Stearns – 1914-present – Contemporary Period Serious attention needed on this 3 chunks: 1. WWI/interwar/WWII 2. Cold War 3. 1989-present
1945 to present most important.
Theme 1 – Decline of West From WWI on West declines (WWI is civil war of West) Symptoms: Demographic - West’s share of world population drops – everywhere else is growing. West becomes elderly.
Theme 1 – Decline of West Political power of West declines. Decolonization from 1920 on. West’s relative military power declines (exception – air power).
Why the Western military decline? Guerilla warfare (i.e.. Vietnam). Large number of states get enough military to defend themselves – make it tougher for the West. Ie. Decolonization, $ to buy guns, capitalists will sell to anyone.
Complexity number 1 As West declines, cultural impact of West goes up. W. power not as menacing. W. exports “cool stuff.” Japan does as well.
Complexity number 2 Economy being re-defined once again. W. still have dominant economies exporting finished goods, but the Pacific Rim countries now are in the mix.
Sub-Sahara Africa Parts of Latin America Subordinate groups Sub-Sahara Africa Parts of Latin America
Who is in the middle economically? India, China, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, some M.E. countries (Turkey, Iran), Australia, Canada.
How did these “economic middle countries” get in the middle? Use of a valuable/special resource to make $ (i.e.. Oil) Play both sides of the Cold War. De-colonization. “Import substitutes” – make clothes and cars at home (Turkey, India).
How did these “economic middle countries” get in the middle? 5. Develop new kind of export – i.e.. Brazil – 4th largest computer exporter, excellent steel. India – software. Chile – veggies, wine, fruit.
Some new themes Women gain in education globally – great variety. -- Re-definition of patriarchy? In a real patriarchal society, women would not be able to vote. 2. Falling birthrates.
Some new themes 3. New technologies – airplanes, radios, satellites, internet. 4. Attempt by everyone to teach more people. 5. 300% population increase – largest in the history of the world.
Some new themes 6. Rise of nation states. 7. No clear pattern of cultural change: -- Revival of Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist fundamentalism. -- Divisions within society – secular and religious.
No clear pattern of cultural change: China – Neo-Buddhist or Neo-Communist India – Neo-Communist or Congress Party secular. Africa – Christian / Muslim tensions/conversions.
Massive Social Change Who were the social classes that rules change? In 1900 – Landowners In 2000 – Big business owners Fewer peasants, more urban workers.
Globalization Technology based. People moving / migrating. China re-enters in 1978 Russia re-enters in 1985
Globalization Globalization – what does it mean? Multinational groups dependent upon each other. Massive opportunities for cultural exchange.
Globalization International political organizations – i.e.. WHO limiting SARS. Globalization of democracy – to Latin America, Southern Europe, Africa, Middle East?
Globalization Impacts: Resistance (terrorism, anti-world groups). First round of globalization did not work – will this one?