Global Issues

Herausgeber: Jackson, Robert M.

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This twentieth edition of Annual Editions: Global Issues is a collection of current world press articles which examine issues relating to population, food production, natural resource utilization, the political economy, conflict, and human rights. Annual Editions titles are supported by the student website, Dushkin Online, and feature an annotated listing of World Wide Web sites.(www.dushkin.com/online/).

Produktdetails

• Annual Editions
• Verlag: Dushkin / McGraw-Hill Professional
• 20 th ed.
• Seitenzahl: 218
• Erscheinungstermin: Mai 2004
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 276mm x 206mm x 13mm
• Gewicht: 538g
• ISBN-13: 9780072861518
• ISBN-10: 0072861517
• Artikelnr.: 13620183

Inhaltsangabe

UNIT 1. Global Issues in the Twenty-First Century: An Overview
The Atlantic Monthly, May 1998
The interconnected dangers of overpopulation, climate change, and
pollution have been in the headlines for years, but doomsday has not
yet arrived. Bill McKibben examines two important questions: What if we
already have inflicted serious damage on the planet? and, What if there
are only a few decades left to salvage a stable environment?
Foreign Affairs, July/August 2002
Stanley Hoffmann begins his analysis by briefly reviewing the main
ideas of the 1990s that scholars and analysts used to explain and
interpret the changes that occurred in the post-cold war era, including
a number of globalization processes, which he points out are often
contradictory. Rather than being forces of integration, Hoffmann
concludes that the clash of these processes creates new forms of
conflict. The consequence is a puzzling international arena filled with
paradoxes.
The Atlantic Monthly, January 2002
Benjamin Schwarz and Christopher Layne challenge the emerging U.S.
national security strategy that has been labeled "preponderance.” They
propose an alternative approach in which the United States would foster
a so-called "multi-polar” world that is composed of a number of great
powers.
Foreign Policy, May/June 2001
Two well-known observers of world affairs offer conflicting views of
the path of history. Their contending views reflect the differing
perspectives offered in this introductory section.
UNIT 2. Population and Food Production
Time, April/May 2000
A general overview is offered of the changing global demographic trends
of fewer children and increased longevity. Jeffrey Kluger describes
variations between different geographic regions and the varying
patterns of consumption among the world's rich and poor.
6. SARS Has Lots of Company as Emerging Disease, Seth Borenstein, The
Sacramento Bee, May 4, 2003
Scientists say environmental, economic, social and scientific changes
have helped trigger an explosion of more than 35 new infectious
diseases in the past 30 years.
Harvard International Review, Spring 2002
In this essay, the growing debate over genetically modifed crops is
described with specific examples of both pro and con perspectives.
Honor Hsin concludes that careful scientific research must be seriously
considered in this debate rather than just corporate interests or
public fears.
UNIT 3. The Global Environment and Natural Resources Utilization
Time, August 26, 2002
In the summer of 2002, world leaders gathered in Johannesburg to debate
what to do about threats to food, water, climate, and biodiversity.
Jeffrey Kluger and Andrea Dorfman provide an overview of these issues
and report on changing attitudes and approaches to facing these
challenges.
9. Shifting the Pain: World's Resources Feed California's Growing Appetite,
Tom Knudson, The Sacramento Bee, April 27, 2003
California is the world's fifth largest economy. The people of the
state have long consumed more natural resources than they produce.
Today the desire to protect natural resources within the state, while
importing then record amounts, is creating serious environmental
consequences in countries far removed from the Golden state.
10. Water Scarcity Could Overwhelm the Next Generation, Janet L. Sawin,
World Watch, July/August 2003
In the last half century, demand for fresh water has tripled. The
social and health consequences of growing water scarcity are described
in this brief overview of the topic.
Can Build a Sustainable Economy, Lester R. Brown, The Futurist, July/August
1996
The world is faced with an enormous need for change in a short period
of time. Human behavior and values, and the national priorities that
reflect them, change in response to either new information or new
experiences. Lester Brown asserts that regaining control of our destiny
depends on stabilizing population as well as climate.
UNIT 4. Political Economy
Part A. Globalization DebateCurrent History, November 1997
Globalization is a complex concept that means different things to
different people. James Rosenau first defines the concept and then
contrasts the process of globalization with localization. Rather than
conclude that one force will prevail over the other, Rosenau argues
