Justification for Oppression
Justification of Oppression Noor Sharif November 19, 2008 HUMR2001A Margret Denike T.A: Dale Clark Citation Style: MLA Word Count: 2,491 What truly motivates imperialism is a question for the ages. Many would argue that greed is the culprit; others would argue that nationalism or something as simple as intolerance is what motivates one to amass enormous military forces in order to conquer lands. Whatever the case may be and whatever perspective one holds as to what in particular motivates certain individual to partake in imperialism, no one can deny the mind of an imperialist is an arrogant one. In the mind of an imperialist, his culture, cause or reasoning is superior to that of those he seeks to conquer. In the mind of an imperialist, no matter how inhumane his deeds, he is not a criminal nor is he a violator of human rights; he is a hero. Using the articles of Makau, Mosse, Grewal, Stoler, and Arendt and various other documents, this essay will explore and determine the reasons imperialists use to excuse their actions relating these to imperialistic actions of today. All past and present leaders of imperialist states have, in some way, attempted to justify their endeavors . Some have tried to insert some type of noble, honorable and beneficial reasoning for their ambition; others have simply attempted to change the colors of the picture into black and white for
What is Politics?
What is Politics? Literature Review This literature review is concerned with defining politics as a discipline. Its main purpose is to try to depict views of various authors presented in texts such as "Politics as a Vocation" by Max Weber (1919, Munich, Duncker & Humblodt), "In Defence of Politics" by Bernard Crick (London, Penguin, 1982) and "What is Politics: the activity and its study by Adrien Leftwich (Oxford, Basil Blackwell, 1984) and to compare different perspectives of perceiving the power and the role of the state, the compromise and the resources the nation depends on. Politics is considered as one of the very few things which effect our day- to-day lives regardless of the rejection, which might stem from "common identifying of politics with generally unpleasant squabbles and struggles for office and which may be violent in some circumstances; this is conventionally associated with the activities of political parties, pressure groups, revolutionary movements, elections, parliaments, congresses, military regimes etc." (A. Leftwich, 1984) However, politics is probably the only means of governing the nation reasonably and practically, though the politics should not be considered as "purely practical and immediate activity" (B. Crick, 1982), it is also about "planning for future" (B. Crick, 982) as visionary art. The first question
The Legitimacy of the United Nation.
Ka'Neda Ellison GOV 241: International Politics Prof. T. Nkiwane The Legitimacy of the United Nation 1. "In its unique universality, the United Nations possesses the trust and credibility essential to the process through which nations can agree on universal norms and standards. And it is the United Nations that can provide the legitimacy for the promotion and enforcement of these standards." Support or refute. The presence of the United Nations in the international community has attempted to embark upon different issues concerning global community. While some nations feel that the organization is successful implementing international law, the history of effective UN policy suggests otherwise. The collation of global leaders within the United Nations recognize that the United Nations with its current representative structure does not embody the concerns of the entire global community; therefore, is not seen as a credible global organization. The leading body of the UN, the Security Counsel, has failed to present its self as acting in favor of the entire global community and not only those who form the Counsel. This lack of trust towards the supreme ruling body of the UN greatly hinders the organizations ability to create universal norms of which nations can agree. The authority of certain dominant nations within the UN and their lack of obedience to some international law
Resolving the Hungarian minority Issue in Slovakia
Resolving the Hungarian minority Issue in Slovakia by Zuzana Adamekova 8.04.2004 Table of Contents Introduction 3 Historical background and underlying causes 4-6 . 'Magyarization' of the Slovaks 2. Czechoslavakia and re-Slovakization 3. From the birth of Slovakia until today The Hungarian minority in the eyes of the majority Slovaks 6-8 . United Nations and minorities 2. Slovakia's perception of the Hungarian minority The position of the Hungarian minority and their aspirations 9-10 International Mechanisms and the European Union 10-12 . The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 2. European Convention for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 3. Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities Institutional solutions: 'Europeanization' and regionalization 12-15 . Europeanization and the Committee of the Regions 2. Central Eastern Europe and the importance of nationalism 3. Slovakia: Europeanization and Regionalization as a solution to the minority problem Conclusion 15-16 Bibliography 17 Introduction The distinguishing feature of democratization in the post-communist countries is the on-going search for identity at the center of political life. These countries tend to define their national identity through past experiences, which is
Compare realist, neorealist and liberal explanations of war. Using examples assess which explanations seem to you to be the most valid.
