About the Book
This twenty-second edition of "Annual Editions: Global Issues" provides convenient, inexpensive access to current articles selected from the best of the public press. Organizational features include: an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites; an annotated table of contents; a topic guide; a general introduction; brief overviews for each section; a topical index; and an instructor's resource guide with testing materials. "Using Annual Editions in the Classroom" is offered as a practical guide for instructors. "Annual Editions" titles are supported by our student website.
Table of Contents:
UNIT 1. Global Issues In The Twenty First Century: An Overview1. A Special Moment in History, Bill McKibben, The Atlantic", May 1998The interconnected dangers of overpopulation, climate change, and pollution" have been in the headlines for years, but doomsday has not yet arrived. Bill McKibben examines two important questions: What if we already have inflicted serious damage on the planet? and, What if there are only a few decades left to salvage a stable environment?2. It's a Flat World, After All, Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times", April 3, 2005Thomas Friedman is a well-known commentator who has contributed significantly to the debate about globalization". This article summarizes his latest book, The World Is Flat". He discusses a number of technological trends" that are not only involving new participants in the global economy but also fundamentally changing the way people do business.3. Can Extreme Poverty Be Eliminated?, Jeffery D. Sachs, Scientific American", September 2005One of the United Nations Millennium Project's goals was reducing by half the level of extreme poverty" by 2015. The director of the project describes how business as usual has to be replaced with programs that address the underlying causes of poverty by improving health, education, water, sanitation, food production, and roads."4. Success Without Victory, James Fallows, The Atlantic", January/February 2005James Fallows is a well-known essayist who focuses on foreign policy and security" matters. In this article he evaluates the containment strategy" that was successfully used in the Cold War and applies the same logic to the age of terror."5. Five Meta-Trends Changing the World, David Pearce Snyder, The Futurist", July/August 2004The author identifies five trends" that he predicts will fundamentally reshape both the personal and social aspects" of our lives. Human adaptability will help keep our future" from spinning out of control.6. The Ends of the World As We Know Them, Jared Diamond, The New York Times", January 1, 2005Professor Diamond is well known for his book Guns, Germs and Steel". In this article, Diamond discusses the main themes of his new book, Collapse". He identifies five variables to assess why some societies have collapsed while others have adapted to changing conditions. He concludes: "To save ourselves, we don't need new technology": we just need the political will to face up to our problems of population" and the environment"."UNIT 2. Population and Food Production7. The Big Crunch, Jeffrey Kluger, Time", April/May 2000A general overview is offered of the changing global demographic trends" of fewer children and increased longevity. Jeffrey Kluger describes variations between different geographic regions and the varying patterns of consumption among the world's rich and poor."8. Scary Strains, Anne Underwood and Jerry Adler, Newsweek", November 1, 2004Infectious disease experts" focus on preventing a new influenza virus from getting loose and spreading around the world creating a pandemic".9. Bittersweet Harvest: The Debate Over Genetically Modified Crops, Honor Hsin, Harvard International Review", Spring 2002In this essay, the growing debate over genetically modified crops" is described with specific examples of both pro and con perspectives. Honor Hsin concludes that careful scientific research" must be seriously considered in this debate rather than just corporate interests" or public fears.UNIT 3. The Global Environment and Natural Resources Utilization10. Deflating the World's Bubble Economy, Lester R. Brown, USA Today Magazine", November 2003Lester Brown is one of the leading commentators on global environmental issues". In this article, he argues that unless damaging trends are reversed, depleted aquifers and exhausted soils could lead to the abandonment of rich agricultural areas". Brown also provides case studies of a number of successful transitions to sustainable practices.11. Shifting the Pain: World's Resources Feed California's Growing Appetite, Tom Knudson, The Sacramento Bee", April 27, 2003California is the world's fifth largest economy". The people of the state have long consumed more natural resources than they produce. Today the desire to protect natural resources" within the state, while importing them in record amounts, is creating serious environmental consequences" in countries far removed from the Golden state.12. Britain Faces Big Chill as Ocean Current Slows, Jonathan Leake, The Sunday Times (London)", May 8, 2005This article summarizes research that indicates that climate change" is resulting in a slow down of the Gulf Stream, which is the ocean current that keeps Western Europe from having much colder temperatures. Future" implications of such a significant change are explored.UNIT 4. Political EconomyPart A. Globalization Debate13. Globalization and Its Contents, Peter Marber, World Policy Journal", Winter 2004/05The term