Cold_War_Era

Cold_War_Era Cold War era - CONNECTIONS THROUGH BARRIERS

Background

The Cold War Era was a conflict of two major powers: The United States and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization/the Western Powers) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The two superpowers threatened global destruction on numerous occasions due to the differences in ideals. The strict governing style of the USSR combined with the tensions of the West created an information barrier between the Soviet population and the government.

A newspaper copy depicting the fall of the Berlin Wall, New York Daily News

A cartoon depiction of the desperation felt by the people affected by the Berlin Wall, WordPress

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in November of 1989, tensions between the West and the Soviets were high. This historic event served as the collapse in two barriers: a physical barrier and a figurative information barrier. In 1991, the Soviet Union fell, putting an end to the 45 year period of global unrest and ushering a new global era characterized by connection.

Globalization

The Cold War Era met its end when the diffusion of the internet started a new global era termed the globalization era. The globalization system is characterized by the interconnecting of almost every aspect of business and state. Periods of globalization started in 1870 and were not permanent, but with the addition of the internet, the globalization system has flourished. The role of the internet in this new process regards the connection of corporate entities and nations on an international scale. This globalization system became the basis for the internet as a whole and wouldn't have the same effects if not for the internet.

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a precursor to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. This point in history marked the beginning of the globalization era and thus, the internet age. As global development continues, the globalization system spurred in by the internet continues to become more connected. Barriers of business and commerce that previously hindered countries have been broken thanks to the internet. Almost every aspect of market power is defined by interconnectedness because of the internet.

Crowds gather as citizens of both East and West Germany demand the destruction of the Berlin Wall, New York Daily News

Citizens of both East and West Germany force their demands to be met, resultung in military diffusion, The Daily Telegraph

"I would say that in 2000, we understand as much about how today's system of globalization is going to work as we understood about how the Cold War system was going to work in 1946."
~ Thomas L. Friedman, author and political commentator who has written extensively on commerce and globalization

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