INTRODUCTION TO CANADIAN AND WORLD ISSUES Part 3 CGW4U

We will begin this course by defining what an issue is. What kind of issues are Canadian or World Issues and what kind issues are not? We alluded to this answer in part 1. According to the dictionary, an issue is a result or an outcome. It is a point of view. It is a point in question. An issue is an important subject open to discussion or debate. A world issue is a topic or event that effects or concerns the majority of the world. A Canadian issue is a topic that effects most Canadians. In this course we will look at issues that not only effect most Canadians but most of the people in the world.

As global citizens, we share this planet with billions of people. The choices we make about the ways in which we live our lives affect the world at large. As Canadians living in the world’s second largest country (in area), we are also deeply affected by what happens elsewhere on the global stage. A world issue or Global issue usually arises when there is a worldwide disagreement among a large number of people on the way the future should evolve. Disagreement is often caused by differences in belief. These beliefs are based on: Culture – History – Values – Religion – Customs - Family upbringing - Personal Aspiration and Traditions

The above vary tremendously throughout the world. Issues can therefore be Political, Environmental, Social, Economic, Cultural and Resource related, just to name a few.

In this course we must look at all issues with an open mind and try not to be Ethnocentric (when the behaviour of one society or ethnic group is judged by the standards of one’s own society or group). An example would be making fun of how other people dress or what they eat. Mind you if you solve this you solve racism and discrimination.

Below is an example of a World issue, it is in the form of a debatable question: “Should the population of the earth be controlled?” People that are against Population control will give the following arguments: Religious beliefs Greater Military Population is not the problem, distribution of wealth is The more the people the stronger the economy Etc.

The people in favour would possibly give these arguments: It’s the cause of hunger It’s the cause of poverty We do not have enough resources to feed everyone The greatest growth occurs in countries that can't afford it This issue affects many people. It affects our future. Our opinion depends on our behaviour and our beliefs and upbringing. Our opinion is also depended on our knowledge and awareness of the subject!

Awareness is essential in the early stages of addressing an issue. Today geographers use sophisticated means of measuring and mapping the features of the earth and the people on it. For example, geographers use GIS to map the various statistics involved in the study of population, birth rate, death rate, etc. We can then analyze (Spatial) and predict trends and outcomes for the future.

Once you know an issue exists we can begin to analyze it. Each day the global population grows by 219,000 people. Eighty percent of this growth occurs in Developing nations. The consequences of this growth includes poverty, hunger, death, war and suffering. There is an obvious concern over this issue.

Such concerns drive people to look for solutions. A single issue has interrelated aspects. A good way to examine an issue’s complexity is to brainstorm the issue. Using something called a “Web Technique”, write the word Population or Over Population in the centre and then surround it with as many words as come to mind when you think of this issue. Population (Over Population)

Because most issues have political, environmental, social and economic implications, it is helpful to organize the result of your brainstorming into these four areas. Political: Who has the power and who controls. Who controls the situation. Who makes, designs and administers judgments. Environmental: The impact on the natural environment and the environment in which people live. Environmental considerations can be local or global.

Social: What are the cultural factors? Culture describes the customs, values and religions in a particular community. The way we work, what we eat, where we live, the way we dress etc. are part of our lifestyle. Economic: What are the financial costs? What is the cost of the problem and what is the cost of the solution? Are there financial benefits to the solution?

Framing the issue of Population Political: Who caused the problem? Who is responsible for the solution. Eg. China and the one child policy. Should individual countries be held responsible? Should there be a collective world response? Environmental: Can the earth support so many people? As population increases, resource use will increase. The Biosphere and the individual Ecozones will be affected. Eg. More people means more space for them to live – expansion into natural areas. More people more fossil fuels will be burned and in turn this will effect Global Warming.

Social: Family size is integral in many cultures. Lifestyles will have to change. The role of women will have to change. Religious views may have to change. Eg. Overcrowded people will migrate to less crowded areas, thus causing a mixture of culture. Economic: Distribution of wealth is at the root of this issue. What are the financial consequences of supporting such a large amount of people. Eg. What are the financial resources in coming to the aid of suffering people.

This issue, of course, can be debated. If you change the statement to one that takes a stand and can be argued then you have created a Thesis. The following is the same issue stated as a Thesis: “If the population of the earth is not controlled, widespread hunger and poverty will certainly result” What is the difference between the two? When arguing an issue or a thesis you can give two types of information: 1. Fact and 2. Opinion.

A fact is unbiased reality. It is objective. You can’t really argue a fact – you can argue the reliability of the fact, the way it is presented or the way the fact may have been collected or reached. Fact: “Brazil won the World Cup!”

An opinion is a judgment or a point of view about reality. It is subjective and it can be argued. An opinion is biased – it is distorted based on your knowledge of the subject and your beliefs, values, upbringing. Opinion: “Italians are the best in soccer and it was the referee’s fault that they lost in the world cup!” Is your source qualified to give an opinion. Does the author have a stake in the issue being discussed? If so, could this bias the author’s position? Bias can cause people to select facts that support their argument, while ignoring others.

The Internet is full of facts, but it is also full of opinions, care must be taken when using the Internet as a source. An excellent way to write an essay is to state a fact and then give your opinion on that fact. How to analyze an issue: State the Issue. Give a backgrounder to the issue. Characteristics of the issue. Give the consequences and implications of the issue. Give the possible solutions to the issue.

Let’s end the introduction with a list of World Issues that we are facing today. Highlight the issues that are most serious to Canadians. I’ll write these on the board: ???? Population seems to be the issue that affects most other issues, we will begin with an in-depth study of Population. The End!