Jeffrey Sachs Geography, Technology, and Institutions
 |
Description
Book Introduction
“The most important issues today are all global.” A time of crisis that demands attention in 70,000 years of human history. In "The End of Poverty" and "The Age of Sustainable Development," world-renowned economics expert Jeffrey Sachs, who has focused on solutions for humanity's present and future, reminds us of what we must do in the face of climate change and the pandemic. In "Geography and Technology," he examines the evolution and decline, cooperation and conflict that humanity has experienced over the past 70,000 years, offering insights to overcome times of crisis. Jeffrey Sachs explains that since humans originated in Africa 70,000 years ago and dispersed to other continents, all human activities, including trade, conquest, nation-building, increased productivity, and the spread of infectious diseases, have been based on three elements: geography, technology, and institutions. And this process, that is, the interaction between regions and regions and societies, was summarized into seven eras based on agriculture, the spread of navigation, the digital revolution, etc., so that the flow of civilization can be grasped at a glance. Advances in information technology and transportation have increased global interdependence and mutual understanding, and COVID-19 and climate change have made humanity's interconnectedness even more evident. "Geographical and Technical Systems" is a history book and a guidebook for the future, reminding humanity of the experiences of long exchanges and suggesting a better tomorrow, facing a common crisis that cannot be resolved simply through the actions of any one country. |
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
Recommendation 6
Preface 16
Chapter 1: The History of Globalization
Seven Globalizations That Changed History 28
The pace of globalization is accelerating 34
Economic Size and the Speed of Change 39
The Unfinished Malthusian Curse 43
Industrial Changes in the Globalization Era 45
The Interaction of Geography, Technology, and Institutions 49
Geographical Conditions that Promoted Economic Development 54
Geopolitics and Globalization 64
Three Issues in the Age of Globalization 67
Chapter 2: The Globalization of Homo sapiens: The Paleolithic Era, the Beginning of Humanity's First Globalization
The Great Divergence of Homo sapiens 74
Culture develops 78
Paleolithic Human Society 80
Lessons from the Paleolithic Age 82
Chapter 3: The Globalization of Agriculture: Settling and Cultivating the Land in the Neolithic Age
The spread of agriculture 93
Rivers Create Civilization 95
Lucky Latitude 97
The Fate of Civilizations Divided by Luck 101
Chapter 4: Horse-Driven Globalization: The Equestrian Age: Horses Connected the World
Taming Animals 105
Horses, a Core Technology of Neolithic Civilization 108
Overcoming Harsh Environments with Camels 111
The Age of Metal Begins 114
The Butterfly Effect of Language-Brought Civilization 115
Equestrian Societies of Eurasia 117
Conquerors of the Steppes 119
The Rise and Fall of the Crescent Civilization 120
Three Core Technologies of Equestrian Civilization 122
Chapter 5: The Globalization of Politics: The Classical Era: East Meets West
Axial Age 128
Maritime and Land States 130
The Rise of Empires and the Clash of Civilizations 132
Han Dynasty Lays the Foundation of China 141
The Birth of the Three Great Eurasian Empires 144
The Silk Road, the Highway of Eastern and Western Civilizations 147
The Fall of the Roman Empire and the Rise of Islam 148
The Song Dynasty ushered in China's golden age. 151
The Last Conquerors of the Steppes 153
Great Legacies of the Classical Age 157
Chapter 6: The Globalization of Imperialism: The Maritime Age, the Clash of Imperial Ambitions
The Diverging Fates of China and Europe 161
Ocean Exploration by European Nations 164
Columbia Exchange 167
The Knowledge Revolution in Europe 172
The Birth of Global Capitalism 176
European Nations' Struggle for Global Empire 178
The Endless Greed of Imperialism 185
The State and Capital Collude 188
Victims of the Global Empire 189
Cotton, the driving force behind European factories 195
Global Empires and Global Wars 197
Adam Smith's Prophecy 201
The Light and Shadow of the Maritime Age 204
