What contriuted to the fall of European communism?
I need help on identify at least two factors that contributed to the decline and fall of European communism toward the end of the 20th century. Explain the role each factor played in weakening communism during this period.(World History) Thanks in advance!
How far will UK living standards fall in the next decade?
I don't expect living standards or GDP to be down in a decade, compared to now.I see shiploads of goods flowing into and out of this country every day from all over the world, despite assertions that international trade is somehow very difficult unless both parties are in the EU. I see people and businesses keen to prosper. I see our young people acquiring the skills that will serve them (and the country) well in the decade ahead. I see our financial institutions using exchange rates to manage and support the currency and the economy, by contrast with "countries" that have no currency and no central bank rate. I see debates in the media about best ways of attracting talent from overseas in key sectors where such talent is needed, by contrast with "countries" that are not allowed to manage who can come into their country (and hence, the use of "countries" to describe those places is more a historical courtesy than a modern reality: if you don't have borders you can enforce, or a currency, or a central bank, or your own laws and supreme court, it seems to me you're not really a country in any objective sense).If you want to worry about falling living standards over the next decade, I suggest you direct your concerns and your sympathies to places like Greece, Italy, Spain, Hungary, and perhaps France.
Why are poor countries like Bulgaria and Romania part of the EU?
I want to start by saying that I find this question itself offensive. Hopefully my answer will explain why…I am from the UK but studying for my PhD at Sofia University (Bulgaria), but not in residence i.e. I meet my supervisor online. I have lived in Sofia intermittently over the last 3 years and also in 10 different European countries (8 of them EU, 4 of them very rich, 2 medium and 2 low income).The EU was set up after WW2 to transform and integrate European countries in a spirit of solidarity. It’s not just about economics. It’s about culture, politics, working together and making the whole continent better.Bulgaria is a fantastic country with lots to offer. I did my Erasmus exchange at the Sorbonne in Paris and hated it - the French Uni system is dire in comparison with the Bulgarian one and Paris is unfriendly, expensive and lonely.So why are countries like Bulgaria and Romania part of the EU? Because they are part of our cultural and political family and our brothers and sisters in a bold project to be an example to the world. The EU has transformed Bulgaria from within - it will soon do the same with Albania, Serbia and Scotland when it leaves the UK in a few years to rejoin. Your question seems like something Donald Trump would ask.
Are the resources in the Earth enough for all humans to enjoy the living standards of developed countries?
Nope. An average American has 10 times the CO2 emissions of an average Indian [List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions] If an average Indian and Chinese emit as much as an average American, world's CO2 emissions will double and that will dramatically accelerate global warming leading to catastrophic results. That is just 2 developing countries we are talking about.If an average Indian consumes as much oil as an average American, the oil prices will go through the roof as the demand would nearly double and there is nowhere near ready supplies to meet the demand of just 1 developing country, leave alone 120+ developing countries. Same for steel, aluminum, cement and all raw materials. There is not enough resources in the world to meet an American or even a Western European type lifestyle for all humans in the world. Technology improvements needed include moving away from carbon as the major energy source [solar is already close to replacing carbon in a number of countries]. And producing artificial meat, as there is nowhere enough space to rear cattle or chicken for 7 billion people. Ultimately, we need to look to scale down our wants and needs as we don't need most of them. We don't need to do every activity and there should be no Fear of Missing Out. Simpler lifestyles will do a lot better than technology alone.
Why is America so backwards, compared to Western Europe, and why do conservatives want to keep it that way?
While the rest of the world is developing and progressing America has been standing still if not moving backwards. In just a handful of years the most powerful nation in the world will be behind BRIC - Brazil, Russian, India, China and I would say Canada as well. Rome fell too and so will America.
The Inevitable fall of the American Empire?
Mmm it’s hard to accept this fact, but it's true. The worst of this situation is that is too late to stop this process, and there's nothing we can do. The key for the success in the US was the relation of respect that we had with God and humanity, but at this time the US only cares about wars. Sadly, we'll have to accept the idea that US will collapse sooner or later, and that's when we will realize that we are not alone in this world, because there's others countries and we have to learn how to live together. If Empires like Roman fell down, why the US Empire had to be this exception? This is the hard reality. I just can’t assure you how long will this process take, but it’s for sure that it’ll happen, someday, somehow.