Transnational Issues and Global Politics Overview

Transnational issues

Issues that cross national borders and affect multiple countries—like climate change, terrorism, pandemics, and migration.

Impact on world politics

They require international cooperation and can cause conflicts or alliances between nations, influencing global policies and power dynamics.

Population growth issues

Access to healthcare and contraception, education (especially for women), economic development, cultural and religious beliefs.

Growth rate differences

Poor countries often have higher birth rates due to limited access to education and healthcare, while rich countries have lower rates due to urban lifestyles and better access to family planning.

Future population projections

Global population is expected to keep rising, especially in Africa and parts of Asia.

Population growth calculations

Using birth rates, death rates, and fertility rates (average number of children per woman).

Measures to control population growth

Education (especially for women), access to contraception, economic development, government policies (like China's former one-child policy).

Most effective method for population control

Education and empowerment of women is often the most effective and sustainable method.

Major trends impacting world politics

Aging populations in developed countries, youth bulges in developing nations, urbanization and migration.

Environmental politics trends

Climate change, pollution, resource depletion, rising global awareness and activism, green energy trends and international agreements (e.g., Paris Agreement).

Reasons for migration

Push factors: conflict, poverty, disasters; Pull factors: job opportunities, safety, education.

Types of migration

Voluntary vs. forced, legal vs. irregular, internal vs. international.

Factors for irregular U.S. migration

Economic hardship, unsafe conditions in home countries, legal entry barriers.

New migration trends

Climate migration, highly skilled migrants moving for tech and healthcare jobs.

Benefits of migration

Labor supply, cultural diversity.

Detriments of migration

Strain on services, political tensions.

Global commons

Shared resources not owned by any one country—e.g., oceans, atmosphere, outer space, Antarctica.

Tragedy of the Commons

Individuals acting in their own interest can deplete shared resources, harming everyone.

Environmental politics concepts

Sustainability, collective action, precautionary principle.

International law case example

Trail Smelter case (Canada-U.S.)—established responsibility for cross-border pollution.

Disasters and global politics

Can create instability, humanitarian crises; countries may compete or cooperate in response; aid and disaster relief can build or weaken alliances.

Challenges in disaster preparedness

Unpredictability, cost, political priorities.

Long-term consequences of disasters

Economic decline, migration, infrastructure loss, political unrest.

Transnational crime

Crimes that occur across borders—drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism.

Challenges in fighting transnational crime

Different laws and priorities across countries; criminals exploit legal loopholes and weak governance.

Current and future challenges in crime

Technology-enabled crime (cybercrime), corruption and weak institutions, funding of terrorism and organized crime.

Power examination methods

Hard power: military, economic strength; Soft power: culture, diplomacy; Smart power: mix of both.

Power measurement metrics

GDP, military spending, technological development, influence in international organizations.

Complexity of power definitions

Power is complex and context-dependent—military might doesn't always mean political influence.

Economic performance measurement

GDP: total value of goods/services; GDP per capita: GDP divided by population; unemployment rate; inflation rate; Human Development Index (HDI).

Importance of economic metrics for power

Stronger economies usually have more global influence, military funding, and diplomatic reach.