CONTEMPORARY WORLD NOTES
GLOBALIZATION OF RELIGION
Religion
Latin word “religare” means “to tie, to bind”
System of socially shared symbols, beliefs and rituals that is directed
towards a sacred supernatural realm and addresses the ultimate
meaning of existence.
Varieties of Religion
1. Christianity- Largest religions of the world.
2. Islam- An Abrahamic monotheistic religion centered around the Quran
3. Buddhism- Is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on
teachings attributed to the Buddha.
4. Hinduism- World’s oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots
and customs dating back more than 4,000 years.
5. Judaism- The world's oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,
000 years.
Isolation Justification
The followers of the Dalai Lama established Tibet.
Buddhist monasteries located away for civilization so that hermits
can devote themselves to prayer and contemplation.
Rizalistas of Mount Banahaw and the Mormons of Utah
Relationship Between Religion and Globalization
Peter Berger- Argues that far from being secularized the
contemporary world is furiously religious. Religion is the foundation of
modern republics.
The Malaysian government places religion at the center of the
political system. “Islam is the religion of the federation”.
Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini- “there is no fundamental distinction
among constitutional despotic, dictatorial, democratic and
communistic regime”. Islamic rule was the superior form of
government because it was spiritual.
Nahdlatul Ulama- a traditionalist Sunni (largest Islamic organization
in Indonesia). Has Islamic school (pesantren) where students are
taught not only about Islam but also about modern science, social
science, modern banking, civic education, rights of women, pluralism,
and democracy.
Alexis De Tocqueville- “not only do the Americans practice their
religion out of self-interest but they often even place in this world the
interest which they have in practicing it.”
Jose Casanova- “historically religion has always been at the very
center of all great political conflicts and movements of social reform...
but also on both sides of the political barricades.
GLOBAL CITY
Definition:
Power City, World City, Alpha City, or World Center.
Serves as a primary node in the global economic network.
History:
• 1886 - The term world city or a city heavily involved in global trade
described by The Illustrated London News
• 1915 - British sociologist and geographer Patrick Geddes likewise used the
term.
• Late 19th or early 20th century – The term megacity entered and
commonly used.
• In the 21st century - the various terms are usually focused on a city's
financial power and high technology infrastructure, with other factors
becoming less relevant.
Saskia Sassen- popularized the term “Global City” in the 1900’s.Global City:
New York, London, Tokyo.
Criteria of Global City
High degree of urban development
Large Population
Major multinational companies and globalized financial sector
Well developed and internationally linked transportation and
infrastructure.
Local and national economic dominance
High quality education and research
Globally influential output of ideas.
Global City Indicator
Economic Power- determine which cities are global
Economic Opportunity- make it attractive to talents across the world
Economic Competitiveness- criteria in market size, purchasing power of
citizens, size of the middle class, and potential growth.
Political Influence- Powerful political hubs exert influence on their own
countries as well on international affair.
United Nation HQ New York City
European Union HQ Brussels, Belguim
ASEAN HQ Jakarta, Indonesia
European Central Bank HQ Frankfurt, Germany
Gentrification- driving out the poor in favor of wealthier residents.
Banlieue- Poor Muslim migrants are forced out of Paris and have clustered
around enclaves.
GLOBAL DEMOGRAPHY AND MIGRATION
Birth Rate- The number of births in a given time/space.
Death Rate- The number of deaths in a given time/space.
Demography- It examines the size, structure, and movements of population
over space and time.
Global Demography- Study of population globally and how birth rates and
death rates changes.
Statistics- science of collecting and analyzing numerical data in large
quantity.
Demographic Transition Model- Warren Thompson
-Simplified way of looking at how population is changing and has
changed around the world.
STAGE 1- HIGH STATIONARY
Death rates and Birth rates are high
STAGE 2- EARLY EXPANDING
High Birth Rate, Failing Death Rate
Poorest Countries (Pakistan)
STAGE 3- LATE EXPANDING
Falling Birth Rate and Continuing Falling Death Rate
Most Developing Countries (Sri Lanka)
STAGE 4- LOW STATIONARY
Low Birth Rate and Low Death Rate
Newly Industrialized Countries (South Korea)
STAGE 5- DECLINING POPULATION
Increasing of Death Rate while Decreasing of Birth Rate
Japan, Germany, Italy
Global Migration
Human migration- Movement of people from one place to another.
