Transcript Document
First, let’s discuss the term – “Balance of Power”. What do you think that might mean? Can you think of some powerful countries? Sierra Leone Tuvalu Burundi Eritrea Congo Liberia Germany China Japan Great Britain France Russia United States Top six answers are on the board. Here is the question: “If United States is the most powerful country in the world, what makes it, or any other country, powerful? Economic level of the country Military power Education level of the population Population of the country The country’s land area Physical features of the country Click to reveal the answers! Press this button to go to the next slide. FACTOR United States Economic level of the country Strongest Economy in the World Military power High Numbers / High Technology High Numbers / High Technology High Numbers / High Technology Population 305 Million 1.4 Billion 143 Million 128 Million land area Large Territory Population Dense Only in Certain Areas Large Territory Population Dense Only in Certain Areas Large Territory Low Population Density Small Territory, Very Dense Population Physical Features Large Territory environment Varies by latitude and region Large Territory environment Varies by latitude and region 99% of Population considered literate 95.9% of Population considered literate Education level China Russia 6th Strongest Strong Economy Economy / Many / Depend on natural resources Exports Japan Strong Economy / Depend on Imports and Exports Low Numbers / Defensive Only Large Territory Small Territory / environment regions of high Varies by latitude elevation impact and region population 99.5% of Population considered literate 99% of Population considered literate •Most of the world’s countries are members of an organization called the “United Nations”. •This organization has many goals, but a major goal is to keep the peace between the countries of the world and maintain the civil rights of all of the world’s people. •The headquarters of the UN is in New York City. Representatives from every country have personnel that work at the United Nations. The UN functions almost like a world congress. However, pretty much every decision has to go through the group called the “UN Security Council”. Patrick Gruban. Creative Commons 2.0, September 2008. Patrick Gruban. Creative Commons 2.0, September 2008. The UN Security Council has five permanent members that do not change: The United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. The ten other members rotate over time. Dawit Rezene. Creative Commons 1.0, Unknown. Mikhail Evstafiev, Creative Commons 3.0, Unknown. The United Nations sends soldiers to places around the world as “peacekeepers” or to help with problems such as food shortages or natural disasters. These troops come from the member countries. They can usually be recognized by wearing light blue hats, blue armbands or driving white vehicles. Joowwww, Creative Commons 3.0, August 2008. Watch as countries begin to join the United Nations over time. Think really hard about this question: Why did it start in 1945? •The United Nations’ overall goals are often difficult to attain. The member countries often ignore directives of the organization even for years. •The peacekeeping troops have the power only to defend themselves most of the time, therefore, they can do little to stop major problems. •Though the UN has a court system, it does not always apply. Some revolutionary or unofficial groups that may violate civil rights do not answer to the UN as they are not countries. Today, many Americans believe that the United Nations is not a helpful organization. Some even believe the US should leave the United Nations. What do you think?