Lecture 1 What is Global Studies ● Inter-disciplinary understanding of different dimensions of our present conditions ● Debates on current condition ● Trying to figure out what’s happening ● Decipher the signs of the times ● Not an exact science ● Ones understanding of the current state of the world is informed by ones perspective Key Concepts of Global Studies International Studies: study of interactions, comparisons and commonalities involving two or more states. International Relations: The study of political and economic interactions between or among states with a focus on diplomacy and policy. Globalization: the process by which the political, economic, social, and cultural links between people, cooperations, and governments in different states become integrated through cooperation, trade, travel, communications, media, investment, market forces, and technology. Globalism: a philosophy, ideology, or policy based on taking a global view of politics, economics, society, security and the environment. Globalization as a Social Process ● Globalization refers to the process by which the links among humans have frightened ● A set of external material social process that appear to be changing our modern world. ● Process is driven by ● Economic interdependence (multicultural cooperations, markets, etc) ● Change in technology and communications ● Spread of a Global Culture ● Mobility of people ● Public policies (cf. McCormick pp.31-34) Pre-Modern history of Globalization ● Mass migrants (McCormick p.16 ) ● Cultural interdependence (McCormick p. 17) ● Arabic numeral (e.g. number zero) etymology of words ● Speed of viruses (bubonic plauge, aka Black Plague) Pre Modern examples The Silk Road ● routes connecting Europe and South East Asia ● Trade routes, not only trade but helped culture exchange ● Noodles originated in China but was brought back to Italy by Marco Polo Modern European Expansion (1450-1640) Colonialism and capitalism, the ties that bind ● Gold (or spice, i.e. economics) ● Glory (for the monarch, i.e. politics) ● God (Christianity, i.e. culture) Voyage of Vasco deGama, 1497 ● Sea route to India, Middle East ● Begins expansion, colonization ● Avoids danger Modern Examples English East India Company (1600 - 1858) ● Trade in spice and tea. ● Taken over the British Government Dutch East India Trade (1602-1798) ● Went bankrupt ● VOC territories were taken over as the Dutch East Indies Globalization as a new Way of Thinking of Ourselves Globalization as a New Awareness of Ourselves ● a new way of thinking about ourselves and our places ● An intellectual consciousness about the human race as one person and tha the world is our home ● “Both the compression of the world and the intensification of the consciousness of the world as a whole” (Roland Robertson as cited inn McCormick, p. 4) ● The world is becoming more and more compressed getting tighter and tighter. The intensification of our consciousness that the world is one entity. We all live in this small planet as a one, the planet is not divided. Our awareness of us coexisting together becomes more intense along with our social relations of economics and power domination. Global Imaginary ● There is a change in the way we think of ourselves ● Change in our collective consciousness of the human race ● A change in our global imaginary ● Global Image of ourselves may be changing ● Our intellectual awareness of belonging to common human community. ● Involves an “intensification of our consciousness of the world as a whole” Roland Robertson Global Imaginary and Shared Morality ● Reflected I hopes of the: ● Universal declaration of human rights (UDHR) as common, global set of values ● International Criminal Court (ICC) as a common, shared sense of justice and ethics. ● Though there are flaws, people aspire to a shared sense of justice ex: the universal - everyone “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” ex: the particular - after we said that, he put down the American flag, a very territorial and tribalistic act. Historical Precedents of Global Imaginary ● Religious notions of common community of believers ● Ecumene, Christianity ● Ummah, Islam (Reza Aslan Article) ● Notion of common, single, universal human nature ● Monism, Greek Philosophy Globalization and Localization ● Opposing tendencies, simultaneously aka Glocalization ● Global and local equally strong ● Planetary awareness and yet national/local consciousness persists ● Integration snd yet also disintegration ● Immense wealth and yet immense poverty ● Process unevenly distributed around the world Conclusions ● Globalization involves both continuity of earlier social processes, and change by newer social processes ● Globalization intensifies our sense of belonging to one place, one race ● Globalization promises hope of a better world and yet also presents more challenges ● Globalization is contradictory or is it paradoxical? Lecture 2: Culture and Identity What is a “Nation”? ● A group of people who regard themselves as being one people, a folk, by virtue of culture. ● A sense of belonging together as a meaningful group based on a shared culture rooted in: ● Common Language ● Shared historical experiences ● Religious beliefs and cultural practices ● NB: McCormick error on p. 65 about food being eaten in Muslim world with left hand ● Diet/cuisine, dress, music, etc. Nationalism ● The beliefs that nations have the right to determine their own destiny, to govern themselves, to have their own states, to place their interests above those of other nations, and to control movements across their borders. (McCormick p. 62) What is culture? ● Institutionalized and patterned set of beliefs, values, behaviours and practices ● Aspects of culture: ○ Beliefs (e.g. ideas about meaning of life and death) ○ Values (e.g. how to lead the Good Life) ○ Behaviours (e.g. handshakes, bows) ○ Practices (e.g. covering/uncovering of head as sign of respect) ○ Artefacts/Cultural products (e.g. cutlery/chopsticks) ○ Traditions/Rituals (e.g flowers at funerals) Zaidi’s View ● Culture makes us fully human ● We only become fully human through interactions with others ● To be human is to partake in communal languages, in shared ideas, values, practices ● The meaning of things resides not in their objective, material reality, but in their symbolic reality ● eg. What happens when we shed a tear? ● What is the meaning of a tear? The Changing Place of Religion Religion: Belief in and worship of a sacred source, usually n the form of a deity or deities, and drivable combination of beliefs, myths and rituals. Secularism: A belief in the separation of religion in the state. Religion and Globalization ● The spread of religious communities around the world have contributed to cultural globalization ● Recall discussion of “ecumene” and “ummah” ● Recall Reza Aslan’s article on Ibn Battuta (dar al-islam) ● i.e. integration of different parts of the world with shared values and ideas ● But can lead to a shared set of assumptions about life ● Does not necessarily lead to unity and peace Civilizations Huntington’s idea of a Clash ● A civilization refers to a pervasive culture (or way of life) broadly shared by many countries, impacting a large region of the world over time (cf. McCormick pp. 6769) ● A civilization tends to have a shared or similar: ● systems of law and governance ● economic organization ● patterns of living and settlement ● types of food and subsistence ● worldview, religion and values Huntington’s Argument: Cultural Clashes ● Culture plays a renewed role in international relations and politics ● Beginning in the late-20 century, civilization consciousness is on the increase ● Nationalism and economic ideology (o.e capitalism vs socialism ) is displaced as the basis for conflict ● After the Cold War, Western powers will need a new enemy ● Each civilization has its own values and practices (some overlap, but many are unique) ● Likelihood of conflict increases between civilizations when: 1) the further apart two civilizations are in terms of values (lack of respect and lack of mutual understanding) 2) the closer two different civilizations are geographically Challenging Huntington’s Thesis ● Civilizations internally too diverse; can’t be categorized neatly ○ too much intercultural borrowing and exchange (i.e. cultural hybridity) between civilizations ○ Judeo-Christian-Islamic civilization ● While there are some cultural