Chapter 7: The Globalization of Technology and War: The Industrial Age and the Rise of Hegemons
From an Organic Economy to an Energy-Rich Economy 213
Conditions for the Industrial Revolution 216
Kondratiev Wave 221
European Industrialization and Britain's Role 225
The Global Gap Brought About by Industrialization 228
Asian Strategies Against Imperialism 230
Africa, a Victim of Imperialist Competition 239
Britain and the United States: The Rise of Hegemons 241
The Tragedy of Europe Over 30 Years 245
The American Era Arrives 250
From the Age of Differentiation to the Age of Concentration 254
Challenges Facing the Industrial Age 260
Chapter 8: The Globalization of Inequality: Inequality Deepens in the Digital Age
The Roots of the Digital Revolution 266
Intensive Growth and the Rise of China 277
Sustainable Development Issues 284
The Problem of Inequality 287
Challenges of the Earth's Borders 289
Potential Dangers in the Digital Age 294
Hope for the Digital Age 295
Chapter 9: Advice for 21st Century Globalization
300 for sustainable development
The Practices of Social Democracy 308
Complementarity and the Public Sphere 310
UN Reform 314
Ethics of Action in Joint Planning 319
Acknowledgments 343
Translator's Note 345
Data Appendix 353
Week 363
374 Books to Read
References 380
Search 394
Preface 16
Chapter 1: The History of Globalization
Seven Globalizations That Changed History 28
The pace of globalization is accelerating 34
Economic Size and the Speed of Change 39
The Unfinished Malthusian Curse 43
Industrial Changes in the Globalization Era 45
The Interaction of Geography, Technology, and Institutions 49
Geographical Conditions that Promoted Economic Development 54
Geopolitics and Globalization 64
Three Issues in the Age of Globalization 67
Chapter 2: The Globalization of Homo sapiens: The Paleolithic Era, the Beginning of Humanity's First Globalization
The Great Divergence of Homo sapiens 74
Culture develops 78
Paleolithic Human Society 80
Lessons from the Paleolithic Age 82
Chapter 3: The Globalization of Agriculture: Settling and Cultivating the Land in the Neolithic Age
The spread of agriculture 93
Rivers Create Civilization 95
Lucky Latitude 97
The Fate of Civilizations Divided by Luck 101
Chapter 4: Horse-Driven Globalization: The Equestrian Age: Horses Connected the World
Taming Animals 105
Horses, a Core Technology of Neolithic Civilization 108
Overcoming Harsh Environments with Camels 111
The Age of Metal Begins 114
The Butterfly Effect of Language-Brought Civilization 115
Equestrian Societies of Eurasia 117
Conquerors of the Steppes 119
The Rise and Fall of the Crescent Civilization 120
Three Core Technologies of Equestrian Civilization 122
Chapter 5: The Globalization of Politics: The Classical Era: East Meets West
Axial Age 128
Maritime and Land States 130
The Rise of Empires and the Clash of Civilizations 132
Han Dynasty Lays the Foundation of China 141
The Birth of the Three Great Eurasian Empires 144
The Silk Road, the Highway of Eastern and Western Civilizations 147
The Fall of the Roman Empire and the Rise of Islam 148
The Song Dynasty ushered in China's golden age. 151
The Last Conquerors of the Steppes 153
Great Legacies of the Classical Age 157
Chapter 6: The Globalization of Imperialism: The Maritime Age, the Clash of Imperial Ambitions
The Diverging Fates of China and Europe 161
Ocean Exploration by European Nations 164
Columbia Exchange 167
The Knowledge Revolution in Europe 172
The Birth of Global Capitalism 176
European Nations' Struggle for Global Empire 178
The Endless Greed of Imperialism 185
The State and Capital Collude 188
Victims of the Global Empire 189
Cotton, the driving force behind European factories 195
Global Empires and Global Wars 197
Adam Smith's Prophecy 201
The Light and Shadow of the Maritime Age 204
Chapter 7: The Globalization of Technology and War: The Industrial Age and the Rise of Hegemons
From an Organic Economy to an Energy-Rich Economy 213
Conditions for the Industrial Revolution 216
Kondratiev Wave 221
European Industrialization and Britain's Role 225
The Global Gap Brought About by Industrialization 228
Asian Strategies Against Imperialism 230
Africa, a Victim of Imperialist Competition 239
Britain and the United States: The Rise of Hegemons 241
