[LWV] League of Women Voters®
of La Plata County

Great Decisions Archive

GD_archive

Discussions to engage citizens in learning about the world

Great Decisions 2009.  Great Decisions 2008.

Great Decisions 2009

*LWV-LPC is again hosting the Great Decision Series for 2009. We invite the public to join us for impartial and thought-provoking analyses on eight issues of concern to US policymakers ranging from the US and Rising GLobal Powers to Universal Human Rights.

  • The series began January 22, 2009 and will conclude April 30, 2009 with two sessions held bi-weekly. All sessions will be held in the new Durango Public Library, 1900 East 3rd Ave. Tuesday sessions will be held from 11:45am to 1:45pm and Thursday sessions will be held from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.

  • Click GD-2009 to view the Great Decision 2009 flier and to access a copy of the form to be submit with your check.

  • Make sure that you continue to check this page for info on each of the Great Decision 2009 topics for discussion.

*Materials for the Great Decision 2009 discussion series are provided by the Foreign Policy Association. click FPA-GD2009 to read more.


*Great Decisions topic 8 for April 28 and April 30 is Human Rights in a New Era: wars for peace? by David C. Morrison.


As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrates its 60th anniversary, events in the Balkans, Sudan and Myanmar continue to challenge its idealism, while raising new questions about the prospects for humanitarian interventions. Do human rights transcend national borders and customs? Is the definition of human rights changing?

On-line references for Topic 8 are:
  • Hellhole The United States holds tens of thousands of inmates in long-term solitary confinement. Is this torture? Source: The New Yorker Author: Atul Gawande

  • Great Decisions 2009 Spring Updates: Human Rights Author: Abigael Mahony On Feb. 25, 2009, the U.S. State Department released its annual global report on human rights. The document, compiled from reports by U.S. diplomats, provides a detailed account of human rights in each country. Burma, North Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico and Nicaragua are all condemned for engaging in and/or tolerating human rights abuses.

  • Food Security (IRIN) Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Author: IRIN IRIN offers news and analysis from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. It provides up-to-date news about food security situations around the world, as well as information on global initiatives to combat hunger and reform food aid policies. Multimedia and in-depth analysis included. *The Great Decisions topic for March 31 and April 2 is Global Food Crisis by Elaine Monaghan.

    Global prices for food staples have risen dramatically, resulting in protests and unrest around the world. What factors are driving prices up, and can they be tamed? What will the political fallout be for governments that fail to act, and what role can global institutions play?

    On-line references for Topic 6 are:

  • video- Running Out the Global Food Crisis Great Decisions television program
  • Great Decisions 2009 Spring Updates: Global Food Crisis Author: Abigael Mahony
  • Food Security (IRIN) Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Author: IRIN
  • World Bank: Food Crisis Source: World Bank

    *Great Decisions topic for March 17 and March 19 is Egypt: key ally in the Middle East by Bruce K. Rutherford.

    Egypt has long played an important role in the Arab world while maintaining a strategic relationship with the U.S. With elections scheduled for 2009, how will Egypt deal with serious domestic issues, ranging from Islamic radicalism to food shortages? What factors will influence the path of this regional heavyweight? On-line references for Topic 5 are:

  • National Geographic News: Global Food Crisis Source: news.nationalgeographic.com/ne...
  • The Fixer in the Shadows - Gen. Omar Suleiman, Mubarak's Successor? Source: The Telegraph (UK) Author: David Blair
  • GDTV Transcript: From Pharaohs to Facebook: Egypt Today Source: Great Decisions Television Series 2009

*Great Decisions topic for March 3 and March 5 is The Arctic Age by Ed Struzik.
Rising global temperatures have created new opportunities in the Arctic for resource extraction and inter-continental transport. How will sovereignty disputes among the five countries that border the Arctic affect its potential development? What impact will this race for the Arctic have on an environment already in serious flux?

