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Chapter 5: Roots of Global Inequality, Decolonization, and Resistance

  • Page ID
    330804
    • Aimee Samara Krouskop, Ben Cushing, Kimberly Puttman, and Avery Temple
    • Open Oregon

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    Learning Objectives

    This chapter offers you the opportunity to:

    • Identify ideologies and systems that are the foundations of global inequality.
    • Discuss how foreign assistance, humanitarian aid, and development have instilled positive impacts as well as increased global inequality.
    • Explain the mixed impacts of foreign assistance, humanitarian aid, and development.
    • Illustrate new perspectives and movements that exist for addressing global inequality.

    • 5.1: Chapter Story
      This page examines Colombia's struggles with deforestation and human rights abuses, particularly targeting environmental leaders, against the backdrop of global inequality and historical exploitation. It highlights the surge in violence against activists post-FARC withdrawal and critiques U.S. military aid, especially Plan Colombia, for alleged human rights violations and prioritizing resource exploitation over effective conflict resolution.
    • 5.2: Foundations of Global Inequality
      This page examines the historical roots of global inequality, focusing on European colonialism's legacy of wealth extraction from Indigenous populations. It discusses ideologies that justified colonialism, such as the "civilizing mission" and "Orientalism," while also introducing the concept of neocolonialism—economic dominance persisting post-independence.
    • 5.3: Globalization, Inequality, and the Development Age
      This page examines the post-World War II international trade and financial system, notably influenced by the Bretton Woods Conference, with a focus on the IMF and World Bank. It critiques Structural Adjustment Programs for perpetuating poverty in borrower nations and discusses the roles of foreign assistance and global organizations like the UN and WHO in addressing inequality, acknowledging their ties to economic power and historical colonialism.
    • 5.4: Mixed Impacts of Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Aid, and Development
      This page explores the multifaceted effects of foreign assistance, including improvements in health and education, along with criticisms regarding accountability and neocolonialism. It highlights the controversial legacy of the School of the Americas and its ties to human rights violations during the Cold War. Additionally, the page notes the mixed results of the Green Revolution and its impact on farmers.
    • 5.5: New Perspectives and Movements for Global Change
      This page examines global development tensions, criticizing technology's role in solving poverty and food issues. It discusses grassroots resistance like organic farming, promoting sustainability for better health and income. The Zapatista uprising is presented as a challenge to neoliberal policies, advocating community autonomy over state control. Additionally, it highlights inequalities in wealth and health, shifting towards holistic approaches like microloans to empower communities.
    • 5.6: Conclusion
      This page explores the historical and ongoing factors contributing to global inequality, focusing on colonization and supporting ideologies. It assesses globalization, foreign aid, and humanitarian assistance, noting their varied impacts on inequality. The chapter promotes critical reflection on global interactions and support effectiveness while defining key terms like neocolonialism and neoliberalism.
    • 5.7: References
      This page provides an overview of academic references on agriculture, foreign aid, and socio-economic factors affecting countries like the U.S. and Colombia. It explores themes such as the Green Revolution's influence on food security, the efficacy of foreign aid, and the challenges faced by marginalized farmers and eco-activists. Additionally, it addresses issues like farmers' suicides in India, U.S. military involvement in Latin America, and the uninsured population in the U.S.


    This page titled Chapter 5: Roots of Global Inequality, Decolonization, and Resistance is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Aimee Samara Krouskop, Ben Cushing, Kimberly Puttman, and Avery Temple (Open Oregon) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.