globalization" has different meanings for different people, often depending on their political perspective. The debate about the positive and negative impacts of this process is reviewed from a broad historical perspective. The author concludes that the evidence strongly suggests that human prosperity" is improving as boundaries between people are lowered.14. The World is Spiky, Richard Florida, The Atlantic", October 2005Globalization" has changed the economic playing field, but contrary to what some observers have argued, it is not flat. Professor Florida uses a series of maps to demonstrate that global economic geography continues to be characterized by a series of peaks, hills, and valleys.15. The Five Wars of Globalization, Moises Naim, Foreign Policy", January/February 2003The dark side of globalization" takes the form of illegal trade in drugs, arms, intellectual property, people, and money. It is growing rapidly and governmental efforts" to combat it are failing. The five wars are described along with proposals for new strategies" to deal with this unprecedented struggle that now shapes the world as much as confrontations between countries.16. Will Globalization Go Bankrupt?, Michael Pettis, Foreign Policy", September/October 2001The author argues that global integration" is driven not by politics, the Internet, or world trade but primarily by monetary expansion." "Credit booms," he argues, "spark periods of economic integration, while credit contractions squelch them." Is the world on the verge of another globalization bust?Part B. General Case Studies17. Soccer vs. McWorld, Franklin Foer, Foreign Policy", January/February 2004The global sport of soccer is an interesting case study, for the author asserts that it reveals more about globalization's" limits rather than its possibilities.18. America's Sticky Power, Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Policy", March/April 2004Military force" and cultural appeal" have kept the US at the top of the global order. Beyond these attributes is what the author labels "sticky power." Economic institutions and policies" attract other countries to the US system and hold them to it, which helps bring stability to the international system".19. Where the Money Went, James S. Henry, Across the Board", March/April 2004In the literature on international economics", little attention is devoted to corruption" and other illegal activities. Scandals bring short-term attention to these issues, but systematic study of corruption is difficult and dangerous. The author focuses on broad structural processes that transfer wealth from poor countries" to rich-magnifying underdevelopment" and debt".20. Political Graft: The Russian Way, Marshall I. Goldman, Current History", October 2005Corruption" typically is attempts by government officials" to extort money from the private sector". In Russia, officials go further and take over a business for themselves.21. Is Chile a Neoliberal Success?, James M. Cypher, Dollars & Sense", September/October 2004Chile is often heralded as the global South's best case for free-trade economic policies", but according to the author the facts tell a different story.22. India's Hype, Hope, and Hazards, Mahmood H. Butt, The World & I", June 2004A broad overview of India's two societies is presented: the emerging urban middle class" and the rural poor". The author argues that economic development" has obscured disparities between regions and segments of the country's population.23. What's Wrong With This Picture?, Mark Crispin Miller, The Nation", January 7/14, 2002This article describes the rise of an international media" cartel. Of 10 highly integrated conglomerates, each has subsidiaries that include newspapers, publishing companies, television networks, movie studios, Internet providers, and even amusements. The author claims that the consequence of this concentration of economic power" is a blurring of the distinction between entertainment and news reporting coupled with a reduction in the number of news sources.Part C. Global Energy Case Studies24. The Fall of the House of Saud, Robert Baer, The Atlantic", May 2003Saudi Arabia has long been considered a reliable partner of the US in the Arab Middle East. The author, a former CIA operative, argues that "Saudi Arabia can't last much longer, and the social and economic fallout" of its demise could be calamitous."25. The Breaking Point, Peter Maass, The New York Times Magazine", August 21, 2005Throughout the oil age", the discovery of new oil reserves has stayed ahead of increasing demand. Many experts predict that we are about to enter a new era when known reserves are drawn down faster than new oil fields are discovered. When the so-called "breaking point" is reached, the author argues that the oil market will undergo a profound change. Impacts of this change on the international political economy" and the American way of life are examined.26. Nuclear Now!, Peter Schwartz and Spencer Reiss, Wired", February 2005The argument that nuclear power is an environmentally friendly" alternative to oil and coal" is presented along with a discussion of "interim storage" and the recycling of nuclear waste. Numerous references are made to the role of nuclear power in Europe and Japan, which provides an international context to the discussion.27. Looking Into the Sun, David H. Freedman, Inc. Magazine", July 2005New technologies" in solar energy" are examined in the context of energy costs and alternatives. This article serves as an excellent counterpoint to the article on nuclear power.UNIT 