21st Century, is this a new era?

21^st Century conflicts and Issues

            Chapter 24 of the book Ways of the World describes global interactions and the transformation of the world economy in our present time. People are economically linked by the world market, international investments, transnational corporations, and people migrate from one country to another looking for work. Countries have been further divided by their economic status. Some countries enjoy luxuries and great wealth while others lack the basic necessities such as adequate medical care, clean drinking water, and employment opportunities.    

I have personally experienced both economies living half of my life in Mexico and the other half in United States. Some people, like myself, migrate from Mexico to other parts of the world not only because the country fails to provide its people with the basic necessities but because we feel profound disappointment about the way the government system works. Even when citizens get together to form organizations which promote the economy, provide basic medical care and education for people, build roads and maintain clean streets, the system puts all possible obstacles so these organizations don’t prosper. In the United States, on the other hand,  most people have employment, some type of medical care, and access to education among other things.

Comparing grade school between these two countries, the school system in California is in many way richer than in some states of Mexico. Children in California have access to enrichment programs in addition to the traditional academic curriculum. For example, school trips, library hours, and music programs. In spite of the state budget cuts, school districts and parents have managed to raise the money to pay for those programs. When my children were in elementary school, I observed how upsetting was for parents to lose these programs while schools in Mexico, especially those from medium and small cities, towns, and rural areas, have little funds to pay for principals, teachers, desks, and chairs. Children’s families have to provide for school supplies, lunch, and transportation, just to mention some. There are no additional programs and teachers work with minimum funds. This is relevant when these generations of children grow and interact with each other. If they compete for the same jobs, for example, kids with poor education have fewer chances to succeed and this translates to less opportunities to communities and countries.

As we enter the Post-Modern Era, if this is it, my hope is that international leaders help to close the economic gap among countries regulating capitalism and promoting cooperation among people as Professor Andrews mentioned last night in class. I had not observed that leaders such as President Barak Obama and Nelson Mandela had a different vision for the world and that such vision may mark a different time for humanity. I left class with a sense of hope and by far, it was the class that I enjoyed the most. I also left class motivated to be part of that change in any way my capacity allows.  

I was nice to meet you all!

The 20th Century

In chapter 21 of the textbook, Robert W. Strayer illustrates the collapse of the most powerful European states and its recovery.  Before the 20^th century European countries claimed other countries as colonies with excessive competitiveness among each other. By 1914, there was a strong sense of nationalism and many states wanted to have the most important economic, political, and military advancements. This behavior lead to declaration of war on each other: World War I. Some years later Europe, Asia and America are involved in World Way II. As every war, consequences were devastating: millions of people died, mostly civilians, people were killed with excessive brutality, and countries were impoverished. Then, America gains important economic power exporting goods and financial resources to European countries, which recover thanks to their industrial society, ability to integrate their recovery economies, and capacity to put aside nationalism and replace it with ideals of peace and general prosperity. If only these ideals of peace and general prosperity could reach every country of the world.  

                While Europe and America implemented capitalism as an economic system, other countries, mainly in Asia implemented communism. These two systems, although distinct from each other, have the same objective: reach economic success. Chapter 22 of the textbook explains how communism is implemented in Russia, China, North Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, and Afghanistan. Every country has struggled to reach the economic stability to serve the needs of its people. Based on the reading of this chapter, both systems have failures and   successes so one cannot be better than the other. It was very depressing to read about the section about the search of enemies in Russia, China, and America. People being afraid of the influence of the opposite economic system because they will eventually lost their power led to Cold War between Soviet Union and America. Why is it power so important for humanity? It is not my intention to judge, but to understand. Since the formation of cities, states, civilizations, and empires, humans have shown their desire to hold power. If I intent to define power, I would say it makes humans to feel in control, therefore safe. Then, I can conclude that the raise for power is not going to end and future generations may see this again.

                These power struggles, however, can be resolved in a passive way as India and West Africa did when they became independent from British control.  It was very gratifying to read about the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela whose persistence, integrity, and vision saved many lives. Gandhi respected other people’s believes and opinions and when India became independent it was divided in two countries Pakistan whose population practiced Islam and India whose population practiced Hinduism. Nelson Mandela during 40 years opposed to government policies of South Africa who maintained full political and economic control in favor of European’s settlers while South Africans were profoundly impoverished. Even when Mandela was imprisoned for 30 years, he kept his ideals and integrity intact. I hope future conflicts are solved in a passive way and leaders follow their example.   