that the two forces will contradictorily and simultaneously accommodate
each other.
13. The Five Wars of Globalization, Moises Naim, Foreign Policy,
January/February 2003
The dark side of globalization takes the form of illegal trade in
drugs, arms, intellectual property, people and money. It is growning
rapidly, and governmental efforts to combat it are failing. The five
wars are described along with proposals for new strategies to deal with
this unprecedented struggle that now shapes the world as much as
confrontations between countries.
Foreign Policy, September/October 2001
The author argues that global integration is driven not by politics,
the Internet, or world trade but primarily by monetary expansion.
"Credit booms,” he argues, "spark periods of economic integration,
while credit contractions squelch them.” Is the world on the verge of
another globalization bust?
Part B. Case Studies15. Croesus and Caesar, Richard Rosecrance, The
National Interest, Summer 2003
The interdependent relationship between the U.S. and Europe is
described in terms of security issues and the financial role Europe
plays in supporting the American economy. The future role of the euro
in the world economy is examined along with the enduring reasons for
continued transatlantic cooperation on a variety of policy issues.
16. Render Unto Caesar: Putin and the Oligarchs, Marshall I. Goldman,
Current History, October 2003
From the outset, the transition from the communist, planned economy in
Russia to a market economy was flawed in fundamental ways. A major
consequence has been the creation of an oligarchy whose wealth was
created by pirating the former state enterprises. This process is
described along with its impact on the contemporary Russian political
process.
17. The Fall of the House of Saud, Robert Baer, The Atlantic Monthly, May
2003
Saudi Arabia has long been considered a reliable partner of the U.S. in
the Arab Middle East. The author, a former CIA operative, argues that
"Saudi Arabia can't last much longer, and the social and economic
fallout of its demise could be calamitous.”
18. Thirty Years of Petro-Politics, Daniel Yergin, Washington Post, October
17, 2003
Daniel Yergin is one of the leading experts on the political-economy of
oil. In this brief article, he summarizes what has and has not changed
in the global oil market since the Arab oil embargo of 1973.
19. India and China: Two Systems, One Grand Rivalry, The Economist, June
21. 2003
Over 2.3 billion people live in China and India. The modern history of
these two countries has been defined by rivalry and open conflict.
Recent efforts to improve relations are described along with a detailed
comparison of the two economic systems.
Journal of Japanese Trade & Industry, September/October 2002
The economic relationship of Japan and China does not occupy much space
in the North American coverage of globalization. This article, written
from a Japanese perspective, analyzes the validity of assumptions in
the argument that claims China's economic growth is a threat to Japan's
well-being. This discussion provides many important insights into the
structure of the global economy.
The Nation, January 7-14, 2002
This article describes "the rise of an international media cartel. Of
10 highly integrated conglomerates, each has subsidiaries that include
newspapers, publishing companies, television networks, movie studios,
Internet providers, and even amusements. The author claims that the
consequence of this concentration of economic power is a blurring of
the distinction between entertainment and news reporting coupled with a
reduction in the number of news sources.
The New Yorker, April 8, 2002
This case study of a city in Bolivia demonstrates the convergence of
resource scarcity, politics, and contending economic interests.
UNIT 5. Conflict
23. The Transformation of National Security, Philip Zelikow, The National
Interest, Spring 2003
An overview of the President Bush's national security policy is
presented. It includes a discussion of the fundamental redefinition of
policy assumptions and how these have shaped the administration's
foreign policy decisions.
The New York Times Magazine, May 26, 2002
In the aftermath of September 11, more and more attention has been
focused on other types of terrorist threats. One threat that concerns
many experts has been labeled the "nuclear nightmare.” A comprehensive
overview of various terrorist scenarios is provided in this essay.
The Christian Science Monitor, September 27, 2001
In a speech to Congress shortly after the September 11 terrorist
attacks, President Bush asked, "Why do they hate us?” His question
spurred a number of articles that attempted an answer. This particular
article offers a comprehensive examination of U.S. policy in the Middle
East to uncover the roots of anti-Americanism.
26. Changing Course on China, Elizabeth Economy, Current History, September
2003
Following the September 11th terroist attacks, the Bush
administration's China policy was redefined. The article provides an
