Globalization The Human Condition And Sustainable Development In The Twenty First Century

‘Globalization, the Human Condition and Sustainable Development in the Twenty-first Century: Cross-national Perspectives and European Implications’ is a cross-national, 175-nation-based exploration of the deep crisis in which Europe currently finds itself. Investigating the effects of dependency theory and world-systems theory upon the global success of eight dimensions of development – including democracy, environmental sustainability, employment, social cohesion, high-quality tertiary education and gender justice – this study argues that the current European crisis has been precipitated by the pro-globalist policies of the European Commission, and that in the near future these policies threaten to enter Europe into a destructive ‘race to the bottom’.

This book, based on a 175-nation study, investigates the relevance of dependency theory to the success of eight different dimensions of development, and argues that the pro-globalist policies of the European Commission are the greatest threat to Europe's future developmental performance.

The Dilemma of Sustainability in the Age of Globalization: A Quest for a Paradigm of Development offers an exhaustive overview of the different political, social, economic, and cultural circumstances that paved the way for the inception of sustainable development. It particularly traces the evolution of this project in an unpropitious context of neo-liberal capitalism and globalization. By means of an in-depth critical comparative analysis of the two phenomena of sustainable development and globalization, this book highlights aspects of both their divergence and convergence on issues such as development, man-nature relationship, and society. This distinctive approach pinpoints the theoretical and factual aspects of clash and affinity between globalization and sustainability and spotlights some potential harmonization between the two on different levels. On the whole, this book covers a few gaps in the contemporary literature that heightened the need for analysis of the viability of implementing the project of sustainable development in a context of neoliberal capitalism. Given the highly interdisciplinary nature of its topic, a holistic approach is utilized throughout this book, integrating historical, literary, economic, political, and scientific material. The first part of this book is largely based on a critical comparative analysis of the two vying paradigms of development by means of a thorough juxtaposition of their theoretical and ideological underpinnings and backed up by lucid examples, statistics, and case-studies. In later sections, this book provides an analysis and discussion of both the extrinsic and intrinsic obstacles to promoting sustainability in the current socio-economic paradigm of development, and closes by offering glimpses of hope for the future of humankind by underlining the potential of new initiatives to revive sustainable development in the 21st century.

Today’s most urgent problems are fundamentally global. They require nothing less than concerted, planetwide action if we are to secure a long-term future. But humanity’s story has always been on a global scale. In this book, Jeffrey D. Sachs, renowned economist and expert on sustainable development, turns to world history to shed light on how we can meet the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Sachs takes readers through a series of seven distinct waves of technological and institutional change, starting with the original settling of the planet by early modern humans through long-distance migration and ending with reflections on today’s globalization. Along the way, he considers how the interplay of geography, technology, and institutions influenced the Neolithic revolution; the role of the horse in the emergence of empires; the spread of large land-based empires in the classical age; the rise of global empires after the opening of sea routes from Europe to Asia and the Americas; and the industrial age. The dynamics of these past waves, Sachs demonstrates, offer fresh perspective on the ongoing processes taking place in our own time—a globalization based on digital technologies. Sachs emphasizes the need for new methods of international governance and cooperation to prevent conflicts and to achieve economic, social, and environmental objectives aligned with sustainable development. The Ages of Globalization is a vital book for all readers aiming to make sense of our rapidly changing world.

Sustainable Human Development in the Twenty-First Century is a component of Encyclopedia of Human Resources Policy, Development and Management in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty Encyclopedias. The volume of Human Development examines the state and nature of human development and identifies factors that determine its promotion for the twenty-first century. A general goal, since the ultimate goal for human development is to enhance the quality of human life. However, the concept “quality of human life” is not well defined. It is determined by a set of interrelated factors that cut across many disciplines with varied perspectives and paradigms. These include the prevailing culture, health status, economic performance, technological development, political and social conditions, the building of human capacity and capabilities, and institutional development on the local and global levels. For example, in an environment characterized by a better quality of human life, it is expected that people will be able to lead long and productive lives. They are also expected to enjoy good health, have access to knowledge and educational opportunities, and be treated by all with respect, in a socially equitable and dignified manner. In the sphere of political economy, they are expected to have the opportunity to participate in governance decisions that affect their lives and the community in which they live; and to have the potential to earn sufficient income to supply themselves with adequate nutrition, shelter, and other material and aesthetic needs. Furthermore, people are expected to maintain a sustainable environment and equitable social contracts across space and generations, especially in the context of the evolving global governance. The volume of “Sustainable Human Development in the Twenty-First Century” is divided into five topics which are then expanded into multiple subtopics, each as a chapter presented in two volumes. The first is “Major issues in Human Development” and provides an over view of the Topic with emphasis on the sociological foundation of human development. The second Topic, “Diversity and Historical Processes” reviews the historical and technological processes which have led to the present state of human diversity and differentiation. The third Topic, “Causes of Global Change” focuses on whether it is possible in the present global environment to enlarge people's capabilities so that economic progress may be translated into a multidimensional human happiness. The fourth Topic, “Consequences of Global Change” examines global change not in the narrow sense of short-term economic change, but rather as historical waves of long-term development. The fifth Topic on Planning Strategies reviews current practice and projects challenges in the next century. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students, Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers and NGOs.

The Globalization and Environment Reader features a collection of classic and cutting-edge readings that explore whether and how globalization can be made compatible with sustainable development. Offers a comprehensive collection of nearly 30 classic and cutting-edge readings spanning a broad range of perspectives within this increasingly important field Addresses the question of whether economic globalization is the prime cause of the destruction of the global environment – or if some forms of globalization could help to address global environmental problems Features carefully edited extracts selected both for their importance and their accessibility Covers a variety of topics such as the ‘marketization’ of nature, debates about managing and governing the relationship between globalization and the environment, and discussions about whether or not globalization should be ‘greened’ Systematically captures the breadth and diversity of the field without assuming prior knowledge Offers a timely and necessary insight into the future of our fragile planet in the 21st century

Put quite simply, the twin impacts of globalization and environmental degradation pose new security dangers and concerns. In this new work on global security thinking, 91 authors from five continents and many disciplines, from science and practice, assess the worldwide reassessment of the meaning of security triggered by the end of the Cold War and globalization, as well as the multifarious impacts of global environmental change in the early 21st century.

Global power structures are changing. The United States and Europe are losing ground, as countries such as China and India increase their global reach. At the same time that new global players emerge, multinational corporations, global civil society organizations, and international media carve out their own spaces in international affairs. How will these changes impact the legitimacy of the United Nations? In Shared Responsibility, Carsten Staur examines the ability of the UN to combine its normative functions - defining global objectives, rules, and standards - with practical assistance for its 193 member states. Staur focuses on transformative global challenges, where the UN has the potential to play a critical role in assisting vulnerable countries in the aftermath of conflict, in further developing the concept of "responsibility to protect," in creating a more forceful system of accountability for mass atrocity crimes, and in re-launching sustainable development as the future’s principal global development approach and as the basis for dealing effectively with both climate change and the responsible management of global resources. An insider's look at the UN, Shared Responsibility details the problems faced by the United Nations and presents solutions for the organization to remain relevant, legitimate, and action-oriented in the twenty-first century.