Summary Of Harm De Blij's Why Geography Matters

Globals, Locals, and Mobals: In the book “The Power of Place,” Harm de Blij introduces a new viewpoint of geography. Geography is much more than the terrain and physical makeup of the world. It is the culture, education, conditions, foods, politics, language, and opportunities. These things make people and places unique, and capture the true meaning of Human Geography.

In the chapter “Geography Matters …”,Thomas Foster says geography in literature is usually about people occupying “spaces” and vice versa. It is the environment, but also it can be whatever else that location can establish in the residents there. Geography can be used several ways in a work of literature.

In the article, “Lost in America,” Douglas McGray informs politicians, education administrators, and school-board officials that language throughout the world is evolving and Americans need to step up their game in global communications. Along with informing politicians, education administrators, and school-board officials he also criticizes how the American education systems are ran. McGray goes into detail about how Americans are not educated properly on foreign culture and language throughout their academic career. This lack of familiarity proves that Americans are behind in the education system. Overall, McGray is trying to persuade his intended audience that as American citizens, we should be more open-minded and extend our education in order to keep up in global affairs. With the effective use of statistics, anecdotes, metaphors, and scholarly diction, McGray builds up his credibility when persuading politicians, education administrators, and school-board officials that the education systems in America needs to avoid isolationism in order to be successful globally.

Geography is rarely a subject regarded with much esteem; even at the collegiate level, geography seems to slip through the cracks as an important subject. Many people don’t consider geography to be important in their fields, and therefore don’t give it much thought—but this is a misconception, a grave error oft repeated that would detract from anyone’s education. What isn’t taken into account is that human geography is not merely cartography—it is the study of the earth, and that includes so much more than landmasses and boundaries, facts and figures. Geography is relevant in numerous and assorted settings, from economics to religion.

As time passes by, with everything seeming in place, we push aside real life. Activities we like to pretend are not occurring are put on the bottom of the list. War, deadly tsunamis, earthquakes, terrorism, economic crisis, all real life changes which have occurred and are occurring now. People are becoming less knowledgeable than ever when it comes to geography. “Given the accelerating pace of change on our increasingly crowded planet, this may not be surprising- even if it is disturbing,” states Harm de Blij in his book “Why Geography Matters: More Than Ever.” While De Blij tells us how illiterate we have become to geography, he also explains to readers how American people could benefit from the knowledge of Geography in specific situations.

An inventory of illiteracy meanings in the 21st century is increasing rapidly. Illiteracy was mainly categorized in education. But now, it has produced plenty of new categories. It has increased from education to environmental and to global illiteracy. Today, many students in China and India have successfully reached their goals in becoming Engineers, Scientists, Doctors, Simply because they allowed themselves to be taught and create something so small and turn it into something big. The Uneducated American, an article published by Paul Krugman in October 8, 2009 speaks to readers about how America was the face of the world because they were the leaders in the universal basic education. The only difference is that, that was then... But now, America is portrayed in this article and i quote by "Education, as one of the largest components of public spending, has inevitably suffered." The economic crises have been intangible in terms of not being able to fix the economy within weeks and it has affected and has thrown a severe blow to the American education.”

“Why Geography Matters” is a 282 page book, including the epilogue, written by Harm de Blij. It was published in New york, New York in 2005. Over the Summer I read and finished this book. This book is full of amazing facts and knowledge that pertain to , what geography is, how it effected past societies, how it will affect future societies, and how geography is a crucial part in our society. In the following summarization of “Why Geography Matters”, i will explain three main points that embody what this book is about, and what it tries to teach.

Geography Seen Through The American Eye (Question 4) Geography is one of the biggest factors in forming the culture of a society. People are affected by the land in which they preside creating the basis for their lively hood. Land has a crucial role in how the demographic of the United States as well as how other countries are structured. Although the geography differs throughout the nation it rivaled the European idea of a society based on the fact that the American people had a greater connection to the land.