overview of the changes and the underlying reasons for the dramatic
improvement in bilateral relations. In addition, the author looks ahead
to the significant challenges that remain, including human rights,
Taiwan, and nuclear weapons in North Korea.
27. The Korea Crisis, Victor D. Cha and David C. Kang, Foreign Policy,
May/June 2003
The authors answer basic questions about the motives of the government
of North Korea and various diplomatic approaches to defusing the
nuclear threat North Korea poses to its neighbors.
Scientific American, December 2001
Most observers believe that the region of the world most likely to
experience nuclear war is South Asia. India and Pakistan, both armed
with missiles with nuclear warheads, have a long history of territorial
dispute and conflict. This article provides an overview of this
volatile situation.
UNIT 6. Cooperation
The Futurist, May/June 2002
The secretary-general of the United Nations observes, "Our era of
global challenges leaves us no other choice but to cooperate at the
global level.” An overview of human rights issues is provided as a
context of establishing priorities for the United Nations.
30. Europe Drafting Its Constitution, Elaine Sciolino, The New York Times,
June 15, 2003
A draft Constitution for the European Union is slowly moving forward in
the review and approval process. While it is less than a United States
of Europe, it will be a historic transfer of significant elements of
sovereignty from the member countries to the supranational organization
.
The National Interest, Fall 2002
The American and Russian coauthors are well-known national security
experts. They describe the threat of nuclear terrorism and provide a
five-point plan of international cooperation that is designed to do
everything possible to prevent criminals or terrorists from stealing
nuclear weapons or weapons-usable material.
The Rotarian, July 2002
In 1988 polio paralyzed more than 1,000 children every day. In 2001
there were fewer than 1,000 cases for the entire year. Rotary
International, a service organization, has played a central role in
reaching the goal of a polio-free world. The challenges of completing
polio eradication are now located in some of the world's hot spots.
Science News, April 6, 2002
International efforts are focusing on satellite technology to find
patterns of disease. Many infectious diseases are resurgent, and these
new technologies are increasingly important to help national and
international public health agencies respond to potential epidemics.
UNIT 7. Values and Visions
World Policy Journal, Winter 1999/2000
Shashi Tharoor, who works in the office of the secretary-general of the
United Nations, responds to criticisms of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights. Contrary to those who argue that the declaration is an
attempt to impose alien, Western values on the rest of the world,
Tharoor examines a variety of cultural and ethical issues and concludes
that "a universal idea of human rights can help make the world safe for
diversity.”
Scientific American, November 1999
A small experiment, begun in Bangladesh to loan money to poor people as
a way of helping them become more productive, has turned into a major
new concept in the eradication of poverty.
Current History, November 2000
The dominant worldviews of Western culture do not have core assumptions
that are defined in terms of an "environmental ethic.” After examining
alternative environmental ethics and then applying them to "realism”
and "liberal institutionalism,” the author calls for a new political
dialogue that only a more "authentic democracy” can generate in order
to better integrate social choices with a vision of the "natural” world
we create.
37. Exploring the "Singularity”, James John Bell, The Futurist, May/June
2003
The author observes, "Singularity can be thought of as the point at
which technology and nature become one. At this juncture the world as
we have known it will become extinct.” The concept of singularity is
examined by reviewing rapid developments in new technologies and their
profound implications for the future.
Foreign Policy, May/June 2001
Swanee Hunt and Christina Posa argue that you cannot end wars by simply
declaring peace. "Inclusive security” rests on the principle of
fundamental social change to prevent renewed hostilities. The authors
describe the role that women have played in bridging problems and ask
why the role of women is not growing more rapidly in promoting peace.
The Atlantic Monthly, October 2002
Philip Jenkins observes that Christianity is undergoing a significant
transformation in ways that Western observers tend not to see. He
argues that the twenty-first century will witness the substitution of
religion for ideology as the prime animating and destructive force in
human affairs.
The Futurist, March/April 2001
This article reports on a major research project that studied whether
modernization is leading to the blurring of cultural boundaries. The
conclusion is that economic development causes shifts in values but is
not producing a uniform global culture.