Compare realist, neorealist and liberal explanations of war. Using examples assess which explanations seem to you to be the most valid. War has drastic consequences, over 125 million deaths have been accounted for since 1900 and many being innocent civilians. Over the years wars have been fought for a variety of reasons, but more recently these reasons have been changing. Looking at recent wars, territorial expansion of the larger states has been replaced by wars fought for ideology (Vietnam), intervention for human needs (Kosovo), protection of allies/resources (Iraq '91), terrorism (Afghanistan). All wars between states tend to start from decisions of national leaders, whose choices ultimately determine whether armed conflict will occur. In this case, we must look at the relationship of war towards these individuals. There are two types of realism. Classical realism (traditional realists) and structural realists (neorealist). I will first look into the classical realists' perspective of war. Realists look at war as a drive for power which cannot be eliminated. This is such a traditional perspective as many times in history we have come to know of wars occurring wholly on the purpose on increasing one's power. The 'want for resources' is a very big incentive for leaders to go to war according to realists. Many countries go to war on the basis that the country they are
The idyllic American Century that Henry Luce had forseen in 1941 had indeed collapsed under the weight of the Watergate scandal and the oil embargo, which represents to Daniel Yankelovich a "watershed, sharply dividing the second half of the twentieth cen
Warren Winter AP American History Mr. Matson 3/18/05 As late as January 1971, Richard Nixon remarked to the University of Nebraska: "I believe one of America's most priceless assets is the idealism which motivates the young people of America. My generation has invested all that it has ... in yours." The overarching irony of the 1970s is that this generation addressed by Nixon would be the first after World War II to lose faith en masse in social progress, upward mobility, and the American government. Arising in the broadest sense from the tumultuous and destabilizing trends of the 1960s, the Watergate scandal ultimately created a constitutional crisis and further polarized the nation; it catalyzed a culture of apathy and cynicism that would be securely fixed by the economic downturn of 1973-74. The idyllic American Century that Henry Luce had forseen in 1941 had indeed collapsed under the weight of the Watergate scandal and the oil embargo, which represents to Daniel Yankelovich a "watershed, sharply dividing the second half of the twentieth century into two elongated quarter-centuries" (164-65). The global prosperity that characterized the quarter century following World War II, the "Golden Age" of modern capitalism, reinforced the belief that market economies require social regulation for effective functionality. The US as well as other western governments lent support
What are the major strength and weakness of realist tradition?
What are the major strength and weakness of realist tradition? Theories on international relations of realist tradition were accepted by most as the dominant way explaining global events for the later part of the last century. In recent years realist tradition had come under increasing criticism, as it was not able to explain recent global events. However it still offers compelling insights on how the states conduct themselves in the world. Therefore, we are going to look at the major strength and weakness of the realist tradition. Let us start from its strengths. Firstly, the three core assumptions that form the basis of the theories of realist tradition namely Statism, Survival, Self-help (Dunne & Schmidt, 2001, 150-155) were applicable in most of the situation in international politics. States are still currently viewed as the main actors in world politics although there are increasing influence from non-states actors too. The notion of survival is also evident as states tried to maximise their power to at least ensure their survival. A very good example is North Korea, which is maximising its power by restarting its nuclear program to counter what it deemed as threats from America to it survival. This example can also be applied to the principle of self-help. As you can see, North Korea's nuclear program is also aimed at being able to defend itself without the help from
Is international society an 'anarchical society'?
Name: John Fenning Tutor: Matteo Fumagalli Module: IR1005 Is international society an 'anarchical society'? International society-the system of states interacting across international boarders and sharing common purposes and standards of conduct-is often seen as anarchical. Anarchy meaning simply an absence of authority above the state, but implying a lack of order. However, some, such as Kenneth Waltz argue that we are in a state of war and cannot be in a state of 'anarchy' at the same time as having an international society. Others, such as Hedley Bull agree that anarchy and society can exist side-by-side. So does international society exist? In his book 'The Man, State and War' Kenneth Waltz questions how man can behave properly unless he has some assurance that others will not destroy him-in this insecurity and uncertainty he has to make himself secure*1. Waltz compares man with the state in a condition of anarchy. Similarly, Spinoza argues that states, like men are incapable of orderly social life unless they have respect for a superior authority. Therefore, in a condition of anarchy, states are expected to seek to sustain and increase power in an environment of self-help. Bull on the other hand argues that order in society is maintained by a sense of common interest, and highlights goals in the system of states. First, to preserve the system of states,
The Problem with Neo-Liberalism.
If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, It cannot save the few that are rich -John F. Kennedy Geoffrey Stern mentions four pressing items that the international community must face in the 21st century. They include cultivating a climate for international security, managing the global economy, preserving and maintaining a sustainable environment, and continuously pressing for universal respect for human rights. Stern mentions that in the tumultuous new world that neo-liberalism has given birth to, it is important to find a way to manipulate or creatively engineer the market forces so that there can be room for social issues. However, he offers this as a challenge to the next century and offers no solutions for ways to achieve these things. Currently, anti-globalization activists point out to growing inequalities among the first and third world as proof that globalization isn't working for a majority of the worlds population. It is argued that unbridled neo-liberalism, ruled by the laws of the market, stands to benefit by ignoring human rights abuses as multinational corporations look for the cheapest labor inside the most desperate nations. Furthermore, it is argued that both destitute civilian populations and corporations will destroy, for instance, the rainforest for survival and profit, respectively. These critiques of neo-liberalism, of our 'new world
Which institutions have played a key role in developing international public policy on the HIV/ AIDS epidemic? With what outcomes?
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC POLICY ESSAY ONE REVISED SANDY BUEHLER Which institutions have played a key role in developing international public policy on the HIV/ AIDS epidemic? With what outcomes? With the emergence of the devastating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of the AIDS disease in the late 1970's two major international institutions or bodies have led the way in making HIV/AIDS a globally recognized predicament. The United Nations and their specialized agency for health, The World Health Organization, have been the two major contributors in developing International Public Policies on HIV/AIDS and therefore lead the way in attempting to reduce and eventually eradicate this global epidemic. The World Health Organization was formed in April 1948, its objective as set out in its constitution is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health... a state of complete physical, mental and social well being. Therefore with the gradual realization that HIV/AIDS was not just confined to particular regions but was fast affecting every corner of the globe, the United Nations through the World Health Organization was quick in implementing International policies to help deal with such a large-scale quandary. The World Health Organization was the first institution of its kind to implement particular policies relating to HIV/AIDS and as a result of
