12.9: Discussion Questions
- Page ID
- 292475
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Discussion Questions
- Global Village or Global Spaceship?
What is gained by describing the world as a “spaceship” rather than a “global village”? Where does the metaphor work particularly well, and where might it have limitations? - Everything Is Connected, but How?
Choose one issue from an earlier chapter and trace its connection to at least three other issues covered in the book. Which connection surprised you most? - Structure versus Agency
Throughout the book, individuals operate within powerful political, economic, technological, and cultural systems. How much power do individuals actually have to change those systems? Use at least two chapter examples. - Who Gets the Best Seat on the Spaceship?
How does inequality shape people's experiences of global interdependence? Consider differences in wealth, citizenship, geography, race, gender, technology access, or political power. - When Systems Collide
Identify one global problem that cannot realistically be solved within a single policy area. What would a systems-based response require? - Technology: Solution, Problem, or Both?
Looking across the chapters on climate, democracy, human rights, migration, tourism, philanthropy, and culture, does technology appear more often as a solution or as a source of new problems? Defend your answer. - Whose Knowledge Counts?
Several chapters question whose expertise is privileged in policymaking, philanthropy, development, environmental governance, and cultural representation. Why does inclusion of local and Indigenous knowledge matter? - Justice versus Efficiency
Can the most efficient solution to a global issue also be unjust? Use a case from the book to explain how policymakers should balance efficiency, equity, and rights. - What Counts as Progress?
If economic growth is not enough to define global progress, what indicators would you use instead? Consider human flourishing, sustainability, justice, democratic participation, security, or other measures. - One Problem, One Intervention
If you could intervene in one global system discussed in this book, where would you act and why? Identify a realistic leverage point rather than simply naming the problem. - Responsibility in an Unequal World
Do countries, corporations, or individuals who have contributed more to a global problem have greater responsibility for solving it? Why or why not? - Your Role on the Spaceship
What is one area in which your own choices, profession, community, or civic participation connects to a global system? What form of responsibility follows from that connection?