Peter Singer essay

Peter Singer essay Peter Singer essay Peter Singer essayPeter Singer is a well-known philosopher and supporter of sustainable farming and agriculture. He argues that there is no reason for denying moral consideration to animals. Singer challenges the traditional view that animals are not self-conscious and emphasizes that animals can evidently feel pain, they have anatomy and physiology similar to human beings, they demonstrate emotional reactions and have clear behavior parallels with human beings. Moreover, animals also share evolutionary history with human beings, and there is no reason to refuse to apply the same moral reasoning for killing human beings and animals (Singer, 2009).However, one possible argument for applying moral consideration for only human beings (even those who are yet unable to reason) and not applying it for non-human animals is evolutionary development of species. The evolutionary nature of living beings is such that different species eat the representatives of other species and generally do not have any moral reasons not to do so (Graci, 2010). At the same time, there are many species (and even predators) who tend not to do harm to the representatives of own species (e.g. lions, wolves, etc.).This tendency can be explained by evolutionary force driving animals to increase the probability of survival of own species. Similar mechanisms are likely to take place in human society: human beings protect other human beings, but are unlikely to protect non-human animals because the latter are in their food chain.Peter Singer would most likely respond to this argument that human beings no longer have to survive in the wild, and the humanity currently can control its food chain instead of reaching out for every piece of food available. Furthermore, current practices of animal factory farming bring unnecessary cruelty and lead to climate change and excess use of planetary resources (Singer, 2009). So, in Singer view, the argument discussed in the previous passages will be inconsisten t for the modern humanity because current farming practices reduce the chances of species survival while responsible omnivorism or vegetarianism help the humanity become more sustainable.

Pol Pot essays

Pol Pot essays On April 17, 1976, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, a group of Cambodian Marxists, stormed the Cambodian capital of Phonm Penh, forcing Cambodia into four years of horrifying terror. They declared this time Zero Hour, the day Cambodia would enter a new utopian era and say goodbye to the flawed ways of a capitalistic society. Yet in reality, Pol Pot, leader of the Khmer Rouge, achieved nothing for Cambodia. The Cambodian people only suffered under Pol Pot, with an estimated death toll of 3,000,000. Pol Pot, a conniving man, whos rule over Cambodia was marked by mass murder, negligence, and despotic rule, attempted and failed to create an egalitarian communist society, exploiting the manual power of the masses. In 1970, Prince Sihanouk was hoisted out of power in a coup de tat. General Lon Nol, backed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States (US), successfully seized power in Cambodia. Nol, as opposed to Sihanouk, was pro US, something the US valued in their war against Cambodias bordering nation of Vietnam. Nol took little consideration of the people and their needs, and his corrupt administration stirred support for the Khmer Rouge (Seekins, 4). At that time, the Khmer Rouge, a thirty-year-old Communist movement, began their take over of Cambodia. In the five-year period that followed, Cambodia befell into a Civil War between the Khmer Rouge and Lon Nols forces. On April 17th, 1976, the Khmer Rouge succeeded and marched into Phnom Penh. The Khmer Rouge, at the time, was led by Pol Pot, formerly known as Saloth Sar. Sar had received an education in radio electronics in France. In France, Sar was introduced to Marxism. His teachers led him to believe that Cambodia, a prosperous monarchy at the time, should go through an agricultural revolution, converting Cambodia to a classless agrarian country (Geyer, 1). In doing so, Pol Pot was believed that Cambod...

Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Research Proposal Example This research will be based on the Psychological Theories of drug abuse. Within this theoretical framework, reinforcement and individual theories will be explored to establish that pushes students into drugs. The research will follow the exploratory design and will be based on mixed methodology. Data will be collected from students and teachers using both structured and unstructured questionnaires. Interviews will also be scheduled with key informants. The researcher believes that research findings will make invaluable contributions to the existing literature that links substance abuse to poor academic performance. Keywords: substance abuse and academic performance The Correlation between Cigarette Smoking and High School Achievement Substance use among teenagers has finally entered the unchartered territory where it is no longer possible to ignore its impacts. The increasing prevalence of teenagers abusing drugs in the United States has become a major public health issue. Subsequent addiction and loss of productivity among drug users have particularly elicited great interest in substance abuse. The importance of substance abuse in academic discourses stems from the correlation between substance abuse and academic performance. Therefore, substance use and abuse are focal issues that academic commentators must address with urgency. Peer pressure has been cited as the common motivators for teenagers to engage in drugs (Thorlindsson and Vilhjalmsson, 1991). Most teenagers feel pressured to take alcohol/drugs at social gathering in order to conform to social groups. Nevertheless, some teenagers use drugs and other substances as a means of dealing with their distress. In the same vein, other teenagers may use drugs to overcome personal limitations, such as low self-esteem or shyness (Morin et al., 2011). The first casualty of substance use and abuse is cognitive ability. Impaired cognition limits the performance capacity of substance users (Thorlindsson and Vilhjalm sson, 1991). It is against this backdrop that the proposed research purposes to establish how cigarette smoking among high school students affects their overall, academic performance. Significance of the Research Education has long been heralded as a means of social mobility. Accordingly, proponents of academic achievements link education attainment to a successful future. Nevertheless, the job market has become very competitive in the 21st century than ever before. This implies that students who fail to achieve high grades stand no chance of competing favorably in the job market. Within such a context, academic achievement tops the agenda for many discussions within government and academic circles. By studying the correlation between cigarette smoking and high school achievement, the proposed research underscores the role that education plays in personal development. The research will, firstly, establish the link between cigarette smoking and high school achievement. Secondly, the research will identify the prevalence of cigarette smoking among high school students and the factors that contribute to this prevalence. Thirdly, the research aims at establishing the effects of cigarette smoking on high school stude

Alcohol Addicted Employees Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Alcohol Addicted Employees - Research Paper Example Employers need to take actions to deter alcohol consumption by employees ethically. Businesses should punish alcohol addict employees and treat them to the best of their capacity. Should the businesses punish alcohol addict employees and treating them? Alcohol is a very big problem of society in many countries across the world. While it is considered as one of the essentials for celebration, excessive consumption of alcohol leads to alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction makes an individual unsuitable for work. Alcohol addicts experience mood swings and lose control of their mind. Overcome with the effects of alcohol, they say things to others that they do not really mean. They become violent in arguments and have a tendency to abuse people around them both verbally and physically. Owing to its negative sociological, psychological, and physical consequences as well as being a potential threat for businesses, alcohol addiction cannot be tolerated in the workplace, so employers should ta ke all possible measures to deter alcohol consumption among the employees. Businesses should punish alcohol addict employees because alcohol is not appropriate for the regulation of anger. Alcohol addicts lose their minds if they happen to indulge in an argument. While they deal with things on a personal level, unnecessary and out of place argument with a client or a customer is detrimental to the interests of the organization. Businesses should punish alcohol addicts because alcoholism makes an individual untrustworthy. Alcohol addicts follow the drive and mood created after consuming alcohol. For many alcohol addicts, dealing with alcohol and its consequences is a life-long process. Many alcohol addicts cannot help themselves and consume it knowing how bad it is for them at a range of levels. Alcohol addicts cannot be trusted. They can storm out of the office to get alcohol any time without caring about work. Alcohol happens to be the most beloved thing and the top-most priority i n the life of alcohol addicts. Work comes secondary which can be risky for the organization as a whole. Alcohol addicts can leave the whole team in the middle of a problem and back out from playing their role as expected by the rest of the team members. Owing to the display of such behavior, alcohol addicts are not trustworthy or reliable. Businesses should punish alcohol addict employees because this habit of these employees can incur the employers' cost. Depending upon which area the business is located in, employers are responsible for the wellbeing of their employees. Employers are required by the government to pay taxes and insurance premiums for their employees in certain areas. Alcohol addict employees have a tendency to incur the employers unnecessary and avoidable cost. Health insurance premiums for such employees are higher. They are likely to take more days off from work thus compromising upon work and productivity and incurring the employer its cost. Similarly, there are a number of other ways in which alcohol addict employees charge their employers with cost and inconvenience. Punishing alcohol addict employees is part of the way how business entrepreneurs and employers should deal with such employees; treating the alcohol addict employees is the other part. Alcoholism is treatable.  

