INTRODUCTION TO CANADIAN AND WORLD ISSUES

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INTRODUCTION TO CANADIAN AND WORLD ISSUES Part
3 CGW4U
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We will begin this course by defining what an
issue is. What kind of issues are Canadian or
World Issues and what kind issues are not? We
alluded to this answer in part 1. According to
the dictionary, an issue is a result or an
outcome. It is a point of view. It is a point in
question. An issue is an important subject open
to discussion or debate. A world issue is a topic
or event that effects or concerns the majority of
the world. A Canadian issue is a topic that
effects most Canadians. In this course we will
look at issues that not only effect most
Canadians but most of the people in the world.
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As global citizens, we share this planet with
billions of people. The choices we make about the
ways in which we live our lives affect the world
at large. As Canadians living in the worlds
second largest country (in area), we are also
deeply affected by what happens elsewhere on the
global stage. A world issue or Global issue
usually arises when there is a worldwide
disagreement among a large number of people on
the way the future should evolve. Disagreement is
often caused by differences in belief. These
beliefs are based on Culture History Values
Religion Customs - Family upbringing -
Personal Aspiration and Traditions
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The above vary tremendously throughout the
world. Issues can therefore be Political,
Environmental, Social, Economic, Cultural and
Resource related, just to name a few.
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In this course we must look at all issues with an
open mind and try not to be Ethnocentric (when
the behaviour of one society or ethnic group is
judged by the standards of ones own society or
group). An example would be making fun of how
other people dress or what they eat. Mind you if
you solve this you solve racism and
discrimination.
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• Below is an example of a World issue, it is in
  the form of a debatable question
• Should the population of the earth be
  controlled?
• People that are against Population control will
  give the following arguments
• Religious beliefs
• Greater Military
• Population is not the problem, distribution of
  wealth is
• The more the people the stronger the economy
• Etc.

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• The people in favour would possibly give these
  arguments
• Its the cause of hunger
• Its the cause of poverty
• We do not have enough resources to feed everyone
• The greatest growth occurs in countries that
  can't afford it
• This issue affects many people. It affects our
  future. Our opinion depends on our behaviour and
  our beliefs and upbringing. Our opinion is also
  depended on our knowledge and awareness of the
  subject!

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Awareness is essential in the early stages of
addressing an issue. Today geographers use
sophisticated means of measuring and mapping the
features of the earth and the people on it. For
example, geographers use GIS to map the various
statistics involved in the study of population,
birth rate, death rate, etc. We can then analyze
(Spatial) and predict trends and outcomes for the
future.
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Once you know an issue exists we can begin to
analyze it. Each day the global population grows
by 219,000 people. Eighty percent of this growth
occurs in Developing nations. The consequences of
this growth includes poverty, hunger, death, war
and suffering. There is an obvious concern over
this issue.
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Such concerns drive people to look for
solutions. A single issue has interrelated
aspects. A good way to examine an issues
complexity is to brainstorm the issue. Using
something called a Web Technique, write the
word Population or Over Population in the centre
and then surround it with as many words as come
to mind when you think of this issue.
Population (Over Population)
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Because most issues have political,
environmental, social and economic implications,
it is helpful to organize the result of your
brainstorming into these four areas. Political
Who has the power and who controls. Who controls
the situation. Who makes, designs and administers
judgments. Environmental The impact on the
natural environment and the environment in which
people live. Environmental considerations can be
local or global.
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Social What are the cultural factors? Culture
describes the customs, values and religions in a
particular community. The way we work, what we
eat, where we live, the way we dress etc. are
part of our lifestyle. Economic What are the
financial costs? What is the cost of the problem
and what is the cost of the solution? Are there
financial benefits to the solution?
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Framing the issue of Population Political Who
caused the problem? Who is responsible for the
solution. Eg. China and the one child policy.
Should individual countries be held responsible?
Should there be a collective world
response? Environmental Can the earth support so
many people? As population increases, resource
use will increase. The Biosphere and the
individual Ecozones will be affected. Eg. More
people means more space for them to live
expansion into natural areas. More people more
fossil fuels will be burned and in turn this will
effect Global Warming.
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Social Family size is integral in many cultures.
Lifestyles will have to change. The role of women
will have to change. Religious views may have to
change. Eg. Overcrowded people will migrate to
less crowded areas, thus causing a mixture of
culture. Economic Distribution of wealth is at
the root of this issue. What are the financial
consequences of supporting such a large amount of
people. Eg. What are the financial resources in
coming to the aid of suffering people.
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This issue, of course, can be debated. If you
change the statement to one that takes a stand
and can be argued then you have created a Thesis.
The following is the same issue stated as a
Thesis If the population of the earth is not
controlled, widespread hunger and poverty will
certainly result What is the difference between
the two? When arguing an issue or a thesis you
can give two types of information 1. Fact and 2.
Opinion.
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A fact is unbiased reality. It is objective. You
cant really argue a fact you can argue the
reliability of the fact, the way it is
presented or the way the fact may have been
collected or reached. Fact Brazil won the World
Cup!
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An opinion is a judgment or a point of view about
reality. It is subjective and it can be argued.
An opinion is biased it is distorted based on
your knowledge of the subject and your beliefs,
values, upbringing. Opinion Italians are the
best in soccer and it was the referees fault
that they lost in the world cup! Is your source
qualified to give an opinion. Does the author
have a stake in the issue being discussed? If so,
could this bias the authors position? Bias can
cause people to select facts that support their
argument, while ignoring others.
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• The Internet is full of facts, but it is also
  full of opinions, care must be taken when using
  the Internet as a source.
• An excellent way to write an essay is to state a
  fact and then give your opinion on that fact.
• How to analyze an issue
• State the Issue.
• Give a backgrounder to the issue. Characteristics
  of the issue.
• Give the consequences and implications of the
  issue.
• Give the possible solutions to the issue.

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• Lets end the introduction with a list of World
  Issues that we are facing today. Highlight the
  issues that are most serious to Canadians. Ill
  write these on the board
• ????
• ????
• ????
• Population seems to be the issue that affects
  most other issues, we will begin with an in-depth
  study of Population.
• The End!