Asserts that the world has entered a period of transition and turmoil. Discusses achievements of the United Nations and three realities: (1) the comprehensive nature of the global challenge; (2) the indispensability of the United Nations in the new international context; and (3) the gap between the demands on the Organization and its resources.…

Discusses the historical and contemporary relationships between global competition and education. Compares similarities between educational initiatives following the launch of Sputnik and those of the Goals 2000 program. Provides examples to encourage students to think about the new world order in social studies classrooms. (CFR)

Maintains that the "tried and true" strategies for teaching about the early Cold War years highlight the U.S. response to Soviet expansionism. Identifies four other focus themes: (1) debates over mass culture and youth culture; (2) gender and sexuality; (3) the civil rights era; and (4) rethinking the cold war itself. (CFR)