Price War Essay Example for Free

Price War Essay How should a company try to deal with the threat of a price war? Fontinelle (2010) believed that price war has a big impact which leads to a string of price reduction that vaporizes the profit margins. There are some solutions which can cope with the menace of a price war. To start with, Rao et al. (2000) showed that the manager of a company should take into account of other options before answering the price cuts call. The manager should consider matching price cut is a good choice or not before deciding. Moreover, additional information about the price war is needed to be figured out immediately. Does the discounted price apply for a short period of time or long term? In addition, the terms and conditions for the promotion are also involved. For example, Starbucks drove their customers crazy because of the 50% discount Frappuccino in happy hour campaign. In addition, it also attracts more new customers. Meanwhile, their competitors should consider about applying the same strategy or do nothing. The competitor’s managers must be particularly careful as the threat of price war is high. In addition, they may get more disadvantages instead of advantages as if their brand is not as strong as Starbucks. Misreading the competitor’s purposes which is one of the main factor causes price war can lead to unavoidable price war (Little, 2003). Therefore, correct information about competitor’s intentions must be obtained carefully. The reason behind the price cuts must be figured out to have the right respond. With the same example above, the competitors’ managers should research in detail about Starbucks promotion campaign to have their suitable marketing strategy. According to Rao et al. (2000), marketing communication strategy plays an important role in ensuring the competitors understand the reason behind the company pricing tactics which assists in avoiding a price war. Advertisement should not only focus on the price but also the quality and benefits of the product. Therefore, the companies should selectively reveal their strategy intentions in the purpose of staying away from price reductions. To avoid igniting a price war, Swartz (2012) claimed that products are required to be differentiated. It means that the products must be customized to become outstanding in the market share. Although other traders may offer products which are similar to those competitors are selling, it doesnt necessarily mean the company must serve identical products or services. Therefore, there are many ways of differentiation in order to make the customers realize which product is more valuable to purchase. Rao et al. (2000) pointed out that awareness of customer’s level of price sensitivities is also important. To carry out a successful pricing strategy, a company must first comprehend the basic understanding of customer perception of price sensitivity. This changes when new competitors enter the current market as company have to be aware of other competitors pricing strategy as well. As a conclusion, companies should keep clear of price wars as it can be difficult to manage as soon as price wars begin to gain a head start. Arguments between companies regarding price wars should be handled calmly to avoid unnecessary conflicts. As a side benefit, it would also reduce the chances of initiating price wars.

