.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Evaluate the impact of three-strikes laws on jails and prisons Essay
Evaluate the impact of three-strikes laws on jails and prisons - Essay Example The provisions enshrined in the three-strike laws have resulted in a considerable increase in the prison populations in the states that have adhered to these laws (Jacobson 217). Not only the prisoners penalized under the three-strike provisions constitute a major chunk of the prison populations, these laws have also assured that even those accused who are guilty of repeatedly engaging in serious crimes of non-violent nature do tend to serve prolonged prison sentences. For instance, in the year 2004 alone, the prisoners serving sentences affiliated to the three-strike laws constituted almost twenty six percent of California’s prison population (Jacobson 217). The three-strike laws also had an impact on the length of time that the prisoners tended to spend in the prisons and jails. Going by the fact that the three-strike laws tend to enhance the prison terms of the repeat offenders, this has resulted in an increase in the average time that the prisoners happened to stay in the prisons (Jacobson 2118). The actual ramifications of the three-strike laws have also led to an increase in the average age of the prison populations. As the prisoners serving sentences as per the three-strike laws happen to stay longer in prisons, this has expanded the average age of the inmates (Redburn & McNamara 217). Thereby, going by the three-strike laws, one could certainly expect older and aging prison populations in the times to come. The other thing is that the racial minorities, especially the African-Americans and the Hispanics tend to constitute the largest groups of prisoners serving sentences under the three-strike laws (Russell-Brown 16). There is no denying the fact that the three-strike laws had serious financial implications for the prisons and jails. With the prisoners serving longer sentences and the consequent increase in the prison populations, the prisons and jails are becoming financially more
Monday, October 28, 2019
Practical Play Analysis Essay Example for Free
Practical Play Analysis Essay Theme/Vision Guan Hanqing’s Snow in Midsummer centers on the idea of social injustice and human suffering particularly the unfair treatment of poor people during the Chinese Golden Era. The play must transcend a great sense of oppression as intended by its playwrights to reflect the dark side of the society they were in, as the main character (Dou E) leaves a horrifying curse as her unjust death served as a living proof of how under-class people like her are taken for granted and are short-lived despite living a virtuous life while the evil ones prevailed. This issue still continues in the modern world so it is important that the story lives up to its purpose of making the audience reflect on the existence of tyranny in the society and what should be done in order to put an end to it. Every main character’s role should be well emphasized in order to make the message of the story more understandable. The characters must be very much convincing to the extent that they are almost taking the audience back to Yuan Dynasty. An article made by Huo Jianyi, Yuan Dynasty Zaju, tells about how Guan Hanqing himself gave up his profession of being a doctor and chose to serve the public by writing plays that exposed the dark side of the society, particularly the indulgence in wine and women as a way of life especially for the Yuan rulers. He and his fellow playwrights used their talents and knowledge in exposing tyranny and through their theatrical creations, spoke on behalf of the suffering masses despite the Yuan rulers forbidding it. The success of this play will be achieved if the same fiery passion is justified by the characters. Stage Type and Settings The play is artistic therefore it would be ideal to use a proscenium or picture frame stage. It is not necessary to use a traditional proscenium stage with its common features like a large archway near the stage front or a curtain in order to close it during act or scene breaks. It is enough that the stage is raised several feet enough for the audience to see the view of the play while directly facing it (â€Å"Stage:†Wikipedia). As the Snow in Midsummer is a classic play based on a Han Dynasty folk tale (although popularized in the Yuan Dynasty), the prevailing theme should be based on the said period. The backdrop must contain both unique and artistic images depicting a usual old Chinese scenario like that of a painting. Images of courtyard houses should be used. These residences would represent the different social status that coexisted in that period. Based on Spiro Kostof’s A History of Architecture, traditional Chinese courtyard houses (such as the siheyuan) is composed of several individual houses around a square, where each house is owned by a different member of the family. Aside from this, more houses can also be constructed for additional family members that need to be accommodated. There must be a strong sense of tranquility and privacy which should prevail and be maintained despite strong and loud scenes in the play. Garden and water is also a usual feature with these residences. The outermost part of these residences is where strangers are entertained while the innermost one is set apart for intimate friends and family members of the owner. Since the title of the play contains the word snow, then winter is another requirement for the play, in fact for almost the entirety of the play. This should allow an atmosphere of gloominess to dominate the stage, making the literal coldness of winter almost felt and intensified by the cold hearts of the villains in the play. The snow plays a critical part in this and it should fall dramatically on stage with the proper sad music background going with it.            Last but not the least, there must be flowers included. They should either be illustrated in the backdrop as part of the stage props. Flowers have been a great part of Chinese art just like the dragon and bird illustrations they use in their antique porcelains. As a whole, the entire stage must become a big canvass of living Chinese art. Stage Directions            The director is responsible for bringing out the good quality of the characters’ acting and the stage production. Therefore he must be focused and fully aware of the background of the play so as to properly angle it. Directions are made up of details being heard and seen by the audience. These should be explained well in the script so as not to confuse the director, the actors or even the designers. The three kinds of stage directions must be considered, namely: (1) scene directions, (2) staging directions, and (3) character stage directions. In the script, scene directions are indented at a measurement of 3.5 inches from the left side of the margin and 1 inch from the right. This indicates the fundamental place and time of the scene with details of the events on stage as the lights come up or become dim (â€Å"How to Format a Stage Play†). Let us take scene one, act one of the play Snow in Midsummer as indicated in the script:                                                                                    SCENE ONE (The period was between 1279-1368 A.D. In a typical Chinese village lives MISTRESS CAI, a widow, who appears on stage with a sign of great anticipation on her face. She paces at the center of the stage in her long, loose gown with wide sleeves and narrow cuffs. Then she faces the audience with the same facial expression.) Second is the staging directions. This contains the description of a certain scene such as the entrance, exit, and struggles of characters on stage, as well as the changes in lighting effects or musical background. MRS. CAI: Where? (The Doctor strangles the widow with the rope. Enter Old Zhang and his son Donkey. As they rush forward the Doctor takes to his heels. Old Zhang revives Mistress Cai.) DONKEY: Its an old woman, dad, nearly strangled to death. Last would be the character stage directions. These are short descriptive lines in parenthetical form sometimes placed under the name of the character. This shows the appropriate body language while delivering a certain line (â€Å"How to Format a Stage Play†). This particular direction puts more identity on acting. Here is another example. MRS. CAI (crying): Ah, poor child! How am I going to break this to you? Make up The characters’ makeup for the Snow in Midsummer need not look like that from a Chinese opera although it may be elaborated to reflect its rich culture. It must enhance their acting and facial expression. A kabuki effect is suggested if the production team would like to add a little animation to it and lessening its tragic base. Dou E and Mistress Cai’s makeup may use thick foundation with a rosy base to show femininity. However the application must be heavier on Mistress Cai to distinguish her age along with some fake wrinkles. The eyebrows must be enhanced with a thick black color while the lips are pouty and deep red. As for the elder male actors (Doctor Lu, Dou Tianzhang, and Old Chang), a yellow base makeup can be used contrasted with a thick pink blush on. The eyebrows may also be enhanced however for the male antagonist (Donkey Chang), eye brows should be enhanced with an upward effect at both ends. Once again the appearance of wrinkles should distinguish ages. Basic Pointers for applying stage makeup According to Kate Hillard on her article Application of Stage Makeup, makeup is often applied on thick layers. Unlike the movies where the camera can focus on the actor’s face, audiences cannot afford to this kind of facility on stage plays. The makeup used for the Snow in Midsummer should be elaborate and bright especially with characters representing the high-class society. There may also be gradual moderation of the makeup for the middle and lower class members but the artist must make sure that it is enough in maximizing the actor’s emotions on stage. Sometimes even the dark layers of makeup disappear on the glaring lights. A thick, heavy cream foundation should be applied first which be a little bit darker than the skin tone. The placing of foundation should be started on the forehead and blended well up to the hairline after which the remaining of the face is covered together with the ears, eyelids, and neck as if this is the actors’ true complexion. The neck application should also be blended well so as not to create a mask-like appearance. When it comes to male actors, foundation is applied on the entire neck and back sometimes but this can appear messy. Following the general foundation, a lighter color is placed over the shadows under the nose and on the chin. When the foundation is done, the blush would follow. A rosy color is used for the female actresses but this should be applied on a lesser degree with male actors. It is spread over the cheekbone and about halfway down the cheek mixing it with a down and up motion. A naturally rosy tone is needed for male actors while it should be darker for the females enough to maintain its visibility on stage especially under the hot lights. Blush must also be placed over the nose and forehead where it is very slightly blended. The most difficult part would be the eye makeup. A very white â€Å"highlighter†is first placed along the brow bone (right underneath the eyebrow) and under the eye. The makeup artist should make sure to give the surrounding eye areas a lightened appearance without leaving white smears. Following this, an eye makeup should be placed just above the eyelid, below the brow bone, and also beneath the eye which should be a little darker than skin tone. This should be topped with an even darker color along the eyelid top through a downward blending which can also be used as an eyeliner especially with male actors. For women, an even darker and rosier tone that gives the appearance of a natural eye shadow should be placed over. It should however be more recognizable on stage and should be placed a little above the eyebrow. A less rosy color is recommended for male actors though not required. Furthermore, a dark brown or similar-colored eye lining is placed. Black color is to be used for dramatic roles that need wild makeup. Lastly, mascara is placed on top of the lashes. In order to avoid or lessen the errors of putting mascaras, it is suggested to make the actor blink after putting the wand on his/her lashes. Following the eye makeup is the simpler part of putting on the lipstick. A color that is a little darker than the usual lip color is used for male actors and should be matched with a lip liner. Either can go first depending on the actor’s or makeup artist’s preference. The liner should be placed on the outside of the lips and not on the natural line otherwise this will obviously look fake. It can also be applied all over the lips to make it last better and longer. A dark lipstick should be applied enough to be seen from the stage even if it looks like a Halloween makeup up close. It goes otherwise with male actors who should slightly be more natural even on stage. Last but not the least would be the loose powder. Before it is applied over the face, dip a large brush unto a powder container then shake it to get most of the powder off in order to avoid leaving white smears over the makeup and therefore ruining it. Loose powder is for holding the actor’s make up even when they are sweating. Costumes Costumes are very important. They help audiences identify and understand the actor’s character and social rank as well as his traits and gender. The style and color would greatly suggest the occasion happening on stage. Colorful clothes and elaborate makeup may bring more life to Snow in Midsummer as this pertains to rich Chinese culture. The main character, Dou E, may use the traditional Ruqun which is used by ordinary women during the Yuan Dynasty. This is made up of an upper jacket and lower skirt. The jacket is made of a red marten or sheepskin garment with loose sleeves and gray collars and cuffs. This is tucked below a maroon skirt with a gray sash accent to maintain its simplicity. The same type of robe costume may be used by the widow, Mistress Cai as they do not necessarily belong with the Mongolian Aristocrats who wore cur coats and fur caps. Their costumes must reflect their lifestyle and their role enough to bring out the emotion from the audience, however they should not look like paupers but more like average Chinese people however obviously struggling to maintain their dignity. However, after her execution, Dou E’s costume must change to loose, ghostly white robe with its light fabric. The red smear of blood from the execution must appear on the cloth as well. The male actors may use the Yiseyi or Zhisunfu garments where upper and lower short garments were put together while adding folds to the waistline. Furthermore, big beads were hung on shoulders and the back. The garments can either be course or of fine quality depending on the social rank the actor is representing (â€Å"Costume in the Yuan Dynasty†). Donkey Chang and Old Chang may use costumes may use colors that shows a status that is more advantages compared to Dou E and Mistress Cai, however not as luxurious as an upper aristocrat. Donkey Chang’s costume must be provoking and reflective of his selfish being. Of course the apparent hairdo must not be forgotten. For male actors, it should be the traditional snail-head, seated Buddha feature. As for females actors (Dou E and Mistress Cai), the hair must be long with the upper portion tied and placed with some simple white floral accents. Mrs. Cai’s hair must be all brushed up however with a bulky onion bulb appearance. Lighting This is perhaps the counterpart of camera trick. One of the things that make stage plays breath-taking is the lighting effect. In fact thanks to modern-day stage lighting, audiences now are able to afford richer visibility of the entire play, thus connecting more with the intense emotions of the actors. A careful outline of Bill William’s Stage Lighting Design shows four important objectives of stage lighting: (1) Visibility, which helps the audience understand the play. It is influenced by contrast, size, color and movement. (2) Naturalism (and Motivation), where a sense of time and place is indicated. (3) Composition, the overall image of the stage. Lighting must reveal actors, objects and scenery depending on their importance. (4) Mood (and Atmosphere), which is the psychological reaction of the audience is influenced by lighting effects that gives the stage a sense of happiness, sadness or even boredom. Dou E’s execution would be a perfect example where lighting is â€Å"highlighted†as this scene indicates a transition from a normal way of life to a cursed one. In this case, the lighting effects must create a great sense of grief , heaviness, and fear among the audience. Casting            A play cannot be a play without the cast. As the front liners of the production, they are mainly responsible for leaving an impression for the play since they are the ones who have direct contact with the audiences. Casts are like the main course of a meal. Prof. Audrey Stanley from the University of California at Santa Cruz presents at least eight points to consider when casting a play: (1) Interpretation of character type and function; (2) Type-casting; (3) Casting against type; (4) Cross-gender casting; (5) Gender- or race-neutral casting. (6) Generational relationships and differences between characters (for instance, how old are Lears daughters?); (7) Physical and vocal requirements of different roles; (8) Audience associations and expectations of individual actors.            Dou E’s character must be portrayed by someone who can show her virtuosity but at the same time must have the ability to transform into a vengeful character. Her father, Dou Tianzhang, must be played as someone who is old of course but has enough strength to do some laborious works. Mistress Cai must reflect the same humility as Dou E’s character but of course with a motherly touch. A trace of burden must be shown on her face from life’s realities as well as how youth has been taken from her. Donkey Chang need not be good-looking however appropriately dressed. But his dignified appearance must not conceal his disgusting character. Rehearsals Based on Simon Dunmores Advice on How to Approach Rehearsals for a Play, rehearsing is composed of thought, discussion, and doing. It is an important part of the play where the whole team gets to figure out what will work or not. That is why it is important to discipline oneself especially when it comes to the script. Even before the rehearsals, the actor must read it several times so he/she will get to be familiar with the character that he is playing. He should carry it one hand somewhere at his side and put emotion to the delivery of the line while looking at the script at a side glance. He must be patient and must take his time in memorizing his line. In case of long speeches, they should be delivered with much care and thought as single or short lines for it is usually a case where a certain idea starts and is connected throughout the story of the play. Stage directions on the other hand, must be read as possible pointers only. If they came from how the play was originally done, take into consideration that the present production might be different with the casts and circumstances being new. Pause and silence is a kind of stage direction that must also be given proper timing and must have appropriate place in the play just like long and short lines. Also in case of abbreviations, the intention of the playwright must be observed so the essence of the communication will not be lost. Writing down notes either from the director or from oneself will be helpful in remembering how to delivery one’s line properly. Notes need not be long. Directors may not be right all the time with regards to the character role. His long experience in theater acting may not give him enough knowledge or understanding of a certain character the way an actor does. Therefore, a careful and rational discussion must always be made between the two. Set and costume designs are also very important. They affect the way an actor moves about the stage. These objects must work harmoniously with the people of the play and not become a hinder.            Rehearsals do not stop within the rehearsal room. Proper focus can be achieved with proper practicing though it should not necessarily occupy one’s private time. Rehearsal for Snow in Midsummer Below is a sample table for the Snow in Midsummer’s rehearsal schedule. It is usually done with six to eight weeks but the production team may change it depending on their needs (Sample Rehearsal Schedule). Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Auditions Auditions Call-Backs Post Castlist First Read-Thru Off Construction Crew Meets Block scenes with leads Block scenes with Full Cast Block scenes with leads Begin Set Construction Block scenes with Full Cast Off Work on Set Construction Work scenes with Full Cast Work scenes with leads Work scenes with leads Work on Set Construction Work scenes with Full Cast Work on Set Construction Hang Lights and Set Construction Work through Act I off book Work through Act II off book Work on trouble spots leads only Finish Hang and Rough Focus Act I Run-thru Work on Set Construction Full Cast Paint and Work Day Act II Run-thru Act I Run-thru Act II Run-thru Work on Set Construction First Full Run-thru Complete Set Construction Final Setup Tech and Lights First Tech Rehearsal with Cast Run-thru Full Tech Run-thru Full Tech Costume check Tech Crew Trouble Shooting Run-thru Full Tech Finishing Touches On Set Work on problem areas Full Dress Rehearsal Full Dress Rehearsal Full Dress Rehearsal Full Dress Rehearsal No Makeup Performance Performance Performance The Vision’s Effects on the Audience            The Snow in Midsummer is a play about tragedy and drama. However, the whole production team must keep in mind that as the story is based on real struggles of poor people in the past, it might leave a great sense of grievance to the audience. This is good but only to the extent that it will stimulate their sense of awareness since basically, though the storyline dates back to old times, it is very symbolic of the abuse and tyranny that still exist even in our time. Therefore, there must be a balance by creating a great sense of hope especially during the scenes where a retrial for Dou E’s case was conducted up to the play’s ending. The play must establish to the audience that life goes on and there is hope and justice even in the hardest of situations. Steve Campsall wrote in Write a Successful Play that plays must create a lasting appeal to the audience. Every words delivered by a stage performer should send out both meaning and feeling. That is why it is important to understand the writer’s intention behind the text he has created.  Common methods such as vivid metaphor, powerful imagery, alliteration, use of rhyme or rhythm, etc, are said to be used often by writers (Write a Successful Play: Effects on the Audience). Behind the scene interactions will help bring one’s natural acting and transcend the same energy and passion. The audience must be convinced with everything, from the stage settings to the acting. Not doing so will be crucial and may create passiveness. Conclusion            Behind a play’s success could be in anything that is a part of it. From the director’s vision to the actor’s execution, everyone should make sure that everything works harmoniously so that the flow of the play will be well polished on the grand day itself. It is both inspiring and fun to see actors on stage behaving like they are not actors but rather they own the stage and they are the characters that they are playing.            Lastly, behind the inspiring acts, elaborate costumes, and colorful props, the message of the story must be retained.  This is one important part that can be shared with the audience. The lesson that they can learn from watching a play can help them personally. Once the audience is touched by a play’s story or vision, he/she can use the message or apply it once he goes back to real life. Work Cited â€Å"Stage.†Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 5 February 2008. 9 February 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_(theatre) Kostof, S. 1995. A History of Architecture. The Oxford Press. 8 February 2008.            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtyard Jianyi, H. 2003. Yuan Dynasty Zaju.  8 February 2008.            http://www.chinavoc.com/magicn/yzaj.asp â€Å"How to Format a Stage Play.†Script Frenzy Young Writers Program. 2007. 9 February 2008. http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/howtoformatastageplay Hillard, K. 2002. Application of Stage Make Up. 9 February 2008. http://www.essortment.com/applicationstag_rgyu.htm â€Å"Costume in the Yuan Dynasty.†ChinaCulture.org. 10 February 2008. 10 February 2008. http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_chinaway/2003-09/24/content_28414.htm Williams, B. 1997-1999. Stage Lighting Design. Objectives of stage lighting. 11 February 2008 http://www.mts.net/~william5/sld/sld-100.htm Stanley, A. 1995-1996. Shakespeare Examined through Performance. 11 February 2008 http://www.tamut.edu/english/folgerhp/Recipes/7cstply.html Dunmore, S. 25 August 1999. Simon Dunmores Advice on How to Approach Rehearsals for a Play. 11 February 2008 http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.dunmore/rehearse.htm Campsall, S. 2008. Write a Successful Play: Effects on the Audience. 12 February 2008 http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/mainguides/play.htm Sample Rehearsal Schedule. Tupelo Community Theatre. 13 February 2008. http://www.tctwebstage.com/schedule.htm
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Artifact Study of an Olympiakos Soccer Jersey :: Greece Greek Sports Essays
Artifact Study of an Olympiakos Soccer Jersey Introduction The artifact of appearance I have chosen is a soccer jersey representing Olympiakos, a team in the top Greek league. I acquired this article of clothing during the summer of 1995. Many factors have contributed to my interest in Greek soccer jerseys. These include my Greek heritage, my family's fanaticism with soccer, and the growing popularity of sports jerseys in the, for severe lack of a better term, alternative subculture. In this paper, I will perform an artifact study on this jersey. For another example of an artifact study, see my first project. The steps of an artifact study are Identification, Evaluation, Cultural Analysis,and Interpretation. Identification History This jersey was manufactured in Greece most likely by a textile or clothing company that has a merchandising agreement with the Olympiakos organization. In early June of 1995 my uncle Petro bought the jersey, along with other sports items, and mailed them to my home. He intended for my brother and I to split the contents of the package; however, I quickly claimed all the items as my own after my brother expressed no interest in the jerseys. Since that day I have had the jersey in my possession. Material The jersey is constructed from a mix of several obviously artificial fabrics. Unlike football or lacrosse jerseys, it does not have a very open weave. The insignia, number, and sponsor logo are made from felt and attached to the jersey. Construction The workmanship of the jersey seems to be average. There are no major flaws in the design or material. The only apparent imperfection is a small thread unraveling on the sleeve. From the material and workmanship, it is safe to assume that the jersey was mass-produced. Design The jersey closely resembles the red and white one in the picture above left. The stripes though are thinner and the jersey has long sleeves. Also, the neck is cut in a low 'V'. Like the jersey in the picture, the team insignia, shown in the background of this document and in the above right image, is located over the left breast and the sponsor logo, in both cases Mastercard, is on the front center of the jersey. The jersey pictured has the logo and insignia in color, while my jersey is detailed completely in black. The number 10 is on the back in black felt. Function This Olympiakos jersey is primarily designed to be casually worn.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
The Aprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz Quote Analysis :: essays research papers
