To complete question #53 on the "Foundations Investigation," select an article from a PRINT issue of Current History. Your comment should include the following:
- Cultural Region (Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, or Latin America)
- MLA Citation
- Concise (no more than 5 sentences) summary that includes a clear thesis statement
Latin America
ReplyDeleteFarnsworth, Eric. "The New Mercantilism: China's Emerging Role in the Americas."
Current History: Latin America 110.733 (2011): 56-61. Print.
Latin America's is beginning to realize the benefits of China trade. In recent years Latin American countries have been venturing outside their north-south axis investments and trades and have begun to make trade and investment deals with China. In some cases, China is the biggest trading partner of Latin American countries like Brazil and Chile. Although Latin American countries are reaping benefits from their Chinese partners, it is debated whether these benefits are short term or long term. It is also argued whether or not more money would be gained if Latin American countries just used and manufactured their raw materials, instead of sending them to China to be manufactured.
Europe
ReplyDeleteCornell, Svante E. "War in Georgia, Jitters All Around." Current History 107.711(2008): 307-14. Print.
Russia wanted to make a statement that the entire former Soviet Union is still under their influence. Countries in the South Caucasus had been improving their economies and coming under better political conditions. This allowed them raise up more money for their military, which threatened Russia. The Russian army was able to take control of South Ossetia and keep Georgia’s military out of the way. This not only proved to Georgia that they were still part of Russia, but it proved that to the entire South Caucasus that Russia was still in charge.
This would be more appropriately categorized as Central Asia.
DeleteThe Middle East
ReplyDeleteReidel, Bruce. "The Mideast After Iran Gets the Bomb." Current History 109.731 (2010): 370-75. Print.
The article outlines the idea that America and it's allies should continue putting effort toward persuading Iran not to halt or slow their nuclear work. America's resources should be put toward sabotaging and disrupting Iran's nuclear program. the article suggests that a nuclear umbrella can be a very useful in constraining Iran's plans. At the end of the day, even if diplomacy and persuasion do not stop Iran, the region will not face destruction.
Europe
ReplyDeleteHopkin, Jonathan. "Can Italy's Monti Save the Euro?" Current History 111.743 (2012): 94-100. Print.
Italy has always been a weakness in the euro-dominated economy in Europe, but with a new prime minister they may finally fall into unmanageable debt. Even other debt-prone countries such as Greece and Spain have produced some economic booms, but Italy's growth rate has been, "the lowest of any advanced economy." Italy is so unorganized in corrupt political leaders, stopping organized crime, and unsuccessfully trying to boost the economy that their debt has risen. Monti, the new "technocrat", will try to begin a reform in Italy starting with a 24 billion (in euros) tax increase and budget cut. Monti will try to lead the Italians into a prosperous era but if he fails, Italy may have to be bailed out by Europe again or turn back to populism.
Europe
ReplyDeleteEichengreen, Barry. "New Europe Meets the Euro." Current History 103.671 (2004): 127-34. Print.
The new European Union (EU) members need to make a decision in changing their currency to the euro, and Eichengreen reviews the positives of going with the euro. The euro is cheaper than other monetary options. By having the euro the new members monetary policies are more predictable. Also the members finances will be less fragile. Lastly, if the new members do not join Europe's monetary union they will eventually face debt.
Southeast Asia
ReplyDeleteWeatherbee, Donald E. "Indonesia's Image and Reality." Current History 110.737 (2011): 249-50. Print.
Indonesia is an important middle-power in the international levels, with cooperation sought out by higher power countries. As the fourth most populated country, Indonesia now has stable political democrat and an adequate economy. The political changes in the past eleven years, and the regional resistance have presented a few obstacles, but all have been overcome. Indonesia is in a demanding position; it has he potential of being tarnished by the country's association and continues to loose credibility. On the other hand, its international stature is still growing on its own interest. Indonesia has carried itself to success after overcoming all political, economic and social issues.
The Middle East
ReplyDeleteArticle Bakhash, Shaul. "Iran's Deepening Internal Crisis." Current History 111.749 (2012): 337-43. Print.
Iran has started to have a crisis due to the horrible government, the economy and its detachment from the United Nations. Iran's president was re-elected in 2009 yet their supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continues to control the government by force.Protesters become imprisoned and some executed for speaking out and trying for many different types of rights. Iran's economy no plummeting because of the oil restrictions and they have fallen by more than half. The nuclear problem in Iran has created an uneasy tension between the United States and now the UN can not resolve this.
The Middle East
ReplyDeleteMoubayed, Sami. "Letter from Damascus: Will Syria Descend into Civil War?" Current History 110.740 (2011): 339-44. Print.
