Key Concepts 6 3 New Conceptualizations of Global

Key Concepts 6. 3 New Conceptualizations of Global Economy, Society, and Culture

Key Concept 6. 3 Global Economy, Society, and Culture States responded in a variety of ways to the economic challenges of the twentieth century. In the Communist states of the Soviet Union and China, governments controlled their national economies. The Five-Year Plans The Great Leap Forward At the beginning of the century in the United States and parts of Europe, governments played a minimal role in their national economies. With the onset of the Great Depression, governments began to take a more active role in economic life. The New Deal The Fascist corporatist economy

Communism in the 20 th Century Soviet Union & China: Building socialism meant modernization and industrialization of their “backward societies” Simultaneously: Attempt to eliminate inequalities of class and gender Prevent the growth of new inequalities as they modernized. Promote values of selflessness and collectivism In order to do this, government had to be completely dominated by the Communist Party Communist governments in China and the Soviet Union, therefore, became totalitarian: Other political parties forbidden Government controlled almost the entire economy Government ensured that the arts, education and media conformed to approved ways of thinking Organizations for women, workers, students, and professional groups operated under party control

Communist Feminism Both communist regimes took steps to liberate and mobilize their women in State -directed women’s initiatives: USSR: As a result of laws and decrees passed by the Soviet Union: Women were granted full legal and political equality Divorce was legalized and made easier Abortions were legalized and made easier Marriage became a civil procedure among freely consenting adults Illegitimacy was abolished Women no longer had to take their husbands’ last names Pregnancy leave for employed women was mandated Women were actively mobilized as industrial workers A man and woman working side-by-side as power plant operators in the Soviet Union

Communist Feminism China: The Marriage Law of 1950 in China implemented: Free choice in marriage Relatively easy divorce The end of concubines and child marriages Permission for widows to remarry Equal property rights for men and women Chinese women also became more involved in industrial production Problems for women: Still expected to take care of the children and the housework: now had the double burden of that PLUS paid employment Women appeared only very rarely in the top political leadership Communist feminism did not continue and faded within a decade of its beginning in each country

Collectivization & Economic Development Socialism in the Countryside, Two Stages: Stage 1: Involved taking over landlords’ estates and redistributing that land equally among the peasants Stage 2: Collectivization of agriculture to completely end “private property. ” Collectivization in USSR: A violent process because Soviet communists did not have much support in the countryside for collectivization. Peasants were forced into collective farms (1929 -1930) A lot of resistance from the peasants example: many of them slaughtered and consumed hundreds of thousands of animals because they didn’t want to surrender them to the collectives Terrible famine ensued caused about 5 million deaths (1932 -1933)

Collectivization & Economic Development Collectivization in China: More peaceful process due to the close relationship between the CCP and the peasantry “Great Leap Forward” (Late 1950’s) was an effort to mobilize China’s population for rapid development Created “people’s communes” Designed to move toward a more fully communist society with more social equality and collective living Massive famine caused by administrative chaos and bad weather killed 20 million Chinese between 1959 and 1962 China used the same model for industrial development that the Soviet Union had developed decades earlier: A series of five-year plans brought all agricultural and industrial production under government control State ownership of property Priority: heavy industry Massive mobilization of the nation’s human and material resources Poster highlighting industrialization in the Soviet Union

Capitalist Response to the Great Major result of the Great Depression was that Depression capitalist countries were challenged and criticized Capitalist countries claimed the economy would regulate itself and self-correct itself if any problems arose, but this wasn’t happening during the Great Depression. Many Western European countries adopted “Democratic Socialism”: Greater government regulation of the economy and a more equal distribution of wealth through peaceful means and electoral politics. Others (Germany/Italy) responded with fascism and distinctly anti-socialist/communist government policy. U. S. Response: Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Program (1933 -1942) Combination of reforms designed to restart economic growth and prevent problems in the future Government projects: dams, highways, bridges, parks, etc. Social Security system Federal minimum wage Government subsidies for farmers to encourage more production Creation of new government agencies to help supervise the economy

Key Concept 6. 3 Global Economy, Society, and Culture In newly independent states after World War II, governments often took on a strong role in guiding economic life to promote development. Nasser’s promotion of economic development in Egypt The encouragement of export-oriented economies in East Asia At the end of the twentieth century, many governments encouraged free market economic policies and promoted economic liberalization. The United States beginning with Ronald Reagan Britain under Margaret Thatcher China under Deng Xiaoping Chile under Pinochet