The Tragedy of Europe Over 30 Years 245
The American Era Arrives 250
From the Age of Differentiation to the Age of Concentration 254
Challenges Facing the Industrial Age 260
Chapter 8: The Globalization of Inequality: Inequality Deepens in the Digital Age
The Roots of the Digital Revolution 266
Intensive Growth and the Rise of China 277
Sustainable Development Issues 284
The Problem of Inequality 287
Challenges of the Earth's Borders 289
Potential Dangers in the Digital Age 294
Hope for the Digital Age 295
Chapter 9: Advice for 21st Century Globalization
300 for sustainable development
The Practices of Social Democracy 308
Complementarity and the Public Sphere 310
UN Reform 314
Ethics of Action in Joint Planning 319
Acknowledgments 343
Translator's Note 345
Data Appendix 353
Week 363
374 Books to Read
References 380
Search 394
Detailed image
Into the book
There are arguments that free trade is too risky and that countries should close their borders and return to self-sufficiency.
Such a suggestion is nothing more than an absurd fantasy.
(…) Throughout human history, understanding and confronting the threats (disease, conquest, war, financial crisis, etc.) arising from globalization has always been a crucial task.
The struggle was not to end globalization, but to harness the power of international cooperation to manage the negative consequences of global interconnectedness.
This process requires the creation of new forms of international cooperation.
And international cooperation is one of the most important themes of this book.
(…) The World Health Organization is responsible for the global campaign to fight COVID-19.
We have been faithfully coordinating scientific information and control methods on this pathogen, and we are encouraging and supervising the international movement to contain and end this pandemic.
--- pp.21-22
Eurasia's 'lucky latitudes' were the driving forces behind Neolithic technological innovation and long-distance diffusion.
If you look at the details, it is like this.
Technologies adopted in 3000 BC included metallurgy (at a time when the Copper Age was in full swing and the Bronze Age was just beginning).
Early writing systems were developed, including Egyptian hieroglyphs, Mesopotamian proto-cuneiform, and early Chinese pictographs; pastoral agriculture began, and donkeys and horses were domesticated.
Pottery, viticulture (which began as early as 5000 BC in the Caucasus region, present-day Georgia), and even carts and carriages were developed.
These technological advances far surpassed those achieved by contemporaries in the Americas, Oceania, and sub-Saharan Africa.
In these regions, innovation only began later when technology spread from fortunate latitudes.
(…) Interestingly, lucky latitudes have been lucky even during the fossil fuel era of the past 200 years.
The lucky latitude includes many areas with large coal reserves.
It was a coincidence that this happened.
About 100 million years ago, today's fortunate latitudes were tropical wetlands.
Dead plant and animal remains sank into these wetlands, where they were converted into coal over geologic time.
And this fuel would eventually power the Industrial Revolution.
--- pp.100-101
From the perspective of economic development and globalization, language has been an incomparably important tool.
Only horses possessed not only speed, endurance, and strength, but also the ability to truly revolutionize every aspect of the economy: agriculture, ranching, mining, manufacturing, transportation, communications, warfare, and administration.
Other parts of the world that could not utilize the power of horses were greatly inferior to those that had it, and were eventually conquered by warriors on horseback.
This ancient trend was repeated in East Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Europe, Africa, and America.
--- p.108
Around this time, China's history unfortunately took a turn toward anti-trade policies, the repercussions of which are still felt today.
At a critical juncture in history, when China dominated the seas and its naval power and navigational skills far surpassed those of Europeans, the Ming Dynasty abandoned its maritime policy, canceled further voyages, and drastically reduced the size of its fleet.