After witnessing the North African revolts in Tunisia and Egypt, the Syrian government committed many "wrongs" with limited "rights" to outweigh them. The government arrested a group of kids for vandalizing school walls with anti-regime graffiti, hardly responded to demonstrations, and ignored the requests of the people. Finally, the regime responded by authorizing the Syrian Democratic Party, free elections for office, and sending the army to protests after the protests got intensified and more turbulent. It was already too late for those little responses as weapons were being transported to Syria for the opposition, allowing them to crescendo into a street war for freedom. Syrian authorities believed that the protests and violence will come to a halt and that Syria will not break out in civil war, but only time will tell.
Sub-Saharan Africa
ReplyDeletePrendergast, John. "Sudan: A State on the Brink." Current History 108.718 (2009): 208-13. Print.
The status quo is already a disaster and only seems to be getting worse. The violent war in the Darfur region has been going on for years and continues to rage. Hot spots along the border threaten to resume a full scale civil war with a violent dissolution of the state. There are some positives such as the ICC's warrant for the arrest of Sudan's president Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Also, an economic crisis in the country has weakened the government, so it is possible that things could be actually changing for the better in Sudan.
Central Asia
ReplyDeleteMcGlinchey, Erin. "Central Asia Grows Wobbly." Current History 111.747 (2012): 275-80. Print.
Central Asia, highly desired by China, the United States of America, and Russia for its location and resources, is in disarray: leaders have reached the end of their capabilities and political upheaval is prevalent. The presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are both over the age of 70; their vitality is dwindling, but they have not named a successor. In Kyrgyzstan, political strife abounds along with increasing conflict that has the potential to obliterate Kyrgyzstan's efforts at Democracy. Likewise, in Tajikistan, the president, Emomalii Rhamon, faces opposition within his own political party and wields his military brashly trying to affirm his control. The United States must reassert its presence in Central Asia, not only to gain access to Afghanistan but to take control away from Russia and China while helping Central Asia revolutionize during "a decade of heightened instability" (McGlinchey 280).
Finan, William W., Jr. "Has the Cuban Moment Arrived?" Current History 108.715(2009): 93-94. Print.
ReplyDeleteLatin America
Most Americans from both political parties want to reestabish diplomatic relations with Cuba, but neither party has made a move toward doing so. The things determining the United States' interaction with Cuba are history, tradition, domestic policies, and strategy. There are many negatives to the loose connection with Cuba for Americans, such as the customs a U.S. citizen must go through in order to travel to Cuba. The heart of the problems between America and Cuba began when the U.S. helped Cuba gain freedom from the Spanish Tyranny. After gaining freedom, Cuba was acquired by the Americans, which really upset the Cubans. The Cubans then regained their freedom, but tension still lingers on between the two countries.
Middle East
ReplyDeleteKudaisya, Gyanesh. "Beyond the 'Himalayan Pearl Harbor.'" History Today Nov. 2012: 3-4. Print.
Last summer armed activists buried a couple waist high in sand and put them to death. Disgusting acts like these spark harsh emotions in many people but it provides a question. How far can one nation intervene in another nations actions? One example of American intervention in other countries is the aid of the United States in the murder of Libyan tyrant Muammar al-Gaddafi. This and many other examples produce the question how far can nations such as the United States go to help other nations
This post required you to use a print issue of Current History.
DeleteSoutheast Asia
ReplyDeleteBloom, David E. "India's Baby Boomers: Dividend or Disaster?" Current History Apr. 2011: 143-49. Print.
India's population has grown immensely in the last 60 years, in order to successfully decrease the population and help the economy India will need to: lessen child births, have skillful workers, education improvements, and health care accessibility. The population has grown tripling the population has caused concern that India would not be able to fall out of their financial debts unless population increase slowed down. Over the past 2 decades women have been having 2.65 children apposed to 4 which allows for less children who need care, and will benefit economy. Without taking action India will face a demographic disaster. We can only hope India plans to take actions to take action and fix their economy and in a short period show effects.
Sub-Suharan Africa
ReplyDeleteEllis, Stephen. "The Roots of African Corruption." Current History 105.691(2006): 203-08. Print.
Corruption is a huge problem in Africa; there are many different types of corruption in Africa. There is financial corruption and political corruption that exists throughout the continent. The reason corruption in Africa is so common is because everyone is involed due to how poor the continent is as a whole. The government officials, and the police force are corrupt as well because everyone wants to get rich fast and not think of a long term fix. The lack of hope and confidence makes the nation remain in the same state.
Middle East
ReplyDeleteAugustus, Norton Richard. "What's New." Current History Jan. 2012: 16-17. Print.
The efforts of protesting by Islamist's caused many to rebel against them. Arab's strategy is to have younger leaders in government so that they keep up with the modern world. The United States continue to go for irregular polices even though there is a threat from Arab. United States also has found a security stability and is staying that way. President Barack Obama is now trying to solve the conflict with Israel, but they refuse to have anything to do with a resolution.
Europe
ReplyDeleteBugajski, Janusz. "Poland's Progress: Where Warsaw Fits in Europe." Current History 110.734 (2011): 103-09. Print.
