SOCECOL E8 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Classic Maya Collapse, Overconsumption, Overfishing
11 Jun 2018
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The fate of 3 civilizations under Diamond’s framework (Ferguson and Wilson’ frameworks) !
•Diamond’s explanation for the collapse of Easter Island involved human environmental
impacts especially deforestation and destruction of bird populations; as well as political, social
and religious factors which included the the impossibility of emigration because of Easter's
isolation; a focus on statue construction; and competition between clans and chiefs driving the
erection of bigger statues requiring more wood, rope, and food.
•Diamond attributed the Maya collapse to mismanagement of the environment including
deforestation and erosion. Climate changes was also a repeatedly contributing factor.
Hostilities among the Mayan themselves played a large role. Political and cultural factions
such as competition among kings and nobles which led the Mayans to war and disabled them
from solving underlying problems also contributed. The climate varied drastically and there
were unpredictable rainfall and droughts. There was a problem of overconsumption of
resources which led to a fight for them. (no transportation)
•Diamond’s explanations for the Angkor collapse involved unintentional damage to
environment. Angkor plains were deforested which led to eroded soil. Climate change instilled
dry and wet conditions. There were issues with hostility with neighbors. Friendly trade partners
offered maritime economic opportunities which became restricted by competition. Khmer
Empire responded to problems and opportunities of the environment by creating an
“increasingly huge, complex, and hard-to-maintain water management system from which
there was no going back.”
Objective 3
Why is it so difficult to create more healthy environments for women and children in slums?
•It is difficult for many reasons. For example, in some places such as Mumbai, women have to
pay to use the restroom and there is a large inequality not only in that it is free for men, but
also the number of bathrooms available for men and women ( far less). This distribution of
inequality is planned by men. In slums, there is lack of infrastructure for providing clean water
and sanitation, safe dwellings, schools and public safety, and jobs. Children are exposed to
polluted water where waste material along with dead children’s bodies is dumped which makes
them prone to fatal illnesses.
Do the video examples shown in class represent “treason of the state”? Why or why not?
Mike Davis conveys that the government is guilty in caring for the needs of upper and middle
class while neglecting the needs of the poor.
•LA Skid Row - homelessness - there are thousand of people living on the 50 block where there
are also major companies with fancy buildings. !
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Climate changes was also a repeatedly contributing factor. Hostilities among the mayan themselves played a large role. Political and cultural factions such as competition among kings and nobles which led the mayans to war and disabled them from solving underlying problems also contributed. The climate varied drastically and there were unpredictable rainfall and droughts. There was a problem of overconsumption of resources which led to a fight for them. (no transportation: diamond"s explanations for the angkor collapse involved unintentional damage to environment. Angkor plains were deforested which led to eroded soil. Friendly trade partners offered maritime economic opportunities which became restricted by competition. Empire responded to problems and opportunities of the environment by creating an. Increasingly huge, complex, and hard-to-maintain water management system from which there was no going back. Why is it so difficult to create more healthy environments for women and children in slums: it is difficult for many reasons.