Criminology Essays Merton Anomie Durkheim

Criminology Essays Merton Anomie Durkheim Merton Anomie Durkheim How does Merton’s theory of anomie differ from that of Durkheim? Durkheim usefully conceptualised the phenomenon of anomie, and I consider the context in which this occurred. I look at Durkheims examples of crime and deviance and his discussion of social solidarity to clarify how his terms are understood. I discuss how, for Durkheim, anomie was a product of social change, resulting in loss of social cohesion and I go on to examine why, for Merton, the concept needed reconsideration. I examine Mertons view that society is in constant flux and his distinction between anomie and strain toward anomie, between social structure and individual responses, discussing briefly his five modes of adaptation, loosely divided into conformity and deviance. Finally, I identify key points of difference between their two theories of anomie. Emile Durkheim conceptualised the term anomie in The Division of Labour in Society (1893). In this treatise he discusses in detail the subject of social solidarity. Durkheim holds that all members within society are a product of society, bound together by societal bonds. Durkheim used the term anomie to describe lack of social cohesion or relative normlessness, where bonds break down or are undefined. (p.212) According to Durkheim this blurring of societal bonds causes members of society to become detached from societal regulatory constraints that govern and control their behaviour and aspirations, leaving them with no set guidelines within which to act or to aspire, resulting in anomie. Durkheim was a positivist; he was not interested in the study of individuals subjective meanings but aimed to identify and study different social facts. Many forces contributing to anomie can be measured only by their visible effects as some forces are invisible, like gravity. Durkheim studied the observable effects of invisible social forces. Anomie can be observed through effects such as societal disorganization and deregulation, leading to criminal and deviant behaviour but also social facts as personal as suicide (discussed below). Durkheim suggests that an anomic state is more likely to be present during periods of social unrest, perhaps caused by social changes like increases and decreases of economic prosperity, due to the disruption of traditional values (p.201) Durkheim believed that crime and deviance were socially constructed. Durkheim saw acts of crime and deviance as an integral part of society’s temporal transition; he suggested that a certain amount of crime and deviance is an essential component of the healthy functioning of society, and he suggested it reinforces society’s moral code and causes social solidarity, change and innovation. Although crime and deviance could threaten the stability of society, Durkheim suggests that a society without crime would also produce an anomic state. (p.226) In Durkheim’s treatise Division of Labour in Society (1893) he differentiated between two types of societies, characterised by their degree of social cohesion: mechanical solidarity, which has strong social cohesion, and organic solidarity, which has weak social cohesion. Durkheim suggested that society has evolved from a mechanical society, based on similarity, to an organic society, based on difference. (p.226) Mechanical societies describe the solidarity found in traditional societies; these societies existed before the modern industrial era. In mechanical societies communities were smaller, societal bonds were stronger; people shared collective norms and values which Durkheim described as collective consciousness. These societal bonds were reinforced by peoples shared religious beliefs. People in this society performed similar tasks and worked to achieve collective goals which benefited the whole group. In this type of society individuals were not as dependent on each other as later, organic, societies. In mechanical societies everyone was doing similar work and did not rely on others for their needs; they did, however, rely on society to function adequately as a whole: â€Å"In societies where this type of solidarity [mechanical] is highly developed, the individual is not his own master†¦. Solidarity is, literally something which the society possesses.† (Durkheim, ed Giddens, 1972, p.139) Durkheim suggests that anomie was less likely to exist in mechanical societies because of society’s strong cohesion. He states The state of anomie is impossible whenever interdependent organs are sufficiently in contact and sufficiently extensive. If they are close to each other, they are readily aware, in every situation, of the need which they have of one-another, and consequently they have an active and permanent feeling of mutual dependence. (Durkheim, 1893, p.184) The second type of solidarity, organic solidarity, Durkheim linked to complex modern industrial societies, suggesting that they are constituted, not by a repetition of similar, homogeneous segments, but by a system of different organs each of which has a special role, and which are themselves formed of differentiated parts. (p.181) In organic societies the division of labour increases and work tasks become more complex, specialised and individualised. The labour force is divided; therefore individuals are no longer working on similar tasks but segregated to individualised tasks. Members of organic societies are highly dependent on each other to produce what they need. Durkheim suggests that this functioning is similar to the functioning of the human body, all different parts working on specialized tasks to sustain the organism as a whole. However if the organ fails to function it causes the other parts of the organism that are reliant on that part to fail as well. This dependence is significant to the survival of society; healthy functioning of the society is based on the reliance of others. (Durkheim, 1893, p. 226) Organic societies differ from mechanical societies as they are based on differences in individual functions, rather than similarity. These differences can cause members to become detached from society which in turn causes misidentification with