On-line references for Topic 4 are:
*Great Decisions topic for Feb 17 and Feb 19 is Energy and the Global Economy by Ronald J Bee.
Rising energy prices, driven by instability in key producing regions such as the Middle East and increasing demand from developing countries, are affecting the global economy. What are the potential consequences of huge wealth transfers to oil-exporting states? Are there any realistic alternative energy scenarios on the horizon?

On-line references for Topic 3 are:
*Great Decisions topic for Feb 3, and Feb 5, 2009: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Newfound hopes for stability in Iraq have shifted the U.S. military focus back to Afghanistan and Pakistan, one of the most volatile border regions in the world. What impact will this renewed interest have on the two states as well as on U.S. defense strategy?

on-line references for Topic 2 are:
---------------------

Great Decisions 2008

*The Great Decisions Series for 2008, sponsored by the LWV of La Plata, has concluded. See the information below regarding topics and reference information. Attendees are reminded to submit their evaluations and comments to the Foreign Policy Assn by clicking Foreign Policy Association and reference the opinion forms.


Great Decisions 2008 will be held in Durango from January - May 2008. Background books are still available by calling 247-1692. The series started January 22 from 11:45 - 1:45pm and on January 24 from 12:30 - 2:30pm in the Twilight Room at the Durango Rec Center. If you missed these sessions, please join us for the next sessions on Feb 5 or Feb 7. For more information click GD 2008 flier.
Great Decisions 2008 is sponsored by the LWV of La Plata and the Durango Public Library and is based on materials provided by the Foreign Policy Association.


Topics for Great Decisions 2008 include:
Iraq: endgame (Discussion leader - Prof. Jim Callard, FLC Political Sciences Dept.)
European Union at 50 (Discussion leader - Ann Flatten, member LWV-LPC)
Blacklisting the Enemy (Discussion leader - Tom Darnell, member LWV-LPC)
Russia (Discussion leader - Sue Herbst, member LWV-LPC)
US defense & security policy (Discussion Leader - Prof. Jim Callard, FLC Political Sciences Dept.)
Latin America: shift to the left? (Discussion leader - John Lyons, member LWV-LPC)
US - China trade policy (Discussion leader - Prof. Kim Martin, FLC Writing Dept.)
Private Philanthrophy (Discussion leader - Ross Park, member LWV-LPC)


for more information on these topics, click Great Decisions 2008 and GD 2008 flier


The following references related to Great Decisions session #8, Foreign Aid, New Players, New Goals. The disccusions will be held on April 29 and May 1.
1-Out of Poverty, Paul Polak, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2008
2-Blessed Unrest, Paul Hawken, Viking, 2007
3-The White Man's Burden, William Easterly, Penguin Books, 2006
4-Giving, Bill Clinton, Alfred A. Knopf, 2007
5-Poor People, William T. Vollmann, Harper Collins, 2007
6-Mountains Beyond Mountains, Tracy Kidder, Random House, 2003
7-Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin, Penguin Group, 2006
8-Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, John Wood, Harper Collins, 2006
9-Creating a World Without Poverty, Mohammad Yunus, Public Affairs, 2007
10-Foreign aid, new players, new goals, Barbara Crossette, Foreign Policy Assn, 2008
11-Africa Doesn't Matter, Giles Bolton, Arcade Publishing, 2008
12-The Bottom Billion, Paul Collier, Oxford University Press, 2007
13-A Safer, More Compassionate World, http://www.lwv-blogger.blogspot.comm
14-Foundation for International Community Assistance, http://www.villagebanking.org
15-Charity Navigator: independent charity evaluator, http://www.charitynavigator.org/
16-Global Giving: connecting donors to projects, http://www.globalgiving.com/


