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    World History, Geography and Culture

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    Chapter 21

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    WITNESS HISTORY mm) «00 A Changing World In 2001, Mongolia's prime minister declared that "in order to survive we have to stop being nomads.” His words—and his plans to settle 90% ‘of Mongolia’s people in cities by the year 2030— ‘came as a shock to a people who have been nomadic herders for centuries. At the same time, his idea seemed inevitable, Listen to the Witness History audio to hear more about how Mongolians are struggling to modernize without losing their i traditions <4 Mongolian nomadic family uses a satellite dish on their tent to feed their solar- powered television. Chapter Preview Chapter Focus Question What are the major issues facing the world today? Section 1 Industrialized Nations After the Cold War Section 2 Global Section 3 Social and Environmental Challenges Section 4 Security in a Dangerous World Section 5 Advances in Science and Technology Note Taking Study Guide Online Fer: Noe Taking and Concept Connector worshess Web Code: ibd 3401 733 Turkish people hold red and blue balloons, symbolizing Europe and Turkey, to celebrate Turkey's decision to apply to the EU, Objectives + Examine socal, political, and economic trends in Europe after the Cold War. « Analyze how the United States’ and Russia's shifting roles have affected the balance of global power * Understand how important economic changes hhave affected Asia since the end of the Cold War. Terms, People, and Places European Union surplus euro deficit default Pacific Rim Vladimir Putin Note Taking Reading Skill: Compare and Contrast Create a cart to compare and contrast developments in industrialized nations after the Cold War. Europe | Russia’ | Asia lunited states 1981 Gemmany | . reuned 734. The World Today ‘Aceuro coin WITNESS HISTORY 9 “010 The Nations of Europe Unite 6 Resolved to mark a new stage inthe process of Euro- pean integration ... Recalling the historic importance of the ending ofthe division of the European continent and the need to create firm bases forthe construction of the future Europe... Desiring to deepen the solidar ity between their peoples while respecting thei history, their culture, and ther traditions... [We] have decided to establish a European Union .. 99 —The Maastricht Treaty on the European Union, 1992 Focus Question How did the end of the Cold War affect industrialized nations and regions around the world? Industrialized Nations After the Cold War ‘The end of the Cold War saw old empires crumble and new nations ‘emerge. It also marked the beginning of a new global economy—an economy in which economic ties among nations and international trade would become driving forces in shaping global patterns, The New Face of Europe With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe crumbled. Trade, business, travel, and communi cations across the region became easier. At the same time, new challenges emerged. Many European nations faced common prob- lems such as large-scale immigration from the developing world, a rise in anti-foreign discrimination, and rising unemployment, especially among the young. As a region, Europe had to forge a new path in bringing its eastern and western sides closer together. Germany Reunifies In 1990, East and West Germany were reunited after more than 45 years of division. Unification brought great national pride and excitement—but it also brought chal- lenges. East Germanys economy and infrastructure were weak and had to be modernized. Unemployment rose in the former East Germany with the closing of communist-era factories, which were outdated and inefficient. In 2004, US. President George W. Bush announced that he would withdraw tens of thousands of American troops from Germany—stationed there since World War I— prompting fears of weakening the economy. Reunification brought social problems as well. Racist groups such as neo-Nazis, a hate group that models itself after the Nazi party, blamed immigrants for the hard times and viciously attacked foreign workers. ‘The vast majority of Germans condemned such actions, however. At the turn of the millenium, Germany still faced economic and social chal- lenges but remained a strong European leader. The European Union Takes Shape Like NATO, the European Eco- nomic Community expanded over the years to add the nations of Eastern Europe. In the 1990s, the group became the European Union and agreed on policies to promote a freer flow of capital, labor, and goods among European nations. By the early 2000s, more than a dozen eoun- tries had joined the EU, with an increasing number of applicants coming from Eastern Europe and former Soviet republics. In 2002, the curo became the common currency for most of Western Europe. By then, EU passports had replaced national passports. The expanded EU allowed Europe to compete with economic superpowers like the United States and Japan. ‘Yet some Europeans have had mixed feelings about the changing eco- nomic and social makeup of the EU. Most of the EU's Eastern European ‘members have weaker economies than their Western European neighbors, the result of years of communist control. Older members of the EU fear that these nations will weaken the EU's economy overall. Other Euro- peans worry about the changing religious demographics of the EU. Many Eastern European nations have large Muslim populations—especially ‘Turkey, currently a candidate nation. Some Europeans are concerned that if the EU changes too much too quickly, it will be less stable. NATO Evolves With the end of the Cold War, the Warsaw Pact dis- solved. As the nations of Eastern Europe made the transition to demo- cratic, capitalist states, most wanted to join NATO. Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic joined in 1999, soon followed by other countries. In 2002, a NATO-Russia Council was set up. eer For: Audio guided — a.) Web Code: nbp-3411 Map Skills By 2005, 25 countries had joined the EU. 1. Locate (a) The Netherlands (b) Turkey (© Germany (d) Croatia 2. Identify Which nations are applicant nations? 