“This is a wonderful text for courses in global problems or issues. Waveland has done a great service by bringing out this revised edition of Sernau’s text. I look forward to using it.” — Walter Carroll, Bridgewater State University
“Students love this text, as it takes us simply through the themes of the issues of our time with data from all parts of the world to help them make better decisions for our future.” — Jaclyn McWhorter, Oglethorpe University
492 pages, $73.95 list
1-4786-4722-1
978-1-4786-4722-5
© 2022
paperback
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Global Problems
The Search for Equity, Peace, and Sustainability
Fourth Edition
Scott Sernau’s clear writing and vivid examples help readers to understand their role as global citizens. Part one begins with the challenges of inequality in life chances, wages and work, and gender and education; inequality lies at the heart of many global problems. Part two focuses on conflict and violence—from crime to politics, terrorism to war—with an emphasis on connections of violence to social justice and human rights. Part three looks at sustainability and the problems of urbanization, crowding, and environmental destruction.
Each chapter begins with a “Global Encounters” vignette that provides examples of college students encountering striking situations and being asked to think about broader implications. Though people across the globe lead seemingly very different lives, the author emphasizes interconnectedness, with discussions of the local–global connection. Chapters explore social problems by considering key theories, both classical and contemporary, and by providing enough history to understand the background of contemporary issues. The book’s approach is both multinational and multidisciplinary.
Chapters conclude with positive possibilities for global change. While problems are substantial, many people are working to make a difference, and this book offers an invitation to participate. In addition to “Key Ideas” and “For Review and Discussion,” every chapter concludes with “Making Connections” that offers reliable websites for more information and “Making a Difference,” which provides options for involvement. These sections can form the basis for assignments, for further study, or for class or group projects.
Each chapter begins with a “Global Encounters” vignette that provides examples of college students encountering striking situations and being asked to think about broader implications. Though people across the globe lead seemingly very different lives, the author emphasizes interconnectedness, with discussions of the local–global connection. Chapters explore social problems by considering key theories, both classical and contemporary, and by providing enough history to understand the background of contemporary issues. The book’s approach is both multinational and multidisciplinary.
Chapters conclude with positive possibilities for global change. While problems are substantial, many people are working to make a difference, and this book offers an invitation to participate. In addition to “Key Ideas” and “For Review and Discussion,” every chapter concludes with “Making Connections” that offers reliable websites for more information and “Making a Difference,” which provides options for involvement. These sections can form the basis for assignments, for further study, or for class or group projects.
Reactions
Introduction: The Global Century
The Call of the World / Making a World System / Empires in Collision / Toward a Global Century / Plan of the Book
Part One: SEEKING AN EQUITABLE WORLD: Issues of Inequality
1. Class: A World of Rich and Poor
The Global Divide / Theories of Class and Economy / Economic Development: Modernization and Dependency Theories / Ending Extreme Poverty: Markets and Beyond
2. Work and Trade: The Global Assembly Line
The Division of Labor / The Boundless Frontier: From East India to Amazon / Made by Small Hands / A Trade Free-for-All / Ordering the World Market / Trade That Is Fair for All
3. Gender and Family: Overburdened Women and Displaced Men
Nietzsche Undone: From Superman to Supermom / Global Family Changes / Half the Sky
4. Education: Access and Success
The Foundations of Education / And Who Will Care for the Children? / Education around the World / Opening Doors, Opening Minds
Part Two: SEEKING A PEACEFUL WORLD: Issues of Conflict
5. Crime: Fear in the Streets
Seeking Security / Street Crime and Youth Violence / International Drug Trade / Incarceration around the World / International Crime Cartels / In Search of Opportunity and Order
6. War: States of Terror
How States Made War and War Made States / From Limited War to Total War to Cold War / From World War to Regional Conflict / The Global Arms Trade / Weapons of Mass Destruction / Military Expenditures / The Last Great War?
