Chapter 24

Reglobalization:

Strayer discussed "money mobility" (p. 726) and listed three ways that money stretched globally.

1.      "Foreign direct investment" (p. 726)  was when countries with more money exported labor to countries that did not have laws that were as strict.

2.      "Short-term movement of capital" (p. 726) was the purchase of foreign investments that were quickly sold for a profit.

3.      "Personal funds of individuals" (p. 726) is how credit cards led to the "easy transfer of money across national borders."  (p. 726)

Strayer also talked about "Transnational corporations (TNCs) -- huge global business" that do business "in many countries." (p. 727)  He talked about how TNC's grew so much that they became  large global economies.  He said that "By 2001, 51 of the world's 100 largest economic united were... TNCs, not countries."  (p. 727)  This type of statement concerns me.  For businesses to have this much control is a scary statement.  Businesses usually look out for their best interests and not the employees or humans best interest.  So, if this number of businesses influences the world, what will happen to the humans?

Disparities and Resistance:

A new "division" of wealth distribution started after Europe's Industrial Revolution: "the rich industrialized countries, primarily Europe and North America, and everyone else."  (p. 728)  "In 1820...the difference between the income of the top and bottom 20% of the world's population was three to one.  By 1991, it was eighty-six to one."  (p. 728)  The wide gap between the rich and the poor countries has led to the poor countries wanting change.  An example of the change they're looking for is protection for their agricultural farmers.  Beyond global economic division, countries are also seeing division.

Globalization in the U.S. has led to outsourcing many manufacturing and computer technology jobs.  This outsourcing has left many Americans without jobs for their skill sets.  In Mexico and China, globalization has led to people in the cities making more money that those in the "rural agricultural area(s)... (and)... the countryside."  (p. 730)

In 1999, citizens protested "neo-liberal globalization" at the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Seattle.  Once protester voiced that "free trade" was best for the business.  (p. 731)  Strayer stated that the "Seattle Tea Party ... echo(ed) the Boston Tea Party of 1773."  (p. 731)

Feminism:

Feminism had surfaced throughout history, but in 1969 the "women's liberation" (p. 736) brought patriarchy to a new level of oppression; they pointed it out as political oppression.  This group went beyond "the political lobbying...by equal rights feminists," (p. 736) and made bolder actions for feminism.

"Women of African descent in the U.S. and Britain" (p. 736) created feminist groups that focused "on racism and poverty" (p. 736) rather than equality to men as other groups did.

Women in Africa did not agree with how the women in Western countries were fighting for feminism.  Instead of feminism for one's self, they focused on groups.  Women in "the East African country of Kenya" (p. 737) worked in groups to help themselves and others at the same time.  In Morocco (North Africa), feminism led to women not being considered minors anymore.  They could "initiate divorce and...claim child custody."  (p. 737)  Feminist work in Chile and South Korea helped these countries "return...to democratic government."  (p. 737)

I have grown up in a place where there has always been a feminist movement, but many of my family members always refer to me as "the fem" one.  Many of them believe that women should still be the caretakers, cooks, and cleaners.  I can understand this to a point if the woman chooses not to work, but children are a job in their own.  So, if a woman is staying home to care for children the cooking and cleaning should still be a mutual job and not just her own.  Enough of my fem movement.  I think that the collection of women in other countries to help many and not just themselves is heroic.  More people, not just women, should think about things beyond themselves.  This type of thought process may lead to a better world.

Religion and Modernity:

Strayer discussed different types of fundamentalists.  There are U.S. fundamentalists that are "religious conservatives."  (p. 741) They feel that the U.S. has lost religion and that this will lead to our demise.  They want the U.S. to get back on track with the "godly faith." (p. 741)  In India, the "Hindtva, or Hindu Nationalism" (p. 742) fundamentalist group is trying to bring India back to its Hindu roots.  In Islamic societies a fundamentalist idea was created to keep the Western worlds views out, and to "ensure a revival of Muslim societies."  (p. 743)

Environmentalism:

Strayer lists "three factors (that) ...magnified the human impact" (p. 747) on the environment:

1.      Human population growth

2.      Using fossil fuels (coal and oil) for energy

3.      "Economic growth" that "increased...production of goods" (p. 748)

As the human population increased natural habitats were destroyed and pollution increased; were disrupting the "natural order."  (p. 748)

 

A difference between Western environmentalists and developing countries is that Western environmentalists focus on the environment (plant and animal life beyond humans), where developing countries focus on the people.

