BALANCE OF POWER AND POINT OF VIEW

BALANCE OF POWER

The main idea of the “balance of power” is to manage and limit conflict among the most powerful sovereign nations.

If one country becomes too strong, other countries will band together against it.

Some argue that with the threat of nuclear weapons that the “balance of power” is now the “balance of terror”

PHYSICAL AND HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS THAT INFLUENCE HOW MUCH POWER A NATION HAS

What is the size of the country’s area?

What is the population of the country?

How well educated and united is its population?

How large and well equipped are its armed forces?

What are the country’s physical features?

How productive is the country’s economy?

POWERThe amount of power a country

has greatly affects it control of territory and resourcesIts ability to defend itself or wage war

It influence on the course of international relations generally.

WORLD’S MAJOR POWERSThe following countries are

considered major powers because they either have a powerful armed forces, a large population, or a dynamic economy. Many have all 3!

United StatesChinaRussiaJapan

UNITED STATESLarge land area, rich natural resources, high standards

of living, and an educated population

Highly skilled, experienced army with superior weapons.

US emerged as a superpower after WWII with the world’s first nuclear weapons.

1946 – 1990 US had world’s largest economy

Pioneered the development of information technologies, like the computer and internet.

After 9/11 we have been involved in a costly war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Challenged by rising economic competition from overseas.

America is the world’s foremost power with the largest economy and most nuclear weapons.

CHINA

1949 – Mao Zedong established China’s communist totalitarian dictatorship government was established.

They had the largest population and army but they had low standards of living and inferior technology.

In 1978 – more than 90% of its economy was controlled by state-run enterprises.

After Mao’s death, China was allowed a bit more freedom of choice in its economy.

They began welcoming foreign investors and technology into China.

China has developed into the world’s fastest growing economy.

They have world’s largest military and they have developed their own nuclear weapons.

Some experts believe that they will soon become the world’s greatest power.

RUSSIAWas the leading part of the

Soviet UnionHas a large, advanced military

and has the world’s second largest arsenal of nuclear weapons.

They have faced economic challenges during its transition from a Communist to a free-style economy.

JAPANThey have a much smaller population

than China, the United States, or Russia.

Japan was the target of the world’s only nuclear attack at the end of WWII and has renounced the use of nuclear weapons.

Japan has economic strength.

They have high education standards.

UNITED NATIONS

United Nations Brain Pop Video

EUROPEAN UNION

Another association of countries with influence on international relations.

Economic and political union of member of European states

DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW

When government leaders make decisions that affect millions of people it is important for them to consider different points of view.

Democratic governments are generally very open to different points of view where non-democratic governments are less interested in the public opinion.

Point of View - A particular attitude or way of considering a matter

CITIZENSHIP

Definition – membership in a community

In a republic or a democracy citizens play an active role in government.

They hold their leaders accountable for their actions and expect that government will be sensitive to will of the majority.

In other forms of government the citizens do not enjoy the same rights. They can participate in government but only if they join the ruling party. They cannot speak out against the dictator.

CULTURAL BELIEFS

If all members of a culture share certain beliefs, than those shared beliefs will shape government decisions.

All government leaders in China are members of the Chinese Communist party. Because all governmental leaders share the belief that the Communist party rule provides the best government it is unlikely that it will change and allow other political parties in.

PATRIOTISM

Loyalty and support for one’s country. It is the belief that citizens should obey their country’s laws and rally to its defense.

This can be good and bad. For example, people admire the Dutch soldiers that died trying to stop the Nazi army from invading the Netherlands.The Nazi soldiers felt they were being patriotic by fighting on behalf of Germany. But few people admire them because of their brutality.

NATIONALISM

The belief that each people or ethnic group, known as a “nation,” should have its own government and nation state.

They believe their country is the very best in the world.

They sometimes feel their nation is so superior that they have the right to take territory away from others or rule over them.

For example, if a nation is attack, patriotic feelings will encourage people to defend themselves against the aggressor. Nationalist feelings may lead a country to commit acts of aggression, such as attacking a weaker neighbor.

