Global Processes and Conflicts Part 1, by bluralphax
1. World War II led to a renewed interest in international efforts to maintain peace. Explain the specific reasons and historical events that led to the creation of the United Nations. How did the United Nations differ from the League of Nations?
The United Nations was formed by 51 different countries after the end of World War II in 1945. The United Nations’ decisions are decided by a two-thirds majority of present and voting countries, while the League of Nations’ decisions are decided by unanimous voting.
2. How successful has the United Nations been in reaching its goals? Cite the failure of the UN as evidenced by the sources in the appendix.
While the United Nations has been successful in reaching some of its goals, the United Nations is viewed as ineffective due to the democratic process it must go through to make a decision. With China, France, Russia, United States, and the United Kingdom having permanent veto powers, a resolution that makes all sides happy is hard to achieve.
3. Internationalism continued to grow after World War II. Explain the purpose and goals of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The International Monetary fund and the World Bank are committed to the purpose of promoting financial cooperation among all nations and aiding in the growth and development of economically poor nations. The World Bank provides low-interest loans, interest-free credit, and grants. It focuses on improving education, health, and infrastructure. It also uses funds to modernize a country's financial sector, agriculture, and natural resources management. The International Monetary Fund rescues a nation from severe economic disasters. It monitors the annual economic growth and fiscal performance of its member nations and helps them in utilizing their fiscal budget through recommendations made by their economic advisers.
4. The European Economic Community was established in 1957. This organization was later renamed and extended into the European Union. What were the goals of this economic alliance? How successful has the EU been in reaching its goals?
The goals of the European Union are to promote peace and the well-being of its citizens, offer freedom, security, and justice without internal borders, promote a competitive market economy, combat social exclusion and discrimination, promote scientific and technological progress, enhance economic, social, and territorial cohesion and solidarity among EU countries, respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and establish an economic and monetary union whose currency is the euro.
5. How does the image in document 6 reflect the negative effects of globalization and international cooperation?
The image in document 6 reflects the negative effects of globalization and international cooperation by showing that poor nations are not gaining anything from the policies of international cooperation efforts such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). This can be corroborated by the caption of the document, which says that the WTO’s “policies only cater to rich nations and oppose globalization trends" (blur.alphax.com).
6. Why have critics of globalization focused on the activities of the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
Critics of globalization have focused on the activities of the World Trade Organization due to the fact that it only benefits the rich nations and does not assist poor nations. Many economists and anthropologists have argued that the "only serves the interests of multinational corporations, undermines local development, penalizes poor countries, [and] is increasing inequality" (nber.org).
7. In document 4, who is the author writing to, and what is the purpose of the article?
The author, Kofi, A. Annan, is reporting to the president of the United Nations Security Council. The purpose of the article is a report regarding the actions taken by the United Nations during the Rwandan genocide.