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Module 7 Assignment There are many global problems confronting us today, including povert, Exams of Modern History

Module 7 Assignment There are many global problems confronting us today, including poverty, hunger, health/disease, slavery, population growth, and urbanization. Choose one of these problems. “Slavery” 1) Explain why you chose “Slavery” (Again, “because it was the shortest problem in the text” is not a good explanation.)

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2023/2024

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Module 7 Assignment
There are many global problems confronting us today, including poverty, hunger, health/disease,
slavery, population growth, and urbanization.
Choose one of these problems. “Slavery”
1) Explain why you chose “Slavery” (Again, “because it was the shortest problem in the text” is
not a good explanation.)
I chose to explore modern slavery due to its profound global impact, persisting beyond
historical boundaries into the contemporary era. Informed by insights from the book “Power
and Society," it's evident that slavery, in various forms, endures in the twenty-first century.
This choice recognizes that understanding and addressing modern slavery are crucial for
dismantling entrenched systems of exploitation. Historical perceptions of slavery, notably in
the U.S. context, provide a critical backdrop. This legacy shapes societal attitudes, legal
frameworks, and the vulnerability of marginalized groups. Delving into modern slavery
allows us to confront echoes of historical injustices, influencing power dynamics and
perpetuating cycles of exploitation in response to present-day challenges.
Modern slavery's global nature emphasizes its relevance as a cross-border issue requiring
collective attention. Focusing on slavery aims to unravel interconnected factors sustaining
this violation of human rights. The choice reflects a personal commitment to understanding
the complexities of a global problem, transcending borders and demanding a multifaceted
approach for effective resolution.
2) Using ALL relevant information from your text describe in your own words what the issue
you chose involves (until 2017 when the text was published). You need to show you read and
understood all the information in your text about this issue.
The issue of modern slavery, as outlined in the text "Power and Society", encompasses a
persistent and alarming global problem that defies historical boundaries. Despite the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaiming the prohibition of slavery in all its
forms, the text emphasizes that slavery persists into the twenty-first century. Kofi Annan's
assertion accentuates the gravity of the issue, citing daily reports of men, women, and
children exploited and deprived of basic rights through both ancient and modern forms of
slavery.
The text delineates various manifestations of modern slavery, including human trafficking,
forced labor, child labor, child soldiers, and debt bondage. Women and children, particularly
in Asia and the former Soviet Union, are forced into prostitution rings that extend into
Western democracies. Child labor, though not conventionally seen as slavery, is presented as
a form of modern slavery, especially when children are exposed to hazardous conditions or
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Module 7 Assignment There are many global problems confronting us today, including poverty, hunger, health/disease, slavery, population growth, and urbanization. Choose one of these problems. “Slavery”

  1. Explain why you chose “Slavery” (Again, “because it was the shortest problem in the text” is not a good explanation.) I chose to explore modern slavery due to its profound global impact, persisting beyond historical boundaries into the contemporary era. Informed by insights from the book “Power and Society," it's evident that slavery, in various forms, endures in the twenty-first century. This choice recognizes that understanding and addressing modern slavery are crucial for dismantling entrenched systems of exploitation. Historical perceptions of slavery, notably in the U.S. context, provide a critical backdrop. This legacy shapes societal attitudes, legal frameworks, and the vulnerability of marginalized groups. Delving into modern slavery allows us to confront echoes of historical injustices, influencing power dynamics and perpetuating cycles of exploitation in response to present-day challenges. Modern slavery's global nature emphasizes its relevance as a cross-border issue requiring collective attention. Focusing on slavery aims to unravel interconnected factors sustaining this violation of human rights. The choice reflects a personal commitment to understanding the complexities of a global problem, transcending borders and demanding a multifaceted approach for effective resolution.
  2. Using ALL relevant information from your text describe in your own words what the issue you chose involves (until 2017 when the text was published). You need to show you read and understood all the information in your text about this issue. The issue of modern slavery, as outlined in the text "Power and Society", encompasses a persistent and alarming global problem that defies historical boundaries. Despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaiming the prohibition of slavery in all its forms, the text emphasizes that slavery persists into the twenty-first century. Kofi Annan's assertion accentuates the gravity of the issue, citing daily reports of men, women, and children exploited and deprived of basic rights through both ancient and modern forms of slavery. The text delineates various manifestations of modern slavery, including human trafficking, forced labor, child labor, child soldiers, and debt bondage. Women and children, particularly in Asia and the former Soviet Union, are forced into prostitution rings that extend into Western democracies. Child labor, though not conventionally seen as slavery, is presented as a form of modern slavery, especially when children are exposed to hazardous conditions or

forced into illegal activities. The economic exploitation of child labor, as highlighted by the example of soccer ball manufacturing in Pakistan, reveals a darker side to global supply chains. Moreover, the text illuminates the vulnerability of victims, often impoverished and marginalized, who become ensnared in the web of exploitation. The prevalence of modern slavery is emphasized through practices like debt bondage, where victims, seeking a better life, are trapped in exploitative situations due to exorbitant debts. The text calls attention to the global dimensions of the issue, demanding collective action and international cooperation to combat the various forms of modern slavery described.

