What are the philosophical, political and economic origins of socialism?

What are the philosophical, political and economic origins of socialism? Socialism can be defined as an ideology which is in opposition to capitalism with the goal of presenting an alternative which takes into account "human beings as social creatures united by their common humanity" (Heywood 2007:99). The word comes from the Latin sociare which means share, an idea which underpins all socialist thought, the sharing of wealth (not just monetary). Socialism has presented itself in many different ways since its origins which will be touched on, however, it is the origins of socialism; philosophical, political and economic that will form the body of the essay. Socialism is usually said to date back to the late 18th century, however the philosophical origins stretch back much further to Plato and More. The political and economic origins though do lie in the 18th century, tied in with the period of enlightenment, the French and the Industrial revolution and the resulting rise of capitalism. The intellectual and philosophical roots of socialism date back through history. The first documented ideas with real ties to socialism are those of the Greek Philosopher Plato in the Republic. The Republic, written in 360 BC at a time when tyranny and corruption was rife in Greece, embodies the idea of socialism in its purest form and therefore portrays a society where all possessions are

  • Word count: 1731
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Compare and Contrast Western and Eastern Nationalisms.

THE OTHER EUROPE: East-Central Europe - Empires Nations and Societies c. 1774-1918 Question: Compare and Contrast Western and Eastern Nationalisms In the years following the French Revolution nationalist ideas of 'popular sovereignty', 'liberty' and 'equality' were diffused throughout the whole of Europe. There effects were first seen in the West, where the rise of nationalism was, according to Hans Kohn, 'a political occurrence (which was) preceded by the formation of the future nation state'1 In contrast, East and Central European 'nationalism not only arose later but also generally at a more backward stage of political and social development: the frontiers of an existing state and of a rising nationality coincided.'2 Some scholars, such as Gale Stokes argue that this situation was brought about by a power-hungry Western world, which was prepared to impose ideologies incompatible with Eastern European social and political realities in order to increase its influence. This essay will examine the role of the West in shaping national movements in East and Central Europe, in an effort to determine whether or not its influence was a deliberate attempt to extend its sphere of influence or an organic consequence of French revolutionary theory, readily entered into by the East. It will also look at the different forms that nationalisms took within Eastern Europe, in order to

  • Word count: 2452
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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How far do these sources support the view that Irish nationalism remained a "curious belnd of conservative Catholicism and political radicalism" (source 2, lines 41 0 2) between 1820 - 1921?

How far do these sources support the view that Irish nationalism remained a "curious belnd of conservative Catholicism and political radicalism" (source 2, lines 41 0 2) between 1820 - 1921? Irish nationalism witnessed many changes from 1820, to 1921, but two clear movements consistently seem present within it, that of radical nationalism, and the other more closely related to the church; respectable conservative nationalism. However as the sources show there was often some 'blending' between the two traditions, within, and between them. The two strands of Irish nationalism are apparent in most of the sources. Source one clearly shows the more conservatve catholic middle class movement led by O'Connell working in the interests of the british state and 'respectable catholics', is contrasted by the author own obvious radical beliefs as a member of Young Ireland. While source 2 does attempt to claim that Young Ireland were not that radical, it does illustrate the two factions present in nationlism in the 1820's; one influenced by Wofle Tone's Republicanism, and the other O'Connelite. Source 3 unites the two strands of nationalism under "the politics of grievance" turns conventional wisdom on its head, and expresses the opinion, that while nationalism is clearly has two traditions it is O'Connell, Parnell and Griffith who are radical in attempting to redefine soverignity,

  • Word count: 1269
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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What are the objects of perception?

. What are the objects of perception? Osman Ahmad Ep&Met Perception lies at the root of all of our empirical knowledge. Most of what we know about the world is through the testimony of others or from direct experience through our senses. Thus perception is key to empirical knowledge as almost everything that we know about we first know through perceiving objects. Perceptual realism is the common sense blew that tables, cups, chairs books are independent objects and exist independently from any other outside factors. Though this is the view most commonly held it is definitely not the only view. To many different people there are many different objects of perception and they do not believe that they exist independently of perceivers. When talking about perception and the objects one claims to perceive, one has to talk about the different kinds of things one looks at when perceiving things. If there is a cup of coffee in front of me what is it about that cup that I focus my attention on? What about it do I perceive? There are two main kinds of answers to that question, there is direct realism and indirect realism. Direct Realism states in a broad sense that such broad things like needs, cups, and tables are all objects of perception. Things which you can smell, see, touch and listen too are all part of direct realism. However there are two different kinds of direct realism

  • Word count: 678
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Critically assess Machiavellis main arguments in The Prince

Critically assess Machiavelli's main arguments in The Prince Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was born on 3rd May 1469 in Florence Italy.[1] Machiavelli was born into a tumultuous era, where political wars and foreign influences were a continued reality and threat. This could be argued to be the reason behind the views expressed by Machiavelli in his writings. In the essay Machiavelli's first writing will be looked upon. Whilst doing so it would be appropriate to extract the main arguments and key points and asses their founding and importance, but to also critically examine them to perhaps question Machiavelli's teachings. The Prince was written in 1513 and acted as a guide and to express the views of Machiavelli on how a prince should act in order to remain in power. In order to critically asses the main arguments in The Prince it would be first necessary to highlight the main points which are illustrated in the text. A major argument that is presented by Machiavelli is the theory of Virtu and Fortune. Machiavelli argues that in order for a successful control of a Principality Virtu must be exerted. Virtu can be described as the ability to express strength, power and prowess. Machiavelli believed that these qualities must be demonstrated in order for successful governance of a state. This is said due to the fact that if a Prince illustrates these qualities he will