"A man without land is nothing." Though the passage I have selected is short, I believe it is the most obvious indication to the main theme of the book, as well as a common goal for not only Duddy Kravitz, but countless others, fictitious and not. I could have chosen a longer quotation from the book, but I felt that this phrase clearly communicates to the reader that the "American Dream" has been a preoccupation with Duddy since he was very young. Duddy's grandfather acted as a prominent father figure to him during his early childhood, when his father could not always be there for him, and as a result of always having him around while Duddy was so young and impressionable, he had a lot of influence on Duddy's developing mind. Coming from someone in such a position at that point in Duddy's life, a statement like "a man without land is nothing", has a particularly strong effect. The words themselves are very blunt and closed to interpretation. He wasn't simply telling him it would be nice to own property, his grandfather was telling him he will never have amounted to anything in his eyes, unless he owns land. A message that strong coming from a figure with so much influence on a boy like Duddy can have a very monumental impression. It is clear that Duddy did, in fact, take these words to heart, as he is constantly involved in get-rich-quick schemes, starting when he is still in school. This preoccupation would eventually be Duddy's downfall. Though The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz was written years ago, the idea of materialism, and measuring one's success by their possessions is also a prominent theme in pop culture in the West. Luxurious and excessive lifestyles are in, perpetuated by "blinged out" rap artists and rock stars who own multiple houses, and drive unnecessarily large and expensive sport utility vehicles and sports cars. Pop music has evolved throughout the 20th Century, and has now gotten to a point where it's not just music, but an industry. Singers are actors and vice versa. To make it big in the music industry you not only have to have talent, but a strong business sense, and your own clothing line, of course. The Aprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz Quote Analysis :: essays research papers "A man without land is nothing." Though the passage I have selected is short, I believe it is the most obvious indication to the main theme of the book, as well as a common goal for not only Duddy Kravitz, but countless others, fictitious and not. I could have chosen a longer quotation from the book, but I felt that this phrase clearly communicates to the reader that the "American Dream" has been a preoccupation with Duddy since he was very young. Duddy's grandfather acted as a prominent father figure to him during his early childhood, when his father could not always be there for him, and as a result of always having him around while Duddy was so young and impressionable, he had a lot of influence on Duddy's developing mind. Coming from someone in such a position at that point in Duddy's life, a statement like "a man without land is nothing", has a particularly strong effect. The words themselves are very blunt and closed to interpretation. He wasn't simply telling him it would be nice to own property, his grandfather was telling him he will never have amounted to anything in his eyes, unless he owns land. A message that strong coming from a figure with so much influence on a boy like Duddy can have a very monumental impression. It is clear that Duddy did, in fact, take these words to heart, as he is constantly involved in get-rich-quick schemes, starting when he is still in school. This preoccupation would eventually be Duddy's downfall. Though The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz was written years ago, the idea of materialism, and measuring one's success by their possessions is also a prominent theme in pop culture in the West. Luxurious and excessive lifestyles are in, perpetuated by "blinged out" rap artists and rock stars who own multiple houses, and drive unnecessarily large and expensive sport utility vehicles and sports cars. Pop music has evolved throughout the 20th Century, and has now gotten to a point where it's not just music, but an industry. Singers are actors and vice versa. To make it big in the music industry you not only have to have talent, but a strong business sense, and your own clothing line, of course.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Gun Violence in Canada
Gun violence in Canada is an issue which is evident within Canadian society, especially in the last year. The shooting in the Eaton’s Centre in Toronto recently was the largest mass shooting in its history. The reason behind the shooting was related to gang violence in the area, therefore there is a social issue that demands solution. Gun violence in Canada is generally on the low end of the overall crime rate, and in recent years the severity of crime was down four percent, but this does not mean there is no reason for alarm anymore.A Statistics Canada study on criminal code statistics offer misleading information on the severity of the situation, this includes gun violence. A past Statistics Canada study based on 2009 data showed that only 31 percent of the most common types of crimes were reported, therefore there is 69 percent that has not been recorded leaving a gap in the knowledge we have about the true violence within Canada (Ottawa Citizen,2012). Gun violence is as Gl obal Mail see’s it an expression on manly rage, but I do not agree with this accusation.Gun violence in Canada is a social issue in relation to gang violence, and although this crime rate is not on the rise it cannot be taken lightly and it is not to be blamed as an expression of manly rage also known as pistolization. As the Globe and Mail states two weeks after the shooting in Toronto’s Eaton’s Centre, Police Chief Bill Blair sees the gang violence at its root (Globe and Mail, Aug 2012). Gang violence is the cause for the largest mass shooting Toronto has ever seen, but it is also the basis for any other reported shooting in the Toronto area, along with the rest of Canada.The solution is to prevent the young men in and around the communities with the highest recorded gang violence from joining or going down the path of gang violence. Catching them at a young age is easy, young men are easily influenced and this is generally how they join a gang in the first pl ace. Therefore, if society gives those who are in a higher risked neighbourhood the attention they need, gang violence may decrease. With this decrease will come the decrease of criminal rates, this includes gun violence.Young men who are brought up in a home with risk factors such as domestic abuse and alcoholism are prone to being initiated into a gang. Solutions such as summer employment programs are the best options for these kids. Helping these children may also change Canadians views on the issue of gun violence. People’s impressions of crime are formed by more than what is captured by official crime stats (Ottawa Citizen, 2012). Statistics Canada does not report all they are informed about, Canadians then take what they hear on the news and what they experience for themselves when understanding violence, this gives them a false understanding.People are not that concerned for their own general safety, this may be because of how little we know but at least from what we d o understand we are trying to change. It would be the best viable option if Canadians were to be informed more in terms of violence in Canada. Crime is a problem even if crime rates are diminishing, and although many of us are not in imminent danger we still need to change for the future. That is why dealing with young men before they curb to the norms of gang violence would be the best long lasting solution.In opposition to this belief, blaming gun violence in Canada on pistolization is not the most appropriate way in dealing with this issue. Although it is obvious that gun crimes are nearly always perpetrated by men does not mean that gun violence is a problem of men’s social-psychological dimensions (Globe and Mail, July 2012). We live in a culture that gun violence is all over the media, whether it be in video games or in movies. There is proof that men tend to be more susceptible to any sort of violence, but just because gun violence falls under this category does not me an there is a social psychological problem.Women can be part of the same crimes as men, the only reason the rate for women is lower is because we still live in a society where the media is still geared towards men. It is also unwise to believe that gun violence coming from men is a form of status anxiety and that the culture has been significantly shaped by pistolization and guns are being used as a weapon for acting out (Globe and Mail, July 2012). Blaming gun violence in Canada on drug dealing because there is no form of legal recourse is a scapegoat.It is true that drug deals can be violent if a merchandiser or customer of drugs does not live up to their end of the bargain, but to blame gun violence in Canada on this is inappropriate. It would be understandable if one was in Columbia, due to the amount of cocaine that is imported and exported from there, but Canada has never been one of the top countries in drug solicitation. These issues are complex, and they are merely speculat ions of the plausible explanation of gun violence in Canada.Gun violence in Canada is not to be blamed on expression of manly rage which is pistolization; it instead is due to the social issue in relation to gang violence and diminishing crime rates. Gang violence is the leading cause to gun violence in Canada, the best long lasting solution to ensure that crime rates do not raise is to deal with young men before they are influenced into joining a gang. Crime rates from Statistics Canada give a false apparition into the true violence that is evident in Canada.Both the media and government know either too much or too little but whatever the case may be they are not giving the full story to the Canadian public. Canadians are little concerned with their safety due to the diminutive knowledge they have been given. Their impression of Canada may change if they had the whole story, but this is not the case. The blame of gun violence being either because of pistolization or drug abuse in C anada is not a viable argument. In turn, gun violence in Canada is due to gang violence and is best dealt with in the neighbourhoods with higher rated crimes before they grow in numbers and moved on to new communities.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
A Successful Step Forward in the Educational Process
A Successful Step Forward in the Educational Process No Child Left Behind is one of the main principles of the educational system of the United States. It is very important to have determined well-organized principles and methods of studying for students to be more successful in achieving academic grades.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on A Successful Step Forward in the Educational Process specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It was a big step forward to create such program where all students would be chanced to get a better quality of education with the personal approach to each student. It goes without saying that the surest way to discredit public schools is not to leave any child behind. I think it is the most crucial transformation in the American educational system over the past decade. The federal funding for schools has been increased and the standard of teaching improved which resulted in the higher level of students’ knowledge recorded by the nationwide sta ndardized test. One of the main advantages of this program is that parents have a right to choose a public school for their children. It is comfortable both for parents and schools in particular as children are allotted to the classes according to their abilities and the level of knowledge. Since the level of success is judged by the level of students’ academic performance, it is important to provide all the necessary means and conditions for the students to have the best grades. The disadvantages of NCLB program is that it has not been worked out for those who have health problems and measured abilities and can not study in public schools. I think the program would be more precious if it is created for such people as they are in need more than any other students. One more disadvantage is that government of the United States can not allocate enough money to support all ideas of the program which slows down the process and further development of the program. Nevertheless, acco rding to the data, the achieved result can already be called successful comparing to the level of performance over the past years. As for me, I think this program is effective enough as a lot of opportunities have been given to those who could not afford a good level of education. However, as it was already said, it makes government spend a good amount of money to satisfy all needs.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Actually, talking about the real necessity of such program, it is possible to note that presently, the government of the United States wants to repeal the educational act NCLB. Thinking about this issue more carefully and from the general point of view, the program resulted in increasing the students’ education thanks to the lowering of learning standards. Children were thoroughly taught and tested by public schools. I think it is quite a big disadvantage. A ctually, both public and private schools can choose the educational standards and think about the best ways to increase the level of education of each student in particular. Presently, public schools just lose state funding in case some purposes can not be fulfilled as it is very costly for the government. Education is one of the main parts of a human’s life so a lot of attention both from the government and people’s side should be paid to it. The program No Child Left Behind is in its active development providing a number of measures and ways to increase the accountability of the states and schools for the students’ academic achievements. I think it is a nice opportunity for the teachers to improve their qualification and professional development as well as for parents to be provided with corresponding opportunities of making a choice and getting information. Moreover, one of the goals set by the program at the very beginning has been achieved: the gaps between advantaged and disadvantage students were successfully fulfilled and the general quality of education improved.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Social Change essays
Social Change essays * Is violence even a necessity for social change?* Malcolm X stated that the ideals that he took early on in the Civil Right movement should be sought "by any means necessary", he was one of the first leaders in history to coin that phrase. Even without the alluring words, many other leaders utilized the simple concept countless times before. Malcolm X felt that social change could be gained in many ways and violence was one of them. (Why violence?) Furthermore, the French Revolution is another example of how violence was used in order to create peace and a better life. Although, the Civil War wasnt primarily about abollishing slavery, it still shows how violence changed life. The violence of slavery was eradicated through the bloodshed of war. (Intro. Sent) When people find suppression in their paths, they move it. In most cases they do this with force. It is a natural instinct to use force to attain a goal; watch any group of young children and see their strategies, there is no such thing as diplomacy. Kids will not naturally hand over...(continue sent.) And for the most part, diplomacy doesnt always work. The allies of World War II tried to mollify Hiltler in peaceful ways, never the less in the end they still went to war in order to stop further distruction and save inumerable lives. Another group that is portrayed as notorious is the Black Panther party. (Why?) Other factions of countries have gone to war amongst themselves in order to create social change (Vietnam, Cambodia, Russia/former U.S.S.R). A film that talks about Khmer Rouge and the conflict in Cambodia is The Killing Fields. This is about.... Another common example of social change is that a heinous event has to occur in order for attention to be brought to an already unfavorable situation. An example of this would be the Amber Alert System, which "originated in Arlington, Texas after the 1996 abduction and mur ...