  1. Now, to bring this more up to date, find a credible and substantial online source (NOT Wikipedia, an encyclopedia entry, or a school project posted online) that presents information on this issue FROM WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. Make sure your source is narrative (like a magazine article, for example) – not just charts or a list of data points or bullet points. Choose only ONE site. Give the URL address for your site: (see the link at the end of the Questions-Reference page) NOTE: Please make sure your URL is correct, because if I can’t see your online source, I can’t know how well you used it, and will deduct points because of it. Also be sure your site does not require a password or a subscription that I don’t have! The issue of modern slavery, as revealed by the latest Global Estimates of Modern Slavery (UN News, 2022), is alarming and persistent, with an estimated 50 million people affected globally. The report, published by the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Walk Free, highlights a significant increase in forced labor and forced marriages over the past five years. Shockingly, compared to 2016 estimates, there are now 10 million more individuals living in modern slavery. Forced labor, constituting 28 million cases, is prevalent in various sectors, with 86% occurring in the private sector. Disturbingly, forced commercial sexual exploitation represents 23%, predominantly affecting women and girls. State-imposed forced labor, accounting for 14%, includes 3.3 million children. The issue is widespread, cutting across ethnic, cultural, and religious lines, with more than half of forced labor and a quarter of forced marriages found in upper-middle or high-income countries. Addressing this pervasive problem requires a comprehensive approach, as highlighted by the report. Recommendations include improving and enforcing laws, ending state-imposed forced labor, and implementing measures to combat forced labor and trafficking. Swift action is needed, involving governments, trade unions, employers' organizations, civil society, and

levels. Politically, the persistence of modern slavery often stems from inadequate legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. The text highlights international conventions and protocols as tools to combat slavery, but the UN report emphasizes that effective national policies and regulations are fundamental. The political will to enforce these measures varies across countries, with some nations being more proactive than others. The lack of political commitment to enforce stringent laws against forced labor, trafficking, and exploitation allows these practices to persist. Economically, modern slavery is perpetuated by the imbalance of power between exploiters and the exploited. The UN report reveals that 86% of forced labor cases occur in the private sector, emphasizing the economic motivations behind these practices. Exploitative labor practices, such as low wages and poor working conditions, are often driven by the desire for higher profits. Economic power imbalances, combined with insufficient regulation and enforcement, create an environment where vulnerable individuals become easy targets for exploitation. Socially, the issue of modern slavery is deeply rooted in societal attitudes and norms. Long- established patriarchal attitudes contribute to forced marriages, as highlighted in the report. The text also touches on the vulnerability of marginalized groups, who are more likely to fall prey to exploitation. Social power dynamics, influenced by factors like gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status, play a significant role in determining who is at a higher risk of becoming a victim of modern slavery. Addressing this issue requires not only legal and economic reforms but also a shift in societal attitudes and a commitment to dismantling structures that perpetuate exploitation.

  1. What (if anything) should be done about it and why, do you think? Why isn’t anything done about it if something should be? (If you really want to shine here, include information from p. 409-410 of your text in your analysis!) The issue of modern slavery demands urgent and comprehensive action on a global scale. Drawing insights from both the text and the UN report, addressing modern slavery requires a multi-faceted approach involving political, economic, and social dimensions. Politically, there is a need for strengthened international collaboration and the establishment of more robust mechanisms to enforce anti-slavery laws. The lack of a centralized authority, as highlighted in the text on chapter that follows, contributes to the challenge of enforcement. Enhancing the authority and capabilities of international institutions, such as the United Nations, could provide a framework for coordinated efforts against modern slavery. Economically, there is a necessity to address the root causes that make individuals vulnerable

to exploitation. This involves tackling issues such as poverty, lack of education, and limited economic opportunities. Implementing fair labor practices, ethical supply chain management, and holding corporations accountable for their actions are essential steps. Socially, raising awareness and fostering a collective sense of responsibility is crucial. Governments, civil society, and individuals must work together to change societal attitudes that may inadvertently contribute to the perpetuation of modern slavery. The lack of decisive action can be attributed to a range of factors, including political reluctance, economic interests, and challenges in coordinating international efforts. Powerful nations may be hesitant to enforce anti-slavery measures due to economic dependencies or geopolitical considerations. Additionally, the clandestine nature of modern slavery makes it difficult to detect and prosecute offenders. Overcoming these obstacles requires a resolute effort to address both the structural and systemic issues that allow modern slavery to persist. Reference