3. Draw inferences How does geogra- phy help explain why these nations applied for EU membership later than many other nations? Ti Member of Ti rpplicam sation None nations Vocabulary Builder inflation—(in FLAY shun) n. a rise in prices linked to an increase in the amount of money available Protesting Putin Demonstrators gather in Moscow in 2004 to protest Putin's policies. What point do you think the protesters were making by holding up photos likening Putin to Adolf Hitler? 736. The World Today With a changing Europe, NATO has had to reassess its purpose. Many NATO policymakers have come to believe that NATO's primary goal should be that of peacekeeper and protector of human rights. During the early 1990s, NATO sent peacekeepers to Bosnia and Kosovo. More recently, terrorist attacks in Europe and elsewhere have forced NATO to examine its role in the global war on terrorism. @ Checkpoint what challenges has Germany faced since reunification? Global Power Shifts When the Cold War ended and the Soviet Union collapsed, the balance of global power shifted. With the Soviet Union gone, the United States emerged as the world’s sole superpower. Russia Is Remade After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia struggled to change to a market economy. President Boris Yeltsin priva- tized many industries and collective farms, but unemployment and prices still soared. Criminals flourished, and ruthless gangs preyed on owners of new businesses, Meanwhile, Russia's government—known for its widespread corruption—did little to stop the criminal activity. In 1998, Russia barely avoided financial collapse. It defaulted, or failed to make payments, on much of its foreign debt. High inflation and the col- lapse of the ruble, Russia’s currency, forced many banks and businesses to close. People lost their savings and jobs. In 2000, Viadimir Putin was elected president in Russia's second free election. Putin projected toughness and competence, promising to end corruption and build Russia into a strong market economy. He also secured Russia a consulting status with NATO. However, Pt repeatedly came under fire for increasing the power of the cen- tral government at the expense of people's civil liberties. The international community began to question his policies, con- cerned that he was becoming more autocratic than democratic. The United States Becomes the Sole Superpower As the world’s only superpower, the United States had a great deal of global influence, both politically and militarily. In 1991, Presi- dent George H.W. Bush waged the Persian Gulf War, driving Iraq from Kuwait and jump-starting peace talks between Israel and Palestine. His successor, President Bill Clinton, initiated peace- keeping operations in Haiti and the former Yugoslavia. And as ‘you read, President George W. Bush took the US. back to war in the Middle East in the 2000s. After the Cold War, the growing American economy supported the global economy. An economic boom in the 1990s helped pro- duce a budget surplus, or money left over after expenditures, But from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, the American econ- ‘omy swung up and down. Slow economic growth and soaring military expenses led to huge budget deficits. A cicficit is the gap between what a government spends and what it takes in through taxes and other ‘@ Checkpoint How did the collapse of the Soviet Union affect the United States? Changes in Asia As the Cold War ended, Asia experienced the successes and downturns of being part of the glo- bal economy. The Pacific Rim A rising force in the global econ- omy is the Pacific Rim, the vast region of nations that border the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean first became a highway for world trade in the 1500s, By the mid-1900s, links across the Pacific had grown dramatically. By the 1990s, the volume of trade across the Pacific was greater than that across the Atlantic. Some analysts have predicted that the 2000s will be the “Pacific century” because of this region's potential for further growth. The Asian Tigers and Japan For decades, Japan dominated the Asian Pacific Rim. This small island nation rebuilt itself after World War Pacific (Oceat sie Pet Foe II to become an economic powerhouse, moderniz- ing and excelling at Western economies while at the same time preserving its own traditions. By the 1990s, however, Japan began to suffer from a long economic downturn, In the meantime, Japan's neighbors—including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea—surged ahead. Although they differ terms of culture and history, all had quickly modernized and industrial- ized by the 1980s, All four were influenced to some degree by China and its Confucian traditions of education, loyalty, and consensus. Each stressed education as a means to increase worker productivity. Because of their economic success, they earned nicknames such as the “Asian tigers” or the “four tigers.” The Asian tigers first focused on light industries such as textiles. As their economies grew, the tigers concen- trated on making higher-priced exports, such as electronics, for devel- oped nations. Their extraordinary growth was due in part to low wages, long hours, and other worker sacrifices. @ Checkpoint what are the Asian Tigers? ae { Terms, People, and Places 1. For each term, person, or place listed at the beginning ofthe section, write a sentence explaining its significance. Comprehension and Critical Thinking 3. Determine Relevance How did the collapse ofthe Soviet Union affect orga- rizations such as NATO and the EU? . 