Western Expansion and Globalization

                The Atlantic revolutions were originated by the consistent injustice among social classes and the disadvantageous relationship between colonies and monarchies. Revolutions in North America, France, Haiti and Latin America occurred from 1725 to 1825 and they were born out of the Enlightenment ideas that human political and social structure could be created by humans and not by divine rights of kings, aristocratic privileges and authority of a single church. These revolutionary ideas brought liberty, equality, free trade, religious tolerance, republicanism, and human rationality for white men but not for women, slaves, or indigenous people. The ideas of liberty and equality were profoundly contradictory because only one selected group could have these rights but not others. Fortunately, thanks to the courage y tenacity of women and African descent people, later in time these revolutions promoted the abolition of slavery in Britain, Latin America, Russia, North America, and Brazil. Also, these revolutions led to the ideas of nation and nationalism identifying people with a language, culture, and customs. I enjoyed most reading about the feminist movement and I was surprised to learn that it began in France since 1791, and it reached many parts of the world including Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Russia, China, and Egypt. The outcome of the feminist movement achieved rights for women to receive high education, have professions in medicine and education, new divorce laws, and rights to vote.  

                Other revolutions such as those of industrialization brought great benefits for some people and great disadvantages for others. In Britain, the Industrial Revolution caused economic growth putting this nation ahead of others during the 1800’s. Upper and middle social classes received the economic benefits while the working class—majority of the population were impoverished. In the United States, the Industrial Revolution promoted capitalism benefiting owners of corporations and landowners. The working class, although the least favored, had access to new goods and formed unions which help to improve their working conditions. In Russia, working class formed massive strikes to express their discontent leading to a civil revolution. Latin American countries were also affected by the Industrial Revolution of Britain and United States. These countries became the supply of raw materials needed to produce goods, leaving their own economies unprotected. After a century of these revolutions, most Latin American countries continue being only suppliers; it will be fantastic to see governments investing export profits on manufacturing goods to generate work for their vast populations.

                During the second wave of European conquest, colonized people in Africa and Asia found ways to cope despite the exploitation and oppression of the colonial experience. Women in particular assumed almost full responsibility for domestic food production, even when their work load greatly increased. Some enterprising women found opportunities to grow economically. The countries of Africa developed an African identity and an African tradition unifying people. People felt proud on their culture and saw themselves as a nation. Although a minority had access to education, educated people helped their communities organizing reform societies such as cultures free of child marriage, caste, and discrimination against women. These experiences made people stronger and it proves once again that humans are capable of improvement and resilience. 

Early Modern World

In Chapter 15 of the textbook, the author Robert W. Strayer describes commercial exchange between Native Americans and Europeans. This commercial activity was profoundly disadvantageous for Native Americans, who not only devastated their own environment, contracted diseases, but also became dependent on European goods. In exchange of fur, France, England, and Netherlands gave guns, blankets, metal tools, rum, and brandy. Native Americans became especially dependent on alcohol and I wonder if it was deliberately use as a way to control this population. Regardless if it was intentional or not, the consequences of fur trade were devastating for Native Americans during 1600’s. Population diminished considerably by contracting diseases and fighting in the war between France and England in which they had to pick a side. I wish most nations learn from these mistakes and value other nation’s resources as well as learn to trade in a fair way for both ends.     

            During the years between 1450 and 1750, civilizations developed their own ideas and in other cases they borrowed ideas from other civilization shaping them to their own needs. Religious ideas such as Christianity spread to Europe, America, Siberia, Asia, and Africa, but in Europe, for example, other religions emerged challenging the original ideas of Christianity. For instance, Protestantism which was later spread to other countries. In Asia, only a few ideas of Christianity were adopted and Asian countries added these ideas to their own religion. In places such as sub-Sahara region, India, Southeast and Central Asia, the Islam religion was spread but a new religion, Orthodox Muslims, appeared as a renewal of Islam. In China, new ideas that claimed that truth and moral knowledge were innate in humans were further practiced. In India, multiple political and social leaders, criticized social structure, discouraged caste system and seclusion of women, and promoted equality among men and women. While revolutionary ideas appeared around the world, in Europe a new way of thinking was developing.

            In Europe, a new way of thinking challenged the religious understanding of the universe. Scientists claimed that human thinking should be ruled by reason, be skeptical to authority, and expressed in natural laws. This ideology was called “the enlightenment.” Even when these ideas were revolutionary, some important thinkers challenged them. Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution, Karl Marx described the evolution of human civilizations, and Sigmund Freud argued that a human neurosis struggles between irrational drives and conscience. All these ideas represented the evolution of humanity and the desire people have to improve.   

Early Modern World

In Chapter 15 of the textbook, the author Robert W. Strayer describes commercial exchange between Native Americans and Europeans. This commercial activity was profoundly disadvantageous for Native Americans, who not only devastated their own environment, contracted diseases, but also became dependent on European goods. In exchange of fur, France, England, and Netherlands gave guns, blankets, metal tools, rum, and brandy. Native Americans became especially dependent on alcohol and I wonder if it was deliberately use as a way to control this population. Regardless if it was intentional or not, the consequences of fur trade were devastating for Native Americans during 1600’s. Population diminished considerably by contracting diseases and fighting in the war between France and England in which they had to pick a side. I wish most nations learn from these mistakes and value other nation’s resources as well as learn to trade in a fair way for both ends.     