society. The breakdown of interpersonal bonds (without which individuals lack guidance and feel detached from society) thus produces anomie. Durkheim noted that Man is the more vulnerable to self-destruction the more he is detached from any collectively, that is to say, the more he lives as an egoist. (Durkheim, ed Giddens, 1972, p.113) This organic form of society, he suggested, was the cause of the decline of social cohesion and integration, and the creation of anomie (p.200). This is demonstrated by Taylor, in his publication Durkheim and the Study of Suicide (1982) Taylors interpretation of Durkheim suggests that suicide is present in modern organic societies because of the decline of social cohesion: Durkheim held that in modern society there were two principle causes of high (and rising) suicide rates: (egotistic) suicide was higher where individuals were not well integrated into collective social life; and (anomic) suicide was higher when societys norms and values were too weak to regulate individual desires and drives The relationship between levels of social integration and regulation and suicide rates demonstrated that society exerted an independent influence over the individual. In Durkheims terms, society was external to the individual, so much so that even such a supremely individual act as suicide had its roots in society. (p.21) Durkheim suggested that when social conditions change, the traditional norms and values needed for public consciousness no longer remain the same. An anomic detachment from societal restraints frees members of society from limits to their aspirations causing anomic suicide. (Durkheim, 1893, p. 203) Durkheim writes in Suicide (1897) that, â€Å"The limits are unknown between the possible and the impossible, what is just and what is unjust, legitimate claims and hopes and those which are immoderate. Consequently, there is no restraint upon aspirations.† (p.253) Robert Merton elaborated on Durkheims work on anomie; however, he did not always agree with Durkheim’s theory. Merton adapted the theory of anomie to a general sociological approach to crime and deviance. He considered that deviance was not caused by sudden social change, as suggested by Durkheim, but was, rather, a symptom of a constantly changing social structure. Merton was writing in America at a time when there was inequality between ethnic groups. Merton observed that not all individuals within society have an equal chance of success; he believed that inequality in society blocked people from attaining the means needed to achieve their goals. Many Americans were aiming to achieve â€Å"the American dream† and he was interested in how they pursued their goals, and whether or not dreams were equally attainable to everyone. (Merton, 1957, p.121) Like Durkheim, Merton held that crime and deviance were caused by society: â€Å"the functional analyst†¦ considers socially deviant behaviour just as much a product of social structure as conformist behaviour†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p.121) but Mertons view of deviance is different to Durkheim’s. While Durkheim believed that identifying deviance is a demonstration of society’s norms, and a barometer of cohesion and change, Merton held that crime does not generate social solidarity or social progress and that crime and deviance demonstrate poor societal organization. Merton suggested that society does not evolve from mechanical to organic, but that society is constantly changing and generating new goals if not necessarily the means by which to achieve these goals. (p.121) Merton’s theory of anomie is not easily conceptualized in his writings, as he spoke about both anomie and strain towards anomie, which can be hard to distinguish. For clarity, I have discussed these as if they were two different concepts. Firstly, when Merton talked about anomie, his theory does not refer to the normless societal state identified by Durkheim. Merton suggested â€Å"no society lacks norms governing conduct. But societies do differ in degree to which [such] institutional controls are effectively integrated with the goals which stand high in the hierarchy of cultural values† (p.121) Merton’s theory suggests that there is no decline or undefined presence of societal norms governing behaviour but a disjunction â€Å"between valued cultural ends and legitimate societal means to those ends† (Akers, 2000, p.143). Merton’s anomie theory, like Durkheim’s, can be used as an explanation of deviant and criminal behaviour. Merton held that individual goals and aspirations are regulated by societal restraints unlike Durkheim, who suggested that the anomic state causes no limitation to members aspirations. Merton suggested these societal restraints put pressure on members of society to conform to societal norms. He held that an anomic state is caused by a de-institutionalization of societal norms. This occurs when society emphasizes culturally preferred goals and their achievement but does not emphasize the culturally approved means to achieve these goals: â€Å"any cultural goals which receive extreme and only negligibly qualified emphasis in the culture of a group will serve to attenuate the emphasis on institutionalized practices and make for anomie.† (Merton, 1968, p.235) This disjunction, Merton suggested, is the cause of macro-structural anomie. Mertons structural anomie theory is similar and compatible with what Durkheim suggested as both theories can be used to explain macro-level implica tions of anomie, but the development of the concept of strain allows the application of the concept of anomie to individual experience of society. (p.189) This micro-individual level of anomie, Merton suggested, is caused by strain, and an anomic societal state is needed for strain to occur. In turn, the strain experienced by individuals fosters anomie. Merton’s strain theory can also be used as an explanation of deviant behaviour: â€Å"cultural (or idiosyncratic) exaggeration of the success-goal leads men to withdraw emotional support from the rules† (p.190). Individuals are more likely to pursue illegitimate means to attaining culturally prescribed goals when they are blocked from accessing the institutionalized means to these goals: The social structure†¦ produces a strain toward anomie and deviant behaviour. The pressure of such a social order is outdoing ones competitors. So long as the sentiments supporting this competitive system†¦ are not confined to the final result of â€Å"success†, the choice of means will remain largely within†¦ social control. When, however, the cultural emphasis shifts from satisfaction deriving from competition itself to almost exclusive concern with the outcome, the resultant stress makes for the breakdown of the regulatory structure. (Merton, 1957, p157) Merton also suggested that â€Å"some individuals are subjected more than others to the strains arising from the discrepancy between cultural goals and effective access to their realization. They are consequently more vulnerable to deviant behaviour.