7. Democracy and Human Rights: Having Our Say
Nationalism and the Nation-State / From Bands to States / Nationalism and Independence / Democracy and Its Alternatives / "Dirty Wars": When Democracy Degenerates / The Right to Be Fully Human
8. Ethnicity and Religion: Deep Roots and Unholy Hate
Ethnicity: Ties that Bind and Divide / Faith and Fervor: Religious Diversity / Ethnicity, Religion, and Power / Identity and International Terrorism / Alternatives to Terror
Part Three: SEEKING A SUSTAINABLE WORLD: Environmental Issues
9. Urbanization: Cities without Limits
The Urban Millennium: Worldwide Urbanization / World Cities / Cities as Dynamos: Central Places and Hyperurbanization / The Shape of Urban Life / The Shape of the City / Seeking Livable Cities
10. Population and Health: Only the Poor Die Young
Counting Heads: World Population Estimates / Marx and Malthus: The Population Bomb Debate / Demographic Transition Theory / Population Control / Migration / Disease / Health Care / Living Well, Staying Well
11. Technology and Energy: Prometheus's Fire or Pandora's Box?
Power Surge: The Advance of Technology / Energy: Fire from Above and Below / Chariots of Fire: Automobiles and Transport / Turning Down the Heat: Climate Change and Appropriate Technology
12. Ecology: How Much Can One Planet Take?
Planetary Boundaries / Food: We Are What We Eat / Pollution / Deforestation and Desertification / Who Invited You? Invasive Species / Ecology and Economy: The Search for Sustainable Futures
Conclusion: Making a World of Difference
The Call of the World / Making a World System / Empires in Collision / Toward a Global Century / Plan of the Book
Part One: SEEKING AN EQUITABLE WORLD: Issues of Inequality
1. Class: A World of Rich and Poor
The Global Divide / Theories of Class and Economy / Economic Development: Modernization and Dependency Theories / Ending Extreme Poverty: Markets and Beyond
2. Work and Trade: The Global Assembly Line
The Division of Labor / The Boundless Frontier: From East India to Amazon / Made by Small Hands / A Trade Free-for-All / Ordering the World Market / Trade That Is Fair for All
3. Gender and Family: Overburdened Women and Displaced Men
Nietzsche Undone: From Superman to Supermom / Global Family Changes / Half the Sky
4. Education: Access and Success
The Foundations of Education / And Who Will Care for the Children? / Education around the World / Opening Doors, Opening Minds
Part Two: SEEKING A PEACEFUL WORLD: Issues of Conflict
5. Crime: Fear in the Streets
Seeking Security / Street Crime and Youth Violence / International Drug Trade / Incarceration around the World / International Crime Cartels / In Search of Opportunity and Order
6. War: States of Terror
How States Made War and War Made States / From Limited War to Total War to Cold War / From World War to Regional Conflict / The Global Arms Trade / Weapons of Mass Destruction / Military Expenditures / The Last Great War?
7. Democracy and Human Rights: Having Our Say
Nationalism and the Nation-State / From Bands to States / Nationalism and Independence / Democracy and Its Alternatives / "Dirty Wars": When Democracy Degenerates / The Right to Be Fully Human
8. Ethnicity and Religion: Deep Roots and Unholy Hate
Ethnicity: Ties that Bind and Divide / Faith and Fervor: Religious Diversity / Ethnicity, Religion, and Power / Identity and International Terrorism / Alternatives to Terror
Part Three: SEEKING A SUSTAINABLE WORLD: Environmental Issues
9. Urbanization: Cities without Limits
The Urban Millennium: Worldwide Urbanization / World Cities / Cities as Dynamos: Central Places and Hyperurbanization / The Shape of Urban Life / The Shape of the City / Seeking Livable Cities
10. Population and Health: Only the Poor Die Young
Counting Heads: World Population Estimates / Marx and Malthus: The Population Bomb Debate / Demographic Transition Theory / Population Control / Migration / Disease / Health Care / Living Well, Staying Well
11. Technology and Energy: Prometheus's Fire or Pandora's Box?
Power Surge: The Advance of Technology / Energy: Fire from Above and Below / Chariots of Fire: Automobiles and Transport / Turning Down the Heat: Climate Change and Appropriate Technology
12. Ecology: How Much Can One Planet Take?
Planetary Boundaries / Food: We Are What We Eat / Pollution / Deforestation and Desertification / Who Invited You? Invasive Species / Ecology and Economy: The Search for Sustainable Futures
Conclusion: Making a World of Difference