Sunday, October 20, 2019
A CRITIQUE OF THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS essays
A CRITIQUE OF THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS essays Samuel P. Huntingtons article The Clash Of Civilizations was a rare foresight in the time it was written. One must agree that his analytical skills have proven him mostly right, up to this point. Even though his warnings on this clash of civilizations has not been taken into account by the western especially the most dominant of them the USA powers and have deepened hatred among the different values (and even managed to create a barrier among the so called same values as well). The conflicts listed in 1993 are thus almost all relevant. The article supports its thesis that the new world order of a dominant western value will end up against the rest of the world for many reasons; He names six. To begin with Civilizations are differentiated from each other by history, language, culture, tradition, and religion. In fact that is true and it has been that way for centuries. He goes on to say that the world is becoming a smaller place thus the interactions are more frequent and exposed mostly by the wealthy; the west. Everywhere one goes today around the world he/she is faced with western and more precisely American influence. Thus, spreading and exposing younger generations with these popular values. It also brings the reality of other cultures closer to the west through those who choose it to over their own country. As it is the case with Frances Muslims and Germanys Turks. Civilizations mix and point toward a universal diversity maybe that is why it is a probl em for the author that in fact Jose CAN see! There are weak points listed by Huntington; the process of economic modernization and social change throughout the world are separating people from longstanding local identities and the growth of civilization-consciousness is enhanced by the dual role of the West. He is writing this at a time where the collapse of the Soviet Union and its ideology &ndash...
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Career Aspirations and Reflection on Skills Development Essay
Career Aspirations and Reflection on Skills Development - Essay Example This paper examines the author’s long term career plan as to be able to open and establish his own string of SPA and Wellness Centers in London. The researcher envisions himself as a successful entrepreneur, managing and operating not only one, but several shops, even to the point of offering low cost franchise for those who have aspirations to attain financial freedom and stability through opening their own business. To accomplish this dream, the researcher sees himself building the necessary resources to open his own business in the city. Apart from the financial requirements, he also has to be equipped to establish and oversee his own SPA and Wellness Centre. So the author could be trained thoroughly in business management, his medium term goal is to be able obtain a management position as an Operations Manager in one of the top SPA and Wellness Centers in London. The researcher’s first step towards achieving these goals is first, to obtain his bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Management. The researcher considers this his short term career goal, as this will serve as his stepping stone towards his dreams. The author is now juggling both his studies and a job within the same industry, which to him, are perfect training grounds both in his chosen field of studies and his personal development as well. A SPA and Wellness Business Manager should have excellent leadership skills, superior people skills and extensive knowledge on the SPA business. Successful careers are deemed not to be based on academic qualifications alone, but more importantly, on the person’s ability to demonstrate strong leadership skills in the workplace (MIB – Master of International Business in Hotel, Resort and Spa Management 2011). In this sense, I must be able to develop strength in character, and solid decision making skills to I could eventually lead my own team towards a prosperous business venture. Leadership skills are essentially the ability to motivate a group of people towards particular goals (Leadership 2011). I would only be able to do this if people have reasons to look up to me. The SPA and Wellness business is lucrative business, which has gained immense popularity on the global front simply because of the growing interest in holistic wellness. More than going to the doctor for treatment of particular diseases, people have embraced the concept of prevention. Release from tension and stress allows us to become healthy individuals (Spas and the Global Wellness Market: Synergies and Opportunities 2011). Just like any other industry, the trends are evolving. Technology plays a big part in the development of this segment. And so to be able to be an effective SPA and Wellness Manager, I must be constantly in touch with the developments on a global level. I must know, understand and more importantly, enjoy the specifics of this business to succeed. People skills are one of the most important qualities that a SPA and Wellness Business Manage should have. The Wellness industry is a service-oriented vocation. The products are all about pleasing people and giving them good levels of health and wellness services. There should be a strong connection between the service providers and the customers. The people behind this service should be able to understand the demands of the market and be able to come up with ways to deliver
Friday, October 18, 2019
Modern Growth of Gangs in Rural and Suburban America Research Paper
Modern Growth of Gangs in Rural and Suburban America - Research Paper Example (Maxson, 1993) Street gangs are therefore, no exception. This paper examines the growth of street gangs in rural America with the emphasis on California. The US Criminal Code describes a street gang as a group containing at least five persons whose main purpose is to commit at least one criminal offense. (US Criminal Code) The Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada offers perhaps, the best definition of street gangs, describing this term of reference as: â€Å"a term that law enforcement traditionally used to categorize crime groups that consisted predominantly of young males from similar ethnic backgrounds that were usually engaged in a low level of criminality, often based within a specific geographical area.†(Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, 2004, 29) The US Department of Justice, however, notes that since the 1990s, street gangs have ceased to be gender specific and have generously spread its reach beyond urban areas and into rural areas. (McGloin, 2003, 1) Moreover, street gang crime has become more prevalent as of the 1990s and is attracting persons of all ethnic groups and ages.(Fleisher and Decker, 2001, 65-77) Criminologists typically agree that street gangs have a largely negative impact on their community and the residents. (McGloin, 2003, 1)This is because street gangs contribute to firearms activity, violence, drug supply and demand, home invasions, auto theft, murder â€Å"and/or general decline in the quality of life,†and other serious crimes. (McGloin, 2003, 2) Since the 1990s the make-up and demographics of street gangs have changed with its growth. (Esbensen and Winfree, 1998, 505-526) As gangs and gang membership increases across America, they are branching out into rural areas and attracting diverse ethnic and gender groups. (Esbensen and Winfree, 1998, 505-526) While street gangs do not demand the
Heritage Tourism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Heritage Tourism - Essay Example It is in the 1990s that the tendency to boldly state the function of tourism and investigate the conscious and unconscious forces that foster tourism as an expression of a facet of human life became in vogue. During these period researchers working independently arrived at the nature of tourism as method of forming opinion on the nature of local people that the tourists visited. Moreover, the scholars also unearthed the social compulsions that make going to places as an essential ingredient of modern living and the pseudo-cultural experiences that are generated artificially to fuel the growth of a flourishing business activity. Many social scientists inspected "the use of tourism to make, re-make and/or de-make specific peoples, places or pasts." (Hollinshead, 2004, p. 25) The present study focuses on central ideas of four authors whose monumental contribution, to the understanding of the discipline of tourism, is a necessary backdrop for our learning of postmodern issues in tourism. They are AlSayyad N., Hewison R., Horne Donald and Dolan D. The authors are able to give a penetrating vision of the various aspects of post-modern heritage tourism. AlSayyad explores in his writing the heritage and tradition of tourism and contributes sig... Heritage today is created and propagated and it plays a major role in gaining national identity. He argues that 20th century has been a period of travel and tourism. Travel industry knows too well that it is selling only dreams. The industry knows that the tourists are too nave to realize that he or she is treated to a fake experience. The old concept of tourism as a quest for knowledge, self-improvement and authentic experience is hardly found in today's tourism. Instead, shopping, dining, wining and evening entertainment are becoming in many cases more important than the visiting of monuments. One of the appalling tragedies of postmodern tourism is the directed tour that a tourist is supposed to cover in a package. In the past travel was undertaken as a finishing school for a man of leisure and culture. Now the tourist is compelled to travel as a part of social norm and often the itinerary in such travels are unauthentic experience the tourist is forced to endure. Alsayyad (2001) c alls it " sites of 'authentic fakery' such as Las Vegas or manufactured heritage theme parks of 'fake authenticity'. There are many such symbols of modern tourism, which can vie with any monumental heritage site of the past. In fact McDonald's and Disney have more popularity as symbols of culture. In the era of increasing globalization Disney theme parks in many parts of the world stand for the weakened notion of statehood having been replaced by a plutocracy of the world governed by a multinational corporation. It is a paradox today that people travel to actual destinations for a virtual experience. Destinations could be Taj Mahal. Pyramids or the Great Wall of China but the experience is stage managed by recreational aspects of enjoyment rather
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Miranda v. Arizona -what was the out come of the case and why i chose Term Paper
Miranda v. Arizona -what was the out come of the case and why i chose to report on it - Term Paper Example In short, this case succeeded in writing a new chapter in the criminal justice system in America which forced me to select this case and to write about it. A kidnapping and sexual assault occurred in Phoenix, Arizona, in March 1963. On March 13 Ernesto Miranda, 23, was arrested in his home, taken to the police station, identified by the victim, and taken into an interrogation room. Miranda was not told of his rights to counsel prior to questioning. Two hours later, investigators emerged from the room with a written confession signed by Miranda. It included a typed disclaimer, also signed by Miranda, stating that he had â€Å"full knowledge of my legal rights, understanding any statement I make maybe used against me,†and that he had knowingly waived those rights. Two weeks later at a preliminary hearing, Miranda again was denied counsel. At his trial he did have a lawyer, whose objections to the use of Miranda's signed confession as evidence were overruled. Miranda was convict ed of kidnapping and rape, and received a 20-year sentence (Miranda v. Arizona (1966)) The above case raised lot of constitutional issues. According to The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, an accused or a witness has the right to protect himself from being forced to incriminate. In other words, the accused has the right to stay silent in police custody or to consult with a counsel before answering the questions of the investigating officer. In other words The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution gives a privilege against self-incrimination to the suspect or accused. Earlier, prior to this case, the investigating officers in United States were using all types of physical and psychological tortures to force the accused to accept the crime. They used circumstantial evidences to arrest the suspected people when a crime occurs. However, circumstantial evidences need not be hundred percent correct in all criminal cases. It is quite possible that a smart crim inal can commit crimes and mislead the investigating officers towards innocent people with the help of created evidences. If the police officer was not smart enough, he will take those circumstantial evidences or evidences collected from the spot seriously and arrest the innocent person. If that person was unaware of his rights in police custody, he may confess the crime in order to escape from the brutal interrogation methods of police. Thus, it is quite possible that an innocent may be punished by the court. According to the criminal justice system in America, not even a single innocent person should be punished even if thousands of criminals escaped from punishment. In other words, the criminal justice system urges the investigating officers to thinks twice or thrice before arresting person for a criminal activity. An accused has been given the right to consult with a lawyer before answering the questions of an investigating officer. It is quite possible that a smart investigatin g officer may ask misleading questions to the accused and force the accused to accept the crime. The investigating officer may have better knowledge about the criminal procedures than the accused and he can utilize that knowledge effectively to make an innocent person, a criminal. In order to avoid such
