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Politics of the “Third World” . Fall 2012 Professor Ajayi 8/22/2012. Introduction. Why are we here? Shift in global power What is power? Economic, political, technological, military? What are our goals? Understanding Critical thinking Beware of oversimplifications
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Politics of the “Third World” Fall 2012Professor Ajayi8/22/2012
Introduction • Why are we here? • Shift in global power • What is power? • Economic, political, technological, military? • What are our goals? • Understanding • Critical thinking • Beware of oversimplifications • “World’s average … GDP per capita is 25% higher than it was 10 years ago”
My Framework • Pre-Colonial History • Colonial History • Borders • Ethnicity • Religion • Resources • Leadership • Role of international community • MNCs, NGOs, Individuals
How to Define the World • Why “third world”? • History • Objectionable? • A “clean” label? • South Africa • Israel • Saudi Arabia • UAE • China • Brazil
Terms other than 3rd World • Newly Industrializing Countries (NICs) • Emerging Economies • Less Developed Countries (LDCs) • Least-Less Developed Countries (LLDCs) • Low Income Countries (LICs) • Developing Countries
Issues with Terminology • What is the base reference? • More or less developed than what? • Are economics a true indicator of development • Political, social, cultural, etc? • Paths to development • In the West, often at the expense of the “Third World”
Political Interaction • Human experience is complex • Analysis should reflect that complexity • Cannot just study politics in a vacuum • Utilize cross-national AND case-study analysis • Cross-national: big picture – what’s going on in West Africa, for example • Case study: How does GDP differ between Nigeria and Ghana • Text offers less traditional examples to show the differences within and between countries
Themes • Globalization • Human Rights • Environmental Issues • Disease, primarily HIV/AIDS
Globalization • What is it? • Not just one thing; may be • Economic • Political • Technological • Cultural • Environmental • Social
Economic Globalization • Pros • Sure road to prosperity • Aids in the spread of democracy • Brings the world closer together • Cons • Creates a more homogeneous world • Replaces local culture with Western values • Furthers dependence
Human Rights • Conflict with Nonintervention and Sovereignty • Hitler’s Germany used as example of need for intervention in violation of sovereignty • Universal Declaration of Human Rights • Blue Rights: Civil and Political rights • Red Rights: Economic, Social and Cultural rights • Green Rights: Peace, Development, Safe Environment • Which should have priority?