Economic Liberalization is the reduction of government regulation and restriction in an economy. Ronald Reagan & Reganomics: President of U. S. 19801988 who responded to the stagflation of the 1970’s. Lowered Taxes & Deregulated Industries, Increased National Debt (Cold War Military Spending) U. S. increased economically in many factors and has been praised and criticized depending on political philosophy. Britain under Margaret Thatcher: English Prime Minister 1979 -1990. Lowered direct taxes, increased indirect taxes, opposed trade unions, and privatized many industries (water, gas, electricity) Similar to Reagan in that celebration/criticism often depend on political affiliation. China under Deng Xiaoping, Two Stage Process: Stage 1: Beginning in 1978, China began to open up the country to foreign investment and gave entrepreneurs the opportunity to start businesses. Stage 2: In the late 80’s and 1990’s China began to privatize state owned industry, lifted price controls, but left some state monopolies in place (banking/petroleum)

Key Concept 6. 3 Global Economy, Society, and Culture States, communities, and individuals became increasingly interdependent, a process facilitated by the growth of institutions of global governance. New international organizations formed to maintain world peace and to facilitate international cooperation. The League of Nations The United Nations The International Criminal Court New economic institutions sought to spread the principles & practices associated with free market economics throughout the world. The International Monetary Fund World Bank World Trade Organization (WTO)

The Transformation of the World Economy Economic globalization began to accelerate quickly following World War II. Bretton Woods Conference created international agreements and institutions to maintain a strong global economy: World Bank International Monetary Fund World Bank: An international organization (traditionally headed by an American) that provides loans to developing countries for capital programs (infrastructure). Official Goal: Poverty reduction , promote foreign investment, and international trade. International Monetary Fund: An international organization whose goal is to: Promote international monetary cooperation Facilitate international trade Foster sustainable economic growth Make resources available to members experiencing balance of payments difficulties.

Key Concept 6. 3 Global Economy, Society, and Culture Humanitarian organizations developed to respond to humanitarian crises throughout the world. UNICEF The Red Cross Amnesty International Doctors Without Borders World Health Organization (WHO) Regional trade agreements created regional trading blocs designed to promote the movement of capital and goods across national borders. The European Union NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Mercosur Multinational corporations began to challenge state authority and autonomy. Royal Dutch Shell Coca-Cola Sony Movements throughout the world protested the inequality of environmental and economic consequences of global integration. Greenpeace Green Belt in Kenya Earth Day

The European Union The EU Started in 1957 with 6 countries and has grown to 28 by 2013. Considered a supranational organization. (All are sovereign states that cooperate on a number or political and economic issues) EU can be a signatory to international agreements Member states cede some of their decision-making powers and competences to community institutions Single market: area with no internal borders and free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured. Free movement of persons: all EU citizens can move freely, reside and take up work within the EU area. Free movement of goods: goods are not subject to border controls, tariffs or quotas within the EU. Promotes trade between member states. Free movement of services: service providers from a EU state are free to offer their services in any state of the EU. Free movement of capital: restrictions on capital and payment transactions between states of the EU are prohibited.

Multi/Transnational Corporations Multi/Transnational Corporations: global businesses that produce goods or deliver services simultaneously in many countries Benefit from lower levels of taxation and regulation (economic liberalism) Example: Mattel Corporation’s Barbie doll made in factories in Indonesia and China, using molds from the U. S. , plastic and hair from Taiwan and Japan, and cotton cloth from China.

1 st Environmentalism Wave of environmentalism in the 1800’s after the industrial revolution: Expressed a need for “scientific management” of nature “Wilderness idea” to preserve untouched areas from human disruption Creation of many U. S. national parks No mass following or large global response 2 nd Wave of environmentalism in the 2 nd half of the 1900’s Began with the publication in 1962 of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring Exposed the chemical contamination of the environment that threatened both human health and the survival of many species Generated an enormous response and launched the environmental movement in the U. S. This environmental movement spread to other parts of the West as well Club of Rome: a global think tank headquartered in Europe Germany: emergence of the Green Party Major concerns of Western environmentalists: pollution, wilderness issues, and opposition to development in untouched areas Yellowstone National Park In Wyoming Established in 1872

Environmentalism 1970’s-1980’s: Environmental movements began in the Global South as well… More locally based and involved poor people Environmental movements often overlap with other movements for political and social reform More concerned with issues of: food security, health, and basic survival Movements occasionally become violent guerrilla warfare actions by “green armies” Late 20 th century: Environmentalism became a global concern… Legislation passed in many countries to limit air pollution Pushed many businesses in a “green” direction Fostered research on alternative and renewable resources Stimulated UN conferences on global warming Persuaded millions of people to “go green” and alter their way of life Generated many international agreements addressing issues such as ozone depletion and global warming Conflict between the Global North and the Global South… Developing countries often argue that Northern initiatives to address atmospheric pollution and global warming will prevent their industrial development. Global South pushed to limit its emissions to cut down on pollution, but argue they didn’t create majority of pollution in the first place