When President Lech Kaczynski died in a plane crash in 2010, Poland was left without a leader. Now, the capital of Warsaw and new President Bronislaw Komorowski are making their way back into the European scene. In 2009, Poland's GDP growth was 1.7%, the only growth in the European Union. Today Komorowski is trying to keep this positive financial growth going. Poland is now trying to establish itself as a major player in the European.
Eastern Asia
ReplyDeleteSigal, Leon V. "The Lessons of North Korea's Test." Current History 103.694 (2006): 363-64. Print
North Korea's October 9th, 2006 test of a nuclear device should not be seen as a result of their unwillingness to negotiate and compromise with the west concerning their nuclear weapons development program. Instead, the 2006 test, and previous other aggressive actions by North Korea are a direct result of policy failures by the United States which resulted in provoking North Korea. Every time the North Koreans feel that the United States has broken promises to negotiate or has pushed for sanctions, the North Koreans have responded with a provocative action. However, as history has shown, the North Koreans do respond positively when they feel they are being treated fairly and are not being bullied. The United States needs to remember that threats do not work against the North Koreans regarding their nuclear weapons development program but rather they will respond positively to good faith negotiations and reassurances
In light of North Korea's nuclear tests last week, this is a very timely article. I wonder if the author would feel the same way today.
DeleteCentral Asia
ReplyDeleteCornell, Svante E. "The Caucasus in Limbo." Current History 110.738 (2011): 283-89. Print.
Growing unrest and uncertainty in the Caucasus could threaten the area’s relationships with the United States and Europe, which value ties with the region due to its strategic location between the Black and Caspian Seas. Russia, which invaded the South Caucasus country of Georgia in 2008, continues to be a potential threat to Georgia’s goal of becoming a recognized Western democracy by supporting opposition radicals and allegedly being responsible for dozens of bombing in Georgia. In addition, Armenia and Azerbaijan, also in the South Caucasus, have failed to resolve a two decade old land dispute, which originally resulted in a war in the early 1900’s, and could do so again. Despite these conflicts, the U.S. administration has been viewed as taking a disinterest in adapting any regional strategies to diffuse these issues, but instead “has accorded priority to relations with great powers over engagement with smaller allies.” (289) This lackluster approach to the unrest in the Caucasus could jeopardize American interests in those countries such as, commercial investments, national security, and promotion of democracy.
Europe
ReplyDeleteArel, Dominique. "Is the Orange Revolution Fading?" Current History Oct. 2005: 325-30. Print.
After the Orange Revolution in 2004 in Ukraine, people wonder if the state will actually see permanent change in the basic rules of the country bringing it closer to Western standards or will there be a desire to continue with the regime that was in place. The Revolution was a peaceful uprising that opposed a fraudulent and skewed election by the officials in power at the time of the election. The result was the election of a leader that brought promise of change in the corrupt government regime however, not much change has been noted in the first eight months of the new presidency. It seems that the Orange government, characterized as such by the orange scarf worn by the victorious president, has placed more emphasis on making changes to the popular policies such as raising pensions than long term changes to the government policies. The entire 2004 election in Ukraine showed a desire by the people for a regime change and still has the potential to implement those changes, but many of the political rules need to be changed in order to bring the state closer to Western standards.
Corrected Citation
ReplyDeleteArel, Dominique. "Is the Orange Revolution Fading?" Current History 104.684 (2005): 325-30. Print.
Herbst, Jeffrey. "South Africa after the Age of Heroes." Current History Apr. 2008: 161-66. Print.
ReplyDeleteThis article is about who currently leads South Africa, that person is Jacob Zuma. He was convicted of fraud and fired from his vice presidency as well as accused of rape. He is part of the ANC (African National Congress) which wanted to rebel against the country and the group highly dislikes whites. The country feels it needs to change how it works, even after fifteen years. Lastly, he is trying to dispel scientific evidence about AIDS and says taking a shower or ingesting olive oil will help more than antivirals.
i can't delete this for some reason. here is improved version:
DeleteSub-Saharan Africa
Herbst, Jeffrey. "South Africa after the Age of Heroes." Current History Apr. 2008: 161-66. Print.
Recently, Jacob Zuma was elected to lead South Africa even though he was kicked out of the vice presidency because one of his closest associates was convicted of fraud and he, himself, was conviced of rape charges. The reason they elected him instead of the former president Mbeki because Zuma was a fighter while Mbeki was a diplomat. South Africa wants the whites and blacks to be economically balanced like Zimbabwe is, but without having to totally crash the economy like Zimbabwe did. Zuma's policies, however, threaten this because he may take away the goodwill south africa has earned with other countries. Many do not believe Zuma will be a good leader because of this as well as his ignorance to scientific evidence as to how to deal with HIV-AIDS, which is an immense problem in South Africa.
Zimbabwe is definitely NOT considered to be a model of economic or democratic society.
Delete