conflicts, there are also long(er) periods of peace and co-existence between cultures and civilizations Cultural Globalization McDonaldization ● Term coined by sociologist George Ritzer to refer to the process of increasing cultural sameness (homogenization) around the world (cf. McCormick, p. 32 and 68) ● Rooted in American (or more broadly western) cultural values Cf. McCormick, p. 66 ○ Hyper-pessimists suggest that the world is moving towards cultural “sameness” (homogenization) and loss of difference ○ Hyper-optimists argue McDonaldization is a good thing e.g. spread of democracy, human rights, capitalism McDonalidization of Japan ● What does the prevalence of American popular culture (e.g. McDonalds, Disney World, iPhone, etc.) in Japan say about Japanese culture? ○ Fast-foodization of Japan ○ Transformation of eating habits, of older cultural forms ○ A value on newness and change ○ An acceptance of America as cultural leader of the world? Fast Food and Global South ● In many parts of the Global South, consumption of Western fast food brands (e.g. McDonalds, KFC, Pizza-Hut, Subway, etc.) demonstrates: ○ wealth, status and upward mobility ○ openness to Western influences ○ openness to social change ● Cf. Burgers in Pakistan next week’s reading Cosmopolitan Culture Cosmopolitan Identity ● Cosmopolitanism means to cast aside local or parochial ties and be a citizen of the world ● Articulated by Immanuel Kant, 18th c. German philosopher ● Derives from Ancient Greek thought ● Are we witnessing the emergence of a global culture and a cosmopolitan identity? ● Can we all become cosmopolitans by sharing a new world-culture? Cosmopolitanism An approach to the world through universal ideas, and with the belief that all humans belong to a single community that transcends state boundaries and national identities. (McCormick, p. 63) Problems with Homogeneity ● Hopes and aspirations for a global cosmopolitan culture are easily appropriated by corporate interests ○ Recall Wavin’ Flag by K’naan ● B. Barber: Jihad Vs. McWorld (see McCormick, pp.68-9) ○ public issues are diminished by our concern with petty choices: Coke or Pepsi? McDonalds or Burger King? Pizza Pizza or Pizza Hut? Conclusions ● Culture is an intrinsic part of the human condition ○ Cultures shape us in both obvious and subtle ways ○ Cultures provide a worldview to members of a group ○ Civilizations are the broadest level of cultural identity Two models of cultural homogenization around the world ● McDonaldization ○ Americanization of the world ● Cosmopolitanism ○ Identity as a global citizen ○ alternative to a narrow national identity Reading #1 - McCormick Textbook: “Identity and Culture” (Chapter 3, pp.59-76) - Identity is a concept of self based attribution that ranges from biological factors such as age and sex, to social and economical factors like ethnicity, culture, gender, place of birth, job and language. - Worldview is the manner in which each of us, as individuals or as members of like minded groups perceives the world. - National Identity is identification with a state or nation, as determined by a combination of language, place of birth and citizenship. National identity is closely tied to the concept of patriotism, or love of country, It can also be associated with the concept of nationalism based on history, achievements and symbols. However there can also be negatives to this patriotism, which can spill over into a different kind of nationalism based on superiority regarding other states, or even hostility. This is reflected in the extent to which patriotism is most actively exploited during times of international conflict or war. - The alternative to patriotism is cosmopolitanism… the view that local and global concerns cannot be separated or divorced, and that rather than the world being separate from the community or state in which each of us live, it is the only community that matters. - Culture is shared values, beliefs, habits, attitudes, and/or norms to which a society collectively subscribes and responds, often unconsciously and even in the face of individual differences. - The extent to which cultural differences are barriers to the sense of a global community is reflected in the culture shock that many people face moving from one culture to another. As often as not, people will struggle to adapt when they find that familiar rules, habits and assumptions no longer apply. - Culture comes in many different forms and is found at multipole levels. Taking a broad, general view, we can talk of human culture, describing the beliefs and values that all humans - regardless of where they come from - have in common, and that help us understand our universal need and capabilities. - The idea of global culture suggests that wherever we go in the world, we can expect to have many of the same experiences, to hear some of the same ideas, to eat similar kinds of food, and to see many of the same brands, products and services for sale. This global culture has so far been driven mainly by the inroads made by Western ideas into other parts of the world. - Secularism has been central to European ideas since the Enlightenment, and there is evidence now of a move away from religion in the U.S, where it has long played a central role in politics and society. - “Western” ideas and ways of thinking usually include the following six aspects I. II. III. Democracy Free market capitalism Individualism IV. V. VI. Scientific thinking (in the sense of forming testable hypotheses) Humanism (or an emphasis on human matters rather than the divine) Rationalism, meaning that actions & beliefs should be based on reason/knowledge rather than emotion or religion. - At another level, culture an be regarded as civilizational, if we define civilization as “the highest cultural grouping of people and the broadest level of cultural identity people have short of that which distinguishes humans from the other species’. In his work, Huntington suggest that there are nine main civilizations: African, Buddhist, Chinese, Hindu, Islamic, Japanese, Latin American, Orthodox and Westerns. However, doubts about the existence and quality of civilizations are still plentiful. - At yet another level we find culture associated with states. Since the latter are political creations, state cultures are too a large extent contrived and artificial, and sometimes based on politically motivated myths and symbols. They revolve around claims of shared history, the depth of such claims varying according to the extent to which the states are culturally homogenous; historians are often rewritten and shaped to build a sense of unity rather than to acknowledge the difference among the citizens of the state. - At the most focused level, we find a world that is divided into thousands of local cultures and subcultures, the precise number being impossible to compute due to culture that is never static, values regularly evolve, and new sub-cultures come and go. Local cultures are actually more useful than national culture in terms of understanding what goes on within states, given that they are the most real. - Global Studies must account for 2 even deeply contested concepts: race and ethnicity. However, race is more troubling as questions about how the concept is understood and used. Many would argue that It is a social construct (concept created and cultivated by society), and there is a high degree of scholarly agreement that it is a biological myth but that it has very real political and social consequences. Lecture 4: Cultural Differences in a Global Age Class differences and fast food: - What class differences are revealed in the choice of fast food around the world? - The choices that ppl makes about what they consume reveals something about their class orientation Food: a symbol or commodity? - Uri Ram’s article on Glo-Commodification - In the middle east, the falafel becomes a symbol of authentic, local identity against a manufactured, global identity - Symbolic diversity conceals and even supports, structural similarity (standardization of the product) o Ex. The falafel is the same everywhere - Food becomes a commodity and becomes part of the global system of business Local resistance: - Ex. Mecca Cola, and Qibla cola Localization: - Cultural difference - Resistance to a global culture occurs in the names of authentic local culture - Proliferation of symbolic cultural resistance at the local level - In