The following references relate to discussion topic #7, China and U.S. Trade Relations (April 15 and 17)
Recent product safety scares have thrown the spotlight on the enormous role China plays in supplying products to the U.S. Could the large and growing trade imbalance with China have an adverse effect on the U.S. economy? What role does the undervalued Chinese currency play?
1-The Economic and Strategic Rise of China and India: Asian Realignments after the 1997 Financial Crisis, by David B.H. Denoon, September 04, 2007
2-China's Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, and Globalization, by George Zhibin Gu, July 13, 2006
3-Charm Offensive: How China's Soft Power Is Transforming the World, by Joshua Kurlantzick, March 27, 2007
4-China: The Balance Sheet: What the World Needs to Know About the Emerging Superpower, C. Fred Bergsten, Bates Gill, Nicholas R. Lardy, Derek Mitchell, March 30, 2007
5-China Shakes the World: A Titan's Rise and Troubled Future -- and the Challenge for America, James Kynge, October 11, 2007
6-The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World, by Alan Greenspan, September 17, 2007
7-Three Billion New Capitalists, by Clyde Prestowitz, May 03, 2005
8-China, Inc. : How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World, by Ted C. Fishman, February 08, 2005
9-Great Decisions 2008 Winter Quiz Series - U.S. - China Trade
10-Great Decisions 2008 Spring Update: U.S.-China Trade


The following references relate to discussion topic #6, Latin America: shift to the left? (April 1 and 3)
What factors have prevented the U.S. and Latin American countries from forging a strong relationship? What challenges confront U.S. policy in Latin America? Can the U.S. offer an alternative to the influence of left-leaning leaders like Venezuela's Hugo Chavez?
1-Forgotten Continent: The Battle for Latin America's Soul, Michael Reid, January 03, 2008
2-Hugo!: The Hugo Chavez Story from Mud Hut to Perpetual Revolution, Bart Jones, September 04, 2007
3-Hugo Chavez: The Definitive Biography of Venezuela's Controversial President, Cristina Marcano and Alberto Barrera Tyszka, July 14, 2007
4-Ex Mex: From Migrants to Immigrants, Jorge G. Castaneda, January 01, 2008
5-The Accidental President of Brazil: A Memoir, Fernando Cardoso, Bill Clinton (Preface), March 13, 2006
7-Classroom Resources for Great Decisions 2008 from Scholastic - Latin America
8-Latin America Quiz
9-Viewpoints: The Crisis That Never Was, Source: FPA Features, Author: Marco Vicenzino
10-Extended Interview: Mariano Fernandez, Source: GDTV 2008
11-Extended Interview: Antonio Patriota, Source: GDTV 2008


The following references relate to discussion topic #5, US Defense and Security Policy. (March 18 and 20)
1-Chinese Military Modernization: Force Development and Strategic Capabilities, Anthony H. Cordesman, Martin Kleiber, April 09, 2007
2-A War Like No Other: The Truth About China's Challenge to America, Richard C. Bush, Michael E. O'Hanlon, March 30, 2007
3-Superpower on Crusade: The Bush Doctrine in U.S. Foreign Policy, Melvin Gurtov, January 30, 2006
4-The Bush Doctrine and the War on Terrorism: Global Reactions, Global Consequences, Mary Buckley, Robert Singh, April 10, 2006
5-In Defense of the Bush Doctrine, Robert Gordon Kaufman, March 01, 2008
6-A Time to Lead: For Duty, Honor and Country, Wesley K. Clark, September 04, 2007
7-Al Qaeda, Afghanistan and the Good War, Dr. George Friedman, good war
8-Long-Term Implications of Current Defense Plans: Summary Update for Fiscal Year 2008, CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, defense
9-Center for American Progress - Progressive ideas for a strong, just and free America, AmericanProgress
10-American Security Project- vision, strategy, dialog for a stronger, safer America, Americansecurity
11-US Military Spending, CDI resources, CDI
12-The National Security Strategy of the United States of America, White House.gov, securitystrategy
13-The Second World Empires and Influence in the New Global Order, Parag Khanna, Random House, 2008


