- Cultural Region (Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, or Latin America)
- MLA Citation
- Concise (no more than 5 sentences) summary with a clear thesis statement
Thursday, September 1, 2016
FI Question #43 - "Current History" Article Summary
To complete question #43 on the "Foundations Investigation," select an article from a PRINT issue of Current History. Your comment should include the following:
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Africa is currently facing an economic hardship based on their resources, exports, and political corruption. Africa has had a plethora of natural resources; however, throughout the years the resources have been used at an extreme rate leaving the continent with very little to continue its growth. In regards to its exportation, Africa has recently increased the price of exports, especially to China, in hopes of earning more money; however, while considering cost, few took into consideration the lack of infrastructure causing the exportation to be limited. Finally, the corrupt government of many African countries has caused the disobedience of common laws by corrupt leaders and therefore havoc of the citizens. All things considered, many remain skeptical that Africa will not only recover but catch up to the economic stability of other countries (Mkandawire, Thandika. “Can Africa Turn for Recovery to Development?” Current History, vol. 113, no. 763, May 2014, pp. 171-77.).
ReplyDeleteChina and East Asia
ReplyDeleteWhile it appears that China is trying to start something in the Pacific with its claims on the islands in the South China Sea in reality it has no plans, power, or allies in the region. China is in effect just aggravating all its neighbors and pushing away its allies. The countries around China have stronger militaries and better technology than it does. China has no plans for the reefs it has made into closet sized islands nor does China still have its old allies. The U.S. has many strong and long since established military bases, that are directing the region, that other countries in the region can not compete with.(Cumings, Bruce. "China's Bullying No Match for US Pacific Power." Current History, vol. 113, no. 764, Sept. 2014, pp. 245-51.)
The past decade has been unpleasant for the Middle East, but one of the only countries that has gone forward and grown is Turkey, mainly because of its economic growth, its EU relations and its involvement in the Middle East. Turkey's economy has grown substantially in the past decade, with its soap operas helping them gain $85 million and its trade volume between Iraq and Turkey increasing from 900 million to six billion. It also has also built good relations with Europe, opening 13 out of the 35 policy chapters for EU involvement. Turkey also has excellent relations with the middle Eastern countries, having a very positive approval rate from many of the countries in the middle East and trying to implement a "zero problems with neighbors" policy which has been successful in recent years (Tol, Gönül. "The 'Turkish Model' in the Middle East." Current History: A Journal of Contemporary World Affairs, vol. 111, no. 749, Dec. 2012, pp. 350-55.)
ReplyDeleteCultural region is the Middle East
DeleteMiddle East
ReplyDeleteFor five years a horrific war between Syrian rebels and the government, has take place and it is displacing, killing, and injuring millions of Syrians. In 2011, as other Middle-Eastern countries began experiencing uprisings, the uprisings began in Daraa, and spread throughout Syria. Rebel forces are disorganized and lack supplies and support, but they continue to fight the government who receives support and supplies from neighboring countries, and increased air support from Russia. While the conflict between the rebels and the government has left 250,000+ people dead and over 1/2 of Syrians have been displaced, the presence of ISIS poses another risk. Syria faces major conflict as rebels fight to overthrow the government, and ISIS continues to show its presence. (Abboud, Samer. "How Syria Fell to Pieces." Current History, vol. 114, no. 776, Dec. 2015, pp. 337-42.)
The world
ReplyDeleteOver the last decade the overall temperature of the world have been continually rising, including nine of the last ten years being the warmest on record. One of the major issues with the changing climate is that food crops people depend on can only be grown in specific climates and this causes a lower number of crops to be produced. The low production rate is causing crop prices to go up, and for developing countries that rely on the low cost of certain crops the higher prices are leading to higher rates of malnourishment. Malnourishment is not the only issue with the rising temperature, illnesses from livestock are more likely to be spread in warm weather. In the end, society can either try to adapt the major crops to the new conditions or attempt to stop the changes from occurring. (McCarl, Bruce, et al. "Climate Change and Food Security." Current History, vol. 112, no. 750, Jan. 2013, pp. 33-37.)
