The current republic has come up with the need to rush things due to forces from different corners and the need to meet set goals, as well as, meeting the pressuring needs of pressure groups that are never ending. Day after day a need after another arises without notice. The way of doing things has changed to rushing with everything. In lieu of this, crisis has presented itself in the form of territorial expansion, in the industrial development sector, as well as, in activism or resistance. The world has become more polarized with systemic and structural crises and instability that proves difficult to control. From the social point of view, religious and humanitarian crises mars the world, economically every sector is pressed to develop, and politically things are even worse, with the list of the demands of the people to their leaders becomes even longer. This paper intends to discuss crisis and expansion in the major themes of territorial expansion, industrial development and activism.

Territorial expansion has marred every part of the world in the twenty first century, with the largest world superpowers having an intention of each dominating in the global scene in spreading their ideas. For example, the United States grew to a global super power just from a regional power house. Barrera and Robinson (2012) identifies that the United States asserted global power in the form of territorial expansion in two main periods. One of the periods was in the early twenty first century with the First World War. During this time, the United States took advantage and avoided engagements with the world superpowers in Europe. These superpowers were also fighting as a matter of extending their territories in the entire world. While these other countries were at war, the United States was able to expand its territories through industrial revolution and garnering plus dominating world trade markets. As a result of this, the United States made tremendous steps in territorial expansion especially in the Latin America (Barrera 7 Robinson, 2012). In doing so, the United States went with the pretense of spreading a different course of influence that didn’t equal European imperialism. The United States thus made it clear that there policies were different from the forms taken by the European countries and it even took the state of Florida from France.

Border conflicts have been witnessed between many countries in the interest of guarding territorial boundaries and expanding territories. Nolan, Keith and Howard (1999) connote that the entry of new states into the American Union is an indication of the quest for territorial expansion in the century. The manner in which ideologies were fought for and defended in the post-cold war era shows the extent into which territorial expansion is held dear by the world superpowers. Buzan (1991) identifies that the capitalism that was advocated for by the western powers triumphed of over the ideologies propelled by the third world countries, and the communism of the eastern countries. It is clear that even after the granting of independence to the colonized countries, every colonial master has maintained very close ties in the twenty first century in order to expand their ideological territories. On the other hand, world superpowers that didn’t have many colonies they can call their own are trying by all means to expand their territories through trade. A good example is China, which has greeted the twenty first century with an expansion of its socio-economic territory. The quest for territorial expansion has even threatened international security, leading to the rise in the cases of terrorism. Andreas (2006) identifies that in the wake of international terrorism, every world superpower responds to guard the states it deems part of their extended territory.

Territorial expansion is witnessed also in the way many countries struggle to outshine the others in the world economic scene. The industrial crisis has hit some of the world’s super powers to the tune of losing heavily in terms of jobs for their citizens. Vedavali (2007) identifies economic crisis as one of the aspects that has greatly hit the twenty fist century industrial development strategy to the greatest extent.

The rush to expand territories by the developed world has found the developing countries in a crisis. Vedavali (2007) assert that the industrial crisis in the development of the third world countries in the twenty first century has been contributed to, not only by these countries, but also by the quest by the world superpowers in having a stake. An example is given of China, which is even teaching its language in most of the countries of Africa. While the western countries had succeeded in expanding their territories to the African continents, their stake is being threatened by emerging world power in the name of China. At the present, some of the countries in Africa have shifted their loyalty from the western nations towards the east, where they are directly dealing with the world most populous country. This has greatly affected the industries in these western countries. The industrial crisis has been through the loss of jobs for their ever proliferating population, and the loss of markets for industrial goods in the developing countries. This is as well coupled with the depletion of some of industrial resources due to an ever increasing population. On the other hand, developing countries have experienced a crisis in industrial development due to their adopting neo-liberalization policies inspired by the developed countries yet they cannot sustain them (Kalim, 2012).

Resistances and activism in the world have greeted the twenty first century in great attempt to safeguard territories and, as well, expand them. The emergence of social movements in Latin America, and dictatorships in various parts of the world, is an indication of power crisis brought about by resistances. Richard, Harry and Glen (2008) identify the issues of morality in power politics as a major theme in the crisis brought about by resistance. The twenty first century has witnessed struggles and resistances between religious groups, notable the Muslims and the Christians in their quest to expand their territories. Crisis in the form of resistance has also been witnessed in the manner in which some countries of the world have experienced dictatorship for a long time. Cuba and Libya are examples. When such resistances arise, world superpowers assert themselves and take advantage to expand their territories, by supporting factions in the civil wars. The United States, for example, has intervened in several countries through its military power (Schwartz, 2011). In doing so, enmity between the factions increases and the crisis deteriorates. An example is the case of Iraq and Afghanistan, where America intervened to solve their internal crisis. Even with interventions from superpowers, the humanitarian crises continue to haunt the world. Factions are grouping themselves to expand their territories and they are prepared to use any means.

In conclusion, this essay has discussed crisis and expansion. The essay has looked at crisis and expansion in relation to the major themes of territorial, expansion, industrial development and resistances. The paper has discussed the rush by the world superpowers to gain control of the larger part of the world and outdo the others. It has also looked at the neo-liberalization that is being preached to the developing countries by the developed countries.

References

Andreas, P. (2006). Redrawing lines: borders and security in the twenty first century. International Security, 28 (2): 78-111.

Barrera, M., & Robinson, W. (2012). Global capitalism and the twenty first century fascism: A US case study. London: Sage Publications.

Buzan, B. (1991). New patterns of global security in the twenty first century. International Affairs, 67 (3): 431-451.

Kalim, S. 2012. Developing countries experience with neoliberalism and globalization. Research in Applied Economics, 4 (4).

Nolan, M.M., Keith, P.T., & Howard, R. (1999). Congress and the territorial expansion of the United States. Stanford UCSD Conference Paper.

Richard, S.S., Harry, E., & Glen, D.K. (2008). Latin American social movements in the twenty first century: Resistance, power and democracy. Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield.

Schwartz, M. (2011). Military neoliberalism: Endless war and humanitarian crisis in the twenty-first century. Societies without Borders, 6 (3): 190-303

Vedavali, R. (2007). Energy for development: twenty first century challenges of reform and liberalization in the developing countries. New York, NY: Anthem Press.

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