Port facilities were reduced and coastal populations depopulated, signaling a general decline in maritime commerce.
Historians still debate the extent to which this led to a decline in international trade, but in any case, China underestimated the importance of the sea, to the detriment of its future national governance.
One excuse for this is that China had to pay more attention to the north than to the sea, as the steppe warriors from the north continued to pose a threat.
Another excuse is that the Ming Dynasty's Confucian view of the state looked down on commercial activities.
--- pp.162-163
Humanity has achieved remarkable economic growth in the digital age, but we are paying the price for not considering the negative impacts it has had.
The world economy has accumulated enormous wealth, yet it has failed to meet the three criteria for sustainable development.
First, inequality is deepening due to the impact of digital technologies, which are widening the gap between high-skilled and low-skilled workers.
Second, environmental pollution is becoming increasingly serious and uncontrollable all over the world.
Environmental pollution is a stark reflection of the reality of the global economy.
Despite the global economy generating $100 trillion in annual output, humanity has not paid enough attention to keeping the impact of economic activity on the planet at a safe and sustainable level.
Finally, the risk of conflict between nations is increasing.
Rapid geopolitical shifts are raising anxiety levels in the United States, China, and elsewhere.
--- pp.295-296
Throughout human history and adventure, we have experienced the interaction of geography, technology, and institutions.
The great evolutionary biologist Edward Wilson said that we entered the 21st century with “Stone Age mentalities, medieval institutions, and godlike technology,” and he could rightly say that.
Sometimes we don't help or get along with each other very well, but we still have the capacity for reasoning and cooperation that was formed on the African savannahs 100,000 years ago.
Today's humanity is more aware of the mutual interests of one another than ever before.
Together, humanity's hope lies in leveraging the lessons of our shared history and human nature to build a new era of global cooperation.
Such a suggestion is nothing more than an absurd fantasy.
(…) Throughout human history, understanding and confronting the threats (disease, conquest, war, financial crisis, etc.) arising from globalization has always been a crucial task.
The struggle was not to end globalization, but to harness the power of international cooperation to manage the negative consequences of global interconnectedness.
This process requires the creation of new forms of international cooperation.
And international cooperation is one of the most important themes of this book.
(…) The World Health Organization is responsible for the global campaign to fight COVID-19.
We have been faithfully coordinating scientific information and control methods on this pathogen, and we are encouraging and supervising the international movement to contain and end this pandemic.
--- pp.21-22
Eurasia's 'lucky latitudes' were the driving forces behind Neolithic technological innovation and long-distance diffusion.
If you look at the details, it is like this.
Technologies adopted in 3000 BC included metallurgy (at a time when the Copper Age was in full swing and the Bronze Age was just beginning).
Early writing systems were developed, including Egyptian hieroglyphs, Mesopotamian proto-cuneiform, and early Chinese pictographs; pastoral agriculture began, and donkeys and horses were domesticated.
Pottery, viticulture (which began as early as 5000 BC in the Caucasus region, present-day Georgia), and even carts and carriages were developed.
These technological advances far surpassed those achieved by contemporaries in the Americas, Oceania, and sub-Saharan Africa.
In these regions, innovation only began later when technology spread from fortunate latitudes.
(…) Interestingly, lucky latitudes have been lucky even during the fossil fuel era of the past 200 years.
The lucky latitude includes many areas with large coal reserves.
It was a coincidence that this happened.
About 100 million years ago, today's fortunate latitudes were tropical wetlands.
Dead plant and animal remains sank into these wetlands, where they were converted into coal over geologic time.
And this fuel would eventually power the Industrial Revolution.
--- pp.100-101
From the perspective of economic development and globalization, language has been an incomparably important tool.
Only horses possessed not only speed, endurance, and strength, but also the ability to truly revolutionize every aspect of the economy: agriculture, ranching, mining, manufacturing, transportation, communications, warfare, and administration.
Other parts of the world that could not utilize the power of horses were greatly inferior to those that had it, and were eventually conquered by warriors on horseback.
