Global Issues: An Introduction

An introduction to the most important issues facing an increasingly globalized world with this thoroughly updated and revised sixth edition.

Global Issues is an accessible, wide-ranging introduction to the major environmental and development issues confronting the modern world. Spanning disciplines such as political science, economics, sociology, ecology, international relations, and development studies, this popular textbook enables students to develop a broad perspective on the relationships between nations, society, corporations, and the environment in various contexts. Exploring issues surrounding wealth, poverty, inequality, climate change, natural resources, pollution, technology, and others, the text illustrates the importance of global solutions to the issues facing increasingly interdependent nations around the world.

This sixth edition has been extensively revised to ensure contemporary relevance, featuring updated case studies and compelling research on food security, poverty, and the impact of climate change on development. New discussions explore energy, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, differences in the social and economic conditions of rich and poor countries, and environmental trends. Providing an integrated, multidisciplinary perspective, this unique text:

Examines the intersection of development, inequality, environment, and society
Covers topically relevant issues such as population growth, shifting demographics, renewable energy, and the threats that development poses to the environment
Discusses possible future scenarios and governance concerns related to global issues
Explores shifts in traditional development pathways and policies around the world
Offers numerous student-friendly features, including chapter summaries, a glossary of key terms, further reading suggestions, and extensive online media and learning tools

Global Issues: An Introduction, Sixth Edition is an ideal entry-level textbook for a range of courses including global studies, international studies, environmental studies, geography, politics, sociology, sustainable development, and more.

Kristen A. Hite is Climate Policy lead for Oxfam International. She also works as an independent consultant for UN and non-profit organizations and teaches international environmental law and global climate policy at the graduate level. Professor Hite has worked as an attorney for the US government and environmental organizations, and has instructed graduate students at Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, American University, and the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on the intersection of rights, land, and climate change in pursuit of sustainable development.

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.

List of Plates xiii

List of Figures, Maps, and Tables xv

Acknowledgements xix

Introduction 1

The Creation of Global Issues 1

1 What is Development? 3

Developing Toward What? 3

Twentieth‐Century Approach: Development as Economic Growth 4

Twenty‐First‐Century Approach: Developing towards Sustainability 6

Wave of Hope: The Millennium Development Goals (2000–2015) 7

Sustainable Development Goals (2015–2030) 8

Development Assistance and Foreign Aid 10

Culture and Development 14

Conclusion 16

Notes 18

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Global Issues: An Introduction

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

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