Global Challenges

Developed by
Joe Naumann

Whither Gaia? 1
Globalization Empire Building

Ancient times
Alexander the Great
Rome
Middlel Ages
Mongol
18th-19th Centuries
British Empire
20th Century
Hitler (failed)
Soviet Union (failed)
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British Empire Was The Biggest
Based on naval power
Developed along with the growth of industry
Markets
Raw materials
Protection of sea lanes
The sun never sets on the British Empire
Legacy
English most widely spoken language
Democratic ideals
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British Empire & Others

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19th Century Empire Dissolution

Spanish and Portuguese (Americas)

Causes
Primary causative event Napoleons
conquest of Spain & Portugal
Dissatisfied creoles (Spanish)
Encouraged by the successful revolution in
the United States in North America
Encouraged by political philosophies
expressed by Enlightenment writers
Encouraged by the French Revolution
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 20th Century Empire Dissolution

British, French, German, Italian, Belgian, Dutch

Primary causative factors: World Wars I & II
Improved communications
Educated elites in the colonies took leadership roles
Self-determination of peoples encouraged by United
Nations charter
Costs increasing for economically burdened
European countries
Retaining by force no longer feasible
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Return of Hong Kong to China
Last major part of the former British
Empire returned in 1997

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Colonialism &
Neocolonialism
Most less
developed
countries are
former colonies

In a position to
take advantage
of the other

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 Two Paradoxical Forces

The world is being shaped by two different

and seemingly contradictory forces, both of
which seem to be growing. Therein is the
paradox the tension within which we must
live.

A geographer brings that special, spatial,

integrative point of view to the study of
these transnational forces.
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Forces in the Post-Cold-War World

Globalism The development of political

and quasi-political organizations and
structures that transcend the nation-state.
Devolution The breaking down into
smaller, simpler parts as in ethnic strife
leading to hostility and the breaking-up of
multinational states and even states
formerly thought to have become nation-
states.

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 Globalism: The Positive Side

the growing realization that all countries must

work within the framework of a global
economy.
Economic unions:
NAFTA
European Union
Others
International peace-keeping forces to prevent
the spread of conflict.
Russia consulting with and cooperating with
NATO???????????????? 11
 Globalism: The Negative Side

Easier spread of ideas and diseases

Terrorism anti-Jewish & anti-American
Diseases AIDS, Ebola, Mad Cow, etc.
Multi-national or Trans-national corporations
the totality is not subject to the jurisdiction
of any political unit.
In 2001, the United States became
committed to a War on Terrorism.
Increased health concerns for citizens.
Consumers seem to be having fewer real
choices in the marketplace.
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 Devolution

Striving of national or ethnic groups for

sovereign political expression
Parts of several multinational states may
seek to unite as a separate political entity.
Hostilities long thought dead have surfaced
in the post Cold War world.
When these threaten world security and
trade, the US may become involved
financially and/or militarily.
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 Global Economy

No country on earth has, within its

boundaries and jurisdiction, all the
resources needed to operate as a
developed country.
The USA imports 100% of more than a
dozen key mineral resources.
Benefits:
Greater economic diversity and job opportunities
for countries.
Better quality, lower cost consumer products.
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 Three Levels of Cooperation

Free Trade Area No internal tariffs

Each country sets tariffs for nonmembers
Customs Union Eliminates internal tariffs &
adopts a common external tariff policy
Common Marketclosest level of cooperation
Eliminates internal tariff & sets common external
Common laws relating to production
May establish some common political institutions & may
work toward eventual political union
Many common political, economic, & social areas
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 Economic Unions
The development after WW II of the European Union
has improved living standards among members and
given Europe the longest period of peace
NAFTA has the potential to do that in the Western
Hemisphere effort are being made to expand it.
Initially there are some dislocations, but in the long-run
member countries and their citizens benefit

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 EU Cooperation potent force

European Parliament growing but limited power

One huge market for goods, capital, labor
Euro accepted by most but not all
Transportation system at all levels
Regional policy to assist poor agricultural areas and
declining urban areas
Social policy laws for work, labor, visas, etc.
Environmental policies
Defense (really through NATO)
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European Union Growth

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European Union

Promotes
peace
Has raised
living
standards
Is probably
the model
economic
union in the
world today.19
What is NATO Becoming?