This ancient trend was repeated in East Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Europe, Africa, and America.
--- p.108
Around this time, China's history unfortunately took a turn toward anti-trade policies, the repercussions of which are still felt today.
At a critical juncture in history, when China dominated the seas and its naval power and navigational skills far surpassed those of Europeans, the Ming Dynasty abandoned its maritime policy, canceled further voyages, and drastically reduced the size of its fleet.
Port facilities were reduced and coastal populations depopulated, signaling a general decline in maritime commerce.
Historians still debate the extent to which this led to a decline in international trade, but in any case, China underestimated the importance of the sea, to the detriment of its future national governance.
One excuse for this is that China had to pay more attention to the north than to the sea, as the steppe warriors from the north continued to pose a threat.
Another excuse is that the Ming Dynasty's Confucian view of the state looked down on commercial activities.
--- pp.162-163
Humanity has achieved remarkable economic growth in the digital age, but we are paying the price for not considering the negative impacts it has had.
The world economy has accumulated enormous wealth, yet it has failed to meet the three criteria for sustainable development.
First, inequality is deepening due to the impact of digital technologies, which are widening the gap between high-skilled and low-skilled workers.
Second, environmental pollution is becoming increasingly serious and uncontrollable all over the world.
Environmental pollution is a stark reflection of the reality of the global economy.
Despite the global economy generating $100 trillion in annual output, humanity has not paid enough attention to keeping the impact of economic activity on the planet at a safe and sustainable level.
Finally, the risk of conflict between nations is increasing.
Rapid geopolitical shifts are raising anxiety levels in the United States, China, and elsewhere.
--- pp.295-296
Throughout human history and adventure, we have experienced the interaction of geography, technology, and institutions.
The great evolutionary biologist Edward Wilson said that we entered the 21st century with “Stone Age mentalities, medieval institutions, and godlike technology,” and he could rightly say that.
Sometimes we don't help or get along with each other very well, but we still have the capacity for reasoning and cooperation that was formed on the African savannahs 100,000 years ago.
Today's humanity is more aware of the mutual interests of one another than ever before.
Together, humanity's hope lies in leveraging the lessons of our shared history and human nature to build a new era of global cooperation.
--- pp.325-326
Publisher's Review
A new book from Jeffrey Sachs, a global leader in 'sustainable development,' after six years!
How will humanity respond to climate change and pandemics?
A must-read survival guide for surviving in the 21st century!
Globalization: A human action that has become even more urgent in the age of pandemics and trade conflicts.
In 2021, the world was gripped by the US-China hegemony competition, trade conflicts, and quarantine issues, exacerbating the barriers between nations.
Accordingly, the country-first policy and reshoring (the phenomenon of manufacturing returning to the home country) that each country is showing in economic and quarantine matters are being accepted as natural policies.
At a time when the flow of history seems to be turning from openness to closure, from exchange to isolation, Jeffrey Sachs is raising his voice to call for cooperation and solidarity between regions and nations.
As a leading figure in international cooperation and reconstruction, the author has dedicated 35 years to eradicating poverty in Africa. He has personally realized how crucial it is for international organizations and developed countries to address issues that transcend the boundaries of individual countries, such as poverty, infectious diseases, and civil war.
And now, we know the magnitude of the impact the COVID-19 virus will have on the world and how much global cooperation is needed to contain and treat it.
Because today, with the connectivity between each country and each continent greater than ever before, the problems facing humanity cannot be solved without the cooperation of many countries.
"Geography and Technology Systems" encompasses the insights and experiences of a scholar and activist, and proposes countermeasures for the era of crisis in 2021 through the flow of global civilization and economy, rather than the history of a single country or region.
Impact of Globalization 1: Globalization of Medical Technology, the Spread and Eradication of AIDS
Among the historical events that deserve reflection in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the closest example is AIDS in the 20th century.
AIDS shows us both sides of our interconnected world.
AIDS, which developed into a pandemic in the 1980s, has killed a whopping 28 million people to date.
