Chapter Overview

At the close of the twentieth century, the world was transformed by the collapse of communism. In the Soviet Union, Gorbachev's reforms proved superficial, and a crisis led to the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. and its reconstitution as the Russian Federation under Yeltsin's leadership. The new Russia faced economic troubles and separatist threats. In eastern Europe, many countries made the transition peacefully. However, others were convulsed by violence and the renewed tensions of ethnic, religious, and nationalist differences. In the Balkans, such conflicts necessitated international intervention. In the western democracies, moderate political leaders pursued a "third way" between the conservative and progressive agendas. The European Union broadened its membership and implemented economic unification, but political integration remained problematic. The computer technology revolution transformed the world with the development of the Internet, but the gains of the new economy were not shared equally. These and other changes forced recognition of global diversity. The UN and the international community struggled to define human rights and the role of the organization in international affairs. Russia's role remained ambiguous, while China became an important consideration in international affairs. Finally, the population explosion and environmental concerns were added to the world's concerns.