Global Issues - An Introduction

Now reorganized and updated throughout, the fifth edition of this well-regarded introductory global issues text continues to reflect the most important aspects of an increasingly globalized world.* Reorganized into more accessible chapters better suited to semester-long courses, with new sections covering development, climate change, pollution, and governance* The only survey-level text in the field to unite the perspectives of geography, political science, sociology, ecology, international relations, economics, and development studies* Moves beyond the international to be truly global in focus, with coverage of topics such as wealth and poverty, population, food, energy, natural resources, and technology* Incorporates new case studies and examples, including the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the effects of changing water supply on migration, natural gas fracking, and smart grid technology* Offers a dynamic and accessible narrative with many student-friendly features, such as chapter boxes, a glossary of terms, guides to further reading, media and Internet resourcesDiscover up-to-date related news articles for inspiring discussion and research at https://www.facebook.com/GlobalIssuesHiteSeitz.

List of contents

List of PlatesList of Figures, Maps, and TablesAcknowledgementsForewordIntroduction: The Creation of Global IssuesNotes1 PopulationThe Changing Population of the WorldCauses of the Population ExplosionHow Population Growth Affects DevelopmentToo rapidToo slowAn aging population and low birth ratesInternational conferences on populationHow Development Affects Population GrowthDemographic transitionFactors lowering birth ratesGovernmental Population PoliciesControlling growthPromoting growthThe FutureThe growth of the world's populationThe carrying capacity of the earthOptimum size of the earth's populationPopulation-related problems in our futureConclusionsFurther ReadingNotes2 Wealth and PovertyThe Millennium Development GoalsDevelopment Assistance and Foreign AidMarket ApproachState ApproachBlended ApproachGeography and Wealth, Geography and PovertyGlobalizationPositive aspectsNegative aspectsAn evaluationConclusionsFurther ReadingNotes3 FoodWorld Food ProductionHow Many Are Hungry?Causes of World HungerHow Food Affects DevelopmentHow Development Affects FoodThe production of foodThe loss of foodThe type of foodThe "Green" RevolutionFertilizersPesticidesIrrigationThe futureGovernmental Food PoliciesFuture Food SuppliesClimateArable landEnergy costsTraditional/sustainable/organic agricultureBiotechnologyFishing and aquacultureFuture food productionConclusionsFurther ReadingNotes4 EnergyThe Energy-Climate CrisisEnergy and SecurityGovernment Responses to the Energy-Climate CrisisThe United StatesWestern EuropeJapanChinaThe Effect of the Energy-Climate Crisis on Countries' Development PlansThe Relationship between Energy Use and DevelopmentA shift in types of energyIncreased useThe decoupling of energy consumption and economic growthThe Energy TransitionNonrenewable energy sourcesRenewable energy sourcesConservation/energy efficiencyNuclear Power: A Case StudyThe potential and the perilThe choiceConclusionsFurther ReadingNotes5 Climate ChangeThe Evidence and ImpactsUncertaintiesWhat is being done at present?What more can be done?ConclusionFurther ReadingNotes6 The Environment: Part IThe AwakeningThe AirSmogAirborne leadAcid rainOzone depletionClimate change (global warming)WaterWater QualityWater QuantityThe LandMineralsDeforestationThe Extinction of SpeciesThe Extinction of CulturesConclusionNotes7 The Environment: Part IIThe Workplace and the HomeCancerPesticidesChemicalsManaging WasteSolid wastesToxic wastesGovernmental and industrial responses to the waste problemResponsible UseResource efficiencyRecyclingSubstitutionReducing needsEnvironmental PoliticsOverdevelopmentConclusionsFurther ReadingNotes8 TechnologyBenefits of TechnologyUnanticipated Consequences of the Use of TechnologyDDTFactory farmsInappropriate Uses of TechnologyLimits to the "Technological Fix"WarThe Threat of Nuclear Weapons: A Case StudyThe threatNew dangersConclusionsFurther ReadingNotes9 Alternative FuturesDevelopment Pathways: Evaluating Our Current SituationCurrent Outlook: Business as UsualCollapse and Sustainable DevelopmentChoicesImprove productionReduce demandGoverning the CommonsInclusive Governance and the Role of Civil SocietyConclusionFurther ReadingNotesAppendix 1: Studying and Teaching Global IssuesAppendix 2: Relevant VideosAppendix 3: Relevant Internet WebsitesGlossaryIndex

About the author

Kristen A. Hite teaches international environmental law and global administrative law classes at the Francis King Carey School of Law at the University of Maryland, USA and serves as senior advisor to Victori Tauli-Corpuz, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She also leads a consulting practice for clients supporting public interest work on climate change, forests, and community rights. Her research focuses on international institutions and the role of social and environmental policies, tenure and human rights in pursuit of sustainable development. She has taught at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies as well as American University's School of International Service, and has lectured extensively around the world in locations ranging from Pekanbaru, Indonesia, to World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC.

John L. Seitz is Professor Emeritus of Government at Wofford College, USA. He earned a BA and MPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and a PhD in political science from the University of Wisconsin. He is a Member of Phi Beta Kappa and has extensive first-hand experience of South Korea, Iran, Brazil, Liberia, and Pakistan. Previous editions of this book, for which he was sole author, have been used around the world and have been translated into a number of languages, including Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese.

Summary

Now reorganized and updated throughout, the fifth edition of this well-regarded introductory global issues text continues to reflect the most important aspects of an increasingly globalized world.

* Reorganized into more accessible chapters better suited to semester-long courses, with new sections covering development, climate change, pollution, and governance
* The only survey-level text in the field to unite the perspectives of geography, political science, sociology, ecology, international relations, economics, and development studies
* Moves beyond the international to be truly global in focus, with coverage of topics such as wealth and poverty, population, food, energy, natural resources, and technology
* Incorporates new case studies and examples, including the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the effects of changing water supply on migration, natural gas fracking, and smart grid technology
* Offers a dynamic and accessible narrative with many student-friendly features, such as chapter boxes, a glossary of terms, guides to further reading, media and Internet resources
Discover up-to-date related news articles for inspiring discussion and research at https://www.facebook.com/GlobalIssuesHiteSeitz.

Report

With every new edition and especially with this 5th edition, Global Issues improves as a fundamental resource for students of global development, economics, politics, environmental science, and geography. The language is clear and straightforward. The authors address the key issues in a comprehensive and balanced manner. The text is organized as it should be, addressing in turn the interlinked challenges of population, wealth and poverty, food, energy, climate change, the environment, technology, and alternative futures, and grounding them with up-to-date data. The text provides students with the solid background they need to explore global issues in all their daunting complexity. Scott Anderson, State University of New York at Cortland As a global citizen and educator, I welcome the new edition of Global Issues. This book by Kristen Hite and John Seitz is a wonderful interdisciplinary and comprehensive overview for all of us who work on issues which span national borders - population, poverty, energy, food, and climate change. Tony La Viña , Dean of the School of Government at Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines

Product details

• Authors: Hite, Kristen Hite, Kristen A. Hite, Kristen A. Seitz Hite, John L Seitz, John L. Seitz
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.01.2016
• EAN: 9781118968857
• ISBN: 978-1-118-96885-7
• No. of pages: 360
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences > Geography; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political theories and the history of ideas