Global Interdependence and Modern Global Challenges

A collection of vocabulary terms from the lecture notes covering global trade, international organizations, human rights, and modern historical conflicts.

Global interdependence

A concept where people and nations rely on one another for goods and services.

Developed nations

Nations that have grown wealthy because their economies are doing well and generally have a higher per capita GDP.

Developing countries

Nations with lower per capita GDP and lower rates of growth, such as Haiti.

Comparative advantage

The economic principle where lower manufacturing costs in one nation make the cost of their goods attractive to other nations.

NAFTA

The North American Free Trade Agreement, written to end trade barriers among the US, Canada, and Mexico.

European Union

An organization of nations that have few meaningful trade barriers with one another.

Refugees

People who have been driven from their homes by famine, conflicts, or natural disasters.

Diplomats

Government officials who talk with one another to discuss international matters such as climate change, pollution, and trade.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a group of 32 nations in North America and Europe created for the defense of its member nations.

WTO

The World Trade Organization, which has more than 150 member nations and goals to address issues of trade and finance.

United Nations (UN)

The largest governmental organization, founded in 1945 to keep peace, promote social progress, and protect human rights.

NGOs

Non-government organizations that are not linked to any government and are formed by private citizens to meet a need or work for a cause.

ICRC

The International Committee of the Red Cross, an NGO based in Switzerland that provides aid to people in war-torn areas while maintaining a neutral position.

World Health Organization (WHO)

A part of the United Nations that works to improve health for all people and was successful in ending smallpox.

Peace Corps

A volunteer group run by the US government that began in the 1960s after a challenge by President JFK.

Human rights

Basic freedoms that all people should have simply because they are human.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A document adopted by the UN in 1948 defining specific basic rights all people should have.

Communism

A political and economic system practiced by the Soviet Union where one party government owns all resources and directs economic activities.

Cold War

A conflict between the US and the Soviet Union from the late 1940s through 1991.

Al-Qaeda

A terrorist group that carried out attacks on New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.

Department of Homeland Security

A US government department created in 2001 to check people at airports and increase the security of information stored on computers.

Patriot Act of 2001

A law that increased the government's power to seek information related to terrorism without obtaining a search warrant.

Taliban

A political group that ruled Afghanistan, did not recognize human rights, and helped Al-Qaeda by permitting them to train terrorists.

Osama bin Laden

The leader of Al-Qaeda who was located in Pakistan and killed by US forces in May 2011.

Saddam Hussein

The dictator of Iraq who was overthrown in 2003, captured, and executed for crimes against his people.

WMD

Weapons of Mass Destruction; world leaders feared the Iraqi dictator might provide such weapons to terrorist groups.