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - Essay Example CSR benefits the society through responsible business. In the contemporary society, global warming and sustainable living are the biggest issues that have grabbed the attention of scientists and educationalists everywhere in the world. Need is being felt of a collective effort to combat the conditions emerging as a result of global warming and excessive use of extinguishing natural resources. In these circumstances, businesses need to be very responsible and considerate about several things that are not in their individualistic interest but are of great interest to the society as a whole. CSR makes the businessmen amend their business practices in such a way that they cause maximum benefit to the society and cause minimal harm. Thus, it makes them comply with the standards of ethics and makes them display good moral conduct. In an attempt to fulfill the requirements of CSR, businessmen are trying to do everything that would make their business
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Miranda v. Arizona -what was the out come of the case and why i chose Term Paper
Miranda v. Arizona -what was the out come of the case and why i chose to report on it - Term Paper Example In short, this case succeeded in writing a new chapter in the criminal justice system in America which forced me to select this case and to write about it. A kidnapping and sexual assault occurred in Phoenix, Arizona, in March 1963. On March 13 Ernesto Miranda, 23, was arrested in his home, taken to the police station, identified by the victim, and taken into an interrogation room. Miranda was not told of his rights to counsel prior to questioning. Two hours later, investigators emerged from the room with a written confession signed by Miranda. It included a typed disclaimer, also signed by Miranda, stating that he had â€Å"full knowledge of my legal rights, understanding any statement I make maybe used against me,†and that he had knowingly waived those rights. Two weeks later at a preliminary hearing, Miranda again was denied counsel. At his trial he did have a lawyer, whose objections to the use of Miranda's signed confession as evidence were overruled. Miranda was convict ed of kidnapping and rape, and received a 20-year sentence (Miranda v. Arizona (1966)) The above case raised lot of constitutional issues. According to The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, an accused or a witness has the right to protect himself from being forced to incriminate. In other words, the accused has the right to stay silent in police custody or to consult with a counsel before answering the questions of the investigating officer. In other words The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution gives a privilege against self-incrimination to the suspect or accused. Earlier, prior to this case, the investigating officers in United States were using all types of physical and psychological tortures to force the accused to accept the crime. They used circumstantial evidences to arrest the suspected people when a crime occurs. However, circumstantial evidences need not be hundred percent correct in all criminal cases. It is quite possible that a smart crim inal can commit crimes and mislead the investigating officers towards innocent people with the help of created evidences. If the police officer was not smart enough, he will take those circumstantial evidences or evidences collected from the spot seriously and arrest the innocent person. If that person was unaware of his rights in police custody, he may confess the crime in order to escape from the brutal interrogation methods of police. Thus, it is quite possible that an innocent may be punished by the court. According to the criminal justice system in America, not even a single innocent person should be punished even if thousands of criminals escaped from punishment. In other words, the criminal justice system urges the investigating officers to thinks twice or thrice before arresting person for a criminal activity. An accused has been given the right to consult with a lawyer before answering the questions of an investigating officer. It is quite possible that a smart investigatin g officer may ask misleading questions to the accused and force the accused to accept the crime. The investigating officer may have better knowledge about the criminal procedures than the accused and he can utilize that knowledge effectively to make an innocent person, a criminal. In order to avoid such
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Law business organisation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words
Law business organisation - Essay Example They eventually registered their business as private limited company on May 1 with Charlie, Edwin and Adam becoming the sole shareholders and directors. The initial assets of the company are: (i) the building Charlie sold to the company at 200,000 pound; (ii) the computer and printer Edwin bought from Computer Galore Ltd. On May 15, a payment request was received from Plumbers Mate Ltd for payment of the debt incurred by Adam for himself on March 15 (before their business was registered). Plumbers Express Ltd went into insolvent liquidation in August due to bad management. The current liabilities of the company include the payment to: (i) the solicitors; (ii) Computer Galore Ltd and Plumbers Mate Ltd; (iii) Charlie’s building that was sold. ... These issues include but are not restricted to: (i) settling all past financial obligations (contracts and debts) the company has incurred before the liquidation; (ii) holding regular meetings with the creditors with the hope of providing them the latest information about the company’s progress; (iii) and, continuing the company’s business activities (s. 134 (5)).                              The Liquidator and Plumbers Mate Ltd           The liquidator is not expected to be concerned with any financial obligation or contract any of the three plumbers, namely Charlie, Edwin, and Adam may have had before the company was formed on May 1. In other words, Plumbers Mate Ltd should not bother the liquidator to pay for the services offered to Adam before the company was established. This realization absolves the liquidator of any financial payment to Plumbers Mate Ltd, and Adam should be duly informed to pay up his debt with the Plumbers Mate Ltd.  Although, it is not indicated in the scenario that the service bought by Adam was later reverted to Plumbers Express Ltdâ€â€the new                                                                                                                                      3 company, Adam should hold a meeting with liquidator to explain his part in the process.                                     The Liquidator and the Creditors        There is no record in the scenario that Plumber Express Ltd borrowed money directly from any bank or financial institution, but the donation of
Aristotle and Virtue Essay Example for Free
Aristotle and Virtue Essay Aristotle believes that we need virtue, both of thought and of character, to achieve that completeness leading to happiness. This is the function: activity in the soul in accord with virtue, where soul is defined as what is in us that carries out our characteristic activity. Aristotle is right in believing we need virtue. The end of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Book I introduces the idea that since happiness is â€Å"a certain sort of activity of the soul in accord with complete virtue, we must examine virtue,†because doing so will allow us to closer analyze and understand how to study happiness. He goes on to identify two areas: virtues of thought and virtues of character. I believe the philosopher is right when he thinks that a good life requires harnessing both kinds of virtues. Virtues of thought are simpler to identify, as they include excellence in problem solving skills, abstract and rational thought, mathematics and the like. Virtues of character, which are also called ‘moral virtues’, seem to be more complex and are also an integral part of the completeness that Aristotle said was necessary for a good life. Some examples of these virtues are generosity and patience. Virtues of character are definitely good for the possessor as Aristotle states in chapter 6, â€Å"having these feelings at the right times, about the right things, toward the right people, for the right end, and in the right way, is the intermediate and best condition, and this is the proper virtue. †Finding that mean or middle ground, that balance or yin and yang, is essential to establishing a completeness which ultimately lead to happiness. One problem may be actually the path to virtue. The idea of pleasure without pain is not realistic in the mortal world. Everything on this plane is relative. Take, for example, two dogs: Dog A lives on the street and has all of his life. He has to find himself food everyday in alleys and has to deal with the weather. This life is good to him because it is his world and he does not know any better. As far as Dog A is concerned, he is in ‘heaven’. Dog B lives in a mansion with air conditioning and gourmet steaks that are given to him on a regular basis. This is all Dog B knows and he is not aware of anything else out there better than this (even though it surely exists), so this dog is in heaven also. Imagine their own individual and relative differences if they were to switch places. Dog A would go to a mansion atmosphere and the comfort of his life would dramatically improve, while Dog B’s life would be hell all of a sudden. This relation of pleasure to pain and how it is all relative makes one take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Nelson, W. Philosophy 1305 Proteus Classics Readings. Thomson Custom Publishing, Mason. pgs 81-122.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Deconstructing the Third Front