contrast to homogenization, we also witness the spread of cultural difference (cultural heterogenization) Cultural resistance or structural integration? - Localization occurs in the name of authentic local culture and involves a proliferation of symbolic resistance - But integration into an economic system occurs at a deeper, structural level o Uri Ram: in order to resist symbolically, need to fit within a global value and production system - A product is resisting by being local, but in order to exist it still has to buy into the capitalist system Heterogenization: - World is becoming increasingly diff, culturally - Local identities, cultures, values, resist the pressure to conform - “culture is in the tradition” - Localisms proliferate G-localization: - Is globalization giving rise to its opposite: the re-emergence of local cultures, local identities? o Locally driven ideas, identity, and community - Globalization and localization: cannot understand one without the other o Hence the term “G-local-ization” o Pendulum effect: action and reaction o Push and pull effect of globalization and localization o Ironically both seem to contribute to the integration of the world Test 2 Modern System of Governance Early-modern Asian Empires: - Ottoman (1453-1922) (the Middle East, Eastern Europe, North Africa) - Safavid (1501-1722) (central and west Africa) - Mughal (1526-1857) (Indian sub-continent and Afghanistan) - Qing (1644-1912, china) European Colonial Powers: - Spain: o Mexico o Central America o Most of South America - Russia: o Ukraine o Most of central Asia o Alaska - England: o US and Canada o Indian subcontinent o Hong Kong o Australia and New Zealand o Parts of Africa - Parts of middle east France: o North America o West and North Africa o Vietnam o Parts of the middle east European Colonial Empires: ● Empire; “a system of governance forged in military conquest; as opposed to the freely given consent of people” ● (1500-lasting legacy into 21st century) ● Marked by political and economic exploitation and by ferocious military violence ● The effects of colonialism have to do with but also ongoing economic and political domination Relationship between the colonies and the metropole is one of power: Colonies: ● Obedience ● Subjection ● Brain drains ● Taxes ● Natural resources Metropole: ● Mother city ● Hub of empire Colonies: ● Exploitation ● “protection” ● Military force Religious Wars in Europe: - Protestant Reformation (16th-17th c. CE) - The Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648) - The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) Peace of Westphalia: - Leaders of Europe came together to stop the bloodshed of religious wars o “modus Vivendi” – a way to live (together) - Marked the end of: o The Eighty-Years’ War o The Thirty-Years’ War The Treaty of Westphalia: (1648) - Countries govern themselves (secular or non-secular) - Political sovereignty and territorial integrity o Political sovereignty: “the right of a group of people to rule themselves” o The most basic right of a country in modern international law – to make its own laws and to govern itself provided that it respects the rights of all other countries to do the same Significance of Westphalia: - In order to avoid conflicts, separated each cultural community (i.e. nation) into its own political territory, with complete control over political, economic and cultural affairs - Gradually set into motion the modern nation-state system of governance and sovereignty “The Great Game”: - Refers generally to the struggles for power and land amongst the colonial powers in the after the 19thand early 20th c. - Colonialism caused rivalries between the European empires o Became a competition between colonial powers to expand reach, power and resources - Empires were already in decline, despite colonial ambitions League of Nations (1919-1939): - Formed following the end of WWI - First attempt at global governance, led by American president Woodrow Wilson - Many issues with the league of nations: o The US refused to join (due to US republican senators) o Germany and japan withdrew after they were publicly condemned by the league o Collapsed with the start of WWII in 1939 since the great powers were not signed on Inter-war period (1918-1939): - The period between WWI and WWII - Characterized by protectionism: development and protection of national economics - High tariffs on imported goods were seen as necessary to the development of national industries and businesses - Great Depression (1930s) reverberated around the increasingly economically interconnected globe WWII: - Biggest war the world has so far seen - Over 50 countries involved - 50 million ppl dead - The most expensive war in history - Axis powers: Germany, Italy, Japan - Allies: China, France, Russia, UK and US Decline of European Colonial Rule: - The two world wars exacted enormous damage and costs upon Europe such that none of the European powers could afford to maintain their empires - Period following the end of WWII (1945-75) also marked the beginning of decolonization of former colonies - Loss of claim to any moral superiority The World Powers: - Power: o The ability of a country to get what it wants - Hard power: o Are countries with economic wealth and military capability - Soft power: o Refers to one’s ability to get others to think the way one does through non-economic and non-military means - Great powers: o Countries with the richest economies and the largest armed forces o The US, Britain, China, France and Russia - Middle powers: o Northern/western, developed, and wealthy societies, but lack the population size, military force, cultural impact, and ambition to become a great power o Strongest supporters of global cooperation and international institutions of the UN o E.g. Canada, Australia and Sweden What is a nation-state? State: - Refers to the political entity in a given territory o I.e. Refers to the government of a country - In the modern system of governance, the mechanisms of powers are heavily influenced by the state: o Economy, military, law and education Nation: - A nation refers to a group of people who regard themselves as being one people, a folk, by virtue of culture - A sense of belonging together as a meaningful group bases on a shared culture rooted in: o Common language o Shared historical experiences o Religious beliefs and cultural practices o Deity/cuisine, dree, music, etc. State Vs Nation: - Nation-state: o State whose citizens share a common national identity o Ex. Cited by McCormick, Japan and Iceland - Multinational state: o A state consisting of multiple different national group living under a single government - Diaspora: o The scattering or movement of a population beyond its geographical or native homeland, or the population that lives over an extended area outside its homeland Nationalism: - The drive of a nation to get its own state - Ex. Catalan Referendum, and the Kurdish Referendum Reconciling Nationalism in a global age? - Ethnic nationalist movements push for independence - Yet globalization increases regional integration - Contradictions of the human condition: universal aspirations, particular identities - Examples; Catalonians, Kashmiris, Kurds, Palestinians, Uighurs, Scots Nation-State and Sovereignty: - Nation-state: o one nation (cultural group) in one state (i.e. territory) - Sovereignty: o Non-interference into a state’s internal working is paramount - Territorial integrity: o A state can do whatever it wants within its own borders o i.e. national self-determination Culture and the nation state - One nation per state assumes sameness of culture within territorial boundaries - Easier to maintain Europe 300 years ago - Colonial settler societies such as Canada, USA and Australia would not be considered homogeneous citizenship : undivided loyalties to one particular nation Swiss Anti-Immigration Politics (2007): - came along with racist ads Culture and the nation-state: - one nation per state assumes homogeneity of culture within territorial boundaries o earlier to maintain in Europe 300 years ago o colonial settler societies (ex. Canada, USA and Australia) have never been homogenous and comprise multiple nations - Citizenship: o - undivided loyalties to one particular place, one particular way of life Example about these issues; o the re-constructing secular cultural identity in Quebec (the ban on religious clothing/symbols