Discussion Questions
Chapter 1: History
1. Is a borderless world possible? And what would that look like?
2. What alternatives can you propose for globalization?
3. How did the ‘Occupy movement’ respond to globalization?
Chapter 2: Population and resources
1. What factors have contributed to the changing rate of population growth?
2. Are we really approaching a brink in human population growth? What can be done about that?
3. Is the Malthusian theory still relevant today or does it need to be modified?
Chapter 3: Identity and culture
1. In this age of globalization and interconnectedness how has the discussion around cultural identity changed?
2. Is cultural appropriation now as much of an issue as it was in the 20th century?
Chapter 4: Science and technology
1. What is your opinion about human job security in the age of AI?
2. The Cambridge Analytica scandal has highlighted the potential nefarious nature of big data. Have we become more vulnerable with the amount of data we share online? What can, or should, be done about it?
Chapter 5: States and government
1. In the age of globalisation, has our definition of nation states become obsolete?
2. Does the rise in nationalism in the 21st century pose a significant threat to the established structures of world order?
3. Is the world moving towards or away from the idea of ‘super states’?
Chapter 6: Law and international organizations
1. Is the (relative) success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the establishment of it successor, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), an indication of the relevance of the United Nations to the future of international organisations?
2. The rise of the term ‘Third World’ was attributed to the possibility of an alternative approach to development (an alternative from capitalism and communism). Does this possibility still exist today?
3. In February/March 2014 the Russian Federation annexed Crimea from Ukraine, an arguably flagrant disregard for international law. How do you think the international community should have responded?
Chapter 7: Human rights
1. Guantanamo Bay is a United States detention camp in Cuba. There have been accusations of the use of torture on detainees, some of who have not been tried for any crime. Should the United States face criminal charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the actions committed there?
2. What do you think about the ‘Right to be forgotten’? Is it a right or a violation of free speech?
Chapter 8: Economy
1. What responsibility do we have as individuals for the existence of income inequality?
2. Can the continued existence of poverty be blamed on dependency theory?
Chapter 9: Trade
1. The increasing economic influence of transnational corporations is argued to be detrimental to states and its citizens. What should be done about this?
2. Do you think free trade agreements are bad for the local economy?
3. In the era of globalization and trade, is anyone at a significant disadvantage? Why?
Chapter 10: Migration
1. What effect does migration have on:
- The country of origin
- The country of destination
- The country (or countries) of transit?
2. Are the international refugee and migration laws adequate for the current times?
3. What do you think of the world’s response to the mass migration caused by the rise of Islamic State, Syrian Civil War and other conflicts in the region? What might be done differently?
Chapter 11: Environment
1. What have you done recently to reduce your carbon footprint?
2. What initiatives has your country taken to reduce its carbon footprint in the last five years?
3. Does capitalism stand in the way of significant environmentally positive actions?
Chapter 12: War and peace
1. What do you think is an appropriate response of states to the threat of international terrorism?
2. The Syrian civil war started 2011. There have been numerous accusations of a violation of human rights and the use of chemical weapons against civilian population. The response of the international community has been questionable. What do you think of the international community’s response and its effectiveness?