4, Draw Conclusions Do you think an Note Taking ‘American investor would choose to 2. Reading Skill: Compare and invest large sums of money in Russia? Contrast Use your completed chart to Why or why not? answer the Focus Question: How did 5. Analyze Information Why is the the end of the Cold War affect industi- alized nations and regions around the world? Pacific Rim seen as an important linkin the global economy? ier W FW Pacific Powerhouse ‘The countries of the Pacific Rim have geographic, cultural, and economic ties. ‘The region is a major center of ocean trade routes, shown on the map above, Progress Monitoring Online For Selt-quie wit vocabulary practice Web Code: nba 3411 © Writing About History Quick Write: Write a Thesis Statement To persuade someone in an essay, you must have a strong opinion on a subject and ‘express it cleary in a thesis staternent. Write a single sentence that expresses the main point you want to make about devel- ‘opments in the industrialized world after the Cold War. Chapter 22 Section 1 737 WITNESS HISTORY a0 100 A Connected World 66 Few topics are as controversial as globalization. That is hardly surprising Its the defining feature of our time. Bringing distant markets and people across the world together isa huge change that affects everyone, whether they are peasants in India, students in London, or bankers in New York? —Mike Moor, director general of the WTO, 2000 Focus Question How is globalization affecting ‘economies and societies around the world? Russian immigrants sell caviar ata kiosk in Brooklyn, New York. Objectives ‘Describe the ways in which countries around the world are interdependent. * Understand how international treaties and ‘organizations make global trade possible. + Analyze the costs and benefits of global trade Terms, People, and Places slobalization World Trade Organization interdependence (wio) outsourcing protectionism ‘multinational bloc corporation _—_ sustainability Note Taking Reading Skill: Compare and Contrast As you read, use the Venn diagram to track how Globalization has affected developed and — nations. Coos Devin Nations. / — (+ bependon { = 7 cD 738. The World Today Globalization {, Globalization defines the world of the post-Cold War. Glob refers to the process by which national economies, polities, cultures, and societies become integrated with those of other nations around the world. Globalization began on a small scale 500 years ago, with the European Age of Exploration. By the 1990s, globalization was occurring at a dramatic, unprecedented pace. An Interdependent World One major effect of globalization is economic interdependence. Interdependence is the dependence of countries on each other for goods, resources, knowledge, and labor from other parts of the world. Improvements in transportation and communication, the spread of democratic systems, and the rise of free trade—the buy- ing and selling of goods by private individuals and corporations in a free market—have made the world increasingly interdependent. ‘The spread of goods and ideas has even led to the development of a global culture. All of these links, from economic to cultural, have created both challenges and opportunities. Doing the World's Work The world’s rich and poor nations are linked. The nations of the developed world control much of the world’s capital, trade, and technology. Yet they increasingly depend on largely low-paid workers in developing countries to pro- duce manufactured goods cheaply. Companies in industrial nations also choose to outsource jobs. Outsourcing is the praetice of sending work to the developing world in order to save money or increase efficiency. Many technological jobs have been outsourced to India, Russia, China, and the Philippines, Multinational Corporations Grow Globalization has encouraged the rise of huge multinational corporations. These corporations have Vocabulary Builder branches and assets in many countries and sell their goods and services asset—{(a8 et) n. any property that has throughout the world. Proponents of multinational corporations point out exchange value that they invest in the developing world, bring new technology to indus- tries, provide jobs and technical assistance, and improve infrastructure Crities feel that multinational corporations have too large an influence on the prices of goods, take large profits out of developing countries, and pay workers low wages, thus lowering their standard of living. Financial Crises Affect Everyone One aspect of economic inter- dependence is financial interdependence in the world’s markets. This means that an economic crisis in a country or a region can have a global impact. An example of this is the Asian financial crisis that affected the Asian tigers in the late 1990s, In 1997, a financial crisis struck Thailand and quickly spread to other Asian countries from Singapore to South Korea. The Asian financial crisis worsened Russia's economic woes and contributed to a recession in Japan, Asia’s economic powerhouse. The fallout continued to spread around the globe as affected countries were unable to repay loans. Oil: A Volatile Natural Resource In an interdependent world, natu- ral resources—especially energy resources—play a huge role. All nations, for example, need oil for transportation and for products ranging from plastics to fertilizers. Any change to the global oil supply can have a ‘major impact on economies and lives around the world. For example, in 1973 OPEC limited oil exports and raised oil prices, sending economic shock waves around the world. Since then, whenever oil prices have risen sharply, people have faced economic uncertainties. Although people have invested in developing alternative fuels or conserv- ing energy, the world has remained largely dependent on oil. World Oil Resources and Consumption [ [a Mejor ot sens BB najor oil consumers [ay Major reserves 32.09 Toa eserves folione of barrel) Tota consumption (mikone a ee) 2 Map Skills: World ol resources are distributed—and consumed—unequally. Locate (a) China (b) Saudi Arabia (6) aq (@) ran Identify Which nations contain major oil reserves and are also major oil consumers? Predict Given what you have read about the developing world, which nations are likely to become major cil consumers in the future? Chapter 22 Section 2739 The Far-Reaching Effects of Debt In the 1980s, bank interest rates rose while the world economy slowed. Developing nations that had bor rowed capital to modernize were hard hit. As demand for their goods fell, poor nations could not repay their debts or even the interest on their loans. Their economies stalled as they spent their income from exports on payments to foreign creditors. The debt crisis hurt rich nations, too, as banks were stuck with bil- lions of dollars of bad debts. To ease the crisis, lenders lowered interest rates, gave some nations more time to repay loans, or even canceled debts. In return, they required debtor nations to adopt reforms such as privatizing state-run industries. They argued that more efficient private enterprises would bring prosperity in the long run. @ Checkpoint What effect can a reduction in oil production in one country have on other countries around the world? Global Trade Organizations and Treaties Many international organizations and treaties link people and nations around the world. They have various goals, including encouraging devel- opment, settling economic issues, and promoting free trade. Free trade is a key part of global trade today. International Organizations Expand The United Nations is an international organization whose responsibilities, along with its mem- bership, have expanded greatly since 1945. The UN has acted in a peace- keeping role from Cambodia to Congo to the Balkans. In addition, it deals with political, social, economic, and cultural issues, Other interna. tional organizations deal specifically with economic issues. The World Bank, for example, offers loans and advice to developing nations. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was established after World War IL. colombia | $ Vetnan | Indonesia India Mexico Guatemala Uganda ‘impact, shaping diets and social customs. Coffee Ethiopia has also dramatically influenced the global cana ter ceo itisthe wort ost actively traded commodity. © Represents 1 milion bags of coffee Its goal is to promote international monetary cooperation and encourage global economic growth. It also monitors economic development and provides advice to developing nations. Other organizations include non- governmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs, which are usually not afl ated with governments, perform a variety of functions including monitoring human rights, disaster relief, and economic development. Treaties Guide Global Trade The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was signed in 1947 to expand world trade and reduce tar- iffs. In 1995, more than 100 nations joined to form the World Trade Organization (WTO) to strengthen GATT. Its goal was to set up global rules to ensure that trade flows as smoothly and freely as possible. One of the WTO's basic policies is its opposition to protectionism, or the use of tariffs and other restrictions that protect a country’s home industries against competition. The Group of Eight (G-8) is an international organi- zation of industrialized nations that meets yearly to discuss a wide range of economic and other issues. The G-8 consists of Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, and Russia. Regional Trade Blocs Promote Trade Many nations have formed regional blocs, or groups, to promote trade and meet common needs. Among the largest is the EU. NAFTA (North American Free Trade Asso- ciation) is a regional trade bloc that went into effect in 1994 to facilitate trade among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. APEC (Asia-Pacific Economie Cooperation) promotes trade among Pacific Rim nations. OPEC, representing oil-producing countries, regulates the production of oil to stabilize the market. Organizations like these work to lower trade barriers among countries in their regions and promote the free exchange of goods and services. Some deal with both economic and political issues. @ Checkpoint Why was the IMF established? The Fair Trade Movement > The fair trade movement seeks to ensure that coffee growers receive fair prices for their crops and have decent lving and working conditions. Coffee that has met these conditions is stamped with the fair trade logo. Drinking Coffee By the time coffee beans are tured into cups of coffee in the developed world, they have passed through the hands of many middlemen and have been re-sold a numberof times. The Sawina Ciien coffee crop that asmall_| Thinking Critically ‘Aworker in Thailand picks raw coffee farmer earned $8,000 fr | 1. chart Skills What regions are the top 5 area hab Lesa TTD percerk growing is worth nearly a| coffee producers located in? (of the money made from coffee actually milion dollars tothe | > Draw inferences. Why does a crop of coffee goes to the grower. peope ia sel | become more expensive each time itis sold by middlemen? Costs and Benefits of Global Trade With advanced communications and increased economic ties, globaliza- tion is expected only to increase in the years ahead. Yet people still debate the effect of globalization on people around the world. Benefits of Trade Global trade has many benefits. Most obviously, it brings consumers great variety in the types of goods and services that are available to them. And because many people compete to provide those goods and services, it ensures that prices are generally kept low. Globaliza- tion exposes people to new ideas, technology, and communications. Global trade also encourages growth in technology and communica- tions, benefitting people's daily lives. Suecess in trade earns money that can be used to improve infrastructure, raise standards of living, and pro- vide better services. Nations involved in free trade have often become more democratic, And most economists believe that trade works best when nations have an informed citizenry that is free to participate in economic processes. The Anti-Globalization Movement A vocal movement opposes glo- alization. Generally, anti-globalizers focus attention on poverty. Many claim that rich countries exploit poor countries by raising their debt and lowering their standard of living, They also argue that nations that try to meet the demands of international trade are put at risk by specialization, or focusing their economies on one or two high-value commodities. ‘The anti-globalization movement often targets the World Bank and the IMF. Both of these organizations work to ease economic problems, but critics oppose the tough changes they often require nations to make. Anti-globalizers also often target the United States, which as the world’ 1505 ok ontebaivoton demonstration S€BEtPOWer is seen as the foree behind policies they oppose Wad uh soto Sti Wiousencs ot retains Some people believe that globalization hurts indigenous peoples by disrupted WTO meetings in Seattle, taking their lands and disrupting their culture. Others say its emphasis, Washington. on profits encourages too-rapid development, dangering sustainability Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present—for food, resources, shelter, and so