in public spaces) o Deals with cultural identity and Quebec sovereignty Economy and the Nation-state: - Modern system assumes that each state can set its own fiscal (taxation) and monetary (interest rates) policies Modern system of nation-states: - Regards each nation-state as an isolated ‘island unto itself’ - Assumes that each nation state has the power and ability to set its own agenda o Politically, economically, culturally and in its legal and immigration system - Monopoly on violence belongs to the state (i.e. to the gov) to defend itself against external and internal threats Six features of a state: - Territory: a geographical area marked by boards - Population: a permanent population of citizens and non-citizens - Authority: the acknowledged right of a state to act or to rule - Legitimacy: recognition that a state has the right to wield authority within its borders - Sovereignty: the principle that a state answers to no higher political or legal authority - Government: the system of institutions, processes and laws responsible for assessing the needs of the residents of a state Seven responsibilities of a state: - Law and order: providing and maintaining the police and criminal justice system - Regulation: adopting regulations and standards on everything from environmental management to food safety, price controls, working conditions and access to alcohol and drugs - Welfare: providing welfare in the form of public health care, unemployment benefits, educational subsidies and assistance to farmers - Money: managing the money supply and interest rates - Taxes: collecting taxes and overseeing the spending of public funds - Infrastructure: providing and maintaining basic services such as roads, school, water and energy supply - National security: maintaining armed forces Conclusions: - Nation-states: o Sovereignty (complete control over internal matters) o Cultural homogeneity (i.e. cultural sameness) o Territorial integrity (i.e. secure borders) o Economic autonomy (i.e. complete control over economy) o Monopoly on use of force (i.e. army, police, etc.) - Modern system of governance emerged out of the decline of empires and fiefdoms o Whereas empires were multiethnic and had porous borders, nation-states were assumed to be culturally homogenous and have tight borders Lecture 6: Modern System of Governance Early-modern Asian Empires: - Ottoman (1453-1922) (the Middle East, Eastern Europe, North Africa) - Safavid (1501-1722) (central and west Africa) - Mughal (1526-1857) (Indian sub-continent and Afghanistan) - Qing (1644-1912, china) European Colonial Powers: - Spain: o Mexico o Central America o Most of South America - Russia: o Ukraine o Most of central Asia o Alaska - England: o US and Canada o Indian subcontinent o Hong Kong o Australia and New Zealand o Parts of Africa - France: o North America o West and North Africa o Vietnam o Parts of the middle east European Colonial Empires: Empire; “a system of governance forged in military conquest; as opposed to - the freely given consent of people” - (1500-lasting legacy into 21st century) - Marked by political and economic exploitation and by ferocious military violence Relationship between the colonies and the metropole is one of power: Colonies: - Obedience - Subjection - Brain drains - Taxes - Natural resources Metropole: - Mother city - Hub of empire Colonies: - Exploitation - “protection” - Military force Religious Wars in Europe: - Protestant Reformation (16th-17th c. CE) - The Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648) - The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) Peace of Westphalia: - Leaders of Europe came together to stop the bloodshed of religious wars o “modus Vivendi” – a way to live (together) - Marked the end of: o The Eighty-Years’ War o The Thirty-Years’ War The Treaty of Westphalia: (1648) - Countries govern themselves (secular or non-secular) - Political sovereignty and territorial integrity o Political sovereignty: “the right of a group of people to rule themselves” o The most basic right of a country in modern international law – to make its own laws and to govern itself provided that it respects the rights of all other countries to do the same Significance of Westphalia: - In order to avoid conflicts, separated each cultural community (i.e. nation) into its own political territory, with complete control over political, economic and cultural affairs - Gradually set into motion the modern nation-state system of governance and sovereignty “The Great Game”: - Refers generally to the struggles for power and land amongst the colonial powers in the after the 19thand early 20th c. - Colonialism caused rivalries between the European empires o Became a competition between colonial powers to expand reach, power and resources - Empires were already in decline, despite colonial ambitions League of Nations (1919-1939): - Formed following the end of WWI - First attempt at global governance, led by American president Woodrow Wilson - Many issues with the league of nations: o The US refused to join (due to US republican senators) o Germany and japan withdrew after they were publicly condemned by the league o Collapsed with the start of WWII in 1939 since the great powers were not signed on Inter-war period (1918-1939): - The period between WWI and WWII - Characterized by protectionism: development and protection of national economics - High tariffs on imported goods were seen as necessary to the development of national industries and businesses - Great Depression (1930s) reverberated around the increasingly economically interconnected globe WWII: - Biggest war the world has so far seen - Over 50 countries involved - 50 million ppl dead - The most expensive war in history - Axis powers: Germany, Italy, Japan - Allies: China, France, Russia, UK and US Decline of European Colonial Rule: - The two world wars exacted enormous damage and costs upon Europe such that none of the European powers could afford to maintain their empires - Period following the end of WWII (1945-75) also marked the beginning of decolonization of former colonies - Loss of claim to any moral superiority - Could no longer claim that these powers had control over these colonies because they were trying to civilize the natives of that country, after committing the most barbaric actions during the war (Hypocritical) The World Powers: - Power: o The ability of a country to get what it wants - Hard power: o Are countries with economic wealth and military capability - Soft power: o Refers to one’s ability to get others to think the way one does through non-economic and non-military means Ex. Fulbright Scholarship, after 9/11 there was a anti- american image in Pakistan. The US makes a scholarship to bring students to America to learn their culture and ways and bring that back home with them. - Great powers: o Countries with the richest economies and the largest armed forces o The US, Britain, China, France and Russia - Middle powers: o Northern/western, developed, and wealthy societies, but lack the population size, military force, cultural impact, and ambition to become a great power o Strongest supporters of global cooperation and international institutions of the UN o E.g. Canada, Australia and Sweden What is a nation-state? State: - Refers to the political entity in a given territory o I.e. Refers to the government of a country - In the modern system of governance, the mechanisms of powers are heavily influenced by the state: o Economy, military, law and education Nation: - A nation refers to a group of people who regard themselves as being one people, a folk, by virtue of culture - A sense of belonging together as a meaningful group bases on a shared culture rooted in: o Common language o Shared historical experiences o Religious beliefs and cultural practices o Deity/cuisine, dree, music, etc. State Vs Nation: - Nation-state: o State whose citizens share a common national identity o Ex. Cited by McCormick, Japan and Iceland - Multinational state: o A state consisting of multiple different national group living under a single government - Diaspora: o The scattering or movement of a population beyond its geographical or native homeland, or the population that lives over an extended area outside its homeland Nationalism: - The drive of a nation to get its own state - Ex. Catalan Referendum, and the Kurdish Referendum Reconciling Nationalism in a global