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)
2
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
3
British Empire & Others
4
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
5
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
6
Return of Hong Kong to China
Last major part of the former British
Empire returned in 1997
7
Colonialism &
Neocolonialism
Most less
developed
countries are
former colonies
In a position to
take advantage
of the other
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.
12
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.
13
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.
14
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
15
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
16
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)
17
European Union Growth
18
European Union
Promotes
peace
Has raised
living
standards
Is probably
the model
economic
union in the
world today.19
What is NATO Becoming?
20
NATO trying to keep the peace in
Kosovo
Click on the map to see the video
21
NAFTA begins in controversy
Click the picture to see the video
22
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
24
International Level
League of Nations
United Nations
25
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
26
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
27
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
28
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
29
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
30
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
31
or foreign organizations
DEVOLUTION
Sadly, terrorism is becoming a more frequently used
tool by groups seeking self-determination.
32
Terrorism Factor
Terrorism has struck on every continent
except Australia
Ulster, N. Ireland Grozny, Chechnya Basque - Spain
33
Kashmir shelling Sri Lanka, truck bomb E. Timor victims
Cold War Europe
Soviet Union
split apart
Eastern
European
countries
became truly
free and
sovereign.
34
Europe
The
potential
abounds in
Europe and
in other
places too.
35
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)
37
Click on the map to
Kurdistan see the video
Perfect example
of a stateless
nation
38
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
41
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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