Two Themes of World Issues PSS World Issues Mr. Kuypers Semester II, 2012

Two main themes of World Issues  Globalization: The “shrinking” of our worldThe “shrinking” of our world  Sustainability: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Theme #1: Globalization  The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and issues that affect one region often create an impact on a global scale.  This is the second major era of globalization: the first occurring prior to World War One.  There are many examples of globalization:

Financial Globalization  The world’s stock markets are becoming increasingly interconnected. Decisions made in many financial centres have major impacts on others.

Economic Globalization  Multi-national corporations are becoming replaced by “transnational's”  Free trade is becoming a common ideas throughout the world, with many agreements being made between nations and regions.

Technological Globalization  Growth of communication and computer technology is making it very easy to connect to other regions of the world… instantly.

Political Globalization  Countries are becoming much more interdependent, and are beginning to adopt more uniform policies.

Cultural Globalization  There is a gradual harmonization of the world’s cultures at the expense of distinctly different local cultures.

Ecological Globalization  We are becoming increasingly aware that environmental actions in some parts of the world are impacting our global environment  As such, regional and global environmental action is increasingly taking place  Examples: Montreal Protocol; Rio Earth Summit; Kyoto Protocol; Bali Conference; Copenhagen Conference (all UN sponsored)

Sociological Globalization  The idea that single world society with common attitudes and behaviours should emerge

Geographical Globalization   The concept that we as humans have more of a “global” outlook when making decisions or living our lives, instead of a particular local or national outlook.

Globalization Issue: Conflict - The Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention  Journalist Thomas Friedman created a theory that no two nations that have a McDonald’s will ever go to war with each other.  He has further changed this theory to no two nations that are a part of the Dell Computers supply chain will ever go to war with each other.

Sustainability  When we look at sustainability, we focus on what we take from our environment to support our lifestyles  There are a few important terms we must know

Key Terms  Total Stock – material components of the environment  Resource – Anything that is useful to humans  Two types of resources are: RenewableRenewable Non-renewableNon-renewable

Factors for extraction  However, three conditions must exist before a resource is exploited: The technology must existThe technology must exist The return on investment must be greater than the cost of developing the resourceThe return on investment must be greater than the cost of developing the resource It must be culturally acceptableIt must be culturally acceptable

Ways of Monitoring Sustainability  Earth Overshoot Day Earth Overshoot Day Earth Overshoot Day  Ecological Footprints of Nations Ecological Footprints of Nations Ecological Footprints of Nations

Homework 1. a) Briefly describe the expansionist world view and the ecological world view (p. 35) b) Which world view do you support & why.

Classifying Countries  There are over 190 independent states in the world: UN recognizes 193 (newest member = South Sudan) - UN list of member nations & year of membershipUN recognizes 193 (newest member = South Sudan) - UN list of member nations & year of membershipUN list of member nations & year of membershipUN list of member nations & year of membership US Department of State recognizes 195 (Kosovo, Vatican City) – U.S. Department of State List of Independent StatesUS Department of State recognizes 195 (Kosovo, Vatican City) – U.S. Department of State List of Independent StatesU.S. Department of State List of Independent StatesU.S. Department of State List of Independent States Many places under conflict and are not acknowledged as separate political entities (Greenland, Western Sahara, Palestine, Taiwan), so the number could be over 200 (Coca Cola states it sells pop in over 200 nations!)Many places under conflict and are not acknowledged as separate political entities (Greenland, Western Sahara, Palestine, Taiwan), so the number could be over 200 (Coca Cola states it sells pop in over 200 nations!)

Classifying Countries  A country’s level of development can be measured in three main ways: Social Development (level of education, health care, life expectancy)Social Development (level of education, health care, life expectancy) Economic Development (material wealth and trade)Economic Development (material wealth and trade) Political Maturity (democracy, low level of corruption, functioning and fair election system, rule of law)Political Maturity (democracy, low level of corruption, functioning and fair election system, rule of law)

Two-World Model  Many forms of classification can be used, including the common Developed/Developing, or Developed/Underdeveloped

Two world model  There is also the north/south divide; this idea has its roots in the developed/developing idea; it is based on the concept that when viewing a map of the world, most developed nations are found in the north.  This can be better described as developed nations being situated in temperate areas, while developing nations are situated in tropical regions.