            During the years between 1450 and 1750, civilizations developed their own ideas and in other cases they borrowed ideas from other civilization shaping them to their own needs. Religious ideas such as Christianity spread to Europe, America, Siberia, Asia, and Africa, but in Europe, for example, other religions emerged challenging the original ideas of Christianity. For instance, Protestantism which was later spread to other countries. In Asia, only a few ideas of Christianity were adopted and Asian countries added these ideas to their own religion. In places such as sub-Sahara region, India, Southeast and Central Asia, the Islam religion was spread but a new religion, Orthodox Muslims, appeared as a renewal of Islam. In China, new ideas that claimed that truth and moral knowledge were innate in humans were further practiced. In India, multiple political and social leaders, criticized social structure, discouraged caste system and seclusion of women, and promoted equality among men and women. While revolutionary ideas appeared around the world, in Europe a new way of thinking was developing.

            In Europe, a new way of thinking challenged the religious understanding of the universe. Scientists claimed that human thinking should be ruled by reason, be skeptical to authority, and expressed in natural laws. This ideology was called “the enlightenment.” Even when these ideas were revolutionary, some important thinkers challenged them. Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution, Karl Marx described the evolution of human civilizations, and Sigmund Freud argued that a human neurosis struggles between irrational drives and conscience. All these ideas represented the evolution of humanity and the desire people have to improve.   

Cultural Encounters

I felt upset when I read about the maltreatment and abuse women went through in the early Islam World when Umar and Mansur, Muhammad’s followers, ruled the Arab Empire in the 700’s.     What is the rage against women? I asked myself. One time after another, women have been the target of men who claim superiority over women by “divine mandate” claimed by some religions such as Christianity and Islam. Contrary to this thought, the Quran, the sacred book of Islam, is clear about equality among women and men who can receive forgiveness and reach reward if they follow the teachings of the religion regardless of gender. Despite these writings, men decided how women should be conducted in society, how to participate in religious practices, and how to feel about themselves. Men decided which behavior applies to men and which to women in order to receive forgiveness from God and reach reward.   I understand men being competitive and wanted to be leaders in their homes, in society, and in political life, but from there to subdue women to practices such as clitorectomy and “honor killing” of women to enforce control is beyond belief.  Thankfully, Robert W. Strayer, includes there are new outlets for women in religious life such as Sufi practice and Shia Islam where women had a greater role. It gave me some relief to know women had other ways to protect themselves from mistreatment.

In regards to pastoral people, Strayer offers a different point of view contrary to the common negative view. He includes the achievements of nomadic people by describing the Mongol Empire who adapted to harsh environments, developed technological innovations, cultures based on horses, camels, and cattle, promoted commerce and cultural exchange, and made the effort to become a state. It is true the Mongol Empire took by force other societies possessions and many people died under their violent and powerful army, but they also lost their way of living while they were absorbed by agrarian empires later in history.

I enjoyed reading about the similarity of the Inca and Aztec Empire and their gender system. Both societies practiced some sort of parallelism among women and men who had a separate autonomy. For example, Inca men venerated the sun while women venerated the moon and each one had their own officials. That is, women could be religious leaders too. The Aztecs also had male and female priests and venerated male and female deities giving importance to women. In this society, women had political roles at local authority level. Social roles were different but equally valued. For example, sweeping, work done by women, was regarded as powerful and sacred as a symbol of purification and preventive against evil elements. In the Inca Empire, cultivating the land was a combined effort between men and women, men open the soil while women placed the seed and both harvested the land. Their economic system was also generous and caring towards their people. People consumed what they produced at home and government distributed the goods among their population. When there was no war, goods were distributed among the poor and widows. During years of little production, the state lent to small towns what they needed. The Inca Empire’s economic system was more just than other states.   

       

Late Classical Era (Blog # 2)

Based on the interpretation of Robert E. Strayer, the political and economic power of the world of the third-wave civilization was more balanced than the modern era. No region clearly dominated over other regions even when some civilizations were specialized in the production of certain goods such as China which produced raw silk. During the age of accelerating connections, trade was the most significant mechanism to spread goods, ideas, religion, and diseases to other parts of the world. Each civilization contributed and gained from trading. The political and economic power was more equally distributed among China, Central Asia, India, Middle East, and the Mediterranean Basin. In America, connection among civilizations was less intensive than the connection in Eurasia and no region wanted to control other civilizations. Even, when there were strong social inequalities, the relationship among civilizations was more balanced than in present times. When, then, humans decided that what they produced and what they received from trading activities was not enough? When did they decide to control other nations and become the most powerful nation of all?

            Through history, we have observed that rich countries want to control their neighbor countries with the consistent idea of feeling superior. China, for example, intended to controlled Korea, Vietnam, and Japan not only to control their resources but because they believed to be superior contrary to their “barbarians” neighbors. Luckily, Korea and Japan resisted and maintained themselves as independent nations. Wouldn’t be beneficial to all if powerful countries help their neighbor countries to prosper? In the present, the economic and political power lies on one country leading to profound inequalities among other nations of the world. Perhaps, with the rise of economic powers as China and India that power can be distributed in more egalitarian way.