Modern nations of the world

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Modern Nations and

Regions of the World

How does the USA relate to other nations and regions?

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China: Privatization• How did China convert from a controlled economy

to a mix of business and government control?

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From Mao to NowMao Zedong was a political genius, but not educated about economics. Zedong assumed heavy industrialization was necessary, which led to famine and production of faulty steel and other items. After Zedong’s death, China converted from a dictatorship to a party (Communist) controlled state.

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PrivatizationChinese leadership (Premier) changes hands often to avoid concentration of power.Regional leaders and factory managers allowed to make decisions.Individuals allowed to own property, vehicles, accumulate wealth and start small businesses. Foreigners allowed to invest in China. Results:

Incredible growth of wealth.Place as a world power ensured (money = big military). Catching up to the USA’s wealth.Large amounts of pollution.Gap between rich and poor growing.

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Challenges for USAMajor economic competitorHas bought large amount of USA debt (by buying bonds)China intends to dominate region militarily, economically, and politically (including USA allies of South Korea, Japan and Taiwan).Despite open economy, great restrictions on freedom of expression and questionable human rights. Difficult to establish international treaties on terrorism, warfare, trade or pollution without working with China which has its own goals.

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India: World’s Biggest Democracy: How

did India go from Colonial Status to World

Power?

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Casting Off the YokeFormer British colony.After mostly peaceful protests, led by Mohandas Gandhi, India is granted independence. Challenges:

Enormous population.Illiteracy.Poverty.Food production insufficient.Large Muslim minority and Hindu majority struggle.

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Changing for the Better?

English made one of the major recognized languages.Increased trade with the United Kingdom and the USA among others.Cheap labor, some schooling and English allows an increase in demand for trade with India. Peaceful elections and voting.Tense, relationship with Muslim community, especially over disputed region of Kashmir, which is also claimed by Muslim nation of Pakistan. Vast wealth in many modern, Westernized cities.Slums exist next to modernization and luxury. Caste system (segregation based on family status and occupation) is illegal, but still lingers culturally. One of few nations that possess nuclear weapons.

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Challenges for the USA

Tense relationship with Muslim Pakistan (which also has nuclear weapons) and with China over borders.USA needs China/India economically and Pakistan/India militarily to fight terrorism.Growing technological boom in India is causing friction with one of the USA’s biggest industries. Not quite as economically advanced as China, India often gets less attention from the USA and is catered to by other world powers.

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Middle East and North Africa

How does our interest in terrorism and energy play a role in our diplomatic relations with the Middle East and North Africa?

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Oil and PoliticsPetroleum is still large source of energy.North America and Russia have large amount of oil, but so does the Middle East and every bit counts. Wealth is controlled by small amount of ruling population.Unemployment among a large, young population creates discontent. Little freedom allows for radical anger to grow. Islam is incorrectly interpreted by minority of radicals. Democratic reform leads sometimes to election of radical leaders.

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Challenges for the USA

The USA continues to need this portion of the world’s oil. Israel is the most legitimate democracy. They are our best ally, but this alliance creates distrust with the rest of region.Reform is sought, but may give way to radical governments like in Iran. Military drones and airstrikes have been used against abusive governments and radical elements in Pakistan, Yemen and Libya. Our war to create a more stable democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq has yielded progress, but still needs work.

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Sub-Saharan Africa What relationship should the USA have with this continent of many nations?

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Why should the USA care?

China and other nations are buying up large amounts of land to produce items such as crops.Rare minerals that are valuable financially (diamonds) and economically (uranium) are available. Coltan is retrieved from Central Africa and is used for cell phones and laptops. Drug running, AIDS, pollution, human rights, and terrorism are all problems that occur in the many nations of Africa, which if spread can spell trouble for the USA.