Enduring Issues

Conflict

Conflict

Conflict is a serious disagreement or argument. There can be conflict between individuals, groups of people, and even nations for many reasons.

Desire for Power

Power is the influence or control over the behavior of people, and it is part of every human interaction. You can see the effects of power in your relationships with your family and friends, and in schools, sports, business, and government.

Demand for Rights

Oftentimes, governments deny people individual liberties in order to further their own goals. Inspired by people such as John Locke, and made possible by new technologies, demand for rights often leads to uprisings.

Inequality

Inequality is a lack of justice (fairness). When there is inequality, one person or group of people do not have as much power or opportunity as others.

Impact of Technology

Technology is a new method of addressing a problem. Technologies have had both positive and negative impacts across history.

Impact of Interconnectedness or Interdependence

Interconnectedness is the state of having connections or relationships with other people. For example, the more people you know from a neighborhood, the more interconnected you are with it. Interdependence is when two or more people/countries depend on each other.

Impact of Ideas and Beliefs

Our ideas and beliefs shape the way we look at the world. Ideas and beliefs can come from one’s conclusions from observation, religion, parents, books, or friends.

Environmental Impact

Our environment is the area around us in which we live. We are affected by our environment and we have an effect on it. This is true of your local environment (your home, your classroom, and your neighborhood), and the larger environment (your state, your country, and the whole world).

Scarcity

When things are scarce, whether they be food, products, or natural resources, they are in short supply. Individuals and governments may be forced to make certain decisions in response to scarcity, including going to war in order to acquire the needed resources.

Impact of Imperialism/Colonization

Imperialism is when one country or region takes over another to suit its own purposes. Even if colonies have gained their independence, the effects of imperialism may still persist.

Population Growth

The world’s population continues to grow, putting pressure on the food supply, housing, and the job markets of the world.

Human Rights Violations

At various points in history, people have been denied natural rights such as life, liberty, property, or the freedom of speech. This denial may be perpetrated by other groups of people or by governments. This has often impacted people by motivating them to protest or launch revolutions.

Poverty

The term poverty refers to the state or condition in which people or communities lack the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Their basic human needs cannot be met. Poverty-stricken people and families may go without proper housing, clean water, healthy food, and medical attention.

Impact of Industrialization

With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the production of goods shifted from the home to the factory. Often, factories exhibited poor working conditions, child labor, and low pay.

Impact of Migration

Migration refers to people moving from one place to another, often in search of better employment opportunities. Sometimes people migrate in order to flee conflict or famine. Such people are referred to as refugees. This demographic trend can often lead to conflict and competition for work and housing.

Challenging Authority

Challenging authority is when groups of people revolt against and decide to go against those of higher class. It is usually done when they are discontent with how they are being treated and want change to occur that sets them on an equal level.