However, with scientific research and distribution of new drugs on a global scale, it has been reduced from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition.
Jeffrey Sachs has been involved in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since its inception, when the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) advocated for its establishment, and has been working to eradicate AIDS and malaria in Africa for a long time.
Even in the current pandemic, Sachs emphasizes that the solution to the problems arising from the increasing global connectivity is not to halt global travel and trade, but to minimize its negative impact.
The Impact of Globalization 2: China's Transformation of East and West
There are instances where short-sighted decisions about trade have changed the course of national and global history for hundreds of years.
In the mid-15th century, the Ming Dynasty of China expanded its territory to the Middle East and eastern Africa through the maritime expeditions of the eunuch Zheng He.
In Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the military was mobilized to reorganize local power while collecting tribute from more countries in each region.
At that time, China's naval power and navigation skills surpassed those of Europe.
However, due to the cost of the expedition, Confucian ideology, and threats from northern powers, the national management policy suddenly shifted to an anti-trade policy, which resulted in enormous damage to the future economic effects as well as national prestige.
At a time when Portugal and Spain, which were weaker than China in national power, had colonized the entire American continent, China completely gave up on expanding into the Indian Ocean and Africa.
Soon after, more European countries, including the Netherlands and the UK, began to circumnavigate the globe, and China gradually lost its technological edge and fell behind Europe.
Ultimately, as we all know, in the 19th century, China lost the two Opium Wars against Britain, which led to the collapse of the Sino-centric order and the full-scale invasion of Asia by Western powers.
Although China only actively resumed international trade in 1978, over 40 years ago, a single decision made 500 years ago had profound repercussions that would determine the fate of both the East and the West.
The Impact of Globalization 3: Lessons on Human Nature and Peace
Going back to the Paleolithic period (about 10,000 to 70,000 years ago) we can learn a greater lesson about the survival or extinction of the human species.
The Paleolithic Age, the origin of human history, was a nascent period that influenced all subsequent history.
During this period, humans first created culture and language, formed clans, and began to conquer nature.
Above all, socially, they began to develop a habit similar to human nature: cooperation with the inner group and violence against the outer group.
The hunter-gatherer society at this time had a very high level of cooperation within the group, and conversely, showed a very extreme level of violence toward outside groups.
As a result, modern humans drove out their closest relative, the Neanderthals, and caused them to become extinct about 42,000 years ago.
Neanderthals are a species of hominin that lived on Earth before modern humans, and differ only slightly from us genetically.
Although they appeared to be virtually identical in appearance, they were enemies that threatened the survival of humanity.
Jeffrey Sachs says that this should make us realize that we can be our own worst enemies or our neighbors' worst enemies.
Peace between societies and cultures is not something that comes naturally, but must be actively built by learning from human nature and history.
This is something we must remember today, when culture is constantly diversifying.
A 70,000-Year Chronology of Globalization: Geography, Technology, and Institutions
The framework for cooperation has now expanded to a global level.
In the 21st century, the scope of political activity has expanded from local to global, thanks to the development of transportation and communication technologies that have been concentrated over the past several centuries.
Former US President Trump's withdrawal from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2017 was not just a departure for one country; it had a global impact, both politically and environmentally, that the world could not ignore.
It further spurred the climate change movement in Europe and raised concerns about a chain of withdrawals by major carbon-emitting countries, including China.
The impact of COVID-19, which originated in China, was much more immediate and real.
It has infected over 200 million people and killed over 4.2 million, and is still ongoing.
Since its dispersion from Africa to other regions 70,000 years ago, humanity has always been pursuing change in the name of globalization.
Now humanity must pursue globalization in a peaceful yet wise manner.
Because if a world war were to break out in this nuclear age, there would be no second chance for survival.
What makes the current situation, where no single country can improve climate change, COVID-19, or trade conflicts, even more pessimistic is the disregard for humanity's accumulated experiences of connection.
Through open trade, technological dissemination, and the sharing of medical technologies, the world has become more interconnected over time, solving common problems more quickly.
