Unit 9: Globalization
Topic 1: Technological Advances and Limitations
Globalization: Universal and instantaneous interconnected across nations around the world. The economy, culture, politics, and technology are more connected that affect the global world.
20th Century Technological Innovations and Their Consequences
Transportation
Airplanes: Airplanes, commonly associated with the Wright brothers’ first invention of one, allowed aviation to rapidly transport goods/people.
Airplanes reduced the time it took for people to search for better living/working opportunities, connected remote regions with urban centers, allowed the spread of ideas and cultures, and supported global supply chains and the quick delivery of goods.
Shipping: Malcom Mclean pioneered the introduction of standardized shipping containers and revolutionized cargo transport.
Increased efficiency and lowered cost for the movement of goods across continents and oceans. Increased the growth of globalization by enabling companies to reach farther markets. International trade is carried out by ships today.
Communication
Radio: In Nazi Germany, the radio was distributed to Germans in order to broadcast propaganda to the entire population.
Allowed Hitler to spread propaganda/ his speeches to the entire population of his country to increase the sense of superiority of Nazi Germany.
The moon landing was broadcasted on television, making it one of the most watched broadcast of all time. The TV was crucial in showing the accomplishments of the U.S.
These technological advancements revolutionized communication and culture by bringing news quickly to a wide audience.
Social Media: Protests in Tunisia erupted when Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire because of police harassment and confiscation of his wares.
Social media helped organize and fuel these protests. Facebook, Twitter and Youtube were used. Social media helped share information and show police brutality globally which drew international attention and support.
Energy Technologies
Renewable Energy: Renewable sources of energy is energy that can be replenished at or near the rate of consumption
Renewable energy sources are clean and sustainable alternatives to non-renewable energy sources. It can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
Nuclear Energy: Nuclear power was developed as an alternative to fossil fuels. Nuclear power is able to generate immense power and is a nonrenewable source of energy which means that there is a limited amount.
There are dangerous consequences associated with nuclear energy. The Dukushima Daiichi highlighted the vulnerabilities of nuclear power plants to natural disasters. This led to widespread reevaluations of nuclear safety and energy policies worldwide.
Medical Innovations
Antibiotics and Vaccinations: Antibiotics and vaccinations effectively treated bacterial infections that were once considered fatal.
Widespread use led to increase in life expectancy and reduction of mortality rates from infectious diseases. It also prevented lifelong disabilities associated with some infections. Led to population growth, public health policies, and laid foundation for modern preventitive medicine and global health practices.
Birth Control: A pill that was approved to the public in 1960 that highly increased the chance of women to not get pregnant. Margaret Sanger invented the oral contraceptive pill
Women were freed from the cycle of pregnancy and birth. Women were able to more freely pursue education and careers. Steps were taken towards equal rights between men and women
Agriculture
The Green Revolution: The Green Revolution was series of research, development, and technological transfer initiatives that advanced agriculture. It was seen as the Third Agricultural Revolution as it increased the cultivation of land and the yields of crops produced.
The Green Revolution brought the introduction of high-yield crop varieties (wheat, rice) & modern practices like synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation and GMOs.
The Green Revolution increase agricultural production around the world, but especially in developing countries. It produce high-yields of crops which help to alleviate hunger and boost food security. While the Green Revolution was very successful, it also led to the dependency on chemical inputs. This led to heavy impacts on the environment and the banning of substances liked DDT linked back to dangers such as cancer.
The great amount of chemical reliance that came with these practices raised health and environmental concerns which led to bans of substances like DDT, Aldrin, Chlordane and Heptachlor.
The Plastic Age
Plastic: Plastic is just another form of fossil fuel and has a big carbon footprint, but so do alternate forms of plastic which makes it hard to find a safer version. Plastic is used to create many daily products like water bottles, grocery bags, foam trays and more.
These daily products can easily end up in the environment causing pollution and harming wild animals within their habitats. The process of making plastic has also contributed to climate change majorly. When plastic is made, it also makes a climate-warming greenhouse gas and it is starting to build up in the atmosphere.
Global Diseases
One of the greatest challenges the world has faced in the 20th and 21st century is disease. New diseases have emerged and became pandemics, resulting in major population loss in some parts of the world. Many of the world’s poorest countries continue to battle the spread of diseases that have been eradicated in more developed nations.
Diseases Associated with Poverty and Developing Countries
Malaria
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease carried by mosquitoes. It is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, and sub-saharan Africa has been the most affected region.
