Global Affairs (1)-135-148

5.1. Survey of Major Contemporary Global Issues

• Discussion of contemporary global issues requires explicit selection criteria.

• The post-Cold War era signifies a transformation in world politics, shifting focus from ideological military struggles to other significant concerns.

• Current global issues include:

  • Search for a ‘New World Order’

  • Impact of terrorism

  • Economic disparities between developed and developing nations

  • Environmental challenges

• However, historical perspectives reveal both continuity and change in global issues.

Criteria Defining Global Issues

1. Scope/Extent:

   • An issue should affect large parts of the global arena rather than being confined to local contexts (e.g., civil wars).

2. Urgency/Intensity:

   • The urgency of an issue may vary based on who perceives its significance (e.g., global environmental change).

3. Salience/Visibility:

   • Media and influential actors play a vital role in amplifying certain issues.

4. Centrality/Location:

   • Geographic proximity to key actors can increase an issue’s significance.

5.1.1. Global Security Issues

• Main security challenges include terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

Global Terrorism

• Definition Challenges:

  • The definition of terrorism is subjective; it varies widely.

  • Terrorism is characterized by violent acts (e.g., hostage-taking, bombings) aimed at civilians.

  • Four types of terrorists:

    • Left-wing

    • Right-wing

    • Ethno-nationalists/separatist

    • Religious

• Global Communication: Enhanced communication technology allows terrorists to operate globally.

• Weapons: Usage of chemical, biological, or radiological weapons remains limited to avoid international retaliation.

Factors Conducive to Terrorism

• Socio-economic Causes:

  • Poverty, isolation, hopelessness, human rights violations foster terrorism.

• Political Causes:

  • Inadequate government response to legitimate grievances.

• Psychological Causes:

  • Humiliation is a motivating factor for engaging in terrorism.

Types of Terrorism

• Domestic Terrorism: Occurs within country borders.

• Nationalist Terrorism: Linked to political autonomy and independence struggles.

• Religious Terrorism: Stemming from fundamentalist beliefs.

• State Terrorism: Conducted by governments against their people or others.

• Global Terrorism: Emerged from globalization trends, enhancing terrorism's international reach.

Nuclear Weapons and Their Proliferation

• The Cold War's focus on nuclear threat diminished post-Cold War, yet concerns over existing nuclear arsenals persist.

• Proliferation Concerns:

  • Increased incentives for states to seek nuclear capabilities due to diminished reliance on extended deterrence.

  • Case examples:

    • Growing capabilities of states like North Korea and Iran.

    • India and Pakistan’s nuclear tests illustrate regional rivalry and concerns.

5.1.2. Global Environmental Issues

• Environmental degradation is a pressing international issue, necessitating collaborative solutions due to transboundary impacts.

• International Environmental Agreements (IEAs) have risen since the 1970s, but their effectiveness is questioned.

Climate Change and Global Warming

• Climate change challenges sustainable development, disproportionately affecting poorer nations.

• Efforts for global climate mitigation, like the Kyoto Protocol, face significant compliance and effectiveness challenges.

• Developed nations often fail to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets due to reliance on offshoring pollutive industries.

5.1.3. Global Socio-economic Issues

Global Inequality and Poverty

• Inequality becomes problematic in economic downturns, emphasized by the recent global financial crisis.

• Growing awareness of disparities leads to movements like "Occupy Wall Street."

• Persistent inequality threatens democratic governance and economic growth.

• Economic inequality influences global conflict, promoting protectionist policies and potentially increasing tension and unrest.

Migration and Refugee Problems

• Growing international migration has significant political implications, driven by economic pressures and instability.

• Migrants and refugees have increasingly been targets of discrimination and conflict in host countries.

• Migration illustrates the interconnectedness of global economic systems and political responses.

5.1.4. Global Cultural Issues

Cultural Imperialism

• Global cultural flows lead to cultural homogenization, often characterized as "McDonaldization."

• Cultural globalization is fueled by advanced communication technologies.

• Cultural indigenization represents a counter-process where traditional practices absorb new influences.

Cultural Clashes and Identity Conflicts

• Nationalism intertwines deeply with culture, leading to both unification and conflict.

• S.P. Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” thesis posits that future conflicts will be between distinct civilizations.

• Key civilizations identified: Western, Confucian, Japanese, Islamic, Hindu, Slavic-Orthodox, Latin American, African.

Summary

• The chapter identified four major contemporary global issues: security, environmental, socio-economic, and cultural, emphasizing their interrelation and impact on global affairs.

Self-Check Questions

1. Define 'Global issues' and their relevance to international relations.

2. Identify major contemporary global issues.

3. Discuss the roots of global terrorism.

4. Analyze motivations behind nuclear proliferation and arms trade.

5. Explore reasons for global inequality and poverty.

6. Examine causes of climate change and global warming.

7. Assess emerging civilizational fault lines as sources of conflict.