History Notes
A New World Order Introduction into topic:
- A new world order emerged when the USSR collapsed and communism was
seen to have failed.
- With the end of Russia as a superpower, the USA remained the major political,
economic and military power and western capitalism was dominant in the global
economy.
= This “new world order” however was NOT without problems.
- Key Concepts and Acronyms
1. Balance of power = Political term referring to the relationship between
world powers.
2. Free Trade = No restrictions placed on trade, can buy and sell to any.
3. Globalisation = The removal of barriers to free trade and the closer
integration of world economies and societies.
4. IT revolution = The development in information technology that's
revolutionised everything.
5. Multinational Corporations = Large businesses that link global
economies.
6. New World Order = Consequence of the end of the Cold War and the
collapse of Soviet communism, the dominance of America as the
remaining superpower.
7. Structural Adjustment Programme = Policy of the IMF, loans dependent
on reduced state spending, cut back on government institutions like
democracy and cultural symbols of materialism.
8. Westernisation = The spread of western culture, mainly America,
including industrial and economic capitalism, political institutions like
democracy and cultural symbols of materialism.
, 1. AU = African Union.
2. BRICS = Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA.
3. G8 = Group of 8 countries, (Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Germany,
Japan, Russia and USA.
4. G20 = A forum for the Central Bank governors and governments from 20
major economies.
5. IMF = International Monetary Fund.
6. WTO = World Trade Organisation.
What is Globalisation The main features of it
It is the continuous exchange of 1. Communication
information, business and goods around 2. Travel
the world, political, economic, social and 3. Culture
cultural interchange. 4. Economies
5. International corporations
The Balance of Power and the Impact on Africa:
COLD WAR - NEW WORLD ORDER -
● Balance of power between East ● Collapse of Soviet communism left
and West. America and western capitalism
● African states with strategic value dominant. (in control)
or rich in minerals became tools in ● African countries lost their strategic
the Cold War. importance, support and aid and
have to compete on the open
market.
- North-South and South-South relations
= In the New World Order a North-South division has replaced the bipolar,
East-West division of the Cold War.
= The North-South division is not geographic but refers to the political, social and
economic differences between the northern and southern hemispheres.
= North → Europe, North America and Japan.
= South → Developing countries in Latin America, Africa and some in Asia AND
India and China.
, - What problems have been created by the North-South divide?
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
● Developed, wealthy, industrialized, ● History of colonialism, ravaged by
high standard of living and proxy wars during the Cold War.
dominate the global economy. ● Under-developed economies
● Farmers in Europe and America based on agriculture and export of
subsidised, able to produce cheap raw materials, lack infrastructure
food. and skills.
● No subsidy for farmers.
● Most in debt to World Bank.
- The role that Southern States play in global institutions
= Represented in the General Assembly of the UN, two Secretaries were from
Africa.
1. Butros Boutros-Ghali from Egypt.
2. Kofi Annan from Ghana.
= 2003 then G20 was formed.
- South-South relations
= To counteract the imbalance of North-South relations the South works together
through many organizations.
= Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Renaissance,
African Union, NEPAD and BRICS.