age? - Ethnic nationalist movements push for independence - Yet globalization increases regional integration - Contradictions of the human condition: universal aspirations, particular identities - Examples; Catalonians, Kashmiris, Kurds, Palestinians, Uighurs, Scots Nation-State and Sovereignty: - Nation-state: o one nation (cultural group) in one state (i.e. territory) - Sovereignty: o Non-interference into a state’s internal working is paramount O other countries shouldn’t come into another country and dictate how the should run - Territorial integrity: o A state can do whatever it wants within its own borders o i.e. national self-determination O All in theory, because in the past other superpowers have interfered with how countries run their states. O ex. In 2003, US started the second gulf war in Iraq following 9/11 Swiss Anti-Immigration Politics (2007): - Came along with racist ads - Can see a reemergence of these ideas, with the rise of the far right. - In Europe, America and Canada Culture and the nation-state: - one nation per state assumes homogeneity of culture within territorial boundaries o earlier to maintain in Europe 300 years ago o colonial settler societies (ex. Canada, USA and Australia) have never been homogenous and comprise multiple nations - Citizenship: o undivided loyalties to one particular place, one particular way of life -This idea is challenged in the Global Age, when people may have dual citizenship -How do you sustain the notion of a homogeneous nation state and undivided loyalties? - Example about these issues; o the re-constructing secular cultural identity in Quebec (the ban on religious clothing/symbols in public spaces) o Deals with cultural identity and Quebec sovereignty Economy and the Nation-state: - Modern system assumes that each state can set its own fiscal (taxation) and monetary (interest rates) policies Modern system of nation-states: - Regards each nation-state as an isolated ‘island unto itself’ - Assumes that each nation state has the power and ability to set its own agenda o Politically, economically, culturally and in its legal and immigration system - Monopoly on violence belongs to the state (i.e. to the gov) to defend itself against external and internal threats Six features of a state: - Territory: a geographical area marked by boards - Population: a permanent population of citizens and non-citizens - Authority: the acknowledged right of a state to act or to rule - Legitimacy: recognition that a state has the right to wield authority within its borders - Sovereignty: the principle that a state answers to no higher political or legal authority - Government: the system of institutions, processes and laws responsible for assessing the needs of the residents of a state Seven responsibilities of a state: - Law and order: providing and maintaining the police and criminal justice system - Regulation: adopting regulations and standards on everything from environmental management to food safety, price controls, working conditions and access to alcohol and drugs - Welfare: providing welfare in the form of public health care, unemployment benefits, educational subsidies and assistance to farmers - Money: managing the money supply and interest rates - Taxes: collecting taxes and overseeing the spending of public funds - Infrastructure: providing and maintaining basic services such as roads, school, water and energy supply - National security: maintaining armed forces Conclusions: - Nation-states: o Sovereignty (complete control over internal matters) o Cultural homogeneity (i.e. cultural sameness) o Territorial integrity (i.e. secure borders) o Economic autonomy (i.e. complete control over economy) o Monopoly on use of force (i.e. army, police, etc.) - Modern system of governance emerged out of the decline of empires and fiefdoms o Whereas empires were multiethnic and had porous borders, nation-states were assumed to be culturally homogenous and have tight borders Nation State would not run in today's society because no country can no longer dictate how to run their own economies. We are too dependent on other countries. Reading Notes Reading #1 - McCormick Textbook: “History - world war and the end of empire, the cold war, the new global system” (chapter 1, pp. 21-28) - Great Power a state with large military and continental/global interests (Britain, France, Germany and Russia). ‣ These four countries all had the largest economies, the most powerful militaries, the strongest positions in international trade, and the deepest investments in the global system. Timeline: Key events in the evolution of the global system 1492–1500 Second wave of European exploration of Americas and India 1648 Peace of Westphalia 1683 Battle of Vienna ends expansion of Ottoman Empire Mid-18th century Start of the industrial revolution 1804 Global population reaches one billion 1884–85 Berlin Conference 1914-18 World War I (the Great War) 1920 Creation of League of Nations 1930s Great Depression 1939–45 World War II 1944 Creation of Bretton Woods system 1945 Creation of United Nations 1947 Independence of India and Pakistan Late 1940s Start of Cold War (1946-1970) / Late Era of decolonization 1940s–late 1960s 1958 Creation of what is now the European Union 1973 International energy crisis 1980s Personal computing takes hold Late 1980s End of Cold War 1991 Break-up of Soviet Union Early 1990s The internet begins to go global 1990s Early signs of emergence of China as global actor 2001 Terrorist attacks in the United States 2007 Breaking of global financial crisis 2012 Global population reaches seven billion - Superpower a state with the capacity and willingness to be active globally, particularly in a military sense. (The US and the Soviet Union) - Cold War the war of words and ideas that took place between the late 1940s and the late 1980s involving the United States, the Soviet Union, and their respective allies or client states. The war got its name due to no direct military conflict. ‣ Tensions deepened during the 1950s and 1960s as the Americans and Soviets promoted their competing capitalist and communist views. ‣ Berlin blockade (1948-49); The Korean War (1950-53); Cuban Missile Crisis (1962); Vietnam War (mid 1950s to 1975); Arab-Israeli conflict; wars of independence in Africa; 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan were all results of the tension. - Bretton Woods system is the international economic system designed to encourage post-war peace and prosperity through free trade and exchange rate stability ‣ The Bretton woods system collapsed in 1971 after the US struggled to control inflation. - The terms North and Global North are most often associated with Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. They include poorer eastern European states, as well as Russia. At least two states in the group, Australia and New Zealand – are actually in the geographical south. - The terms South and Global South are most often associated with Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. - End of history: The idea that a political economic or social system will evolve to the point where it would reach its conclusive end-state. - BRIC is a collective acronym for Brazil, Russia, India and China. Reading #2 - McCormick Textbook: “States and Government” (chapter 5, pp.99-120) - State is a territory with a population and government whose existence and independence are recognized under international law. (often referred to as countries) The 4 key concepts of how states work: - Authority is the acknowledged right of a state to act or to rule. - Legitimacy is recognition that a state has the right to wield authority within its borders. - Sovereignty is the principle that a state answers to no higher political or legal authority. - Government is the system of institutions, processes and laws responsible for addressing the needs of the residents of a state. The qualities are not directly measurable as states sometimes are involved in political disputes that create uncertainties. With states being deeply interconnected ➡Only countries that meet the standard definition are included on the UN membership roster, though they all vary in size (population, economic), geographical area and internal homogeneity. - Citizenship is the idea of legally ‘belonging’ to a given state as a result of birth or being given citizenship, and having related rights and responsibilities. • A good citizen