on—without harming future generations. ‘Anti-Globalization in Action @ Checkpoint What benefits do global trade have on people's everyday life? Progress Monitoring Online For Se-guz with veelay pace Assessment Web Code:rbo3821 lerms, People, and Places Compreher and Critical Thinking @ Writing About History What do each ofthe key terms listed at 3. Make Comparisons Wihich countries Quick Write: Generate Arguments One the beginning ofthe section have in benefit more from economic inte ofthe most effective ways to persuade isto common? Explain, dependence—developed or developing address both sides of the topic you are cov- : counties? Explain ering Create a chart to record facts about Note Taking 4, Draw Inferences Many Americans _glabalization. In one column, record the . Reading Skill: Compare and ‘opposed the passage of NAFTA in facts that support your position on global- Contrast Use your completed Venn 1994. Given what you have ead in this__iztion. In the second column, note argu- diagram to answer the Focus Question: section, what do you think their objec- ments that could be used to attack your How is globalization affecting econo- tions were? position. ‘mies and societies around the world? 5. Demonstrate Reasoned Judgment Do you think that increased globaliza- : tion is inevitable? Explain. 742. The World Today eople and the Environment What impact have people had on the environment? People have been changing the environment from the time they first made stone axes. As populations grew, so did their environmental impact. With the inventions of the Industrial Revolution, people's ability to alter the environment increased dramatically. Technological improvements in one field boosted improvements in other fields, increasing the overall impact of all technologies on the environment. This pattern continues today. Consider the human impact on land, water, and air through the following examples: ‘AA Haitian man burns tres to clear land for farming. ait, once heavily forested, has only about 1% forest cover today. Land ‘Small populations of prehistoric hunter-gatherers had little long-term impact on their environment. The gradual shift to agriculture, however put new stresses on the land. The more stable food supply supported higher populations, which required more food. Slash-and-burn techniques of clearing land eliminated forests in some areas, Waters from irrigation deposited salt on the soil, destroying soil fertility. In modern times overfarming, overgrazing, and other agricultural practices have encouraged large-scale soil erosion, in which winds carry valuable topsoil away. Today, wind erosion in China and West Africa is expanding deserts and stealing soils needed for food production Water Through the ages, people have used rivers not just for drinking water and transportation but also as sewers. Waste creates unsanitars for people downriver and eventually pollutes the ocean. People have also dammed rivers for flood control, hydropower, and irrigation. Farmers in Central Asia have taken so much water out of two rivers that they have turned a huge inland sea into a salty lake. The Aral Sea, once the fourth- largest body of inland water in the world, has shrunk by more than half in the last 50 years. With less river ‘water draining into the sea, the region's wetlands are drying up, deserts are forming, and plant and animal life are disappearing. conditions Air Air pollution is nothing new. In 1661, ‘an English writer complained about the filthy smoke “belching forth” from coal fires. He said that the inhabitants of London “breathe nothing but an impure and thick Mist.” Later, the popularity of coal-fired steam engines brought still more air pollution. By the mid-1900s, however, automobile exhaust had replaced coal smoke as the leading source of air pollution in many cities. London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Mexico City experienced ‘anew phenomenon: poisonous smog. ‘Today, government-imposed pollution standards have begun to clean the air in many cities, but few city dwellers anywhere would describe their air as fresh or pure, Thinking Critically 4. Are negative impacts onthe environment inevitable as counties indusraize? Explain your answer. 2. Connections to Today Research a developing country—such as Brazil, China, or Thalland—that is struggling with environmental issues. Explain the issues and their impact as well as how the country is meeting its environmental challenges. | “4 Bangladeshi children wade through unsanitary flood waters to access clean water from a pump 743 ‘Afarmily in Indonesia tries to make their way to shelter aftr tsunamis destroyed ther village in 2004. Aid organizations like CARE (logo above) ‘worked to bring relief to the devastated region. WITNESS HISTORY 0 «00 Giant Waves Arrive On December 26, 2004, an Indonesian man named Harmi went to the beach with hundreds of other people. An earthquake had hit his village, and people gathered to watch the sea recede from the beach, (66 suddenly ...oh my God ... there was a thunder- ing sound from the sea. | saw the rolls ofthe waves ten meters (33 feet) high... the waves came three times. The worst was the second one, which swal lowed thousands of houses in our village.?? Harmi’s village was completely destroyed. Focus Question How do poverty, disease, and environmental challenges affect people around the world today? Social and Environmental Challenges Objectives + Explain the causes and effects of global poverty, disasters, and disease. * Analyze whether the basic human rights of people around the world are being upheld * Discuss the environmental challenges that have resulted from industrial development. Terms, People, and Places tsunami acid rain epidemic deforestation famine erosion refugee alobal warming Note Taking Reading Skill: Compare Use a chart ike this one to compare aspects of globalization I ‘pects of Globalization = [ Poverty? Human Disease Rights nau |e : diasters 744 The World Today Globalization involves much more than economic links and the spread of technology. It has brought all kinds of social and envi- ronmental issues to the world’s attention. Poverty, disease, envi- ronmental threats, and human rights may originate in countries or regions, But they have global dimensions that often require