† (p.235) Merton described those who are restricted by inequality. This can be used as an explanation of the suffragette movement: women prevented from achieving their goals were provoked into deviant acts of protest. Merton identified five types of response to societal pressure: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion. (p.136) The first two modes accept, and the last three modes reject societal rules. Firstly, Merton described conformity which he considered the most common response to strain. It describes the process by which people strive to succeed using the most socially acceptable means they have available to them. This conformity to social values is cohesive of society according to both Merton and Durkheim. The second mode, ritualism, describes individuals who accept they have no opportunity to achieve their goals. These individuals maintain what they have but are discouraged from doing more: they don’t believe they can become more than what they are. In effect, they join the conformists. (p.200) However, not all people conform. The third mode is rebellion; this describes individuals who have rejected the idea that everyone can achieve success. These individuals have rebelled against the system and rejected socially acceptable means to achieve their goals. The fourth mode is retreatism which occurs when individuals choose to drop out of society, give up on their goals and make no effort to achieve because they see it as impossible. Merton suggested this response is associated with drug addicts and alcoholics. (p.267) The fifth mode is what Merton called innovation: innovation describes the process through which people conform to atypical forms of acquiring means; however, they also seek success that would be unachievable without taking advantage of illegal goals available to them. (p. 267)Each of these modes of adaptation demonstrates the individual’s response to societal strain arising from anomie; modes that accept societal pressures are not as likely to pursue illegitimate means. In conclusion, Durkheim suggested that anomie is caused by the undefined presence of social bonds. This undefined presence causes a decline of social cohesion therefore individuals become detached from society and recognise no limits to their behaviour. Durkheim also suggested that anomie is caused by the decline of social cohesion representative of today’s organic societies, and that mechanical societies found in pre-modern societies had a stronger degree of social integration, reducing the occurrence of anomie. However this view was not shared by Merton; he considered that there has been no time when society lacks norms. He held that the presence of societal norms and their pressure on society and individuals causes anomie and strain towards anomie. Durkheim and Merton also differ on when anomie occurs. Durkheim suggested that anomie is present during periods of social change due to the disruption of traditional bonds. However, Merton disagrees as he believes that anomie can be found in relatively stable societies. For Merton transition was not from one specific type of social structure to another but a constant state of flux, with changing goals. Both Durkheim and Merton agree that crime and deviance are consequences of anomie. However, they differed on whether crime has value to society Durkheim held that some crime and deviance is a product of a normal functioning society, reinforcing solidarity and encouraging social progress, while Merton suggested that crime and deviance demonstrates societal disorganisation. Durkheim and Merton’s theories differ most strongly on what constitutes the causes of anomie. Durkheim looks at anomie from a structural perspective, whereas Merton looks at the causes of anomie from both a macro and micro level, giving the theory a more detailed explanation. Merton looks in detail at the individual’s response to societal strain not discussed intensively in Durkheim, as his positivist ontology did not consider individuals internal motives and drives unless they had objective effects. For Durkheim anomie is the effect of the breakdown of societal bonds; for Merton, strain is a mechanism of anomie and can occur during anomic societal states: strain towards anomie describes the individual’s battle to obtain the necessary means needed to achieve their goals. Durkheim suggested that during an anomic state individual aspirations are not limited because of the undefined presence of societal norms; without these norms, he suggested, members of society are deluded as to what is realistically achievable (Durkheim, 1897, p.253). Mertons theory, on the other hand, offers an explanation for why social forces influence some people to commit deviant and criminal acts and why some individuals conform to societal pressures and why some do not. Bibliography Akers, R. (2000) Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application. Los Angeles: Roxbury. Durkheim, E. (1893) The Division of Labor in Society, tr. W. D. Halls, (1984) New York: Free Press. Giddens, A. (1972) Emile Durkheim Selected Writings. London: Cambridge University Press Merton, R.K. (1957) Social Theory and Social Structure. 2ed ed. New York: The Free Press. Taylor. S. (1982) Durkheim and the Study of Suicide. London: The Macmillan Press. Thompson, K. (1982) Emile Durkheim. London: Tavistock Publications.

