MODULE 13

Document 187. Barbara and John Ehrenreich on the International 1968 (1968)

-college students were hoping to improve their conditions

-barbara and john traveled to europe to report on events there

    -led to a book in which they highlighted the fact that student rebellion had               an international phenomenon

-what common features do the ehrenreichs see in the unrest in the us and western europe in 1968?

     They noted a widespread desire for greater political freedom, social justice, and     an end to oppressive regimes, reflecting a unified call for change across both     regions.

-what do the ehrenreichs think is most surprising about the events of 1968?

    They found it astonishing that such diverse groups, each with their own specific     grievances, managed to converge at this pivotal moment in history and create a     global movement that resonated with the youth of that era.

Document 188. Barry Commoner, The Closing Circle (1971)

-environmentalism

-concern for preserving the natural environment

-commoner insisted that rather than focus on a particular environmental problem, americans must view the ecosphere as a whole

-why does commoner feel that most explanations of environmentalism problems are inadequate?

    He argues that they often isolate specific issues, neglecting the     interconnectedness of ecosystems and the impact of human activity on the     broader environment.

-what kinds of human actions does commoner feel endanger the ecosphere?

    Commoner highlights actions such as deforestation, pollution, and the over-    exploitation of natural resources, which all contribute to the degradation of the     ecosphere and disrupt the delicate balance of nature.

Document 190. Jimmy Carter on Human Rights (1977)

-president jimmy carter tried to reorient foreign policy away from cold war assumptions

-he insisted that foreign policy could not be separated from “questions of justice, equity, and human rights.”

-nonetheless, he helped to place human rights on the agenda of american foreign policy

-what does carter refer to when he says that the us has too often abandoned “democratic methods” in foreign relations in favor of adopting the “tactics of our adversaries”?

    He means that the United States has sometimes resorted to coercion or     manipulation, which undermines its own principles of democracy and justice,     instead of promoting diplomatic solutions and supporting democratic     movements around the world.

-what are the difficulties of making respect for human rights a major consideration in conducting foreign policy?

    The challenges include balancing national interests with ethical obligations,     navigating the complexities of international relations, and dealing with regimes     that prioritize power over human rights, which can lead to accusations of     hypocrisy or inaction.