Consequences of Global Integration Economic globalization increased the gap between the Global North and the Global South This widening gap has been evident in great differences in: Incomes, medical care, availability of clean drinking water, educational and employment opportunities, & access to the Internet. Contentious economic issues between the Global North and the Global South: Rules for free trade, availability of and terms foreign aid, representation in international economic organizations, growing problem of indebtedness, environmental and labor standards. Economic globalization has also created inequalities within individual nations United States: gaps between unskilled Americans (manufacturing and low-wage service sector jobs) versus skilled Americans Mexico: gaps between urban, industrial north and rural, agricultural south China: gaps between rural households and those in the growing cities Lead to Anti-Globalization movements around the world: 1990’s Coalition of organizations agree that economic globalization has: Lowered labor standards, devastated the environment, prevented poor countries from protecting themselves against financial speculators, ignored local cultures, Disregarded human rights, enhanced global inequality, favored only the interests of large corporations and rich countries

Key Concept 6. 3 Global Economy, Society, and Culture People conceptualized society and culture in new ways; some challenged old assumptions about race, class, gender, and religion, often using new technologies to spread reconfigured traditions. The notion of human rights gained traction throughout the world. The U. N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights Women’s rights The end of the White Australia Policy Increased interactions among diverse peoples sometimes led to the formation of new cultural identities and exclusionary reactions. New cultural identities: Negritude Exclusionary reactions: Xenophobia, Race riots, Citizenship restrictions

U. N. Declaration of Human Rights Adopted by the U. N. General Assembly on 12 -10 -48 Directly related to the experiences of World War II Made up of 30 Articles that address: freedom, life, security of person, anti- slavery, anti-torture, equality before the law, movement, marriage, property, expression, participation, education. . . Translated into 497 languages (World Record) Several articles raised objections Religious freedom in some Islamic countries (Saudi Arabia) Freedom of Movement in Communist Countries

Key Concept 6. 3 Global Economy, Society, and Culture Believers developed new forms of spirituality and chose to emphasize particular aspects of practice within existing faiths and apply them to political issues. New Age Religions Hare Krishna Falun Gong Fundamentalist movements Liberation Theology Popular and consumer culture became global. Sports were more widely practiced and reflected national and social aspirations. World Cup Soccer The Olympics Cricket Changes in communication and transportation technology enabled the widespread diffusion of music and film. Reggae Bollywood

Liberation Culture Liberation Theology is a Christian interpretation that attempts to read and interpret the bible through the eyes of the poor. A moral reaction for poverty. Prevalent in Latin American beginning in the 1950’s and the Catholic Church. 1960’s: Many protest movements suggested the creation of a global culture of liberation. United States: Civil rights movements of African Americans and Hispanic Americans Counterculture of rock music, sex, drugs, etc. Protests against the Vietnam War Europe: Protests against unresponsive bureaucracy, consumerism, and middle-class values Student-led protests against conditions in universities Protests against police brutality In Communist World: Protests in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, & Poland to: End to censorship Increased freedom of expression Public emergence of unofficial “political clubs” Promote secret ballots for party elections

The “Women’s Liberation” Movement Took broader aim at patriarchy as a system of domination, similar to those of race and class Belief: liberation for women meant becoming aware of their own oppression Preferred direct action vs. political lobbying Example: releasing stink bombs at the 1968 Miss America pageant Brought into open discussion “taboo” issues involving sexuality Free love, lesbianism, celibacy, etc.

Feminism in the West: Women of Color Women of color believed that the concerns of white, middle-class feminists had nothing to do with their oppression They viewed mainstream feminism as a “family quarrel between white women and white men” White Women in West Women of Color in West Focus on fighting the oppressive “family” structure, education, employment Focus on fighting racism and poverty Sought liberation from the “chains” of homemaking and domesticity Had always worked outside of the home Viewed the family as a secure base from which to combat racism Wanted to work WITHOUT men Wanted to work WITH men of color

Feminism in the Global South Women’s movements in the Global South took shape around a wide range of issues, not all of which were solely based on gender: Country or Region Focus of Women’s Movement Kenya Providing support for one another, community projects, buying land/businesses, etc. Morocco Changing the Family Law Code to recognize women as equals to their husbands & let them initiate divorce and claim child custody Chile Ending military dictatorship, stopping torture and the “disappearance” of political opponents, economic survival, democracy South Korea Democracy, better pay & working conditions, end to sexual harassment in the workplace