Geography is an important factor to consider when you look at this worlds past, present, or future. So whether it be the earths physical geographic features, the geopolitics stirring up trouble across the globe, or the economics of growing or shrinking countries; geography plays a major role. In todays society, geographic knowledge is one of the most important and valuable tools to possess. Without it, we are victims of ignorance and endanger ourselves, others, and the world. This ignorance, possessed by many, is posing a great risk of self-destruction. The author of “Why Geography Matters More Than Ever”, Harm de Blij, makes many strong points on this matter, but occasionally makes unsupported and unclear statements which tend to stray off topic.

In The American Geographies, Lopez says, “to really come to an understanding of a specific American geography, requires not only time but a kind of local expertise, an intimacy with place few of us ever develop” (Lopez 132). Many people on this planet do not truly know the external world they live in, for daily life centers itself around closed off situations in the societal world everyone falls into. School textbooks define geography in a dumbed down fashion and everyone perceives it as such, when true knowledge of the world and its geography comes from experience, from truly living in it. Going out and having adventures and experiences leads to an interesting and fulfilling life, rather than trusting the world fits in a textbook

As I understand the historical connection between China and United States, they were and in some sense still are both rivals, which began with Mao Zedong driving American-supported Chang out of China soon after the unconditional surrender of the defeat of aggressive Imperial Japan in 1945. Mao took over China and forced Chang to beat a hasty retreat to Taiwan Island. Then in l950, the world witnessed the fierce armed confrontation between Mao led China versus the United Nations' forces with the full backing of United States during the three year Korean War which eventually became a stalemate to this day. Then there was another world-shattering war between U.S. and Communist Soviet-China over the devastating Vietnam. So China had been at

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Cold War was over, making the U.S. the only superpower left in the world. This has made the international system much more tranquil, and relaxed. The only country potentially powerful besides the U.S., is China. Many Americans fear China, not only because they are communist, but also because of their huge population. Their population is 1.3 billion people, which accounts 1/5th of the world’s population. As one of the only potential superpowers in the world, it would be in the best interest of all Americans if the U.S. and China became allies, instead of enemies. Peace and development, economic prosperity and social progress, are goals that both of

The events that have taken place over the past couple of centuries, and more so the past decade, have monumentally impacted the relationship between the United States and China for better and for worse. Today, China and the U.S. have evolved into two of the most elite superpowers in the world, and they classify as some of the most prominent leaders in economics, military, technology, and universal innovation. Currently, the United States is just weeks away from electing their next president, cyber-attacks are being investigated exponentially, and the South China Sea Debate continues to be disputed. The outcomes of all these events will undoubtedly affect the relationship between China and the United States for the next 10 years.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has become more integrated and willing to cooperate within the global political and economic systems than ever in its history. However, there is growing apprehension in the Asia-Pacific region and the U.S. in regards to the consequences of rising in economic and military power in China. Descriptions about Chinese diplomacy in the policy and scholarly are less positive lately concerning China’s obedience to regional and international rules. There was little debate in the U.S. and elsewhere in regards to whether China was or was not part “the international community.” Scholars and experts in the early 1990s have contended

Snyder claims that realism failed to predict the Cold War. Given this, Mearsheimer states “China cannot rise peacefully.” Since realists describe the world as a self-help system, according to Posen, every country “must look to its own interests relative to those of others” and because “security is the preeminent issue in an anarchic world, the distribution of capabilities to attack and defend should matter.” Thus, because China’s strive for regional hegemony inevitably threatens the power dynamic of the global system, the U.S. will, according to Mearsheimer, take an offensive realist approach that will eventually lead to war. In addition, as seen in post-Cold War, economic stability greatly determines the distribution of power. Friedberg notes, that the projected “speed and magnitude of China’s growth in recent decades appears to be unprecedented” and as early as 2015, “China’s economy could overtake that of the United States.” Although the U.S. faces an unprecedented challenge to economic power, according to Ikenberry, China has signaled cooperation by “redoubling its participation in existing institutions, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit or working with the other great powers in the region to build new ones.” Nevertheless, following the actions of the U.S. post WWII, China strategically makes “itself more predictable and approachable” to reduce “the incentives for other