INTERNATIONAL HOT SPOTS

I AM GOING TO READ ALL OF THE INFORMATION. YOU NEED TO WRITE A SUMMARY FOR EACH SLIDE/VIDEO TO TELL ME WHAT YOU HAVE

LEARNED. YOU MIGHT WANT TO PUT A HEADING FOR EACH OF THE 3 HOT SPOTS.

RUSSIA AND CHECHNYASoviet Union was formed after the Russian Revolution in 1917. In 1991 Soviet Union

dissolved into several independent states. The largest was Russia but within Russia were several ethnic minorities. One of those was the Chechens. The Chechens sought independence from Russia and in 1991 the Chechen separatists declared their independence from Russia. They did this with a series of terrorist bombings. This led to the Russian army entering Chechnya and restoring Russian rule by force in 1999.

Chechen POV :

They have their own language and traditions. They accuse Russia of committing human rights violations against their people. Thousands of Chechens have been killed or have lost their homes under brutal Russian treatment.

Russia POV:

Every modern nation has some minorities that would like their independence. If every ethnic minority was given its own state, or modern nations would all disintergrate into a world of mini-states. They fear that other minorities would seek independence if Chechnya was given independence. The Chechens have used terrorism in their efforts for independence. They seized a school and killed nearly 200 children. Some Chechens have even cooperated with Al Qaeda.

Russia and Chechnya Video

ISRAEL AND PALESTINEThe modern state of Israel traces its historical and religious roots back to Biblical

times. In 1948, Israel was established by the UN as a permanent homeland for Jewish people. But many Arab Palestinians were living in the area as well. Arab nations refused to recognize Israel. They launched an attack on Israel in 1948 but were quickly defeated. Many Palestinians fled Israel to neighboring Arab countries. In 1967 war erupted again. Israel defeated the enemies in 6 days. They gained the Gaza strip, Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, and the Golan heights. In 1973 Egypt and Sryia launched another attack but were defeated by Israel. The West Bank and Gaza Strip were later established as a home for Palestinians. They have been unable to establish peace however because they cannot agree on terms for the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Israeli POV:

They do not feel secure with Palestinian groups continually firing missiles at civilian targets. They feel an independent Palestine might be hostile to Israel and provide a home to terrorists. Some Israelis feel that a compromise with moderate Palestinians is vital.

Palestinian POV:

They feel they were forced to move from Israel in 1948. They say it was their land and that the UN had no right to give it to Israel. They resent the Israeli occupations and feel that Israelis have not made a genuine effort to achieve peace. Modern Palestinians hope to reach a compromise with Israel.

Israel Palestine Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka09ANUedyo

IRAN AND NUCLEAR ENERGYMany world leaders suspect that Iran is developing nuclear weapons under the pretext of

building nuclear power plants to supply their nation with electricity. The United States and the UN have imposed severe economic sanctions and political sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt its nuclear enrichment program. Sanctions are strict measures used by a country or group of countries to pressure another nation-state to modify its behavior. Example: Economic sanction might be to ban trade with that country.

Iranian POV:

Claim they are a major power in the Middle East. They say they need to enrich uranium to build nuclear reactors for peaceful purpose: for example, as a source of future energy, and for radiation therapy to treat cancer patients. Iran’s religious leaders have issued a decree banning nuclear weapons. They say it is hypocritical for countries like the United States to criticize Iran for supposedly developing nuclear weapons when they actually have them.

Iran’s critics POV:

Critics say Iran is stockpiling refined uranium in order to conceal its plans to develop nuclear weapons. They say that as a major oil producer, Iran does not need to develop nuclear energy at this time. . They further say that Iran’s government is untrustworthy. Critics fear Iran might threaten Israel with its nuclear bombs or sell nuclear weapons to Islamic terrorists, further destabilizing the region. They also say that Iran has repeatedly violated the UN rules.

IRAN VIDEO