Transcript Encore
Encore A Final Trip around the World Latin America: Major Issues • Poverty – Cause of population migrations • Political Instability – Drug trafficking violence • Relationship to the United States – Friendly: Free Trade Agreements (Colombia) – Hostile: Anti-American rhetoric (Venezuela) – Neutral: Maintain good ties with both sides (Brazil) Case Study: Mexico • Review: Overthrow of the PRI • Internal Problems – Regional tensions (Zapatistas) – Drug wars • Relationship with the United States – Immigration – NAFTA Case Study: Brazil • Review: Election of Lula in 2002 • Developing Superpower? – Good: Natural Resources, growing economy, stable government – Bad: Gap between rich and poor, racial tensions, local crime and violence, corruption – Cf. India Case Study: Cuba • Review: Cuban Revolution • Cuban Marxism – Good: Social Programs (health, education) – Bad: Political Repression (abuse of dissidents) • New Allies? – Rise of new socialist states in region which have filled the void left by the end of the Soviet Union Middle East: Major Issues • Islamism – Fundamentalism in politics – Gender issues – Violence – Westernization • Religious Disputes – Shia-Sunni – Israel-Palestine • Democratic Movements – Successful? Egypt – Failed? Iran Case Study: Israel/Palestine • Review: Camp David Accords (1979) • Settlements – Israel wishes to build homes in areas established as part of their nation, but claimed by Palestinians as part of 1948 UN agreement (West Bank) • Blockade – Palestinians claim Israel prevents basic commodities from entering Palestinian areas – Israel claims rival nations attempt to ship dangerous arms to Palestinians hidden among humanitarian aid Case Study: Iran • Review: Revolution of 1979 • Theocracy and Totalitarianism – Recent challenges to rule by the mullahs and “elections” • Nuclear Program – Questions over intent of Iranian nuclear ambitions • Hostility to Israel – Evidence that Iran supports terror groups that launch attacks on Israel Case Study: Iraq • Review: U.S. invasion (2003) • Regional Divisions – North: Kurds – Central: Sunni – South: Shia • Foreign Affairs – Balancing close ties to both U.S. and Iran Case Study: Egypt • • Review: Overthrow of Hosni Mubarak (2011) Results of the Revolution? 1. Egypt establishes secular free state 2. Egypt establishes fundamentalist state (Muslim Brotherhood) Sub-Saharan Africa • Political Instability – Civil Wars – Dictatorship – Weak central authority • Poverty – Most underdeveloped region • Public Health – AIDS – Malaria Case Study: Nigeria • Review: Election of 1999 • Regional Division – North: Hausa – West: Yoruba – East: Igbo • Military Government – Frequent disruption of democracy due to military coups • Niger Delta Region – Violence in valuable oil fields Case Study: South Africa • Review: Election of Nelson Mandela • After Mandela – Will new leaders be able to cope with continuing challenges? • Tribal conflict (Zulu and Xhosa) • Racial tensions (White supremacist groups) • Economic development Case Study: Sudan • Review: Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) • Regional Division – North: Arab, Islam, Control the government – South: Nilotic, Christian or animist, excluded from government • Darfur – Genocide in the western pastoral region of the country East Asia Japan • Review: Asian Tigers • Good News – Despite being passed by China, Japan is still the #3 economy in the world • Bad News – Debt Problems – Energy Concerns – Earthquake… North Korea (PDRK) • Review: Korean War • Rogue State – With the exception of its ties to China, PDRK is totalitarian state within its borders and isolated from the international community • Nuclear Program – Like Iran, North Korea has a nuclear program that may be trying to develop weapons capabilities • Just for fun – http://listverse.com/2010/05/30/t op-10-crazy-facts-about-kimjong-il/ Europe • European Union – Benefits of “supranationalism”: currency (Euro); free trade – Problems: “Weaker” states dragging down the system • Debt Crisis – Governments: Rising costs of welfare states – People: Violent protests refusing cuts to entitlements • Secularization of Society – Rise of secular humanism and decline of traditional religion UK • Review: Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Revolution (1980s) • EU - In or Out? – Although a full member of the EU, retained the British pound as currency instead of adopting Euro • 2 or 3 party system? – Tories (Conservatives) vs. Labor – Election of 2010 - Rise of the Liberals Serbia • Review: Yugoslav Civil War • Relations with the Balkans – War Crimes trial – EU and economic relations • Kosovo – Ethnic Albanians declared independence from Serbia Coach Lerch’s Final Thoughts • Seriously, I’m done.