Problems with Africa

Africa's relations with the rest of the world have often been problematic because of the fact that many in the West consider their policies and politics somewhat contradictory, as governments are rarely considered democratic. Why is Africa such a worry to the Western world?

• If Africa is such a disappointment, why has Western involvement only served to make matters worse?

• To what extent could the political problems in Africa today have been affected by colonial rule?

• How far could ancient tribal traditions and religious beliefs be held to blame for the problems between African nations?

• What is the key cause of problems between African nations and how do they affect their relationships with the West?

• What efforts have been made by the rest of the world to resolve the tensions between African nations? How successful have they been?

• How are relations between African nations likely to develop in the future?

• On the basis of the many problems with relations between African nations, how could these best be resolved?

• Can Western ideals in relation to politics ever really be utilised in an African setting?

• Why has the West not gone into Africa and taken all their weapons away?

Russia and Eastern Europe

Whilst Russia remains a 'superpower' in the modern world, the fall of the Soviet Union has seen some significant changes in Eastern Europe with much closer relationships now being forged between these countries and those of the West. How has the collapse of the Soviet Union served to influence international relations between Eastern Europe and the West?

• With the formation of a 'Single Europe', has the opening up of the EU to Eastern European countries served to hinder or help this ideal?

• How did international relations in Eastern Europe serve to cause the Soviet Union's collapse?

• Why were Eastern European countries so susceptible to Soviet rule? What changed?

• How successfully have Eastern European countries been integrated into the EU?

• What are the most significant problems for the EU caused by the entry of Eastern European States?

• Why is Russia still considered to be such a threat to Western ideals?

• Has the Cold War ever really stopped?

• On the basis of past relations, why does Russia still look to distance itself from any offer of help from the West?

• On the basis of relations between Russia and the US, why have they never actually declared war?

China

In the latter part of the 21st century, whilst the Chinese government still maintained its distinctly communist ideals, the country became increasingly open to Western views on economic growth and technology, blended together with a view to rapid growth.

• To what extent have Western politics and ideals influenced China?

• Why did China elect to 'open' what have previously been a distinctly closed economy?

• Why China is considered such a threat to Western ideals?

• How could China's rapid economic growth be considered a good thing for the West?

• Why have greater efforts not been made by the West to forge closer relations with the Chinese?

• How could Chinese political ideals be said to have influenced Western politics? Has this been for the better?

• Why, when the power of the Soviet Union was considered such a threat, were greater efforts not made to overthrow China's communist rule?

• How can China be viewed with such suspicion, when the West is largely responsible for its growth?

• To what extent is the West's relationship with China illustrative of their relationship with Asia as a whole?

• Why does China's human rights record make relations with the West so complex?