"Geography and Technology Systems" unfolds a vision of the future that overturns common sense through the chronicle of humanity's spread of technology and systems from before the birth of civilization.
Jeffrey Sachs' Insights and Korea's Future
Jeffrey Sachs, a recognized scholar and activist for decades, has been receiving attention for his new book, which has been recommended by economists, historians, and international organization officials around the world.
He also has a keen interest in Korea's quarantine and governance.
During the 1997 Asian foreign exchange crisis, he criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its high interest rate prescription, saying that it was not because Korea's economic constitution had weakened.
In 2021, he continued to preach his outlook on the global economy and climate issues through a series of speeches and interviews with domestic media and local governments.
South Korea, recognized internationally in the face of the pandemic, still has the potential to expand cooperation with neighboring countries and further advance in Northeast Asia and the world.
In this respect, 『Geographical Technology System』 will add a new perspective to Korea's future.
How will humanity respond to climate change and pandemics?
A must-read survival guide for surviving in the 21st century!
Globalization: A human action that has become even more urgent in the age of pandemics and trade conflicts.
In 2021, the world was gripped by the US-China hegemony competition, trade conflicts, and quarantine issues, exacerbating the barriers between nations.
Accordingly, the country-first policy and reshoring (the phenomenon of manufacturing returning to the home country) that each country is showing in economic and quarantine matters are being accepted as natural policies.
At a time when the flow of history seems to be turning from openness to closure, from exchange to isolation, Jeffrey Sachs is raising his voice to call for cooperation and solidarity between regions and nations.
As a leading figure in international cooperation and reconstruction, the author has dedicated 35 years to eradicating poverty in Africa. He has personally realized how crucial it is for international organizations and developed countries to address issues that transcend the boundaries of individual countries, such as poverty, infectious diseases, and civil war.
And now, we know the magnitude of the impact the COVID-19 virus will have on the world and how much global cooperation is needed to contain and treat it.
Because today, with the connectivity between each country and each continent greater than ever before, the problems facing humanity cannot be solved without the cooperation of many countries.
"Geography and Technology Systems" encompasses the insights and experiences of a scholar and activist, and proposes countermeasures for the era of crisis in 2021 through the flow of global civilization and economy, rather than the history of a single country or region.
Impact of Globalization 1: Globalization of Medical Technology, the Spread and Eradication of AIDS
Among the historical events that deserve reflection in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the closest example is AIDS in the 20th century.
AIDS shows us both sides of our interconnected world.
AIDS, which developed into a pandemic in the 1980s, has killed a whopping 28 million people to date.
However, with scientific research and distribution of new drugs on a global scale, it has been reduced from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition.
Jeffrey Sachs has been involved in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since its inception, when the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) advocated for its establishment, and has been working to eradicate AIDS and malaria in Africa for a long time.
Even in the current pandemic, Sachs emphasizes that the solution to the problems arising from the increasing global connectivity is not to halt global travel and trade, but to minimize its negative impact.
The Impact of Globalization 2: China's Transformation of East and West
There are instances where short-sighted decisions about trade have changed the course of national and global history for hundreds of years.
In the mid-15th century, the Ming Dynasty of China expanded its territory to the Middle East and eastern Africa through the maritime expeditions of the eunuch Zheng He.
In Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the military was mobilized to reorganize local power while collecting tribute from more countries in each region.
At that time, China's naval power and navigation skills surpassed those of Europe.
However, due to the cost of the expedition, Confucian ideology, and threats from northern powers, the national management policy suddenly shifted to an anti-trade policy, which resulted in enormous damage to the future economic effects as well as national prestige.
At a time when Portugal and Spain, which were weaker than China in national power, had colonized the entire American continent, China completely gave up on expanding into the Indian Ocean and Africa.
Soon after, more European countries, including the Netherlands and the UK, began to circumnavigate the globe, and China gradually lost its technological edge and fell behind Europe.