5. Conflict28. Our Greatest Threat: The Coming Nuclear Crisis, Douglas Roche, Commonweal", March 11, 2005The era of US and Soviet nuclear deterrence has ended, but the future of the Non-Proliferation Treaty is now uncertain. A broad overview of the issues surrounding the spread of nuclear weapons" is provided along with the policy and ethical implications for the future."29. Lifting the Veil: Understanding the Roots of Islamic Militancy, Henry Munson, Harvard International Review", Winter 2004This article explores the question, "Why do they hate us?" Using public opinion polls to examine attitudes in the Middle East, Professor Munson identifies two sources of anti-American militancy": US support of Israel and a backlash to the strategy and tactics of the war on terrorism".30. Blowback Revisited, Peter Bergen and Alec Reynolds, Foreign Affairs", November/December 2005Drawing on the experiences from the post-Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the authors argue that the war" in Iraq has produced a new generation of foreign volunteers who after the war will disperse to continue their attacks against what they consider to be enemy governments in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. This contagion, the authors predict, will be greater in magnitude than after the end of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and will generate a new series of security problems".31. Holy Orders: Religious Opposition to Modern States, Mark Juergensmeyer, Harvard International Review", Winter 2004In an era of rapid globalization", there has been a decline in both the power of the nation-state and secular nationalism". The author asserts that religion" fills the vacuum by providing social cohesion and affiliation.UNIT 6. Cooperation32. Strategies for World Peace: The View of the UN Secretary-General, Kofi A. Annan, The Futurist", May/June 2002The secretary-general of the United Nations observes, "Our era of global challenges leaves us no other choice but to cooperate" at the global level." An overview of human rights" issues is provided as a context of establishing priorities for the United Nations.33. Peace in Our Time, The Economist", September 25, 2004The article focuses on peace" in Europe and the expansion of the European Union (EU). Membership in the EU requires that countries adhere to principles of democracy, human rights", and a peaceful resolution of disputes. The article discusses important issues related to the proposed membership of Turkey. The EU is an excellent example of an International Governmental Organization.34. The Ultimate Crop Insurance, Janet Raloff, Science News", September 11, 2004The new international treaty" designed to break down obstacles and bolster the gene-banking system to preserve the genetic heritage of crops is an excellent case study of international governmental cooperation".35. Teamwork Urged on Bird Flu, David Brown, The Washington Post", November 8, 2005The author indicates that, "Avian influenza is making the world a global village-or, more precisely, a global barnyard-in a way that demands international cooperation" to a degree not seen previously on a health issue." Cooperative efforts from 100 countries are described, as efforts mount to prevent bird flu from becoming a human pandemic.36. Medicine Without Doctors, Geoffrey Cowley, Newsweek", July 19, 2004The AIDS epidemic in Africa is overwhelming the health care system". In response, a grassroots effort" has evolved to deliver life-extending medications and offer more people reason for hope.UNIT 7. Values and Visions37. Humanity's Common Values: Seeking a Positive Future, Wendell Bell, The Futurist", September-October 2004The author argues that, "there is an emerging global ethic, a set of shared values." These have evolved and now shape and constrain behavior. Specific principles are described along with behavior that supports the development of legal and ethical norms " necessary for a positive global future".38. Women's Rights-Not Just for Westerners, Azar Nafisi, American Educator", Fall 2004Author, teacher, and human rights advocate, Azar Nafisi addresses fundamental issues of women's rights" with a focus on her native country of Iran.39. The Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus, Scientific American", November 1999A small experiment, begun in Bangladesh to loan money to poor people as a way of helping them become more productive, has turned into a major new concept in the eradication of poverty."40. America's Looming Creativity Crisis, Richard Florida, Harvard Business Review", October 2004America's competitive advantage" in attracting creative people and leading the world in innovation" is being challenged on a number of fronts. These challenges are examined, and the author asks whether the US is losing its advantage in this all-important area.41. What Lurks in its Soul?, David A. Vise, The Washington Post", November 13, 2005Google's well-known user-friendly features, according to the author, hide an appetite for radical changes that will fundamentally redefine the boundaries between people" and the way they obtain information."42. Women Waging Peace, Swanee Hunt and Cristina Posa, Foreign Policy", May/June 2001Swanee Hunt and Cristina Posa argue that you cannot end wars" by simply declaring peace. "Inclusive security" rests on the principle of fundamental social change to prevent renewed hostilities. The authors describe the role that women" have played in bridging problems and ask why the role of women is not growing more rapidly in promoting peace."
