The changing face of international news

1. The changing face of international news Thomas Abraham

2. Why bother about international news? • We live in an interconnected world.

7. Whether it is terrorism, war, disease, climate change, events in any part of the world have an impact on us

8. We live in a unique time in history • For the first time in several hundred years, the global political and economic system is dominated by a single nation.

9. Look at these indicators of US power • Military power: US military budget of over US$ 300 billion a year accounts for 40-45 percent of global defense spending. The US budget is equivalent to the combined military budgets of the next 15 most powerful countries. • It spends this amount without putting a strain on its economy: defense spending is only around 3.5 percent of GDP. • “Being Number One at great cost is one thing. Being the world’s single superpower on the cheap is astonishing.” Paul Kennedy

10. Economic Power • The US economy (2004 GDP US$ 11.6 trillion) is nearly two and a half times the size of the world’s second largest economy Japan (US $ 4.6 trillion)

12. Technological power • US expenditures on R and D are nearly equal to those of the next seven richest - countries combined. • Cultural power: Hollywood, popular music, fast food chains, clothes etc.

14. We live in an American century • But will it last for ever?

15. A walk through history • Pre-World War 1: The Age of Empires • Dominated by Britain, France, Russia and the Austro-Hungarian empire, who maintained peace through a balance of power. Divided up most of Asia and Africa among themselves.

18. Why did it break down? • A world system is stable as long as all the major powers are satisfied with it. If there is a rising power that is not satisfied, system will become unstable. • The pre WW1 balance was upset by the growth of Germany as a new power after its reunification by Bismarck in 1871.The system could not accommodate the ambitions of a rising Germany.

19. What could change the current world order? • Other rising nations and groups of nations: -The European Union -China -Japan -India

20. The European Union • A grouping of 27 countries with a common internal market, common currency and closely coordinated economic policies- • Taken together, the largest economy in the world • In terms of population, fourth largest entity.

21. Map: Wikipedia

22. The European Union • The EU however does not have a unified foreign policy, or military • France and Germany would like to see the EU develop a common foreign and security policy, but other countries, like Britain are not keen • Big question for the EU’s future role in global politics: can it develop a common foreign policy, and develop its military strength?

23. Japan • Despite the problems of the last decade, still the world’s second largest economy • Once its economic restructuring is complete, there is no reason why Japan can not enjoy another long spurt of growth as it did from the 1960s to 1990. • Japan’s constitution limits the size of its armed forces: but there is a debate on whether this should be revised • Japan has the technology to very rapidly become a nuclear weapons power

24. China • If China’s economy continues to grow at its current rate of 9 percent, it will overtake Japan by 2020 to become the world’s second largest economy • Already a nuclear weapons power • Problems that need to be overcome: reform of financial structure, unemployment, corruption. • Aging population due to one child policy • Can growth and modernisation proceed without political reform?

25. India • At present, 12th largest economy in the world. If it continues to grow at the current 6-7 percent a year, by 2030 it would have overtaken Japan • Large population. Good technical manpower • Nuclear weaponry as well as large armed forces • Problems: poverty social inequalities, social tensions, governmental inefficiencies

29. A few decades down the road • In the next two to three decades, the balance of global economic power will shift towards Asia, powered by China, Japan and India. • As the European Union expands and consolidates, it could become a major global player • The rise of a multi-polar world? How will the US react to this?

30. The subjects of international news are changing • Traditionally, international news has occupied itself with war, disasters, crises, and diplomacy. • The new 21st agenda for international news, is much broader and more exciting • It will be driven not so much by the formal relations between nations, but the consequences of globalisation.

31. Environmental wear and tear: -climate change -global water shortages -preserving and protecting natural resources

32. Global inequality -global trade and inequality -consequences of growing inequalities between nations and regions

33. Poisoned fruits of globalisation -drug smuggling -human trafficking -international arms trade

34. The website • http://www.jmsc.edublogs.org • We will report on four broad topics -US presidential primaries -Environmental issues- climate change, global water shortage, global food shortage -Poisoned fruits of globalization ( drug smuggling, people trafficking etc) -Africa ( current crisis in Kenya etc)

35. You will form reporting teams of four each, with one person coordinating the week’s stories. • Each of you will write one blog type story a week, focussing on something interesting, informative • Each class, one team will present its stories.