MAJOR ISSUES FACING THE US & THE WORLD US History Ms. Malinowski New Hartford High School US History Ms. Malinowski New Hartford High School

Globalization Name for the process of increasing the connectivity and interdependence of the world's markets and businesses.

Pro-Globalization Position Provides jobs around the world Provides greater access to goods and services Will eventually improve the quality of life all around the world and help to spread democracy Believe the poor conditions facing workers now are similar to the Industrial Revolution that Western countries went through a century ago Provides jobs around the world Provides greater access to goods and services Will eventually improve the quality of life all around the world and help to spread democracy Believe the poor conditions facing workers now are similar to the Industrial Revolution that Western countries went through a century ago

Anti-Globalization Position Contributes to poverty in developing countries Many of the people working for American corporations overseas have no alternative and do not make enough money to have an acceptable quality of life Benefits rich countries and big corporations at the expense of protecting human rights Taking jobs from America and sending them elsewhere Contributes to poverty in developing countries Many of the people working for American corporations overseas have no alternative and do not make enough money to have an acceptable quality of life Benefits rich countries and big corporations at the expense of protecting human rights Taking jobs from America and sending them elsewhere

Global Warming Increase in average air temperatures over the past few decades Many scientists argue that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing it CO2 in atmosphere largely comes from pollution (car exhaust, etc.) Increase in average air temperatures over the past few decades Many scientists argue that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing it CO2 in atmosphere largely comes from pollution (car exhaust, etc.)

Population New lifestyles and longer life spans –Divorce –Strain on government programs (i.e. Social Security) Immigration –Bilingual education –Immigration policies (laws) Minorities –Politics –Affirmative action New lifestyles and longer life spans –Divorce –Strain on government programs (i.e. Social Security) Immigration –Bilingual education –Immigration policies (laws) Minorities –Politics –Affirmative action

Technology Inventions Growth of corporations helped to increase job growth Computers –Helpful or harmful? –Internet v. invasion of privacy Inventions Growth of corporations helped to increase job growth Computers –Helpful or harmful? –Internet v. invasion of privacy

Terrorism Systematic use of violence, terror, and intimidation to achieve an end. Patriot Act of 2001 – Homeland Security –Cooperation between agencies and safety Systematic use of violence, terror, and intimidation to achieve an end. Patriot Act of 2001 – Homeland Security –Cooperation between agencies and safety

International Organizations United Nations (UN) UN Security Council North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) European Union (EU) World Trade Organization (WTO) North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) -- regional trade bloc Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Many others United Nations (UN) UN Security Council North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) European Union (EU) World Trade Organization (WTO) North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) -- regional trade bloc Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Many others

Current Regional Issues

North America NAFTA pros and cons Terrorism Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Economic weakness/recession Value of U.S. dollar vs. Euro Illegal immigration NAFTA pros and cons Terrorism Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Economic weakness/recession Value of U.S. dollar vs. Euro Illegal immigration

Europe/Australia Terrorism European Union/Turkey’s membership Trade issues Terrorism European Union/Turkey’s membership Trade issues

Middle East Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Iran (developing nuclear weapons) Human rights abuses Worldwide transition to alternative fuels Non-democratic governments Arab-Israeli conflict Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Iran (developing nuclear weapons) Human rights abuses Worldwide transition to alternative fuels Non-democratic governments Arab-Israeli conflict