A Concise History of the World Since 1945
Description
This lively synthesis of global history since the end of World War II offers a gripping account of an interdependent world and the challenges facing individuals in the twenty-first century. The narrative is arranged around two key tensions: the struggle between socialism and free-market capitalism and the interaction between cultural fragmentation and the competing integrative force of globalization. Considering the historical experience of Africa, Asia and Latin America as well as the West, it addresses the ever-expanding gulf between the developed North and developing South, and the environmental impact of development on the planet's delicate ecosystems.
Authoritative and well-written, this is an ideal introductory guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students taking courses on global history since 1945. It is also a fascinating primer for anyone with an interest in global history and the issues affecting the globe today.
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Person
W. M. Spellman is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, USA.
Content
PART I: FROM BIPOLAR TO MULTIPOLAR WOLRD.- 1. The Cold War in global context, 1945-1991.- 2. The end of empire and the problem of neocolonialism.- 3. An elusive new world order, 1991-2004.- PART II: GLOBALIZATION AND ITS DISCONTENTS.- 4. When borders don't matter: development and global culture.- 5. When borders do matter: international migration and identity.- PART III: BODY AND SPIRIT.- 6. Science, technology, and the environment.- 7. Religion, rights and civil society.- Conclusion: Hope and misgiving in the new century.
