Global Trends

Assignment name – Summary

Chapter - # 5

SUBMITTED BY:- ABEL GEBRU

ID:- UGR/0156/15
DATE:- 3-1-2024
The chapter discusses the period after the Cold War and how things changed
globally. It explores significant issues such as security, with a focus on
terrorism and nuclear weapons. Defining terrorism is seen as tricky, in order
to define it we classify terrorist groups in to five namely : domestic,
nationalist, religion, state,and global terrorist .It also addresses the reasons
for terrorism, including poverty and political issues.

Moving on, the chapter explains nuclear weapons and how people are less
worried about a war between big countries. However, concerns arise about
more countries acquiring nuclear weapons, and four reasons why this might
happen. It chapter then discusses the challenges in preventing the spread of
nuclear weapons, involving political and financial aspects. Countries need to
collaborate to solve these climate problems. Climate change and global
warming are highlighted, with an emphasis on their disproportionate impact
on poorer countries.

There is an increase in international environmental agreements since the

1970s but it’s a questions whether this rise correlates with actual
environmental improvement. The chapter then delves into specific
challenges posed by climate change, pointing out the vulnerability of
developing countries and the shortcomings of global mitigation efforts.
Complex negotiations around the Kyoto Protocol and its limited success in
achieving greenhouse gas reduction goals are discussed.

Inequality emerges as another major contemporary global issue, with the

chapter highlighting its detrimental effects, especially during economic
downturns. The widening gap between rich and poor, that’s mostly created
by globalization, is explored, emphasizing the challenges to beliefs in equality
of opportunity and upward mobility.

The period after the Cold War is seen as being distinctive, marked by a shift
in global politics from the ideological-military struggle between superpowers
to the predominance of new issues. The chapter questions the criteria for
defining contemporary global issues and emphasizes the importance of
understanding the extent, urgency, and centrality of an issue in determining
its global status.

The first major global issue explored is security, with a particular focus on
terrorism and nuclear proliferation. Defining terrorism proves challenging
due to its subjective nature, leading to the identification of four types of
terrorist organizations—left-wing, right-wing, ethno-nationalist/separatist,
and religious terrorists. The text underscores the global reach facilitated by
advancements in communication and transportation technologies, despite
the current absence of radiological, biological, or chemical weapons in
terrorist activities.

The chapter then explores factors that are favourable to terrorism,

encompassing socio-economic, political, and psychological causes. Socio-
economic factors, including poverty and political isolation, are identified as
fertile grounds for terrorism. Political causes, such as legitimate grievances
and government failures, are recognized contributors, along with
psychological factors like humiliation.

Transitioning to nuclear weapons and proliferation, the chapter discuss the

decrease in concern about nuclear war between superpowers despite the
continued existence of nuclear arsenals. It underscores the challenges in
convincing governments and the public about the ongoing significance of
nuclear weapons. The end of the Cold War is linked to an increased focus on
nuclear proliferation, with concerns about the spread of weapons and
associated technologies.

Four reasons for the proliferation of nuclear weapons are outlined. First,
nuclear weapons states maintain their arsenals, signaling their perceived
positive role in providing security. Second, the loss of extended deterrence
for non-nuclear states increases incentives to acquire nuclear weapons.
Third, regional dynamics and the breakdown of Cold War alliances create
incentives for states to acquire a nuclear deterrent. Fourth, events like the
Gulf War, the demise of the Soviet Union, and nuclear tests in South Asia
heighten fears of horizontal proliferation and nuclear terrorism.

The chapter also highlights the complexities of the post-Cold War era,
highlighting instances where non-proliferation strategies failed and concerns
about the illegal supply of nuclear technologies. It emphasizes the geopolitical
and economic factors driving weapons proliferation, including superpower
rivalry during the Cold War, military burden-sharing, regional balance of
power considerations, and economic motivations.