Malaria hampers productivity, reduces GDP growth, and consumes significant portions of household and governmental budgets.
Cholera
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection. It is often mild but some cases are severe and life-threatening. It is most commonly transmitted through contaminated water or food, and is common in areas where water and sanitation infrastructure is inadequate or during times of disaster or water when water and sanitation systems are disrupted. For example, sub-Saharan Africa has been affected by cholera in regions where access to clean water and sanitation services is limited. Haiti experiences a significant cholera outbreak after an earthquake due to poor sanitation conditions as a result of the severe natural disaster.
Emergent Epidemic Diseases
Ebola
Ebola has high fatality rates and can spread rapidly. Countries continue to have the challenge of containing the highly infectious disease in regions with limited medical infrastructure
Diseases Associated with Increased Longevity
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by deterioration of cognitive functions. It primarily affects older adults. Understanding of Alzheimer's has evolved significantly due to advancements in medical research and technology, and is not recognized as a major public health issue affecting millions worldwide. Research also expanded to include studies on genetic factors, neurobiology, and potential environmental influences that contribute to the disease’s development and progression.
Topic 2: Economics in the Global Age
Increased Government Encouragement of Free-Market Economies
Economic liberalism (free market economy): favors reducing government role in the economy and rather gave individual freedoms
United States under President Reagan
“Reagonomics” embodied principles aimed at promoting growth through individual and business financial freedoms.
Economic Recovery Tax Act: cut income tax rates and eliminated federal oversight in economy. Also cut spending on social programs
Growth of “Knowledge Economies” in the Developed World
Knowledge economies focus on information, services, and technology. Driven by innovation, research, and development of new technology or intellectual property.
Japan
Japan became a knowledge-based economy in the early 1980s through rapid industrial growth and government funding in research and development.
Emergence of Industrial Manufacturing Economies in the Developing World
Manufacturing-based economics relies on production of goods though physical labor and industrial activities
China
China began to open its economy to foreign investment and adopted policies favorable to manufacturing. It also opened the Shanghai stock exchange.
Private companies drove China’s economic growth, but still needed to be regulated by the government. The SSE allowed companies to raise capital through stock trading and attracted foreign investors, boosting China’s economy.
China became the “world’s factory.”
Development of Regional and Global Trade Agreements
WTO (World Trade Organization)
The WTO is an organization dedicated to regulating global trade and resolving disputes. It helps settle disputes between countries, ensuring international trade runs smoothly. It also encourages nations to modernize, adopt best practice, and expand exports.
It contributes to expanding global trade and globalization of the economy because it promotes free trade by reducing tariffs (and other trade barriers) and ensuring free trade practices across nations. It also enables countries to have access to larger markets and foster development of global supply chains.
The Growth of Multinational Corporations
Multinational company: company that operates in multiple countries around the world (in both manufacturing and selling). → Facilitates free market
Nissan
Nissan is a Japanese automobile manufacturer. It has factories in multiple countries, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
This creates more job opportunities in local areas. It was also able to adapt to different markets by modifying cars and marketing strategies. Expanded new markets and spread technology, leading to innovation and competition in global auto industry.
Topic 3: Globalized Culture
Topic 4: Calls for Reform & Resistance to Globalization
Topic 5: Institutions in a Globalized World
The United Nations
The UN was an institution established as a result of WWII.
Rwandan Genocide
Rwandan Genocide is rooted in long-standing ethnic tensions between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. During colonial rule, the Tutsi were favored for leadership roles, creating resentment among the Hutu population. After Rwanda gained independence in 1962, Hutus took control of the government, and violence against Tutsis became more common. Over the following decades, these tensions intensified, especially with the rise of Hutu Power ideologies that promoted hatred and fear of Tutsis.
The situation reached a breaking point when Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana, a Hutu, was killed in a plane crash on April 6, 1994. His assassination became the trigger for the genocide, as extremist Hutu leaders blamed the Tutsis and began orchestrating a mass slaughter.
The Rwandan Genocide began on April 7, 1994, and lasted about 100 days, during which an estimated 800,000 to 1 million Tutsi and moderate Hutu were brutally murdered. Led by extremist Hutu militias known as the Interahamwe, the genocide was carefully planned and carried out using machetes, clubs, and guns. Government officials, local leaders, and even ordinary civilians participated in the killings. Roadblocks were set up to identify Tutsi, who were often killed on the spot, and people were hunted down in schools, churches, and hospitals where they had sought refuge. Radio stations broadcast hateful propaganda and encouraged mass violence.