glo- bal solutions. Global Poverty, Disasters, and Disease Half of the world’s population, or almost 3 billion people, live on less, than $2 a day. Almost 1 billion people cannot read or write. About 790 million people in the developing world suffer from hunger— many from extreme hunger. Millions of people suffer from life-threat- ening diseases. Although these are problems mainly of the developing world, they affect the nations of the developed world as well. Causes of Poverty Experts cannot agree on the exact number of people living in poverty worldwide, in part because there are many ways to measure poverty. Experts do agree about some trends, however. First, the gap between rich and poor nations is huge and growing, Second, some progress has been made toward reducing poverty, but it has been uneven. India and China, for example, have enjoyed economic growth, which has meant fewer people overall living in poverty there, but extreme poverty still persists Poverty is a complex issue with many causes. Many poor nations owe billions in debt and have no extra money to spend to improve living con- ditions, Political upheavals, civil war, corruption, and poor planning also Vocabulary Builder inhibit efforts to reduce poverty worldwide. Rapid population growth— inhibit—{in H1B it) u. to hold back or especially in India, China, and the nations of Africa and Latin America— _keep from some action has made it harder for countries to provide basic services. Organizations like the World Bank believe that erasing poverty essential to global security and peace. In this spirit, they call on poor nations to limit population growth. They also encourage rich nations to forgive the debt of poor nations, making more funds available for educa- tion, healthcare, and other services. Natural Disasters Affect Millions In 2004, a huge underwater earth: quake in the Indian Ocean triggered a massive tidal wave, or (sunami (tsoo NaH mee). It swept over islands and the coasts of 11 countries ring- ing the Indian Ocean. More than 160,000 people were killed, mainly in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India. Millions were left: homeless or lost their livelihood. Natural disasters range from earthquakes, floods, and avalanches to Groughts, fires, hurricanes, and voleanic eruptions. They strike all over the world all the time. They cause death, destruction, and unsanitary alariais a disease that kills more than a million people a year worldwide, mostly children. Malaria isa parasite that is usually found in unsanitary conditions, especially stagnant water, in warm climates. Mosquitoes who breed on water pick up the parasite and then pass it to humans when they bite them. Forty percent of the worlds population is at risk for contracting ‘malaria, especially in developing countries. Why do you think ‘malaria is arisk mainly in developing countries? conditions that often lead to disease. They can destroy local economies, which can have a ripple effect on the global economy. One benefit of glo- balization is that news of natural disasters spreads instantly. In the past, the world only learned of such disasters after days, weeks, or months had passed. Today, the news triggers instant efforts to bring aid. Global Disease Spreads Rapidly With millions of people on the move every day, disease can spread rapidly. In 2002 and 2003, plane travelers spread SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), a respiratory disease, from China to more than two dozen countries around the world. Other diseases such as avian flu (bird flu), mad cow disease, West Nile fever, and influenza have also raised concerns about the global spread of dis- ease. Often diseases spread before health officials know they exist. Still, globalization has meant that health experts around the world, working ‘together, ean quickly identify and contain outbreaks of disease. Some diseases have proved difficult to stop. When a disease spreads rapidly, it is called an epidemic. As you read, HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that began in the 1980s. HIV/AIDS has taken a huge economic and human toll around the world, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia. An estimated 20 million people have died of HIV/AIDS, and today nearly 40 million people are infected with it. By the early 2000s, treatment and prevention of AIDS had become a global priority. Some African nations like Uganda managed to lower rates of infection. Government and medi- cal officials focused on educating people about how the HIV virus is transmitted and how people can prevent its transmission. Yet HIV/AIDS continues to spread, especially in Asia and Eastern Europe. Hunger and Famine Threaten For tens of millions of people, hunger poses a daily threat. A major problem is that food does not get distrib- uted to the people who need it most—especially in countries racked by poverty and civil strife. Hunger escalates into famine when large num- bers of people in a region or country face death by starvation, Natural disasters can cause famine, Human activity can also cause famine. War disrupts food distribution. During the 1970s and 1980s, civil wars raging in Ethiopia and Sudan intensified the effects of drought, leading to famine. Each side in the conflict tried to keep relief supplies from reaching the other. In many instances, only the efforts of international aid groups have saved millions of people from starvation. Millions Migrate Globalization has led to a vast movement of people around the world. Some people choose to migrate because they see a chance for better opportunities. But others are refugees, people who are forced to move because of poverty, war, natural disas- ters, or persecution. Many migrants do create better lives, but many oth- ers fail to find jobs or homes and sometimes meet hostil- uated fan Gemary Utire rane aemination, Many. poop in developed ‘country countries do not welcome immigrants, who they claim take away jobs and services from natural-born citizens. Millions of migrants, both legal and illegal, continually head to Europe, Asia, and North America. Bach year, the United States alone receives about a million legal immi- grants and 300,000 or more illegal immigrants. By the of Percer world’s migrants United Nations, Rend in xa