Emigration- the migration of people out of an area
Immigration- the migration of people into an area
Type of Migration
Internal- Any movement from one place to another from the same
country
International- People cross borders of one country to another
Stephen Castle’s Criteria of Migrants
Temporary Labor Migrants- migrate for a limited period in order to work and
send remittances to their families left at home
Highly Skilled and Business Migrants – they are the people with special
skills and qualifications who seek employment through international labor
markets for scarce skills
Illegal Migrants – also known as undocumented.
Asylum Seekers – these are the people who left their home in a country
where they feel unsafe.
Refugees – these are the people residing outside their country of nationality
who are unable or unwilling to return because of a well-founded fear of
persecution.
Forced Migrants – this includes not only refugees and asylum seekers but
also people forced to move by environmental catastrophes or development
projects .
Family Members – also known as family reunion or family reunification
migrants team on a petition.
Return Migrants – these are people who return to their countries of origin
after a period in another country
Reasons of Migration
1. Economic Migrant - Economic migration is the movement of people from
one country to another to benefit from greater economic opportunities.
2. Political Migrant - Many people are forced to migrate because of a war,
civil war or state policies which discriminate against particular groups of
citizens or people who oppose those in power.
3. Environmental Migrants - Environmental migrants are people who are
forced to migrate from or flee their home region due to sudden or long-
term changes to their local environment which adversely affects their well-
being or livelihood.
4. Family Reunion - This form of migration refers to members of a family
coming to join one of their relatives who is resident in another country.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• It provides a mechanism through which society can interact with the
environment while not risking damaging the resource for the future
• An effort at guaranteeing a balance among economic growth, environmental
integrity and social well-being
Pillar of Sustainable Development
Economic- a system of production that satisfies present consumption levels
without compromising future needs.
Social- notions of equity, empowerment, accessibility, participation, cultural
identity and institutional stability.
Environment- It is about the natural environment and how it remains
productive and resilient to support human life.
Sustainable Development Goals
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequality
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong
17. Partnership for the Goal
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY
Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and
economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary
needs and food preferences for an active and. healthy life.
Four Pillars of Food Security
Availability
Physical existence of food
Sum total of domestic production, commercial food imports and
exports, food aids and domestic food stocks
Access
Means households have enough resources to obtain food in sufficient
quantity, quality, and diversity for a nutritious diet.
Use and Utilization
Refers to the households; decision on what type and how much food
to purchase , prepare consume , and allocate within the household.
Stability
A state wherein the household has a constant supply of food
throughout the year and in the long-term.
This means that the household has a steady income or economic
resources that provides for constant food supply.
Key Factor Affecting Food Security
1. Climate Change
2. Global Water Crisis
3. Changing Dietary Preference
4. Population Growth
5. Land Degradation
6. Greedy Land Deals
7. Declining Farmer Population
8. Competition with Biofuels
Consequences of Lack of Food Security
1. Social Disorder
2. Health Issues
3. Low Economic Productivity that further leads to Poverty
Models for Sustainable Global Food System
Four Core Aspirations For the Global Food systems
1. Efficient- The whole food value chain (sourcing raw materials,
production , distribution, retailing , etc.) should provide adequate quantities of
food for global needs while minimizing loss and waste.
2. Inclusive- All actors in the Global Food Systems, including the
smallholders farmers, women, youth and consumers, most specially those
who are most vulnerable due to the transformations, should be consulted on
the issues and be part of the transformation of the solutions and policies.
3. Sustainable- The solution and policies must address the short –and
long term issues, while minimizing the negative environmental impact ,
conserving the scarce natural resources, and strengthening the resilience
against future shocks and stresses.
4. Nutrition & Healthy- Provides and promotes consumption of
diverse nutritious and healthy diet, while educating consumers on the
environmental impact of dietary choices.
