Contemporary World

Contemporary World SOL WHII.15

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

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

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

In the Middle East, conflicts exist between: • The Israelis and the Palestinians – The Israelis and the Palestinians claim the same area as their religious homeland. This has created an ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and the Jews. Palestinians are Islam Israelis are Jews

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

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

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

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

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

Asia has also seen many ethnic 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 Cultural Revolution to rid China of its old customs, habits, and thoughts, He wanted to replace them with a new socialist culture. This encouraged many to speak out for a “fifth modernization” – democracy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Environmental challenges: • Pollution • Loss of habitat • Ozone depletion

Social challenges: • Poverty • Poor health • Illiteracy • Famine • Migration

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Test Yourself

1. What two groups is the on-going conflict in Israel between? The Jews and the Palestinians Why? They want the same religious land.

2. Why was the United Nations created? To solve international problems and help keep world peace

3. Why was there a major surge of refugees in the 1990s? Fighting in the Balkans among the Serbs, Bosnians, and Croats

4. What two groups had a religious conflict in Northern Ireland? The Protestants and the Catholics

5. What type of country has a 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 developing countries? An agricultural economy What does this promote? High birth rate and large families to work the farms

Contemporary World