Migrant Stock, 2002 746 The World Today early 2000s, people from Latin America made up the largest immi- grant group in the United States. Europe has been a destination for ration since World War II. In the 1950s, Germany began wel- coming large numbers of Turkish, Italian, and Russian immigrants to make up for the part of its labor force that was lost in the two world wars, France has a large North African population, largely from its former colony Algeria. © Checkpoint what are some of the causes of famine and migration? Human Rights In 1948, UN members approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It stated that all people are entitled to basic rights “... without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, lan- guage, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” In 1975, nations signing the Hels- inki Accords guaranteed such basic rights as freedom of speech, reli- gion, and the press as well as the rights to a fair trial, to earn a living, and to live in safety. Despite such agreements, human rights abuses—ranging from arbitrary arrest to torture and slavery—oceur daily around the world. The Role of the World Community Human rights abuses are not new, but globalization has brought them to the attention of the world in a new way. And the spread of democracy has forced people to question how human rights abuses can still happen in a modern world. In response, the world community has pressed countries to end abuses. In the 1980s, for example, economic pressure was used against South Africa to end apartheid, its system of legalized segregation, Sometimes there is no stable government to pressure, or direct pres- sure does not work. Still, the UN, the United States, and human rights groups monitor and report on human rights violations, from Afghani- stan, to Bosnia, to Congo. They even monitor human rights in nations that are part of the developed world, such as Russia. Women Work for Rights For decades, a global women's movement has focused attention on the needs of women worldwide. The UN Charter supported “equal rights for men and women.” By 1950, women had won the right to vote in most European nations, as well as in Japan, China, Brazil, and other countries. In most African nations, both women and men ‘won the vote when their countries gained independence. Women have headed governments in Britain, Israel, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and elsewhere. Still, a report to the UN noted that while women represent half of the world’s people, “they perform nearly two thirds of all working hours, receive only one tenth of the world’s income, and own less than one per- cont of world property.” The UN and other groups thus carefully monitor the human rights of women. They also condemn violence and discrimina- tion against women. More than 165 countries have ratified a new women’s human rights treaty. Women in the Developed and Developing Worlds In the devel- oped world, more and more women now work outside their homes. {An Illegal Crossing Each year tens of thousands of illegal immigrants lke this family risk thet lives to cross the border between Mexico and the United States. What factors lead people to risk their ives in illegal border crossings? Chapter 22 Section 3. 747 Ending Child Labor RUGMARK, an organization that works to end child labor sponsors the education of South Asian students lke this gir. The RUGMARK label on her sleeve also appears on carpets and rugs that were made without child labor. What effect might labels like this one have on people's buying habits? 748 The World Today ‘They have gained high-profile jobs as business owners and executives, scientists, and technicians. Yet women often receive less pay for the same job that men do, and many must balance demanding jobs with child- rearing and housework. Still, many women do not have the option of not working, because many families need two incomes just to maintain a decent standard of living. Poor families need two incomes just to survive. The education gap has been narrowing in developing nations, and women from the middle and elite classes have entered the workforce in growing numbers. Still, women often shoulder a heavy burden of work. In rural areas, especially in Africa where many men have migrated to cit- ies to work, women do much of the farm work in addition to household tasks, In other regions, such as Southeast Asia, young women often leave home in search of work to support the family o to pay for their brothers’ education. In many places, cultural traditions still confine women to the home or segregate men and women in the workplace. Protecting Children Worldwide, children suffer terrible abuses. A 2005 UN report showed that half of the world’s children suffer the effects of extreme poverty, armed conflict, and AIDS. Children are also the tar- gets of human rights violations. In some nations, children are forced to serve as soldiers or even slaves. The resulting abuses not only damage children but also hurt a country’s hope for the future. In 1989, the UN General Assembly approved the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This human rights treaty sets standards for basic rights for children, including the right to life, liberty, education, and healthcare. But ensur- ing these rights has proved difficult or even impossible. In developing countries, tens of millions of children between the ages of 5 and 14 do not attend school. Instead, they work full time. Often, these child laborers work long hours in dangerous, unhealthy conditions for little pay. Many are physically abused by their employers and live in conditions of near slavery. Still, their families need the income the chil- dren earn. In some cases, children must work to pay off a family’s debt. Human rights groups, the UN, and developed nations have focused a ‘spotlight on child labor in order to end such practices. Indigenous Peoples Face Challenges Indigenous peoples—includ- ing Native Americans, Aborigines in Australia, and Maoris in New Zealand—face discrimination and other abuses. Often, their lands have been forcibly taken, In South America, for example, developers have pushed into once-isolated areas, threatening the ways of life of indige- nous peoples. Many Indians have died of diseases carried by