Deconstructing the Third Front Daniel Steven Bressner After decades spent cultivating economic growth along its eastern seaboard, the PRC’s western interior is rapidly developing. In Sichuan province, Chengdu alone is now home to over 1,000 U.S. companies including General Electric and Mazda.[1] However, one of the most ambitious efforts to industrialize western China actually took place decades earlier. In a sweeping project known as the Third Front, central government planners reconfigured the economy of western provinces, with a special emphasis on defense industrialization. This paper provides an overview of the international factors that led to the creation of the Third Front and its key projects. Furthermore, it analyzes the economic strategies used by the Chinese government during this period to complete these projects. Background The Third Front, or da sanxian, derives its name from a development concept put forward Mao confidant Lin Biao, who became Minister of Defense in 1959. In a speech in 1962 known as the â€Å"7,000 Cadres Conference†, Lin pushed for the military fortification of Anhui Province as a safety measure in case the government needed to retreat from its eastern seaboard.[2] While China faced a myriad of international crises during the 1960s, Lin’s speech was most concerned with a possible attack on mainland Chinese cities by Kuomintang (KMT) forces in the aftermath of the Great Leap Forward. In 1964, Mao himself played in active role in revising the 3rd Five Year Plan so that it would emphasize national defense.[3] The final version highlighted the threat of looming war and called for increased development in transport infrastructure, science and technology, and national defense.[4] While Lin was focused on the KMT, Mao’s preoccupation was the growing American military presence in Southeast Asia. China scholar Barry Naughton is one of the leading researchers on the political economy of the Third Front. He identifies the Gulf of Tonkin incident, and subsequent start of the Vietnam War, as the primary catalyst for the acceleration of the Third Front development strategy.[5] From 1964 to 1971, the combination of defense concerns over the KMT, United States, and Soviet Union all created an environment politically conducive to intensive defense development. Structure Key Projects The primary objective of the Third Front was establish an entirely self-sufficient industrial base that China could rely on in the event of war. If eastern coastal cities like Shanghai were attacked, the area surrounding Suzhou could work as a â€Å"Second Front.†A massive stretch of mountainous terrain that included parts of Guizhou, Qinghai, Gansu, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces would serve as the â€Å"Third Front.†[6] China’s nascent nuclear weapons program, including the Lanzhou Gaseous Diffusion Plant, also fell under the territory designated as the Third Front.[7] Figure 1 illustrates the geographic regions of the project. Fig. 1: The regions of the Third Front grouped by phase. Source: Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†354. While there were several high-profile projects in the first phase of the Third Front, which lasted until 1969, this paper emphasizes the creation of transportation networks in the region that revolutionized how resources were moved across western China. Naughton claims that the Panzhihua iron and steel complex was the â€Å"keystone†of the Third Front.[8] Mao’s own statements during the 1960’s support this view. In 1964, Mao told a meeting of the Communist Party’s Central Committee: â€Å"Unless Panzhihua Steel Plant is fully developed, I cannot go to sleep at night. If there is no Panzhihua Steel Plant, I will have to ride a donkey to my meetings.†[9] However, this project could not exist without the development of rail infrastructure. Development was accelerated on rail lines in the southwest, with the Chongqing-Guiyang and Chengdu-Kunming lines, completed in 1965 and 1970 respectively, being the most important in linking the region together. The Chengdu-Kunming line alone cost 3.3 billion yuan, or nearly 21% of the national budget for capital construction in 1965.[10] The first phase of the Panzhihua complex cost an estimated 3.74 billion yuan.[11] The factories and labor serviced by this new rail network were brought into the region using a strategy known as yi fen wei er, or â€Å"one divided into two†, which Naughton likens to an economic â€Å"mitosis.†[12] Tsinghua University students Bin Xu and Linxing Xiao use the Panzhihua complex as an example to demonstrate how this concept worked. â€Å"If there were two sets of equipment, move one to Panzhihua. If there was only one set, move it to Panzhihua.†[13] This idea was replicated for manpower, technical know-how, and financial investment from across China. Factories on China’s eastern seaboard would send a significant portion of their resources to the southwest and be left responsible for making up the difference in capability, whereas the newly transplanted western workforce received additional state investment to accelerate development. Figure 2 shows the massive spike of state investment in Sichuan province following the prioritization of Panz hihua after 1964. Fig 2: State investment into Sichuan province from 1964 to 1972. Source: China Geo-Explorer, All China Data Center, http://chinadataonline.org/cgepublic/cityclient33/#. The second phase of the Third Front, lasting from 1969 to 1972, occurred under the shadow of continually deteriorating relations with the USSR. The focus of the second phase was on machine building, with its centerpiece project being the No. 2 Automobile Plant in Shiyang, in Hubei province’s northwest region.[14] Reflecting the security concerns of the central government, additional plants in the area were hidden deep in mountain valleys and even caves to minimize potential damage from airstrikes. Three critical rail lines were constructed during this period in order to facilitate the transit of labor and material resources; the Luoyang-Yangtze, Hunan-Guizhou, and Chongqing to Wuhan (via Ankang) connections.[15] The Third Front’s national significance, and level of national investment, was as high as 45% in 1966, but dropped again as the decade came to a close.[16] The total proportion of national investment into the Third Front during the Fourth Five-Year Plan, from 19 71-75, was 41.1%.[17] From 1971 onwards, changes in the larger political environment lead to a dismantling of many of the Third Front’s ongoing construction operations. Domestically, the fall of program architect Lin Biao played a role. However, more important was the softening and eventual normalization of diplomatic relations with the United States, whose previous perception as a strategic threat was a major justification for the entire Third Front. Impact and Legacy Economic data on the total government investment during the Third Front is difficult to calculate, in part because projects that fell under the military’s jurisdiction, like development of the Chinese nuclear program, were not included alongside regular construction data. C.Z. Lin, drawing from anonymous Chinese sources, estimates that total investment was 200 billion yuan.[18] The two largest companies to have developed out of the Third Front era are Panzhihua Steel and Dongfeng Motor Corporation, the latter of which stems from Shiyang’s Automobile Plant No 2. Dongfeng, China’s second largest automobile producer, posted a 2012 net income of $1.3 billion USD. Swedish automobile firm Volvo bought a 45% stake in the company the following year.[19] One of the lasting positive legacies of the Third Front era is the existence of rail infrastructure across China’s western provinces, which were an inevitable step forward in linking the region’s economy with the rest of the country. Despite this, the way in which these projects were undertaken dramatically inflated their costs and misallocated resources. Historian Robert Cliver notes that the decision to make Third Front rail lines a priority above all others diverted progress from the rest of the country’s national rail network. The result was that cost per kilometer of rail infrastructure on Third Front projects was five to six times the national average.[20] The largest source of developmental issues within the Third Front likely came not from the sheer cost of the project, or even from its remote location. While these were serious issues, the construction principle of sanbian, or what Naughton identifies as â€Å"three simultaneous†, was the most dama ging.[21] This concept of simultaneously designing a site, constructing it, and producing from it ensured that proper site planning was often not conducted. More importantly, it led to additional costs from avoidable errors that slowed down overall production. An additional 40 million yuan was pumped into the Chengdu-Kunming rail line from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s to provide the manpower necessary to fix track deficiencies.[22] If the Third Front era is judged purely on whether it made China more prepared for war with the U.S. or the Soviet Union, it can be regarded as successfully accomplishing its key objectives. It spurred investment into China’s mountainous west, led to the fortification of industrial sites, and generally created an economic base designed to support an extended war on the mainland. It fulfilled the purposefully vague objective set out in the State Planning Commission’s Third Five Year Plan, which sought to â€Å"strengthen national defense and make breakthroughs in technology.†[23] However, the Third Front development strategy was based on short-term strategic concerns at the cost of long-term economic growth. Projects with flawed designs and the drawing away of wealth from China’s eastern seaboard made the Third Front an undeniable economic failure. Naughton draws on statistical analysis conducted by Chinese economist Chen Dongsheng to illustrate the misallocation of resources that drew growth away from the east coast. Using Chen’s data, Naughton estimates that â€Å"China’s industrial output is 10-15% below what it would have been if the Third Front had never been undertaken.†[24] Thus, while the Third Front was an economically unviable project that placed a heavy burden on the Chinese economy, it demonstrates how seriously Mao took the perceived strategic encirclement the country was facing from the United States, Republic of China forces, and the Soviet Union. Further analysis of the Third Front is a valuable endeavor for those s tudying both China’s economy and the history of its international relations. Works Cited Bramall, Chris. Chinese Economic Development. London: Routledge, 2008. China Internet Information Center. â€Å"The Third Five-year Plan (1966-1970).†China.org.cn. Last modified May 21st 2007, http://www.china.org.cn/english/MATERIAL/157608.htm. Cliver, Robert. â€Å"Third Front Policy.†In the Berkshire Encyclopedia of China, edited by Linsun Cheng, Kerry Brown, Winberg Chai, Xiejun Chen, and Karen Christensen, 2244-2247. Great Barrington: Berkshire Publishing Group, 2009. Dickie, Lance. â€Å"Sichuan: A Land of Abundance and Opportunities.†The Seattle Times, January 21st 2014. http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2014/01/21/sichuan-a-land-of-abundance-and-opportunities/ Lin, C.Z. â€Å"Employment implications of defence cutbacks in China.†In Defense Expenditure, Industrial Conversion, and Local Employment, edited by Liba Paukert, 189-204. Geneva: International Labor Office, 1991. Mohanty, Deba R. â€Å"The Chinese Security Dilemma in the 1950s and 1960s: Story of the Third Front.†Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis, January 17th 2011. http://www.idsa-india.org/an-jan-4.html. Naughton, Barry. â€Å"The Third Front: Defense Industrialization in the Chinese Interior.†The China Quarterly 115, September (1988): 351-386. Pike, John. â€Å"Lanzhou – Chinese Nuclear Forces.†Federation of American Scientists. Last modified May 12th 2000, http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/facility/lanzhou.htm. Tejada, Carlos. â€Å"Truck Maker Volvo Sets Alliance to Enter China.†The Wall Street Journal, January 27th 2013. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324039504578264611071184722. Xu, Bin and Linxing Xiao. â€Å"Planning and Construction History of Panzhihua during the Three-Front Strategy Period: Backgrounds, Process, and Mechanism.†(paper presented at the 15th International Historical Planning Society, Sao Paolo, Brazil, July 15th-18th, 2009). Page | 1 [1] Lance Dickie, â€Å"Sichuan: A Land of Abundance and Opportunities,†The Seattle Times, last modified January 21st 2014, http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2014/01/21/sichuan-a-land-of-abundance-and-opportunities/ [2] Deba R. Mohanty, â€Å"The Chinese Security Dilemma in the 1950s and 1960s: Story of the Third Front,†Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis, January 17th 2011. [3] Barry Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front: Defense Industrialization in the Chinese Interior,†The China Quarterly 115, September (1988): 353. [4] â€Å"The Third Five-year Plan (1966-1970),†China Internet Information Center – China.org.cn, last modified May 21st 2007, http://www.china.org.cn/english/MATERIAL/157608.htm. [5] Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†369. [6] Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†354. [7] John Pike, â€Å"Lanzhou – Chinese Nuclear Forces,†Federation of American Scientists, last modified May 12th 2000, http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/facility/lanzhou.htm. [8] Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†357. [9] Chris Bramall, Chinese Economic Development (London: Routledge, 2008), 268. [10] Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†358. [11] Ibid. [12] Ibid., 356. [13] Bin Xu and Linxing Xiao, â€Å"Planning and Construction History of Panzhihua During the Three-Front Strategy Period: Backgrounds, Process, and Mechanism†(paper presented at the 15th International Historical Planning Society, Sao Paolo, Brazil, July 15th-18th, 2009). [14] Robert Cliver, â€Å"Third Front Policy,†in the Berkshire Encyclopedia of China, ed. by Linsun Cheng et al. (Great Barrington: Berkshire Publishing Group, 2009): 2246. [15] Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†359. [16] C.Z Lin, â€Å"Employment implications of defence cutbacks in China,†in Defense Expenditure, Industrial Conversion, and Local Employment, ed. by Liba Paukert (Geneva: International Labor Office, 1991): 202. [17] Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†365. [18] Lin, â€Å"Employment implications of defence cutbacks in China,†201. [19] Carlos Tejada, â€Å"Truck Maker Volvo Sets Alliance to Enter China,†The Wall Street Journal, January 27th 2013, http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324039504578264611071184722. [20] Cliver, â€Å"Third Front Policy,†2247. [21] Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†376. [22] Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†376. [23] â€Å"The Third Five-year Plan (1966-1970),†China Internet Information Center – China.org.cn, last modified May 21st 2007, http://www.china.org.cn/english/MATERIAL/157608.htm. [24] Naughton, â€Å"The Third Front,†379.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Essays -- Science Genetics Papers embryo
