ch 24

Throughout the twentieth century, a dense web of political relationships, economic transactions, and cultural influences increasingly brought the world together. By the 1990s, this method of booming interaction was known as globalization. Globalization has a long history upon which twentieth-century globalization was built. The pace of globalization increased rapidly after World War II.  Most commonly, “globalization” refers to international economic transactions.  There is a time of reglobalization where the global economic transactions heightened after WWII.  World trade sky-rocketed and money became highly mobile globally.  Central to the process are transnational corporations, huge global businesses that operate in many countries simultaneously. large numbers of workers, both laborers and professionals, moved all over the world from poor countries to richer ones.  With all of this comes growth, instability and inequality.  The idea of liberation traveled around the world in the 20th century when discussing feminist movements.  Feminism has been a big ongoing discussion in the last coupe of chapters.  Every area has its own issues that deal with feminism.  There was the development of the idea of the third world.  From all the problems that existed in the world, feminist movement has owned the highest potential for change.  Something I found interesting that threw me off is how not all feminist problems completely dealt with gender, but also minority, class and party lines.   Feminism has progressively reached a point to become international.  Chapter 24 also talks about Religious and global modernity. “Fundamentalism” is a major reaction against modernization and globalization.  This is threatening to existing religions.  The Global environment has been transformed for several reasons.  Human impact on earth comes down to three things including world population, use of fossil fuels, and massive economic growth. 

ch 23

There was a struggle for countries independence with attempts to end empire rule in world history.  The fall of many empires came in the 20th century.  It seems as if the independence of many countries and the fall of empires worked hand in hand with each other.  In the late 1940's, countries that obtained their independence include India, Pakistan, Burma, Indonesia, Syria, the Philippines, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel.  Between the 1950's and 1970's came African independence.  Austrian and Ottoman empires fell in the beginning of WWI.  Russian empire was crashed in the 20th century and then rebuilt as the USSR.  German and Japanese empires collapsed at the finale of WWII.   Within these world changes that so many countries were experiencing, there were freedom struggles for many.  The main ones included the case of India and ending British rule, and the case of South Africa ending Apartheid.  There were also experiments with Freedom.  One is that the new nations that were coming up from colonial rule faced the problem head on of how to parlay independence into economic development and industrial growth, unification, and political participation.   There were also experiments with culture.  I find it surprising how long that it has taken some countries to gain independence, and how some countries are still working on it.  This section of history is still going on.

women's issues brought up in the presidential race

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-0413-romney-women-20120413,0,6215563.story

In the 2012 presidential race, women's issues we could say are a "big issue".  There is discussion about women's health care and employment issues.  If elected, Romney wants to get rid of programs that give government aid like planned parenthood and medicare.  He does not believe in helping to lower university tuition costs because he thinks it is like giving "free stuff" which is not okay with him.  Romney's Republican budget would also be cutting programs that support low-income women and children.  According to Romney, Obama is responsible for policies that have hurt the opportunities for women to obtain well-paying jobs.  These topics bring up a lot of concern for the future of the women and their families in this country, therefore, effecting nearly everyone in the country.  There are many people that struggle as it is, while getting help right now.  what would happen to women and children if that help is taken away?  There seems to be a lot of conflict within certain arguments, even without the opposing side's input.  How is a women supposed to not be able to plan a pregnancy and not get any help if she does have an unplanned pregnancy because her rights of planning it were limited?  How are women, or even men on this topic supposed to find well-paying jobs if it is not okay for them to get "free money" or if it is an uncontrollable topic to keep college tuition under control?...

women of the arab spring

http://www.msmagazine.com/spring2011/womenofthearabspring.asp

This article discusses the middle east pro-democracy uprisings.  It is surprising to many that it is not just men that are risking and losing everything they have in these protests.  Women are also playing leadership roles.  Arabs are not so surprised by this because they have a larger sense of feminism tradition.  Across the region, women have been the most consistent supporters.  Many women in from surrounding countries suffer from discriminatory legislation.  These women understand that "democracy" does not mean democracy for al men and women.  Tunisia and Egypt are two states in their post-revolution stage.  despite all the threats of women being beat and worse things that take place, women are holding their ground and continuing to push for equality.  This article states that they will never go back to square one.  They are taking a bold and fearless stand for what they believe in.  That is very honorable.  What is intriguing about this is that these women protesting is making an impact on other societies in a positive way.  I think that women will soon realize that they can make a stand for themselves and fight for their own rights.  These stories exudes some inspiration to other women in the world that are struggling with the same issues, they are influencing them to be strong and believe in themselves.

ch 22

This chapter is all about communism and socialism.  Inspired by Karl Marx, the communism had its roots in 19th century communism.  Communists promoted revolution. one third of the world was governed by communism.  Many expressions of communism shared common ground. They had a common ideology that was based on Marxism.  They were an inspiration of the 1917 Russian Revolution.  Relations between communist countries were often marked by rivalry and hostility.  Communist revolutions outlined the charisma of the French Revolution.  Russia had a revolution in a single year that was sudden and explosive.  Social societies were built in the USSR in the 1920's and the 1930's and in China in the 1950's.   Communist feminism began to spread and there were more pushes for women's liberation and equality.  Socialism spread in the countryside.

ghandi & mlk

MLK was strongly influenced by Ghandi.  They are both very wise individuals that have impacted this world during their time on Earth.   MLK once stated "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.  This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant".  There is a quote by Ghandi that I found that relates to MLK's quote.  Ghandi says, "When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of the truth and love has always won.  There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall-- think of it, ALWAYS".  Both of these men have a very strong belief in truth and love.  The tiniest acts of love will always be more powerful than the greatest hatred in the world.  Whether it is wanted or not, truth will always find its way out.  They both state that truth and love always wins.  Ghandi made a major impact on MLK, who had a major impact on the United States history.  Without the dreams, wisdom, and love instilled in MLK, this nation would not be what it is today.  It is quite intriguing  to imagine how everything happens for a reason and how God created these individuals to have such great purpose in this world.  I am amazed when I think about how different the lives of Americans would be without MLK, and then without Ghandi to have been such an influence on him.  I wonder how Ghandi came across all of his wisdom.  Did he learn it through his own thoughts or throughout he influence of others around him.  Could it be a spiritual thing to where God was speaking to him?  I think of that question because a lot of his quotes sound very similar to what the bible preaches.