Europe
ReplyDeleteGerman's foreign policy is taking a noticeable shift with the government's opposition to use force, imposing preferences, and policy towards China. Germany has changed its ways, stopped using so much force, and even opposed tough actions towards Russia. Contradicting the last point, Germany has decided that they want to begin to use more force since they refrained for such a long time. Germany has also increased its relationship with China, and China has become the second-largest market for german exports outside of the EU. Germany seems to be experiencing a geopolitical awakening, and the country is headed in what seems like a good direction. (Kundnani, Hans. “Germany Rethinks Its Role in the World.” Current History, vol. 114, no. 770, Mar. 2015, pp. 115-17.)
East Asia
ReplyDeleteJapan has lived in shame for the actions committed during World War II. Most of Japan as either felt shame or fear to other countries. The prime minister of Japan is working to change some of the actions and laws that were put in place by his grandfather. (Dudden, Alexis. "." Current History, vol. 114, no. 773, Sept. 2015, pp. 224-38).
Pp. 224-228
DeleteThe rise of the Syrian Dictator, Bashar al-Assad, has opened the worlds eyes to the small, unknown country, Syria. In March 2011, Syria entered a war that cost the lives of 200,000+ people, while roughly 9 million of them have been forced to leave their homes with nothing. The author claims that the several countries, including the United States and Russia, who are trying to help Syria are not allowing them to succeed at all. He claims that the ideas used to help Syria are not effective. Although these countries continue to help, the fate of the violent country is unknown, and all we can do is attack forcefully, and see what happens. (Weiss, Max. "Syria in the Abyss." Current History, vol. 113, no. 767, Dec. 2014, pp. 372-73. )
ReplyDeleteThe Middle east
ReplyDeleteIraq’s was experiencing many transitions back in January of 2010. The Iraqi leaders had to quickly construct a government and do it peacefully. A major point of progress Iraq made was they had to greatly develop their army. Their military was majorly dependent on the United States in years to come, so when the United States stopped aiding Iraq, they had to become more independent. In essence, with numerous changes and transitions, Iraq had to become independent and evolve.
Parker, Sam. "Is Iraq Back?" Current History, Dec. 2009.
Middle East
ReplyDeleteFreedom and democracy is a far away idea to Egyptians, especially as the upper class takes steps to sabotage and prevent this as it threatens their ever growing power. Firstly, as old power leaves in 2011, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces prepares to keep its economic and political privileges over the Egyptian people. An group appointed by this old power (ex Egyptian President Mubarak), the Supreme Constitutional Court attempts to keep its autonomy by invalidating the presidency of the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Morsi, but this attempt fails. Again, more opposition to Morsi causes distress and lessening hope for democracy as opposition activist plan to “topple” Morsi by forcing early presidential elections. Overall, Egypt is bombarded with attempts to keep power with upper class, making democracy very difficult.
(Norton, Augustus Richard. “The Return of Egypt’s Deep State.” Current History, Dec. 2013, pp. 338-44.)
Europe
ReplyDeleteAs of recently, Germany has taken many steps to try to become a world power in clean energy and reduced emissions, and a lot of their attention has been coming due to movements, controversy, and a desire to change among the people. Many grassroots moments have proven to have considerable success, as entire communities have been changing to 100% renewable energy or even higher due to producing a surplus. However, Germany is not as green as they are made out to be, as they are still Europe's largest greenhouse gas/resource consumers/emitters. Lastly, many ordinary people have been taking steps to switch to energy, although they have shown reluctance for wanting to have an infrastructure for the clean energy in their community. (Schreurs, Miranda. "Is Germany Really an Environmental Leader?" Current History, vol. 115, no. 779, Mar. 2016, pp. 114-6.)
Sub-Saharan Africa
ReplyDeleteLiberia is one of the three worst-affected countries with Ebola, alongside Guinea and Sierra Leone. The citizens of Liberia believe that Ebola was made up by their president, “the first woman to be democratically elected to govern an African country” (Moran 177), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The Ebola crisis continued to make Sirleaf look poor in the eyes of her people, yet she was reelected president and she continued to work on creating a better reputation for herself. However, people in Liberia are banding together to overcome Ebola, and while this may look like a good thing now, in the larger scheme of things, it shows that people of Liberia are looking to each other for help and not their government. Despite all of these contradictions, Sirleaf has overcome corruption, rumors, and a majority of the country has survived from Ebola. (Moran, Mary H. "Surviving Ebola: The Epidemic and Political Legitimacy in Liberia." Current History, vol. 114, no. 772, May 2015, pp. 177-82.)