  • Word count: 2282
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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On what grounds, and in what circumstances, do you consider that the population of a particular region within an existing state, might have a right to self-determined secession? Do they only have such a right if they are ethnically homogeneous; do they h

On what grounds, and in what circumstances, do you consider that the population of a particular region within an existing state, might have a right to self-determined secession? Do they only have such a right if they are ethnically homogeneous; do they have a right to use violence? Acts of secession have the potential to destabilise entire regions, and as such those acts must be strictly limited to only the most serious of occasions. The grounds upon which a people may have a justified reason to seek resolution through secession are outlined in this paper. The most applicable theory of secession will be determined by beginning with a broad examination of the concepts of self determination and briefly examining a range of secessionist theory. The dissection of the concept of self determination will lead to an examination of Buchanan's Remedial Rights Only Theory. The selection of this theory will be justified and supported by criteria outlined by Borgen. Then, using secession of Kosovo as a case study, the paper will apply theory to an actual act of secession to test its utility. Self determination has been defined by Foster as, "the idea of a community's right to control its own future, and thus physically survive and prosper to its fullest extent".1 That physical survival and prosperity may, in certain circumstances, require a community to secede from the nation state to

  • Word count: 4326
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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E. Gellner in his work Nations and Nationalism approached the nation concept in a extremely systematic way as he begins by explaining that being part of a nation is not exactly the "universal necessity"

What is a Nation? Is it a part of us all, something that we are born belonging too, a "spiritual principal"1 as Renan believes? Or is it something that we must gain through recognition from our brethren and a shared common culture2, as Gellner explains? The two articles I am to use to arrive at an explanation are indeed vastly dissimilar, and require much critical reading to decipher an objective understanding. The answer to this question may indeed lie somewhere in between these two depictions of the modern nation and encompass aspects of both the authors explanations. Since as I have concluded a nation or at least nationalism is indeed a spiritual aspect of humanity3, though it is also created between us through shared understandings and common ideals4. I believe it is truly a concept that belongs within all of us. E. Gellner in his work Nations and Nationalism approached the nation concept in a extremely systematic way as he begins by explaining that being part of a nation is not exactly the "universal necessity"5 that it is seen as today in modern society6. He believes that nations are not an inner part of us and instead are something that we all must have a belief in to be successful in a achieving7. This is maybe the biggest contrast between Gellner and Renan's two writings. Renan is quite passionate with the idea that a nation is a "soul, a spiritual

  • Word count: 1191
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Locke's Social Contract

In this essay, I will attempt to examine whether Locke's interpretation of the social contract would truly free the citizens of a contemporary society. In order to do this, I will firstly explain Locke's social contract; it's workings and how it is applied. I will then go on to briefly outline the social contract of Hobbes, and how these two interpretations possibly differ. Then, I will ultimately study whether or not the Lockean interpretation of the social contract actually liberates people, or whether it lessens their freedom. Lastly, I will state my own opinion on this matter. Firstly, I will outline Locke's social contract. Locke explains in the 5th chapter of Two Treatise of Government that the world and its contents were given to Man by God, and that being so, the Earth belongs to all men in common, citing Psalm CXV, R6: "God has given the earth to the children of men". Therefore, he poses the question: "how can one discover individual property?" he arrives at the conclusion that human labour is the means of appropriating property. For example, he asserts the notion of the property of person: each individual owns their own bodies, along with the labour performed with that body. When a person applies their labour to an object, it becomes that person's property. Say, that a person mows a section of a field, to which no one else has laid claim. According to Locke's

  • Word count: 1500
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Quasi Market

The Quasi-Market Perspective and the Romanian Health Care System -An investigation concerning quasi-market instruments in Romanian hospitals- TABLE OF CONTENTS . Introduction...................................................................................3 2. The quasi-markets perspective...............................................................................4 3. Problems faced by the health care system and proposed solutions.........................................................................................6 4. Conclusion..................................................................................10 5. Bibliography................................................................................11 INTRODUCTION On the eve of admission in the European Union in the year 2007, two gruesome indicators hover over Romania's health system. One of them refers to the fact that Romania bears the burden of one of the sickest population in Europe. The second indicator reveals that the life expectancy in Romania is seven times lower than that registered in the EU. This situation is explained by the fact that the budget allocated by the Health Ministry is extremely low. Statistics indicate that Romania spends 3.9% of the GDP on health care, as compared to 8.5% spent in EU countries. In addition, in Romania preemptive medicine is not given much attention, leading

  • Word count: 3578
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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The Use of Magical Realism in Like Water For Chocolate

World Literature Assignment 2 Assignment 2c The Use of Magical Realism in Like Water For Chocolate William Degnan January 30, 2003 Word count: 1048 World Literature Assignment 2 Assignment 2c The Use of Magical Realism in Like Water For Chocolate Authors have many devices that they can use to generate certain effects and feelings in the readers. In the novel, Like Water for Chocolate the author Laura Esquivel takes advantage of magical realism and uses this device to inspire reality and illusion throughout her story. There are many instances or magical realism in this novel. There are several main occurrences of magical realism in this novel. Each one evokes a different reaction. First, magical realism is found in the love and sex of the main characters. Secondly, Esquivel uses food. Food in this story has its own power and causes the characters to have. Lastly, there are ghosts that provide a spiritualistic sense of realism. Magical realism is intertwined and contributes to the novel in an important way. In the tenth chapter, also known as October, Tita is pregnant and is very worried about her family's reaction towards this. The reaction she is most concerned about is her mothers because it is pregnancy out of wedlock. Her emotions are taking control of her daily activities and she is unstable. She wants and wishes she could just stop being pregnant and

  • Word count: 1005
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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