ABSTRACT
Contrary to some renditions of history most early European naval explorers believed the earth to be round, so that one could eventually return to Europe by sailing far enough to the west. In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan sailed west from Europe with five ships and 265 men. In 1522, one ship returned to Spain from the East with eighteen men, completing the first voyage around the world. Some of the choices that humans make collectively on and security issues will have consequences as important as the decisions made by Magellan. The chapter considers three value issues, corresponding to three complexes of issues on which this volume focuses: the broad environment; the economy; and the international political system. It also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