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NATO trying to keep the peace in
Kosovo
Click on the map to see the video

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NAFTA begins in controversy

Click the picture to see the video

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 NAFTA (trade & investment only)

Canada & USA

Canada, USA, & Mexico
More resistance in USA to Mexico joining
Maquiladoras in northern Mexico
Mexico may have developed real democracy
Expansion
Talks have been going on with Chile
Andean & Middle American trade unions
Talk of eventually the whole Western Hemisphere
except for Cuba (Cuba will probably change after Castro
dies) 23
NAFTA Trade
Flows

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 International Level

League of Nations
United Nations

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 UN Strengths
Moral force in the world
Forum for discussion &
negotiation
UN Convention on the Law of the
Sea
Peace keeping forces in trouble
spots
Special agencies improve
social, medical, & educational
conditions world wide
World Court to settle disputes
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 UN Weaknesses

Yearly income not guaranteed

USA didnt pay its assessment for years
Permanent members with veto power in the security
council
No standing police force or military to enforce its
resolutions countries censured, often ignore the
resolutions
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 UN Encroachment on Sovereignty
Needed to Handle Some Problems
States have limited jurisdiction on transnational
corporations (multi-nationals)
Globalization of justice
Crimes against humanity International War Crimes and
Genocide Tribunal established
Human rights Universal Declaration of Human
Rights
Different cultures view individual rights and community
rights differently
Different views of individuals social responsibility
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 More Encroachment

Jurisdiction over open areas

Arctic and Antarctic
High Seas
Airspace
1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea
Endangered ocean species regulating whaling
Environmental problems dont stop at borders
Air pollution: acid rain, ozone depletion, global warming
Water pollution rivers, seas, & oceans
International terrorism, i.e. N.Y. 9/11/2001
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 Devolution Movements are on the
rise also
Serious threats:
Canada
Spain
United Kingdom less serious except for N. Ireland.
Russia -
Afghanistan
Recent examples:
Former Yugoslavia
Former Soviet Union
Former Czechoslovakia
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 Factors that assist devolution

Differences between the majority and a significant

minority
Language & religion very emotional
Economic development
Historic animosity
The minority is the dominant element in a somewhat
compact region of the country
Minoritys territory is more peripherally located than
centrally located
Minority is encouraged (financed) by another country
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or foreign organizations
 DEVOLUTION

Sadly, terrorism is becoming a more frequently used

tool by groups seeking self-determination.

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 Terrorism Factor
Terrorism has struck on every continent
except Australia

Ulster, N. Ireland Grozny, Chechnya Basque - Spain

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Kashmir shelling Sri Lanka, truck bomb E. Timor victims
Cold War Europe

Soviet Union
split apart
Eastern
European
countries
became truly
free and
sovereign.

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 Europe
The
potential
abounds in
Europe and
in other
places too.

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 Successful Devolution

Break up of colonial empires

Partition of India/Pakistan
Separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan
East Timor (at least temporarily)
Yugoslavia split 5 ways
U.S.S.R. split into separate republics
Czechoslovakia divided in two
Philippine independence from USA
Finland separated from Sweden & Russia
United Arab Republic (short lived)
Eritrea from Ethiopia
Singapore from Malaysia 36
 Failed attempts
Biafra (Nigerian civil war)
Chechnya from Russia (so far)
Quebec (separation vote failed)
Puerto Rico (separation vote failed)
Katanga in Congo right after independence
Ogodan province of Ethiopia
USA civil war
Philippines (so far)
Sudan (so far)
Basques in Spain (so far)
Tamils in Sri Lanka (so far)
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 Click on the map to
Kurdistan see the video

Perfect example
of a stateless
nation

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Countries where the potential is real

Russia China
Almost every African India
country Peru
Yugoslavia Colombia
Italy Cyprus
Spain Turkey
France Syria
Britain Iran
Brazil Iraq
Mexico Afghanistan
Indonesia New Zealand
India 39
 Sikhs in India

Click the picture of

Gandhi to see the
video

What of the wisdom of Gandhi?

What of Sikh separatism?
What of Hindu Nationalism?
How can they coexist? 40
 European Paradox: Catalonia

Catalonia is an example
Desires separation from Spain but may settle for
greater autonomy (Spanish government hopes so)
It is the most industrially developed part of Spain
BUT probably would want to remain in the European
Union
Benefits from membership in the union separation
from the EU would hurt it economically
One of the major industrial areas of the EU
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Is the State Becoming Obsolete?

There is some basis for saying yes to some type

of global governance or cooperation

BUT probably not in our lifetime

Emotional factors, old jealousies, and old

hatreds may prevent some global
accommodation
Differences in political and economic systems
may be difficult to reconcile 42
We Will Play A Part in Determining
the Future Shape and Destiny of
Gaia. What Parts Will We Play?

GAIA

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