The following references relate to discussion topic #4, Russia. (March 4 and 6)
1-Kremlin Rising : Vladimir Putin's Russia and the End of Revolution, Peter Baker and Susan Glasser, May 31, 2005
2-Russia in Search of Itself, James H. Billington, May 03, 2005
3-Pravda [English Version],
4-Russian Blog
5-GDTV 2008 Transcript - Reexamining Russia
6-Losing Russia - the costs of renewed confrontation, Dimitiri K. Sims, Foreign Affairs, Nov-Dec 2007.
7-The Myth of the Authoritarian Model - How Putin's crackdown holds Russia back, Michael McFaul and Kathryn Stoner-Weiss, Foreign Affairs, Jan-Feb 2008.
8-The trouble with Russia's Economy, The Economist, Mar 1-7, 2008

  • Russia's Uneasy Handover
  • Smoke and Mirrors
  • The Name's Dmitry

    the following references relate to topic #3 Blacklisting the Enemy, ( Feb 19 and Feb 21)

    1-American Foreign Policy In A New Era, Robert Jervis, February 01, 2005 2-The Opportunity: America's Moment to Alter History's Course, Richard N. Haass, May 31, 2005 3-Nuclear North Korea, Victor D. Cha, David C. Kang, November 01, 2003 4-The Lesser Evil : Political Ethics in an Age of Terror, Michael Ignatieff, April 12, 2004 5-Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics, Joseph S. Nye, March 16, 2004 6-Rogue Nation: American Unilateralism and the Failure of Good Intentions, Clyde Prestowitz, May 13, 2003 7-Blacklisting the Enemy, David C. Morrison, Great Decisons FPA materials 8-GDTV 2008 Transcript - Dangerous Dialog: Talking with the Enemy,click diplomacy

    1-the following references relate to Great Decisions topic #2 European Union at 50 (Feb 5 and Feb 7)

    1-The Government and Politics of the European Union, Neill Nugent, July 01, 2006 2-A Time to Lead: For Duty, Honor and Country,Wesley K. Clark, September 04, 2007 3-The United States of Europe: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy,T.R. Reid, November 01, 2005 4-The Last Days of Europe: Epitaph for an Old Continent,Walter Laqueur, MAy 15, 2007 5-America and Europe after 9/11 and Iraq: The Great Divide,Sarwar Kashmeri, November 30, 2006 6-Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century,Mark Leonard, February 21, 2005 7-Of Paradise and Power: America Vs. Europe in the New World Order,Robert Kagan, January 28, 2003 8-GDTV speaks with John Bruton, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States. Click Bruton 9-Transcript for the Great Decisions Television Series 2008 show #2, European Union at 50, hosted by Ralph Begleiter. Click Begleiter 10-"Waving Goodbye to Hegemony", Parag Khanna, The New York Times Magazine, 1/27/2008, click Geopolitics

    2-the following references relate to Great Decisions topic #1 IRAQ:endgame (Jan 22 and Jan 24)

    1-Between Iraq and a Hard Place: Developing an Endgame Strategy, Jim Callard, a handout for the GD sessions, Jan 22 & 24. To read, click handout 2-Iraq:strategies for dealing with uncertainty, Anthony Cordesman, FPA Great Decisions Topics for 2008 3-A Time to Lead: For Duty, Honor and Country, Wesley K. Clark, September 04, 2007, click Clark 4-The Occupation of Iraq: Winning the War, Losing the Peace, Ali A. Allawi, April 09, 2007, click Allawi 5-Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, September 19, 2006, click Rajiv 6-The Iraq Study Group Report: The Way Forward - A New Approach, The Iraq Study Group (Author), James A. Baker III (Author),December 06, 2006, click Iraq Study Group 7-State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III, Bob Woodward, September 30, 2006, click Woodward 8-Extended interview with General Barry McCaffrey (RET.), Chairman of McCaffrey Associates. click McCaffrey 9-GDTV speaks with Lee Hamilton, former Co-Chair of the Iraq Study Group and 9/11 Commission. click Hamilton 10-GDTV speaks with with General Wesley Clark (RET.), former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate. click Clark 11-After Iraq, what will the middle east look like?,Jeffrey Goldberg, Atlantic Magazine, Hanu/Feb 2008 12-1/20/2008, New York Times Week in Review, War, Meet the 2008 Campaign, Michael R. Gordon

    3-Great Decisions `Bonus' Event - December 4, 2007

    The LWV, in cooperation with the Friends of the Great Decisions program, sponsored a `bonus' Great Decisions discussion session on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The session was held on Tuesday, December 4, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Windom Room at the Durango Rec Center.