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Embryonic stem cell research is a controversial topic nationwide, because of its clash of ethical and moral values. Many people, including those suffering from diseases that this research is seeking to cure, do not believe in killing a living embryo in order to advance research and science. â€Å"Even though having Parkinson’s Disease is something I’d rather not go through, I cannot find it in me to support embryonic stem cell research at this time in my life, simply because my improvement or being cured shouldn’t depend on the killing of an innocent life,†said Wilbanice Ayala, 22, of Hudson, New Hampshire. President George W. Bush is one who also does not believe in the â€Å"killing of an innocent life†for research that could potentially lead to the cure of many diseases. In 2001, Bush announced that federal funds would only be distributed for research on the 60 stem cell lines already in existence. This address brought an outcry from those afflicted with diseases that could possibly be cured by stem cells and by those who strongly support the research for the betterment of the society. With so many different groups of researchers wanting to explore this topic, 60 stem cell lines simply cannot be stretched for everyone’s use. In addition to that, the lines have been used so much that many of them are starting to show chromosomal abnormalities. There are, however, alternatives to embryonic stem cell research. For those not familiar with the study of embryonic stem cells, it is derived from the cells that make up the inner cell mass of the embryo, blastocyst. What is unique about these cells is that they are capable of generating any and all cells in the body. Some alternatives to this study incl... ... the day Proposition 71 was passed was an important day for all patients, researchers, and people who depend on medical research for treatment and cures. Harvard will no longer be alone in the search for cures using stem cell research. California’s passing of Proposal 71 offers a lot of promise to the field of science and its advancements. Is this just another example of â€Å"lazy research,†or is this the only option left that can provide treatments to many people suffering from different diseases? The bottom line is that this new wave is rapidly growing in popularity and alternatives to embryonic stem cell research are fading, to some seeming virtually non-existent. â€Å"At some point there was excitement that adult stem cells could be changed into cells from another tissue, but this has now been unequivocally been put aside as experimental artifacts,†said Kadereit.
Friday, October 11, 2019
America Needs Media Censorship Essay -- Persuasive Argumentative Media
America Needs Media Censorship Introduction In a world in which acts of heinous violence, murder or crude and shocking behavior seem to be a normal occurrence, it may lead one to wonder what has put society onto this slippery slope. How did this type of behavior come to be so acceptable and in some cases glorifiable? A careful study of society may lead to multi media as being the main cause in this changing of ideals. The modern world has become desensitized to the acts shown on television, movies, video games or printed in newspapers and magazines. Censorship must be employed if morals and decency are to be preserved. Censorship is a controversial word that has been with us since who knows when. Ancient dictators would burn books because they didn't like them and force people to believe what they did. The question I ask myself, though, is if censorship in Libraries and schools is justified. My answer is yes, and that is what I will try to convince you. Censorship is the act which helps keep the world from being so corrupt. One of the culprits of criminal behavior is T.V. violence. Violent programs may have a negative influence on those individuals who are already violence-prone, or children who are living through vulnerable periods of their development. Adult violent offenders tend to have shown certain personality features as children, ?one being they tended to have viewed violence on television.? The amount of violence on television continues to grow. ?A typical child watched on television one thousand murders and twenty five thousand acts of violence before finishing elementary school.? When displayed this often, how can people not become desensitized to criminal acts? ?By allowing this type of material to be openly exposed to the public we are endangering safety and society?s values.? Without control of what material is delivered to the masses, we cannot expect people to have a proper sense of right and wrong as they will constantly see the horrific things that happen in the false reality of the me dia and become immune to feelings of disgust toward such atrocious deeds in real life. Controlling what is viewed on television is the responsibility of the government in order to decrease violence in the real world. Pro Censorship With today?s such profound increase in violence, sex crimes, teen pregnancy, and other corrupt acts on to... ...t it takes away from our rights as an American. Without censorship we are exposing our youth to criminals favorite viewing and hobbies. The youth will become more corrupted thus giving in to more criminal activities. If you do not support censorship then you are supportive in the act of making our youth into criminals. If we do not expose our youth to the evils in the world then how do they know right from wrong when they run into it? If we do not show them what effects drugs, sex, and violence can have on them then they will not know what is the harm in those things. If we show a kid, on TV a person that got shot and the sadness it brings to that person?s family or other love ones then they will be more likely feel sadden themselves, or at least angered by the gunman. Censorship has many pro?s and con?s to it, many people disagree with it, and many support it. The debate on censorship will go on forever without ever being resolved. In this day of age censorship is more of a choice with programs on TV, Internet, and even Video Games that allow to block ones son or daughter from viewing. Censorship is a controversial word that has been with us far back as we can remember.
Revolutionary History Essay
Between 1765 and 1788, the revolution that established the United States of America transpired. This revolution arose, because the power of the British Parliament to directly impose taxes on the American colonies was disputed by the latter. This revolution resulted in the establishment of a large republic and served to disprove the theory of political thinkers that republicanism could not govern over a country that was large. In this manner the state and federal constitutions that were adopted in the period from 1776 to 1788, represented the foremost political aspirations of that age. Another effect of this permanent republicanism was that monarchies became obsolete over a period of time (American Revolution.The Crystal Reference Encyclopedia. CredoReference). This revolution, which was democratic in nature, established the principle of equal rights in the US. This was due in great measure to the efforts of farmers and artisans. The extent to which these people favored freedom can be estimated from the fact that they took over the reins of government in the states of Pennsylvania and Vermont. Subsequently, in 1777, these states disassociated themselves from New York, in order to implement institutions that were significantly democratic. Moreover, social change was engendered by this revolution, in as much as slavery was transformed into a political and moral issue from what had been a well established reality. In the Northern states slavery became extinct and in northern portion of the South, the number of blacks who were no longer slaves increased dramatically (American Revolution.The Crystal Reference Encyclopedia. CredoReference). The French Revolution demolished the Bourbon monarchy and the ancien rà ©gime. It commenced with an insurrection by the nobility against projected financial reforms in the year 1787. Subsequently, the middle classes participated in this revolt. The National Assembly supplanted the Estates – General and it published the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. After this the working classes of Paris took control of the Bastille in July 1789. In 1791, the royal family was incarcerated for making plans to stage a counter revolution. The nations of Europe became unsettled due to these developments in France and this resulted in the French Revolutionary Wars. In 1793, King Louis XVI was decapitated by means of the guillotine. The existence of various political factions resulted in the Terror, which lasted from 1793 to 1794. During this period, around two hundred thousand people were detained and around fifteen thousand people were put to death (French Revolution. Andromeda Encyclopedic Dictionary of World History. CredoReference). The French Revolution, which started in the 1789, brought to an end the monarchy that had been in existence for a thousand years. After the King had been deposed, the government was controlled by Robespierre and others of his ilk. They executed a large number of people and in this manner unleashed considerable terror. Subsequently, Robespierre was himself executed and control passed to the Directory. This proved to be an incompetent and corrupt body, which permitted Napoleon Bonaparte to seize power in France and ultimately become its Emperor. The French Revolution was officially ended when Napoleon declared himself to be the Emperor of France (French Revolution. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Houghton Mifflin). This was a prolonged struggle in Mexico that followed the deposition of Porfirio Dà az. He was a dictator who ensured that power was concentrated in the hands of a few and who supported the elite. Leaders like Francisco Madero, Pancho Villa, Pascual Orozco, and Emiliano Zapata collected a large number of supporters. Subsequently, in 1911, Madero was made the president of Mexico. However, his reforms were not executed quickly and this caused both his former allies and foes to oppose him. He was executed by Victoriano Huerta, who became the dictator of Mexico. However, Huerta a drunken despot was overthrown by the machinations of Villa, Carranza and Obregà ³n and Carranza became the president in the year 1914. Since, Villa was not agreeable to this, considerable bloodshed ensued. Carranza ensured that a liberal constitution was written and adopted in 1917. He had Zapata, a popular peasant leader, ambushed and killed. This led to a popular revolt against Carranza, who was killed while attempting to flee Mexico City. The fierce fighting almost came to an end after Obregà ³n came to power. However, a few clashes continued to take place and the revolutionary period ended only in 1934 when Là ¡zaro Cà ¡rdenas came to power (Mexican Revolution. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia). The American Revolution resulted in an independent United States of America, whereas the French Revolution put an end to its own national government. The American Revolution influenced the French people with the ideas of freedom and independence. The visits of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to France in the 1780s uplifted the spirits of the French people with new hopes for independence from tyranny. King Louis XVI supported the American Revolution that commenced in 1776 and encouraged the American colonies in their fight against the British in order to obtain independence. The King, however, failed to anticipate that he was ushering in his own downfall. The effects of both the American Revolution and the French Revolution changed the course of the history in such a way that absolute monarchies were unable to survive in many European countries, which were replaced peacefully with republics and democracies (American Revolution vs. French Revolution). The French Revolution became highly appealing to other nations due to the straightforwardness and universality of its objectives. Many people were inspired and convinced by the concepts of â€Å"Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity†that had been basis of the French Revolution. The only unresolved issues related to the interpretation and application of these concepts to the social and political milieu. This solution to this problem was provided by Karl Marx in his Das Capital, in whose opinion the French Revolution had not been taken to its logical conclusion and was therefore incomplete. His contention was that though freedom had been obtained, workers had been exploited and deprived of property. The benefits that had arisen due to the French Revolution had failed to uplift society as a whole. Karl Marx believed that the emancipation of the society in its totality was possible only if there was a socialist or communist revolution, which would eradicate private property and form a cooperative of producers. During the last stage of this transformation the state would wither away as it would cease to have any purpose. This final stage of Marx’s theory was similar to that of the anarchists of France, Italy, Russia and Spain (The Revolutionary Idea in the Modern World). The French revolution had a profound influence on the subsequent nationalist movements and some of these were the 1821 Greek Independence movement, the endeavour to bring about modernization in Egypt by Muhammed Ali and in the Ottoman Empire by Selim III and Mahmut II. Several social uprisings of the 1968s had also been inspired by the French Revolution. Moreover, the French Revolution affected the thinking of future generations by enabling them to accept change as normal and had a cohesive effect on the masses in process of building the state (Robinson). The Mexican Revolution was a success in the class of anti – state rebellions. It dethroned the Diaz regime and extinguished the caudillismo of Huerta and Carranza. It marked a milestone in the history of popular revolutions and popular sovereignty in under developed nations. This revolution demonstrated that revolutions by native peoples could emerge victorious. It paved the way for the subsequent revolutions against state authorities including both violent and nonviolent rebellion. Most of the Latin American governments adopted the principles raised in the Mexican constitutional principle of no re – eleccion. This constitutional principle had not been subjected to any attempt to amend or repeal it by any of the Mexican leaders, subsequent to the assassination of Alvaro Obregon in 1928 (Mexican Revolution). The principles of the revolution were debated by the political and academic scholars in and out of Mexico. The events, participants and the consequences of the Revolution were documented by many foreign authors. For instance, John Womack had written Zapata and the Mexican Revolution, and Friedrich Katz wrote Life and Times of Pancho Villa. These works narrated a lengthy and well documented report of the events of the Revolution. Moreover, the aftereffects and the events of the Mexican Revolution continue to influence Mexican politics as well as international policies (Mexican Revolution). The first half of the twentieth century was witness to changes in the Mexican government that were similar to that of the French Revolution. Every revolution consists of four stages and in the preliminary stage both Mexico and France faced problems that were reflected in the future. These problems were due to the extant leadership. After this preliminary stage there occurs the second stage consisting of frequent rebellions against the government. Subsequently, the revolution enters the third stage, which is characterized by a great deal of turbulence and can therefore be termed as the crisis stage. There were several instances when bloodshed and chaos prevailed during this crisis stage. The final stage is that of recovery and in this stage the governments consent to implement the plans and measures that would engender changes that would benefit the people. The preliminary stages of the Mexican and French Revolutions were the same. The Mexican president, Porifirio Diaz had been a successful President of Mexico for over three decades. He ruled the country in a manner that was similar to that in which Louis XVI had ruled France. In Mexico power was concentrated in the hands of a few people who had access to the President. The rest of the citizens did not have a voice or the right to vote for the officials they favored. There was no right to expression and there existed sanctions, which were similar to those obtaining in the Ancien Regime in France. These terrible conditions prevailed in the country and wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few. Furthermore, injustice was the order of the day and there was no law and order in either the cities or the countryside (The Mexican Revolution). In addition, there were a number of differences, for instance the French monarchs of the Ancien Regime had been absolutist monarchs and their ruling power had been centralized. President Porifirio Diaz ruled the nation as a dictator and it was often stated that the President had the best intentions for the future of Mexico. He was concerned with establishing a stable government and in order to achieve that objective he ensured that the training program for military and police personnel had been thoroughly changed in such a way that both those forces gained in power and strength. The French Revolution was better known for the problems that the different classes had with each other. The people of the upper class had been distressed due to the fact that they had lost power during the reign of Luis XIV and the people of the middle class were disgruntled due to the fact that some of the members of their class were becoming wealthier but were not permitted to hold noble titles. Workers of the urban areas were convinced that they were being ill treated and this belief lasted throughout the duration of the Revolution. France went to war with England in support of the Americans and this clearly indicated the incompetence of the rule of Louis XIV. The war served to severely deplete France of its resources and the Revolution was in the offing. Louis XIV was not in a position to control the revolution (Wasserman). The similarities of the Mexican Revolution and the French Revolution are further elicited during the crisis stage. There was a civil war in both the countries and in Mexico, there were opposing parties of Obregon and Carranza against Villa and Zapata. In France, there was a constant strife between the citizens throughout the country and particularly in the Vendee. The main objectives of these various groups were fulfilled in these revolutions. The people of Mexico sought equality, rights and a republic government similar to that of the United States. In France, the people wanted a systematic well – structured republic having no monarch. Both Mexico and France were able to achieve their desired goals. However, France was able to attain its objective in the crisis stage, but Mexico had to wait till the end of the revolution to achieve its desired goal. Thus these nations resemble each other to the extent of attaining their aims. The aftereffects of the Mexican Revolution and the French Revolution continue to influence the people even today. The Mexican Constitution, which was written in the year 1917, has remained unchanged till today. The Mexican Revolution can be considered as a revolution that had taken place in a developing nation and it has served as an inspiration to revolutions in the third world. The French Revolution left its mark due to the Declaration of the Rights of Man, which protects the fundamental rights of the citizens and these rights are still in vogue in France. The chief difference between these two revolutions was that Mexico was able to retain its republican government after the revolution, while France went into a dictatorship and then a monarchal form of government after the end of the revolution. At present, Mexico is a constitutional republic supported by its Constitution. Mexico has a president and a legislative branch and a governmental system that is stable. In contrast, the constitution of France was changed several times and the governmental system of France has a president and a parliament. In this aspect it resembles the system of governance of the United States. The fundamental aim of the French Revolution was the formation of a constitutional monarch similar to that of England. The main similarities between these two revolutions were that they both had an objective that was fought for and duly achieved. The French Revolution, the American Revolution and the Mexican Revolution were fought in order to attain freedom and justice. The United States sought freedom from the British rule, while France fought for dethroning a government under which the rich people tyrannized the poor and in order to obtain freedom from monarchal ruling. In Mexico, people sought freedom from the Diaz’s Oligarchy. However, a number of differences existed in respect of the causes of these revolutions due to the fact that the leaders subscribed to different opinions. The French Revolution commenced with a bloody attack on the Bastille, which represented the hated power of the aristocracy. The American Revolution, on the other hand, was conducted in a phased and well regulated manner. The Americans first engaged in negotiations with England and on these negotiations being rejected by the latter, the Americans decided to declare independence from the British. Since, England did not accept this declaration of independence by the colonies, the American Revolution began in right earnest (Nosotro). The Mexican Revolution started with a mass uprising against Diaz, who fled to Spain. However, this was revolution entailed a lot of bloodshed and treachery. The reason for the American, French and Mexican revolutions was that the people sought to obtain freedom from tyranny. These revolutions left a significant influence on history. The United States explored all other avenues, prior to embarking on a war with the British. The French Revolution on the other hand began as a mass movement and created terror and panic due to the large number of executions, moreover, it was characterized by rampaging mobs (Nosotro). In this respect the reign of terror unleashed by Robespierre attained considerable notoriety. The Mexican Revolution was targeted at the elite, who had assigned all the power to themselves. The poor of Mexico wanted land and an escape from poverty. Popular and legendary leaders like Zapata promised to obtain land for the poor peasants. The American Revolution destroyed the attitude of respect for social superiors and constituted authority. American society remained structurally unchanged due to this revolution. All the same, the false belief that disobedience to authority was disobedience to God was dispelled by the revolution. The public increasingly started to believe that rulers should serve the people rather than behave as their masters. This resulted in the establishment of a new social order in which persons with authority were chosen on the basis of merit and not on the basis of prestige, social status or wealth. Moreover, such elected persons would have to comply with the will of the people rather than demand the unquestioning loyalty of the public. The French Revolution served as an inspiration for several other revolutions like those that occurred in South America. It is very important due to the fact that the new ideas regarding freedom that originated in this revolution were disseminated all over Europe. The message that it conveyed to the world was that even in the absence of a well planned strategy, it was possible for a popular uprising to depose the extant authorities. It brought about the establishment of the precedents to democratic institutions, representative governments and constitutions. The Mexican Revolution brought about the transition from a dictatorship to a democratic system that had less foreign control, better living conditions for its citizens, labor reforms and economic and social reforms. The objective of these revolutions was to secure liberty from tyrannical authorities. While the American Revolution resulted in the establishment of United States of America, the French Revolution resulted in the overthrow of the Bourbon monarchy and the Mexican Revolution brought about an end to the Oligarchic rule and engendered far reaching land reforms that improved the living condition of the Mexican peasants. Works Cited American Revolution vs. French Revolution. 1 July 2007 . American Revolution.The Crystal Reference Encyclopedia. CredoReference. 2005. 3 July 2007 . French Revolution. Andromeda Encyclopedic Dictionary of World History. CredoReference. 2001. 3 July 2007 . French Revolution. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Houghton Mifflin. 2002. 3 July 2007 . Mexican Revolution. 1 July 2007 . Mexican Revolution. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. 2003. 3 July 2007 . Nosotro, Rit. Reasons for the American and French Revolutions. 1 July 2007 . Robinson, David. Muslim Societies in African History . Cambridge University Press. P.84. ISBN 052153366X, 2004. The Mexican Revolution. November 1996. 1 July 2007 . The Revolutionary Idea in the Modern World. 1 July 2007 . Wasserman, Mark. â€Å"Persistent Oligarchs: Elites and Politics in Chihuahua, Mexico, 1910-1940.†Duke University Press, 1993. 68 – 71. Â
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)