is expected to engage in civic life in their home state, vote, obey laws and undertake jury service. - Nation is a group of people who identify with one another on the basis of a shared history, culture, language, and myths. - Nation-state is a state whose citizens share a common national identity. (Japan and Iceland) - Multinational state consists of multiple different national groups living under a single government. (ex. Belgium and Nigeria) - A Diaspora is the scattering or movement of a population beyond its geographical or native homeland, or the population that lives over an extended area outside its homeland. • The biggest diaspora is the African example of descendants of slaves taken to the Americas between the 15th and 19th centuries. - The biggest state by population is China, which is also one of the oldest states in existence, with origins dating back thousands of years. China has been evolving since the Mao Zedong era (1949-76). - The expansion of states first came in the early 19th century with the independence of Spanish and Portuguese territories in Latin America. This was the creation of 15 new states. - The second wave was the consequence of WWI, with the final collapse of AustroHungarian and Ottoman empires. Created 12 new states. - The third and biggest wave came after 1945 as the result of the dismantling of empires by European states. The United Nations began with 51 members but over the 40 years it now has almost 90 new states - The fourth wave came in the 1900s, triggered by the collapse of communism; Dissolution of the Soviet Union into 15 successor states. - Political system The interactions and organizations (including government) through which a society reaches and enforces collective decisions. - Democracy is a political system in which the government is based on a fair and open mandate from all qualified citizens of a state, and is based on the rule of law. - Democratization is the process by which states build the institutions and processes needed to become stable democracies. - Authoritarian system, one in which power is concentrated in the hands of a ruling elite, which manipulates society in order to remain in power. • Most authoritarian states are found in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. (ex: Belarus, China, Iran, North Korea and Russia) - Security state follows the activities of its citizens through closed-circuit television, the monitoring of phone calls and internet use, and other means • The changing role and power of a state can be displayed in increased support for nationalism. - Failing states have deep structural problems, often major internal divisions, weak governing institutions, and failed or failing economies. Lecture 7: Rise of International Organizations International Organizations: ● IGOs: international governmental organizations ○ Created by national governments to coordinate behaviour and solve problems ○ e.g. United Nations ● NGOs: Non-governmental organizations ○ Created by private individuals or interest groups to improve international life ○ work in civil society ○ e.g. International Red Cross/Red Crescent NON-STATE ACTORS Non-state actor: Institutions that are not part of the structure of states (although they may have state members) but that influence policy, whether at the local, national, international or global level. International non-governmental organization (INGOs): A body that works to encourage international cooperation through the work of non-state members such as individuals or private associations. Civil society: The arena within which citizens engage with one another to address problems of shared concern, reflected at the global level in the features of global civil society. ● i.e. neither government nor for-profit business sector Rise of the United Nations “The Great Game” ● Refers generally to the struggle for power and land amongst the colonial powers in the late-19th and early-20th centuries ○ Specifically refers to the British suspicion of French and Russian attempts to expand into Central Asia (e.g. Afghanistan) ● Colonialism caused rivalries between the European empires ○ Even though in theory these states were dedicated to respecting each other’s sovereignty, in practice this became a competition between colonial powers to expand reach, power and resources ● Empires were already in decline, despite colonial ambitions League of Nations (1919-1939) 1. The League of Nations was formed following the end of WWI 2. First attempt at global governance, led by American president Woodrow Wilson 3. Many issues with the League of Nations: 4. The US refused to join (US republican senators refused to ratify the treaty) 5. Germany and Japan withdrew after they were publicly condemned by the League 6. Collapsed with the start of WWII in 1939 since great powers were not signed on Inter-War Period (1918-1939) ● The period between WWI and WWII: ○ characterized by protectionism: development and protection of national economies ○ high tariffs (duties) on imported goods were seen as necessary to the development of national industries and businesses ● Great Depression (1930s) reverberated around the increasingly economically interconnected globe WWII (1939-1945) ● The biggest war the world has so far seen ○ over 50 countries were involved ○ 50 million people died ○ Most expensive war in history ○ Axis powers – Germany, Italy, Japan ○ Allies – China, France, Russia, UK and US The United Nations (1945-present): - Created after WWII by the US presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman in 1945 - One of the most successful global multilateral treaties; almost every country is a UN member - Not a world government and does not rule over countries - Headquarters are in New York City - The UN Charter details the aims and structure of the organization The UN’s Parts and Functions: - General Assembly: o 193 member nations; equal votes, non-binding votes -every country has a say or a vote at the general assembly - the votes cannot complete any government to act on any issue(nonbinding) - Security Council: o 5 permanent members with veto power; 10 temporary members (rotating and voted in); binding votes - One of the weaknesses is that great powers still have the most power in the end, they still have final say - Secretariat - Doesnt have alot of power just a mouth piece - World Court (ICJ, ICC) - Economic and Social Council - Autonomous Agencies (IBRD aka World Bank, WHO, IMF, UNESCO) - not under the control of any government but tries to coordinate with governments Goals of the UN: - Prevent war and secure peace - Protect universal human rights - Aid in the economic, political, and social development of the Global South - Serve as an international forum - Gather and share information about international life and global affairs - Symbol of unified humanity Canada and the UN: - Historically, Canada has played a strong role o E.g. Lester B. Pearson proposed the creation of UN peace-keeping forces o Pearson won the Nobel Peace prize for this - Over past decade, under PM Harper Canada had been very critical of UN o UN as ineffective and platform for grandstanding o Canada had adopted a more muscular for itself at UN, especially with respect to defence of Israel Canada Bids for a seat at Security Council: - Needs 128 votes - In 2010, lost in its bid to occupy one of the temporary seats at Security Council o Humiliating defeat to Portugal in second round of voting o Loss of support from Arab and Muslim-majority societies - In 2020, Canada lost again o Lost to Norway (130 votes) and Ireland (128 votes) o Canada had 108 votes UN: Pros and Cons Pros: - UN has had amazing practical and technical success stories, especially through world health organization UNESCO and autonomous agencies (e.g. WHO) - UN is as close to genuinely global governance as we have, a process which global decision can be made Cons: - It a slave to sovereign states: dependent upon payment of UN dues cannot force any country to make those payments to keep it functioning - Controversy about exclusivity, big countries dominance and the need for structural reform - Any one permanent member of the the security council can veto others - Prevention of armed conflict and protection of human rights still needs improvements - Has no permanent military or police force of its own - Dependent on members own national forces - 10-15 years ago, previous PM Stephen Harper was