Two-world model

 However this is far too broad, as nations are constantly changing, and there are major differences between many developing nations in terms of economic, social and political development.

First/Second/Third World  After WWII, this concept emerged, with the following groupings: First World nations are the developed, capitalist countries (Canada, the US, Japan)First World nations are the developed, capitalist countries (Canada, the US, Japan) Second World nations are the communist countries (USSR, Poland, Hungary)Second World nations are the communist countries (USSR, Poland, Hungary) Third World Nations are those that do not have neither the economic development of a First World nation, nor the social development of a Second World nation.Third World Nations are those that do not have neither the economic development of a First World nation, nor the social development of a Second World nation.

First/Second/Third World

Five-World Model  Your textbook focuses on a Five- World model, which includes: First World – those with the highest level of social & economic development (OECD)First World – those with the highest level of social & economic development (OECD) Second World – those that are/were communist; have high social development, yet low economic developmentSecond World – those that are/were communist; have high social development, yet low economic development

Five-World Model Third World – Those nations that are well advanced in the transition to developmentThird World – Those nations that are well advanced in the transition to development Fourth World – Those countries that are in the early stages of transition towards being developedFourth World – Those countries that are in the early stages of transition towards being developed Fifth World – nations that show little evidence for starting the transition towards developmentFifth World – nations that show little evidence for starting the transition towards development p. 22 of your textbook shows a map of this model

Five-World Model: Economic, Social or Political?  Natural Increase in population per 1000  Infant mortality per 1000 births  Literacy percentage  Per capita GDP $US  Percentage of GDP from agriculture  Motor vehicles per 1000 people  Per capita electricity use, kWh  Number of phone lines per 1000 people

Five-World Model: Economic, Social or Political?  Oil consumption per capita  Visiting tourists as a percentage of population  Number of McDonald’s locations per million people  Internet users per 100,000 people

Grouping the World’s Nations: A Better Way?

Grouping the World’s Nations Groups of Nations in a Globalized World (More Globalized) Core Old CoreNew Core (Less Globalized) Periphery Near-Core (Periphery) Far Periphery

Grouping Nations in a Globalized World   Create your own organizer and group nations we discuss in this course under the groupings of Old Core, New Core, Near Core, and Far Periphery.

Three Other Important Ways:  There are other ways to compare nations of the world: three such ways include: The Human Development IndexThe Human Development Index Freedom HouseFreedom House Transparency InternationalTransparency International

Human Development Index Human Development Index High ██ and over ██ 0.900–0.949 ██ 0.850–0.899 ██ 0.800–0.849 Medium ██ 0.750–0.799 ██ 0.700–0.749 ██ 0.650–0.699 ██ 0.600–0.649 ██ 0.550–0.599 ██ 0.500–0.549 Low ██ 0.450–0.499 ██ 0.400–0.449 ██ 0.350–0.399 ██ under ██ not available

Freedom House Freedom House

Transparency International Transparency International

Analysis of Classifications  Read through the Handouts provided and answer the following: What does each of the following means of classifying our world focus on?What does each of the following means of classifying our world focus on? What are some of the criteria they use to create their rankings?What are some of the criteria they use to create their rankings? Where does Canada rank?Where does Canada rank? What advantages and disadvantages does each have with regards to evaluating the development of nations?What advantages and disadvantages does each have with regards to evaluating the development of nations? Why would some nations rank high on one index and low on another? Include 1-2 specific examples.Why would some nations rank high on one index and low on another? Include 1-2 specific examples.

Different Views of Our World  Spaceship Earth Concept  Gaia Hypothesis  Limits-to-Growth Thesis  Cornucopian Thesis Read pages #40-41 & explain each of the Views of the World Today