the newcom- ers. During Guatemala’s long civil war, the government targeted Mayan villagers, killing tens of thousands. The UN has worked to set standards to protect the rights of indigenous peoples. @ Checkpoint How are the human rights of children around the world violated? Development and the Environment Since earliest times, people have taken what they wanted from the envi- ronment. In the past, damage was limited because the world’s population was small and technology was simple. Industrialization and the world pop- ulation explosion have increased the damage done to the environment. Health of the World Today In the year 2000, the world population stood at just over billion people. n 2050, itis projected to reach over 9ilin. The world’s population in 2000 was sharply vided in terms of health and access to resources Despite improvements in ‘agriculture, medicine, and technology, huge numbers of people around the world lacked adequate food and access to safe water. Disease threatened some regions more than others. And in certain areas, poverty-stricken people made up the majority of the population CT aL Atlantic J ‘Oceas ‘Global HIV Mortality Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis infect nearly 50% of the world’s population. Water Sub-Saharan ‘fica East Asia a Pacific 73% South Asia La § atin america | Be carbbean 85% | Middle East & North africa 86% Indian Europe & ng Central Asia 0% 020° 40 60 8 100 Percentage of population with access The Wor Bark Gro, 2000 World Per Capita GDP | (iy More than $20,000, | Be 820,000-29,999 BB 510,000-13,999 eae ce comes | est 0 Ped lal edaaa! ‘of a nation’s wealth. The higher the GDR. ‘general, the higher a nation’s standard of living. OUR aid ij — pe a For: nerve woth satis Pee ie pen cede eee Le ae os Thinking Critically preemie 41. Map Skills Which regions have etree high rates of disease and low pic percentages of their population with access to safe water? Compare Compare the HIV! ‘AIDS map and the chart with the map of global GDP What can a nations GDP suggest about the health of its people? 750 The World Today ‘As you have read, development improves lives and strengthens econo- mies—but at a price. One of the great challenges of the twenty-first con- tury is how to achieve necessary development without causing permanent damage to the environment. Pollution Threatens the Environment Since the 1970s, environ- ‘mentalists have warned about threats to the environment. Strip mining provides ores for industry but destroys land. Chemical pesticides and fer- tilizers produce larger food crops but harm the soil and water and may cause certain cancers. Oil spills pollute waterways and kill marine life. Gases from power plants and factories produce acid rain, a form of pol- ution in which toxic chemicals in the air fall back to Earth as rain, snow, or hail. Acid rain has damaged forests, lakes, and farmland. Pollution from nuclear plants is another concern. In 1986, an accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union exposed peo- ple, crops, and animals to deadly radiation over a wide area. A similar accident occurred in 1978 at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Penn- sylvania. Although the fallout was limited and no people were killed, the accident sparked a great debate about the benefits and hazards of nuclear power. Such accidents have caused industries and governments to develop better safety measures. Growing Deserts, Shrinking Forests As you have read, desertifica- tion is a major problem, especially in the Sahel region of Africa. Another threat—especially in Africa, Latin America, and Asia—is deforestation, or the cutting of trees without replacing them. People cut trees for fire- ‘wood or shelter, or to sell in markets abroad. Some burn down forests to make way for farms and cattle ranches, or for industry. In the Amazon basin region of Brazil, the world’s largest rain forest, forests are also cleared in order to tap into rich mineral resources. Edward O. Wilson ‘As a child in Alabama, Edward 0. Wilson (1923-) developed a love for nature. His poor eyesight and limited physical strength encouraged him to focus ‘on ants—smal creatures that he could hold and look ‘at dosely, Wilson never grew out of his "bug period,” becoming a renowned professor of biology at Harvard. In recent years, Wilson has increasingly focused his attention on environmental issues. n his 2002 book The Future of Life, he writes about how Earth's «growing human population is affecting the planet and its resources. Calin the 2000s the “Century of the Environment." he appeals to "science and ‘technology, combined with foresight and moral courage” 0 meet modem — environmental challenges. Why does Wilson believe that “foresight and moral courage” are needed to preserve the environment? Once forests are cleared, rains wash nutrients from the soil, destroy- ing its fertility. Deforestation also causes erosion, or the wearing away of land, which encourages flooding. The deforestation of rain forests is particularly worrisome. Rain forests like the Amazon play a key role in absorbing poisonous carbon dioxide from the air and releasing essential oxygen. They are also home to millions of animal and plant species, many of which have become extinct because of deforestation. Global Warming Another environmental challenge—one that is hotly debated—is global warming. Global warming refers to the rise of Earth's surface temperature over time. A rise in Earth's temperature could bring about changes such as the following: a rise in sea level, changes in weather patterns, increased desertification in some areas, and an inerease in precipitation in others. Because climates in some areas could become colder, many scientists prefer to call the trend “cl mate change.” Scientists agree that Earth’s temperature has risen slightly over the past century. Many scientists think that this warming comes from gases released into the atmosphere by human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels. ‘These “greenhouse” gases trap warmth in Earth's atmosphere. Some scien- tists, however, and many policymakers, argue that global warming is due to Vocabulary Builder natural fluctuations in Barth's climate. fiuctuation~

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