critical of the UN started to participate less and less, eventually leading to Canada losing its spot in the security council in the UN today - Canada has pulled back from its commitments to the UN European Union Regional Integration - The promotion of cooperation and collective action among a group of neighbouring states based on the identification of shared interests and goals, and the development of common policies and collective laws - Traces roots to the 1950s to promote peace in Western Europe by reducing economic and political barriers - 1958: effort to open European Market to all the free movement of goods; hypocritical because they wont allow the free movement of labour. Won't let people move but will let money and goods move - 24 members, half a billion people - Common or shared policies on agriculture, competition, education and immigration - 2016; Britain threatens to exit the EU, aka Brexit - One of the consequences of joining the european union, is giving up of their dollar as well as their immigration rules - Regional integration and disintegration occur simultaneously Lecture 8: Economic Organizations International Economic Organization G7- the most economically developed, powerful countries in the world - Canada, US,France, Britain, Italy, Germany, Japan - These 7 countries make up ⅓ of the worlds wealth - Meeting of the presidents and prime ministers, world lenatiaders - Sometimes Russia is included changing it to g8 G77- made up of mostly southern, asian and african countries/economies G20 Leaders forum: - Came about because the G7 did not fairly represent other emerging middle power countries - Originated in 1999 as a G7 forum for finance ministers - 19 countries + EU: members from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada,China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, The United Kingdom, The United States - Spain is a permanent guest - Forum includes macroeconomic policies, trade and structural policies and major challenges, such as climate and heath, affecting sustainable, economic growth G20 members represent: world’s major economies, all continents, different leaves of development, two thirds of the world’s population, 75% international trade G20 hosted in Canada in 2010 - massive protest against leader of G20 - coming in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis - 2008 crisis was precipitated by the lack of financial regulation in US and Europe -Many people lost their homes as interest rates increased - Corporations were bailed out by governments - Many of these policies don’t represent the average person instead of companies and banks - protesting to let them know that people's rights should come before economics Origins Bretton woods conference, 1944: - Led by the USA and UK, 44 countries gathered to build framework for economic cooperation post WW2 -Minimize conflict after WW2 and increase trade Gives rise to economic international organizations that shape the world today - International bank for reconstruction and development -International monetary fund- designed to administer international Monetary system and avoid repeat of 1930s great depression - General argument of tariffs and trade The World Bank: - Provides loans for reconstruction and deployment after WW2 - Now, focused on long term economic development and poverty reduction - Aims to end extreme world poverty (less than $1.90/day) and promote shared prosperity - Heavily influenced by powerful countries that are shareholders. Similar to the UN, the system benefits their richer members. When the richer members give out loans they want a return on their investments. - Since 1990s, World Bank and IMF give out loans for struggling economies - Impose Structural adjustment programs (SAPS) for developing nations with large foreign debts - SAPS are stringent requirements on economic reform in order to receive loans reduction of public expenditure (on military and public administration) - Exchange rates of currency decided by market - Promotion of foreign direct investment (e.g. tourism) - Privatization of state enterprises - Reduction of tariffs and wage/price control Global Extreme Poverty Rate in Decline - Percentage of world's population living below $1.90/day has declined - 1990: 35.01% - 2015: 9.6 World Bank Structure: - Based in Washington DC - 188 members countries are like share holders in the Bank - 5 largest shareholders appoint the executive Director - World Bank has 5 subunits - IBRD and the international Development Association most well known International Monetary Fund: - Designed to administer international monetary system and avoid repeat of 1930s great depression - Stabilize currency exchange rates - Ensure financial stability of world - Facilitate trade - Promote employment growth and economic growth - Temporary financial assistance - Reduce poverty World Bank and IMF: - Collaborate closely at many levels - Annual meetings of boards of governors of 2 organizations - Share a laisser-faire, capitalist approach to World economy - Described as neoliberal by its critics - Keep governments out of economic policy as much as possible and open the economy to the private sector Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) - Since 1990s, World Bank and IMF give out loans for struggling economies - Impose SAPs for developing nations with large foreign debts - SAPs are stringent requirements on economic reform in order to receive loans - Reduction of public expenditure ( on military and public administration) - Exchange rates of currency decided by market - Promotion of foreign direct investment (eg.tourism) - Privation of state enterprises - Reduction of tariffs and wage/price controls GATT (1947-1994) and WTO (1995 - present) - The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) - Agreement on the substantial reduction of tariffs (ie. Duties and taxes) and other trade barriers and the eliminations of preferences on a reciprocal and mutually advantageous basis - USA was initial leading member of GATT - Negotiations were very successful, resulting in more trade and much richer economies - CF. USA more inward barrier looking and nationalist now - Protectionist barrier (eg, tariffs on aluminum, steel) In 1955, the GATT became the World Trade Organization (WTO) based in Geneva - Actively pursues trade liberalization and policies member adherence to agreement - Functions as an institution with power of oversight, mediation, enforcement - Ensures live up to their promises on tariffs - can impose fines, take complaints - Authorizes measures to level the playing field and avoid trade wars between countries - Eg. Canada won $345 million from Brazil, which was unfairly subsidizing its aircraft industry. Pros and Cons of WB, IMF, and WTO specialized UN agencies that are autonomous but work with UN through negotiated agreements - International organizations aspire to the best ideas of human unity and welfare - They are more often used to further specific agendas and ideologies, specific views undevelopment and poverty reduction - Limited by the differing agendas of member states - Stronger members can exert their agenda over weaker members - Aims are laudable, but the policies used cause tensions - - Freer trade, open borders, foreign investments Reduces poverty in some ways but heightens inequality in other ways - Middle income countries may be benefiting in some sectors, some classes (eg. Middle classes in India) - Lowest income countries not benefiting significantly Afghanistan - Exacerbates inequality - Increasing the gap between the richest and the poorest - Undue influence of 5 largest shareholders - Specifically the USA in shaping policies of the world bank to suit shareholders - Lack of trust in World Bank measures and validity of data Pros and Cons: - IMF provides loans and loan guarantees to member countries who are at risk of bankruptcy or defaulting on other loans (eg. Pakistan) - Imposes conditions that require significant restructuring of a country's economy and/or social system - Eg. reduced spending on social services Lecture 9: Political Economy in 20th Century What drives national economic growth? - Human resources: size and quality of labour-power help to maximize productivity o Tech. development and innovation o Basic social institutions: ideology (communism vs capitalism) o Well-functioning legal system o Decent and widely available education o General social peace - Currency: o When the world invests in your country, the value of your currency increases, the less this happens the more currency depreciates o The value of currency is influenced by: § The way the world sees your economy in the future § The value of things your county produces and trades (ex. Demand for natural resources) International trade: - Why trade? o To import goods and services that a country can’t produce o To export to other countries to expand one’s market o International trade is a growing contributor to global wealth o Comparative advantage § “ill do what I do best, produce a surplus, and trade that surplus for all the other things I want” o Division of labour § Dividing the labour of the market by only producing or specializing in what one does best o Current Account Balance § Refers to a country’s exports minus its imports § Results in a: trade surplus or trade deficit Measuring a country’s wealth – GDP (Gross Domestic Product): - GDP is the total value of goods produced and services provided in a country in one year - When the GDP goes up = economy in expansion - When GDP goes down = economy in contraction GDP formula: - C + I = G= (X-M) = GDP o C- Consumer spending o I- Business investment o G- Government spending o X- Exports o M- Imports Political ideologies: “the words, ideals, and values surrounding how best to run a country and how - to organize its people and shape their way of life” (Orend 68) Liberalism: - Liberty: o The freedom of the individual o 1. Classic liberalism (neo-liberalism) o 2. Welfare liberalism - Atomistic view of society- society is nothing more than the individuals who make it up - Negative role of the state – minimal role for state - Acceptance of inequality as a natural consequence of individual talents and individual freedoms 1. Classic Liberalism: - Emphasized autonomy and freedom - Posits that unfettered competition is the way of nature, which exists in balance o Competition is very good – leads to the survival of the fittest - Import duties and taxes limit competition - Removal of barriers to trade will lead to more competition among societies - Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” o economic markets will regulate themselves and will tend towards equilibrium of supply and demand o The “law” of supply and demand will correct the excess of capitalism o Nation gov should get out of the way and let the markets do their thing o Ex. No minimum wage Socialism: - Rejection of inequality - Organic view of society – sharing resources - Positive view of the state- gov. should help negotiate this sharing, but not by an entrenched elite group (as conservatives believe) - Look toward the future as opportunity - Different kinds of socialism; o Democratic socialism (ex. Scandinavian countries) o Scientific socialism (ex. USSR) o Often connected to ideas of Karl Marx Welfare Liberalism: - An attempt to combine liberalism and socialism - Canada is a welfare liberal society o Gov. intervenes to provide a social safety net o Ex. Healthcare, education, pension First World Economies, 1950s-1970s: - Post war boom economies, controlled capitalism - Nation control of fiscal (taxation) and monetary (ex. Interest rate) polices - Rising wages and increased social services - High taxation on wealthy individuals and profitable corporations - Gov regulation Demise of Controlled Capitalism, post 2070s: - Late 70s -early 80s elections of many gov in “first world” countries no neoliberal platforms - Ex. Margaret Thatcher, UK PM, 1979-1990 o “society does not exist” o There are only individuals, and each is responsible for himself - Ex. Ronald Reagan (US President 1981-89) and Brian Mulroney (Canada PM 1984-93) - Due to counties being less wealthy than they used to be Neoliberalism (post 1970s): - Smaller role for governments, and larger role for markets to even out economic disparities - Assumption that private industry can better manage than bureaucratic gov. - Privatization of national; (“crown”) corporations o Ex. Air Canada, Canada Post, Petro Canada ( all used to be owned by Canadian gov but are now largely privatized) IGOs and Laissez-Faire Capitalism: - World Bank, IMF, WTO all play increasingly important role in regulation of the world econ. system - Shift from a social welfare or liberal-welfare perspective (50s-60s) to classic liberal or neo-liberal economics (80s- ) o i.e., “Laissez-Faire” capitalism Pros and cons of WB, IMF, and WTO: - aims are laudable but the polices used caused tensions o free trade, open borders, foreign Investment - reducing poverty in some ways, but heightens inequality in other ways o middle income countries may be benefitting in some sectors, some classes (ex. Middle class in India) o lowest income countries are not benefitting significantly (ex. Afghanistan, Haiti) o exacerbates inequality o increasing the gap between the richest and the poorest Realities of Neoliberalism: - The gaps between richest, wealthy states and poorest states continue to widen - Gaps between richest and poorest within states widen - Middle-class in some countries increases in numbers Lecture 11 & 12: Conflict in the 20th and 21st Centuries (from the Cold War to the War of Terror) Types of War: a) Cold War b) Wars of Independence The Cold War (1945-1989): ● An ideological war between different approaches to economic and political development ● Three Worlds of Development: 1. The First World (liberalism) ● Liberal-democratic, capitalist ● NATO, Western countries (USA, France, UK, Italy, West Germany) ● Led the Bretton Woods conference 2. The second World (socialism/communism) ● Warsaw Pact, Soviet Bloc countries (USSR, Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Cuba) ● Second world collapse after 1989: fall of the Berlin Wall ○ “wave of democracy” sweeps across “second world” ○ Hardly any purely socialist or communist countries remain, except for North Korea and Cuba 3. The third world (non-aligned countries) ● Newly independent postcolonial countries ● Ex. India, many African, East Asian, and Muslim-majority countries ● Terminology of Third World is now considered out of date: ○ Instead refer to “developing” or “underdeveloped” countries ○ Alt. called the Global South The Cold War and Hot Wars: ● Post-WW2: a world divided by nation-states; emergence of postcolonial nationstate ● “The Cold War” did not lead to direct violent confrontation between the 2 superpowers (USA and USSR) ● MAD: Mutual Assured Destruction ● Framework of Cold War regulated or contained conflict to a certain extent ● But it did not deal to “hot Wars”, actual violent conflict around the world: ○ The doctrine of “containment” projected conflict into other regions of the world ○ Ex. Koreas, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Latin America Postcolonial Liberation: ● Decolonization ○ India and Pakistan (east and west)-1947 ○ Indonesia (Dutch)- 1949 ○ British Africa- 1958-68 ○ French Indochina- 1954 ○ Algeria (French)-1962 The Colonial Inheritance: Ethnic Wars: ● Newly independent nations inherited the legacies of colonization: ○ Borders (often arbitrary) ○ Political systems (marked by elite privilege, and poorly educated masses) ○ Ethnic powers struggles (often exacerbated by the divide and rule strategies of colonialism- the colonel divide of areas by ethnic or religious separation during decolonization) ○ Economic infrastructures (geared to export of raw commodities, not integrated development, ex. Refining of oil, finished goods taking place in First World) Postcolonial Blues: Many “Third World” countries have not been able to live up to the hopes and - dreams brought about by independence - Many contemporary problems in the former colonies can be linked to these legacies - These problems are compounded by corruption Blow-Back: - Lingering effects of Cold War - Soviets invasion of Afghanistan (1978-1989) and American support of proxy war continues to destabilize the region (supported the jihadist revolutionaries with weapons, money and supports their drug production to support their ear efforts) - Afghani Taliban: a faction of religious students who est. control over large parts of Afghanistan in the civil war that occurred after the Soviets withdrew their forces and the Americas withdrew their financial and military support - Al-Qaeda, and the rise of jihadi ideology: originally trained by USA to help fight off the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