 

On the environment, I think that many humans are selfish (me being one of them).  Though we are selfish, I don't think it's completely our fault.  The world today is so rushed who has time to walk instead of drive?  Who wants to grow enough  fruits and vegetables when the companies ship it in from other countries?  For the Western world to be able to decrease their dependence on items that increase emissions we will need to change our ways as a whole.  Employers will need to demand less so there is time in the day for the employee to do what is necessary (i.e.: garden), and people will need to change their priorities.  Walk to the store instead or drive, or go one time and buy everything at once rather than going every day.  Buy more expensive local produce, or grow it yourself.  Until we start making changes like this our dependence on items that require more emissions will continue to rise.

Chapters 21, 22, 23

Chapter 21

    This chapter reviewed how Europe fell during World War I and World War II and how it recovered after this fall.  Strayer talked about how World War I started, what happened after it, the Great Depression, how World War 2 started, and looked specifically what areas were involved in this war.

 

WWI:

    The conflicts between European states led to World War I, which is also known as "the Great War."  The Great War was not planned by the states, but was "an accident."  (p. 627)  The war started after "an Austrian heir to the ...throne" (p. 627) was killed.  The war became a global war due to alliances that had been made between states, each country wanted to protect their alliances so they fought for the country that they were allied with. 

    Along with alliances, nationalism of the states and militarism also led to the Great War.  Those within a nation wanted to protect it, so they fought.  Military advancements due to industrialization created more weapons, and militaries had their own "war plans" of how to fight when at war.  The increase in weapons and types of weapons put together with strategic was plans led to more injuries, deaths, and family disruptions.

    The Great War led to the collapse of the German, Russian, and Austrian empires.  Without these major states, new states formed.  The war ended with "the Treaty of Versailles," but the restrictions that this treaty put on Germany led to World War II where the power went from Europe to the U.S.

 

The Great Depression

    As politics collapsed in Europe, the economy in the Americas collapsed.  The "American stock market" crash in 1929 started the Great Depression.  This depression started because other countries could no longer buy the products America was producing.  Capitalism had led to a global demand of products, so America made these products.  As products were bought and exported the economy went up, but when other countries could no longer buy the products America's economy collapsed.  To help end the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created "the New Deal."  (p. 635)  The New Deal created jobs, helped those without jobs, and created a "minimum wage" (p. 635) for workers. 

 

WWII

    Democracy, liberty, "and individual freedom came under...attach" (p. 636) after World War I and the Great Depression.  Italy, Germany, and Japan moved away from democracy and toward a more state controlled authority. 

    Italy and Germany created fascist societies instead of democracies.  It Italy, Benito Mussolini promised a state with unity through "a generous social program, but once... (in)... power, he concentrated ...on...state power."  (p. 638)  Mussolini's end goal was to get Ital back to 'traditional Italian life."  (p. 638)  In Germany, "Adolf Hitler and National Socialist...Party"  (p. 639) wanted to stop the restrictions on Germany from the Treaty of Versailles.  They wanted to help the economy, and they wanted to get back the traditional German values.  Both Italy and Germany would punish or kill those that did not agree with what they were told to do.  The difference between the fascist times of Italy and Germany were that the Italian workers stood up against Mussolini's control where the German workers did not stand up against Hitler's control.

    Japan went for an "authorization government" instead of democracy.  Japan forced "the Japanese way" (p. 642) of life on people, and would "resocialize" those that lost this way.  Japan also focused on it's "military values."  (p. 644)

    Italy, Germany, and Japan all wanted to expand their control globally and this led to World War II.

 

WWII

    World War II in Asia started when Japan attacked China in 1937.  Japan felt that they were subjects of "European racism,"  (p. 644) and they were dependent on America for many products.  These two items led to Japan wanting greater autonomy.  They chose to attack the U.S. as they felt threatened and cornered.  They felt that their country would fail, so they thought it best to try and save their country rather than sit back and watch it fail. 

    World War II in Europe started when Hitler used the restrictions of "the Treaty of Versailles" (p. 647) to expand German rule throughout Europe. 

 

    World War II led to "around 60 million" (p. 648) death, and "more than half of them ... were civilians."  (p. 647)  As more soldiers died, women entered the "industry and the military."  (p. 651)  Hitler used WWII to spread German ideals and killed millions in this process, this is known as the "Holocaust."  (p. 651)  After Hitler lost his battle, communism grew.

 

    It is believed that Europe was able to survive its fall for three reasons.

1.      "resiliency of an industrial society" (p. 653)

2.      "ability...to integrate...recovering economies"  (p. 653)

3.      its "overseas extension...the United States."  (p. 653)

    When Europe fell, the U.S. stepped in and helped it regain stability, and this is how the United States "global leadership" (p. 654) started.  The U.S. created the "Marshall Plan" (p. 654) which put money back into the European economy, and "required...(Europe) to cooperate with one another."  (p. 654)

 

   One of the main differences between WWI and WWII is that WWI was an accident, no one planned to go to war; where WWII was planned by other countries trying to push their ideas onto other countries.

