Challenges in the Modern World

Factors affecting environment and society • Economic development• Rapid population growth

Environmental challenges• Pollution• Loss of habitat• Ozone depletion

Social challenges• Poverty• Poor health• Illiteracy• Famine• Migration

Developed vs. Developing Countries

Contrasts between developed and developing nations

• Geographic locations of major developed and developing countries

• Economic conditions

• Social conditions (literacy, access to health care)

• Population size and rate of growth

Most developedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn1lQlx35po

Least developedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2APJ9KnxGyA

What Is globalization? The integration of economic, political, and cultural systems across the globe.

Is globalization a force for economic growth, prosperity, and democratic freedom?

Or is it a force for environmental devastation, exploitation of the developing world, and suppression of human rights?

World Organizations

EU (European Union)

• The economic association of over a dozen European countries which seek to create a unified, barrier-free market for products and services throughout the continent, as well as a common currency with a unified authority over that currency. 27 member states.

IMF (International Monetary Fund)

• An organization set up in 1944 to lower trade barriers between countries and to stabilize currencies by monitoring the foreign exchange systems of member countries, and lending money to developing nations. 185 member states.

WTO (World Trade Organization)

• An international agency which encourages trade between member nations, administers global trade agreements and resolves disputes when they arise. 153 member states.

NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)

• A 1994 agreement reached by the United States, Canada, and Mexico that instituted a schedule for the phasing out of tariffs and eliminated a variety of fees and other hindrances to encourage free trade between the three North American countries.

MNC (Multinational Corporations)

• Enterprise operating in several countries but managed from one (home) country. Examples include: Coca Cola, McDonalds.

World Bank

• The World Bank is a collection of international organizations to aid countries in their process of economic development with loans, advice, and research. It was founded in the 1940s to aid Western European countries after World War II with capital.

Current issues today• Migrations of refugees and others• Refugees as an issue in international conflicts• Migrations of “guest workers” to European cities

• Ethnic and religious conflicts• Middle East (Israelis vs. Palestinians)• Northern Ireland (Catholics vs. Protestants)• Balkans (Christians vs. Muslims)• Horn of Africa (Ethiopia and Eritrea)• South Asia (Muslims vs. Hindus- Pakistan and India)

• Impact of new technologies• Widespread but unequal access to computers and

instantaneous communications• Genetic engineering and bioethics

Examples of International Terrorism • Munich Olympics

http://www.history.com/videos/israeli-athletes-murdered-at-munich#israeli-athletes-murdered-at-munich

• Terrorist attacks in the United States (9/11/2001) – motivated by extremism (Osama bin Laden).

• Car bombings• Suicide bombers • Airline hijackers http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks/videos/911-timeline

Governmental responses to terrorist activities • Surveillance and privacy rights • Security at ports and airports • Identification badges and photos