In this book, [the editor has] been mindful of the needs of the beginning student. Each unit begins with an article providing a broad overview of the area to be explored. The remaining articles examine in more detail some of the issues presented in the introductory article. The unit then concludes with an article (or two) that not only identifies a problem but suggests positive steps that are being taken to improve the situation ... [The editor has] made a conscious effort to present a wide variety of ideologies and theories. The most important consideration has been to present global issues from an international perspective, rather than from a purely American or Western point of view. By encompassing materials originally published in many different countries and written by authors of various nationalities, the anthology represents the great diversity of opinions that people hold on important global issues ... Another major consideration when organizing these materials has been to explore the complex interrelationship of factors that produce issue areas, such as Third World development.-To the reader.