Social progress and sustainability

The country of South America has a rich and interesting history that has contributed to its current human rights status.

"When it comes to social progress and sustainability, the Near East faces many challenges. In this region where three major religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam originated, Islam is the most widely followed. Religious differences have caused tensions throughout the regions history even among those of the Islamic faith. Religion is a driving force in the governments, and some leaders have used religion to justify authoritative control limiting democracy, individualism, and freedom. ... Nonetheless, some countries are progressing toward tolerance and greater personal rights. The Near East is also characterized by great economic differences, from very rich oil-producing countries to very poor nations experiencing political instability. ... Moreover, fresh water is scarce in this part of the Earth. Because of these religious, economic, and environmental issues, the Near East is weaker in terms of social progress and sustainability compared to other areas, but if balance and tolerance can be maintained, this area, which is rich in culture and religious history, may thrive and prosper"--Amazon.com.

Examines the social and economic conditions of Central America and the Caribbean, and discusses challenges for the future.

"In Eurasia, two countries have dominated the political, economic, and social landscape for centuries, Russia and Turkey. By sheer landmass, Russia is the largest country in the world and for decades after World War I, it was even bigger as the leader of the Soviet Union. This dictatorial, predominantly Christian empire included Armenia, Azerbaijan, ... Moldova, and Ukraine. Other areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro were under Soviet influence. Often in conflict with Russia, Turkey stood apart with its democratic government and mostly Muslim population. In the early 1990s,the Soviet Union broke up, leading to several independent nations ... Several countries in Eurasia face economic struggles with high unemployment and health problems, with dangerous levels of pollution and alcoholism. Turmoil in the Middle East and between Ukraine and Russia have contributed to instability in the region. Since the harsh Soviet regime of the 1900's, however, social progress is heading in a positive direction as more people experience increased personal freedoms and tolerance"--Amazon.com.

"The societies of East Asia and the Pacific include some of the world's most technologically advanced as well as the least developed. Nations in the region have withstood colonialism and its legacies as well as many modern wars. Measures of social progress range from the very high to the very low. On measures of physical health, people in the region generally fare well, but personal rights and freedoms vary greatly from place to place. From China to New Zealand, it is a region of contrasts, with a variety of approaches to bringing the best of life to the most people. Countries that have existed for thousands of years and others whose independence goes back only to the last century strive to meet current challenges. With tremendous cultural and ecological diversity among and within countries spread across vast distances, challenges ahead include protecting the rights of minority peoples and charting economic development that preserves the environment"--Amazon.com.

"The countries of northern and eastern Africa have fought hard over the years to become independent countries. Because of this struggle, individual rights and freedoms as well as standards of living have suffered in many of these countries. The economies of these countries often dictate the social progress they have made. In some countries where urbanization has increased, access to safe drinking water and medical care have also increased, for example. Since some of the countries in northern and eastern Africa are considered the poorest in the world, many nonprofit and governmental agencies have partnered with their governments to assist them. Some programs help them obtain food; others assist with medical resources; while still others help to provide money to fund the building of much-needed infrastructure"--Amazon.com.

Examines the social and economic conditions of Middle, Western, and Southern Africa, and discusses challenges for the future.

Examines the social and economic conditions of Europe and discusses challenges for the future.

"The nations of South and Central Asia are as fascinating as they are diverse. Ranging from the former Soviet Republics of Central Asia to war-torn Afghanistan to the tiny mountain nation of Bhutan to the worlds second-most populous country, India, the region has been shaped by millennia of conquest, population migration, and, most recently, global geopolitics. The challenges currently facing South and Central Asia, which include overpopulation, food security, environmental degradation, and the ongoing search for democracy, are as diverse as the nations themselves. However, great progress has been made in recent years, and the picture is improving. More people in this region have access to clean water, food, and education than ever before though many challenges are still ongoing. In particular, Islamic extremist groups based in this area pose a security threat not only to the nation-states of South and Central Asia, but to the entire world"--Amazon.com.

The country of North America has a rich and interesting history that has contributed to its current human rights status.