    The following is an invitation letter from LWV of La Plata President, Ellen Park

    La Plata County League members: At the conclusion of the 2007 Great Decisions discussion series last May, many attendees indicated that they would be interested in participating in a locally organized "Great Decisions" discussion, to be held prior to the formal series begins again in January 2008. As a result, we have selected a topic of extraordinary urgency and Dr Doreen Hunter, Professor Emeritus, U.S. History, Fort Lewis College has provided the historical context for our discussion with a briefing paper in the manner of the Foreign Policy Association briefing books. The topic for discussion will be "The Israel-Palestine Conflict", and the session was held: December 4, 2007 5 to 7 PM Windom Room, Durango Recreation Center

    The event was moderated by Kim Martin, a League member and member of the FLC faculty. Approximately 50 community members were in attendance, Dale and Betty Schwicker will talked about their experiences while living in Bethlehem during the Second Intifada. The Briefing Paper on the Israel-Palestine conflict with references and discussion questions is available on line on the League web site: click on http://www.lwvlaplata.org/great_decisions.html and scroll to Bonus Event to view this paper and all the reference materials. The paper is also available in hard copy at the Durango Public Library. We do recommend that you take the time to familiarize yourself with these materials. Peace talks between the two sides (Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Fatah President Abbas), brokered by Secretary of State Rice, are now scheduled to resume this year in Annapolis, Maryland. Although the prospects for successful negotiations do not seem auspicious at the moment, there could hardly be a better time to consider the history of this conflict and the possible options for resolving it. The most contentious issues remain: the borders, with Palestinians demanding those in place before the 1967 war, Israeli security from Palestinian attacks; the sharing of Jerusalem; the remaining settlements in the West Bank; and the right of return. The rise to power of the Hamas Party in Gaza, the recent in-fighting between Hamas and Fatah, and the position taken by Hamas denying any right to existence of Israel make progress that much more difficult. But, with the renewed focus of the Bush administration on this long-standing crisis, can we expect a positive conclusion before the end of 2009?

The following reference materials will help you to prepare for the Great Decisions BONUS Event - the Israeli - Palestinian Conflict


1- Reference Maps Source: Palestine Peace Not Apartheid, Jimmy Carter

  • The Middle East Today
  • U.N. Partition Plan 1947
  • Israel 1982 - 2006
  • Sharon's Plan 2002

click Israel-Palestine maps to view each of these maps


2- The Israeli-Palestine Conflict - a historical narrative , Author: Dr. Doreen Hunter,
click background


3- The Roadmap and the Prospects for Peace, Author: Dr. Doreen Hunter, click Roadmap


4- A Palestine View Beyond Annapolis, Author: Rafiq Husseini, click Palestine View


5- SPECIAL ANNAPOLIS EDITION-Hard Questions, Tough Answers, Author: Yossi Alpher, click hard questions


6- to view the full text of President George Bush's speech on Israel and a Palestine state given June 25, 2002 click Bush 2002


7- to view the Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Isralei-Palestine Conflict, click Quartet Roadmap (Source: US Dept of State Press Release issued April 30, 2003).


8- to view the Joint Understanding read by President Bush at the Nov 26, 2007 Annapolis Peace Conference, click Annapolis declaration


9-for a view of current life in Gaza, click Life in Gaza (source: NY Times 11/18/07)


10- for a view of the current post-Annapolis Palestine-Israel dialog, click bitterlemons

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: September 9, 2010 12:53 PDT.

© Copyright League of Women Voters of La Plata County, Colorado. All rights reserved.