropland, and corresponding destruction of forests and grasslands; dramatic increases in erosion rates -huge urban complexes transformed the landscape -with diminished habitats, plant and animal species went extinct or became threatened -ozone layer thinned because of air pollution from heavy industry -the burning of fossil fuels releases heat- trapping greenhouse gases like CO2, as well as lots of trees that would normally remove these gases, contributed to global warming
What were/are the contributing factors to the increased level of Islamic fundamentalism?
-loss of self-esteem as a result of failed political and economic systems -high unemployment rates -government corruption -growing gap between rich and poor -increasing western influence in Islamic countries, defeated by Israel in the Six-Day War -loss of control of Jerusalem
Feminism in the Global South
-not all issues were gender based -formed self-help groups that had a combined membership of over one million -took care of each other in times of need, such as during weddings, births, and funerals -took part in community projects such as building water cisterns and schools -in Morocco, women fought and achieved a status equal to men and therefore could now initiate divorce and claim child custody -in Chile, since women were largely regarded as "invisible", they could organize extensively and eventually emerged in a large movement, calling attention to the widespread use of torture and "disappearances" while demanding the restoration of democracy Poor urban women by the tens of thousands participated in soup kitchens, craft workshops, and shopping collectives, all aimed at the economic survival of their families -were very prideful in their feeling of independence from their husbands -resented many of the western feminists' interests, criticizing that they were too individualistic
Fundamentalism in India:
A fundamentalist movement in India in the 1980s, Hindutva, was similar to American fundamentalism, and reacted to perceived secularizaton and to a Perceived Islamic threat. This movement took political shape in the increasingly popular Bharatiya Janata Party, composed of urban middle-class or upper-caste people who resented the state's efforts to cater to the interests of the lower class.
What are the arguments of the people and groups that have opposed neoglobalization?
Although reflecting a variety of viewpoints, the opposition largely agreed that free trade, market-driven corporate globalization had lowered labor standards, fostered ecological degradation, prevented poor countries from protecting themselves against financial speculators, ignored local cultures, disregarded human rights, and enhanced global inequality, while favoring the interests of large corporations and the rich countries.
What simulated the environmentalism of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries?
Begin in the west with the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. Impetus for action became grassroots of citizen protests. By the early 1990s, 14 million Americans had joined an environmental organization.
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring:
Book published in 1962 that exposed chemical contamination of the environment
What were the causes and effects of the 2008 financial crisis in the United States? What does it demonstrate about the nature of global economics?
Causes: -absence of global regulation -low returns frustrated investors, causing them to risk more and causing banks to loan out high amounts of money only for values of homes to crash Effects: -millions of home foreclosures -growing unemployment -tightening credit -decline of consumer spending This crisis exhibits the volatility of the global economy and shows that economies naturally operate in a series of expansions and recessions
Club of Rome and Limits to Growth:
Club of Rome- global think tank that issued a report in 1972 called Limits to Growth, which warned of resource exhaustion and the collapse of industrial society in the face of unrelenting economic growth
What is the "soft power" the United States uses to have global influence?
Cultural attractiveness, political and cultural freedoms, the economic benefits of cooperation, and the general willingness of many to follow the American led voluntary appeal to many.
How would you define the US in the 20th and 21st century? Are we an empire or something else? Explain.
Despite being only a few hundred years old, the US is a nation that boasts the most rights and freedoms of any, the strongest military, and the strongest economy in the world. The US is not an empire anymore. It had imperial ambitions in the 19th and early 20th century, fighting other nations and colonizing or forcibly annexing some or all of their territory, but it no longer meets the criteria to be an empire.
How was the Islamic fundamentalism in the late 20th century different from the Wahhabi movement centuries earlier?
Earlier movements focused on internal problems of Muslim societies, while these responded as well to external pressures of colonial rule, Western imperialism, and secular modernity.
What are some examples of how the Islamic renewal has taken root in Islamic societies?
Earliest mass movement was Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which attracted substantial following of poor urban residents. Major political presence and frequently in consult with state authority. Many people became more religiously observant, attending mosque praying, fasting; many women adopted modest Islamic dress voluntarily; participation in Sufi mystical practices sometimes increased. Governments referred to Quran more often, seeking to anchor themselves in Islamic rhetoric and practice. All of the Muslim world, renewal movements spawned organizations that operated legally to provide social services, such as schools and financial institutions, that the state offered inadequately or not at all. People embraces modern science, but sought to embed it with culture. Some governments invoked programs based on Sharia.
What is "fundamentalism" and what conditions gave rise to it in the 20th century?
Fundamentalism is the strict adherence to traditional beliefs. Many features of the modern world appeared threatening to established religion, such as the scientific and secular approach to ideas. Any belief was challenged, so it was important to defend and support one's belief in response to the modernizing and globalizing world.
Green Party:
German environmental movement in which activist directly entered political arena with focus on opposition to nuclear energy
How has global capitalism impacted social structures/equality throughout the world? Give examples.
Global capitalism had mostly eliminated the middle class workers due to outsourced labors by rich countries to developing countries where laborers were willing to do the same job at a much lower wage. This angered many of the middle class and increased income inequality. For example, millions of manufacturing jobs in the American economy were shed due to outsourcing and the reconstruction of factories in countries where environmental regulations were less strict. This left millions of relatively unskilled and even skilled workers in the United States unemployed and stuck in a rut.
Give examples of how Islamic fundamentalism movements have opposites foreign influences (or things that have been perceived as foreign/non-Islamic influences).
Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon, supported by Islamic regim Iran, targeted Israel with popular uprisings, suicide bombings, and rocket attacks in responses to Israeli occupation in Arab lands. Soviet invasions of Afghanistan prompted widespread opposition aimed at liberating Soviets from atheistic communism and creating Islamic state. Osama bin Laden created al-Qaeda ("the base") to funnel fighters and funds to Afghan resistance. At the time, he and America were on the same side, but soon parted ways. Bin Laden was angered by the stationing of "infidel" US troops in Islam's holy land during and after 1991 American war on Iraq. By the 1990's, bin Laden moved to Afghanistan where he planned 9/11. Al-Qaeda groups launched scattered attacks on Western influence elsewhere as well (East Africa, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, etc). The enemy they saw was the irreligious Western-style modernity, US imperialism, and American-led economic globalization.
What are "transitional corporations"?
Huge global businesses that produce good or deliver services simultaneously in many countries. For example, corporations like Royal Dutch Shell, Sony, and General Motors have multiple departments and operations overseas.
What other types of fundamentalist movements have developed besides the militantly revolutionary forms of fundamentalism?
In turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Morocco, Lebanon, Tunisia, Islamic parties and various agendas made impressive electoral showings in 1990s and early 21st-century. Some Muslim intellectuals have called for dialogue between civilizations on the issues of proper role of state, difference between eternal law of God and human interaction, rights of women, possibility of democracy, and other issues; others argued that traditions can change in face of modern reality is without losing distinctive Islamic character. In turkey, movements in spired by Turkish Muslim scholar Fethullah Gulen sought to apply principles of Islamic spirituality and Sufi piety to problems of modern society. Advocated cross-cultural dialogue, multiparty democracy, nonviolence, modern scientific-based education for girls and boys are like. More liberal and mainstream Christian groups spoke to ethical issues arising from economical globalization. "Liberation theology", particularly in Latin America, saw Christian basis for acquiring the areas of social justice, poverty, and human rights, while viewing Jesus as liberator. In Asia, growing movements of socially engaged Buddhism addressed the needs of the poor through societal educational programs, health services, and peacemaking action in times of war.
What did the founders of the modern Islamic renewal believe caused the Islamic world's current problems, and how did they propose to change that situation?
It was the departure from Islamic principles, they argued that had led the Islamic world to decline and subordination to the West, and only a return to the "straight path of Islam" would ensure revival of Muslim societies. This effort was labeled jihad, an ancient and evocative term that meant "struggle" or "striving" to please God.
What US international US policies/stances have angered people/nations around the world?
Many intellectuals feared the erosion of their own cultures if influenced too much by well-financed American media around the world and have called the US's stance "cultural imperialism". By the early 21st century, widespread opposition had been generated from the US's international policies, such as its refusal to accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, its refusal to ratify the Kyoto protocol on global warming, its doctrine of preemptive war which was exercised in Iraq, and its apparent use of torture.
How has environmental awareness and the globalization of environmentalism resulted in governmental and societal changes in the 20th century?
Motivated legislation aimed at pollution control in many countries; pushed many businesses in a "green" direction; fostered research on cleaner, renewable energy sources; stimulated UN conferences about global warming; persuaded millions to change their ways of life; generated numerous international agreements on matters such as whaling, ozone depletion, global warming; stimulated disputes between North and South (South believed regulations could slow their industrial development); created strong feeling of "one earth".
Fundamentalism in the United States:
Religious conservatives in the 20th century were outraged by critical and "scientific" approaches to the Bible, by Darwinian evolution, and by liberal versions of Christianity. They called for a return to the "fundamentals" of the faith. After WWII, American Protestant Fundamentalism came to oppose political liberalism and "big government".
Compare the global expectations for religion in the modern era, and its actual significance.
Some of the greatest thinkers from the 18th, 19th, and 20th century believed that religion would become extinct and only realities that could be supported by science would remain. However, these predictions were wrong and major religious continued to grow and be practiced.
Explain the role of technology and "neoliberalization" in the globalization process.
Technology: -Innovations such as containerized shipping, huge oil tankers, and air express services dramatically lowered transporting costs and made long-distance trade more profitable. -Fiber-optic cables and, later, the Internet provided the communication infrastructure for global economic interaction. -New communication technologies allowed developing countries and economies to enter into the world economy Neoliberalization: -As major capitalist countries such as the U.S. and Great Britain abandoned previous views on economic activity, their leaders and businesspeople increasingly viewed the entire world as a single market. -This approach to the world economy favored the reduction of tariffs, the free global movement of capital, a mobile and temporary workforce, the privatization of many state-run enterprises, the curtailing of government efforts to regulate the economy, and both tax and spending cuts.
What is the World Trade Organization (WHO), and what arguments came out of the 1999 WTO meeting in Seatle?
The World Trade Organization is an international body representing 149 nations responsible for negotiating the rules for global commerce and promoting free trade. WTO and other high-level international economic gatherings were a major target for criticism by tens of thousands of protestors. One critic proclaimed that the central idea of the organization was that free trade- the values and interests of global corporations- should supersede all other values. In 2001, alternative globalization activists created the World Social Forum under the slogan "Another world is possible" to demonstrate that neoglobalization was not inevitable and that the processes of a globalized economy could and should not be regulated and subjected to public accountability.
Explain how the US now faces increased economic competition, and specifically China's role in that competition.
The recovery of Europe and Japan and the emergent industrialization of South Korea, Taiwan, China, and India substantially reduced the United States' share of overall world production from about 50% in 1945 to 8.1% in 2008. Accompanying this decline was a sharp reversal of the country's trade imbalance as US imports greatly exceeded its exports. China was on track to overtake the United States as the world's largest economy by the 2020s.
