Chapter 22: Epilogue, 2000–2007
Chapter Summary
The twenty-first century brought with it the hope that peace and prosperity would prevail, but that, sadly, has not been the case.
The United State, the European Union, and Japan
The attacks of September 11, 2001, on the United States ushered in policies pursuing “homeland security” domestically and “war on terror” internationally. After destroying the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the United States toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. Since those military campaigns, however, insurgency and other problems have divided U.S. opinion and generated rifts with U.S. allies. Europe, meanwhile, showed increasing integration via the European Union. Falling European birthrates have stimulated the immigration of millions of Muslims. Immigration also affects the United States, but most newcomers there are from Asia and Latin America. Japan’s low fertility and aging population have also attracted immigrants. In Europe, political reactions against immigration have been sharp, especially in areas with high unemployment and especially against Muslims. Cultural clashes and terrorist activities in Holland, France, and Spain have raised questions about whether or not Muslims can be assimilated, prompting calls for government intervention.
Russia, China, and India
As evidenced by outsourcing, some high-paying jobs can be performed anywhere in the world for any company in the world. The economies of Russia, China, and India are all growing steadily within the world market system. Russia’s political system, however, has shown signs of heavy-handed executive branch control. China has quashed political liberalization but allowed full economic liberalization. Although full entry into the global capitalist economy has been a success, problems such as environmental degradation, social imbalances, and so forth continue to challenge the Chinese state. Hosting the Olympics in 2008, China will signal its capacity to challenge the United States as a new superpower. Indian economic success has been tainted somewhat by tensions between Muslims and Hindus. Economic growth has combined with Hindu nationalism, producing ugly episodes of violence between the two religious groups and political parties such as the BJP gaining advantage. Tensions between India and Pakistan have also been high, especially as both nations have developed nuclear weapons.
The Middle East, Africa, and Latin America
Enduring signs of peace and prosperity are hardest to find here. The Middle East’s dysfunctional societies and governments and Islamic extremists produce more problems than seem possible to solve, as the United States is discovering in Iraq. When elections are held, they often support radical parties. Terrible poverty combined with enormous oil wealth generates alienation and support for extremism or for nuclear parity as seen in Iran. Africa faces the same pressures, in addition to the devastating consequences of poverty and AIDS. While some notable accomplishments, as in South Africa, have been achieved, many of Africa’s latest events have involved ethnic cleansing, civil strife, and genocide. Latin America’s twenty-first century, by contrast, has been far less frightening. Globalization has made the wealthy wealthier. The poor, on the other hand, have often had to migrate or face unemployment and displacement. Politics has responded with the rise of leftist governments decrying U.S. influence and globalization in general.
Conclusion
Presently, global warming and terrorism seem to be the preeminent international concerns.
Section Menu
Chapter Organize
Learn
Connect
Instructors now have an easy way to collect students’ online quizzes with the Norton Gradebook without flooding their inboxes with e-mails.
Students can track their online quiz scores by setting up their own Student Gradebook.