 

Chapter 22

    This chapter reviewed communism.  Strayer looks at how communism evolved in Russia and China, and how it lead to "global conflict."  (p. 675)  He ends with looking and how communism failed.

    Communism emerged when countries did not agree with "the democratic process," (p. 660) and they wanted to have their own type of government.  Communist countries believed in "social equality and collective living...without private property." (p. 660)   (These ideas started from the Marx Theory.)

    In Russia, communism started after WWI.  Many Russians were having hardships after WWI while the upper classes were not, and this led to a socialist takeover.  A "grassroots organization of workers and soldiers, known as 'soviets' was created.  This organization took over the 'state power' from 'the Provisional Government.'"  (p. 664)  The takeover led to civil war that ended with Russia being renamed "the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."  (p. 664)   Russia turned to communism as a way to get out of WWI.

    In Chine, communism arose with the "Chinese Communist Party (CCP)."  (p. 665)  The CCP was originally started as a group trying to "organize...the...working class."  (p. 665)  The CCP was a small group that grew larger as Japan tried to invade China.  China turned to communism to avoid being taken over by Japan.

    Russia and China tried to make their classes and gender equal under communism rule.  They both had feminist movements that allowed women more rights.  They took over "landlords' estates and redistributed them...more equitable...to the peasantry."  (p. 670)  They focused on "industrialization" (p 669) to help them grow.

 

Socialism

    In Russia women were given the same rights as men politically.  Women were allowed to divorce more easily.  They were given the "to take their husbands' surnames."  (p. 669)  The were given maternity leave, and they were able to work in industrious jobs.

    In Japan "The Marriage Law" (p. 669) was created.  This gave women more freedoms such as "free choice in marriage, ... easy divorce, ... the end of concubinage and child marriage."  (p. 669)  Widows were allowed to marry again, and women had equal property rights.

 

Industrialization

    "The Soviet Terror and the Chinese Cultural Revolution" undermined socialism and led to the fall of it.  The Soviet Terror was when the state would kill those that were thought to not believe in the soviet ways.  The Chinese Cultural Revolution was when the communist leader, Mao, started a "rebellion, against the Communist Party."  (p. 674)  This rebellion led to fighting with in China.

     It is thought that communism failed because the governments couldn't compete with "capitalist countries" economically, and that they did not practice the moral of equality that they required others to do.  Communism fell in three different areas.

1.      In China after the leader, Mao died.

2.      In Europe when more "popular movements" took over.

3.      In the Soviet Union when their political system fell apart.

Chapter23

    This chapter discussed how European imperialism ended in Africa and Asia.  In 1900 European imperialism dominated in Africa and Asia, but it did not dominate much after this.  It is believed that the European empire lost control for two reasons:

1.      WWI and WWII "had weakened Europe,"  (p. 694) and this allowed the world to see that Europeans were not superior.

2.      The United Nations ideas were "anticolonial."  (p. 695)

While these two changes were occurring, people that live in the colonies also started to want to lead their own country and not be led by others.  This idea became known as nationalism.

 

India: Ending British Rule

    In India, Mohandas Gandhi, also known as "Mahatma, the Great Soul" (p. 698) started to transform India from a European colony.  He wanted to save India from colonization and "modern civilization."  (p. 698)  While other countries envisioned "social revolutions," (p. 698) Gandhi envisioned "moral transformation of individuals."  (p. 698)

    Gandhi's goal was to united India when out of European imperialism, but this did not happen.  Disputes between the Hindus and Muslims led to India dividing into two countries, those that were Muslim and those that were Hindu.

 

Africa; Ending Apartheid

    South Africa was no longer under European rule, but their "government (was) ... controlled by a white settled minority."  (p. 700)  An "apartheid policy... (tried) to separate blacks from white .... while (keeping) ... their labor power in the white-controlled economy."  (p. 700)  Though, blacks outnumbered white 80% to 20%, they were dependent on the "white-controlled economy." (p. 700)

    As black ted to end the apartheid they created "the African National Congress (ANC)." (p. 702)  The ANC was a nonviolent movement that was banned by the government.  The next movement that arose was the "Black Consciousness."  (p. 702)  This movement was not nonviolent, and led to much bloodshed in South Africa. 

    While the apartheid policy led to South Africa bloodshed, it also led to restrictions from other countries.  South Africa was not allowed to participate in some "international sporting events, ... (and) artists and entertainers ... (would not) ... perform there."  (p. 702)  These oppositions to apartheid policy led to its end.