Ultimately, as we all know, in the 19th century, China lost the two Opium Wars against Britain, which led to the collapse of the Sino-centric order and the full-scale invasion of Asia by Western powers.
Although China only actively resumed international trade in 1978, over 40 years ago, a single decision made 500 years ago had profound repercussions that would determine the fate of both the East and the West.
The Impact of Globalization 3: Lessons on Human Nature and Peace
Going back to the Paleolithic period (about 10,000 to 70,000 years ago) we can learn a greater lesson about the survival or extinction of the human species.
The Paleolithic Age, the origin of human history, was a nascent period that influenced all subsequent history.
During this period, humans first created culture and language, formed clans, and began to conquer nature.
Above all, socially, they began to develop a habit similar to human nature: cooperation with the inner group and violence against the outer group.
The hunter-gatherer society at this time had a very high level of cooperation within the group, and conversely, showed a very extreme level of violence toward outside groups.
As a result, modern humans drove out their closest relative, the Neanderthals, and caused them to become extinct about 42,000 years ago.
Neanderthals are a species of hominin that lived on Earth before modern humans, and differ only slightly from us genetically.
Although they appeared to be virtually identical in appearance, they were enemies that threatened the survival of humanity.
Jeffrey Sachs says that this should make us realize that we can be our own worst enemies or our neighbors' worst enemies.
Peace between societies and cultures is not something that comes naturally, but must be actively built by learning from human nature and history.
This is something we must remember today, when culture is constantly diversifying.
A 70,000-Year Chronology of Globalization: Geography, Technology, and Institutions
The framework for cooperation has now expanded to a global level.
In the 21st century, the scope of political activity has expanded from local to global, thanks to the development of transportation and communication technologies that have been concentrated over the past several centuries.
Former US President Trump's withdrawal from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2017 was not just a departure for one country; it had a global impact, both politically and environmentally, that the world could not ignore.
It further spurred the climate change movement in Europe and raised concerns about a chain of withdrawals by major carbon-emitting countries, including China.
The impact of COVID-19, which originated in China, was much more immediate and real.
It has infected over 200 million people and killed over 4.2 million, and is still ongoing.
Since its dispersion from Africa to other regions 70,000 years ago, humanity has always been pursuing change in the name of globalization.
Now humanity must pursue globalization in a peaceful yet wise manner.
Because if a world war were to break out in this nuclear age, there would be no second chance for survival.
What makes the current situation, where no single country can improve climate change, COVID-19, or trade conflicts, even more pessimistic is the disregard for humanity's accumulated experiences of connection.
Through open trade, technological dissemination, and the sharing of medical technologies, the world has become more interconnected over time, solving common problems more quickly.
"Geography and Technology Systems" unfolds a vision of the future that overturns common sense through the chronicle of humanity's spread of technology and systems from before the birth of civilization.
Jeffrey Sachs' Insights and Korea's Future
Jeffrey Sachs, a recognized scholar and activist for decades, has been receiving attention for his new book, which has been recommended by economists, historians, and international organization officials around the world.
He also has a keen interest in Korea's quarantine and governance.
During the 1997 Asian foreign exchange crisis, he criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its high interest rate prescription, saying that it was not because Korea's economic constitution had weakened.
In 2021, he continued to preach his outlook on the global economy and climate issues through a series of speeches and interviews with domestic media and local governments.
South Korea, recognized internationally in the face of the pandemic, still has the potential to expand cooperation with neighboring countries and further advance in Northeast Asia and the world.
In this respect, 『Geographical Technology System』 will add a new perspective to Korea's future.
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: August 20, 2021
- Format: Hardcover book binding method guide
- Page count, weight, size: 400 pages | 720g | 152*225*30mm
- ISBN13: 9788950995867
- ISBN10: 8950995867
You may also like
카테고리
korean
korean
![ELLE 엘르 스페셜 에디션 A형 : 12월 [2025]](http://librairie.coreenne.fr/cdn/shop/files/b8e27a3de6c9538896439686c6b0e8fb.jpg?v=1766436872&width=3840)
