1980s: Margaret Thatcher, known for her inflexible, conservative beliefs, is prime minister of Britain.

Today: Tony Blair, the leader of the Labor Party who pioneered the "New Labor" movement, embracing a degree of privatization, has been the British prime minister since 1997.

1980s: Militant Islamic fundamentalism is gathering force in the Arab world. The United States government is providing arms and training to Osama bin Laden and his group of Muslim fighters in the Afghan War against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Today: Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Western countries have adopted new attitudes towards foreign policy, partly to attempt to address Islamic fundamentalist terrorist organizations.

1980s: Jim Henson's Muppets, which satirize politicians and celebrities, are trendy and popular in the Western entertainment world. Bombay's "Bollywood" film scene has an enormous number of devoted viewers in India.

Today: Animated satires like The Simpsons...