American Isolationism Before the End of World War I

Before the end of World War I, the United States at first was very un-isolationistic. Before the war, America was a very expansionist nation. It had taken up military occupation in Cuba in 1906, taken the Philippines, taken hold of the country of Panama, and begun relations with Japan and China. But when World War I suddenly occurred, it was an unprecedented war. Never before had America seen such a large war that involved so many countries. The devastation that resulted from the war dispirited many Americans, and the problem of foreign nations not properly paying back U. S. ar debts created some resentment among the American people as they felt they might have been cheated. Isolationism, it seemed at the time, was the best way to avoid foreign entanglements that might lead to another war that might have more disastrous effects. The first step to carrying out this new isolationistic policy was for America to put a stop to the overwhelming foreign influence on the nation. The first la w that reflected this attitude was the Emergency Quota Act of 1921. It limited the immigration of European foreigners to America to 3 percent of the people of their nationality who had been living in the United States in 1910.Then three years later came the Immigration Act of 1924, which cut the quota for foreigners from 3 percent to 2 percent and shifted the national-origins base from the census of 1910 to that of 1890. This virtually stopped immigration to the United States in order to cut down on foreign influence. With immigration almost nonexistent, the United States sought to separate itself from foreign nations and their entanglements. To accomplish this, America did not join the League of Nations and refused to fully accept the Treaty of Versailles.Tariffs were yet another tool in isolating America from foreign countries. The trend of higher tariffs continued, making in incredibly difficult for any European products to enter the American market. America was determined to sta y peaceful no matter what. Partly due to the blame of World War Ion arms manufacturers and bankers, the United States passed a series of Neutrality Acts in the 1935, 1936, and 1937 forbidding the sale or transportation of munitions to belligerent nations, the sailing on a belligerent nation’s ship, or the making of loans to a belligerent ation. These acts were meant to act as further protection to keep America out of a conflict like World War I. Isolationism in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s was adopted primarily because fear of another war like that of World War I ran rampant. In the American people’s eyes, putting an end to foreign influence would put an end to foreign entanglements in war. Little did America know at that time, however, that this isolationism only allowed aggressors to commence the beginning of World War II.

William Wordsworth’s Philosophy of Nature

William Wordsworth has respect or more, great reverence for nature. This is evident in both of the poems Ode: Intimations of Immortality and Lines Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey in that, his philosophy on God, immortality and innocence are elucidated in his contact with nature. For Wordsworth, nature had a spirit, a soul of its own, and to know is so is to experience nature with all the five senses. In both his poems there are many references to seeing, hearing and feeling his surroundings. He speaks of mountains, the woods, the rivers and streams, and the fields. Wordsworth realized, in each of us, there is a natural affinity for a certain setting for nature. To elaborate, a fisherman would be most comfortable in a setting where he can be beside the sea, which is beside the shore. His affinity towards nature is oriented to the sea. In the same way, a shepherd would like to be near meadows and fields and near lush rolling hills. Wordsworth’s affinity would be to mountains, woods, rivers, streams, and fields. He knew the sprit, the soul and the feel of these places for he was able to experience these places in the fullness of youth (Sparknotes, n. d. ). Both of these poems by Wordsworth are poems of recollection and in these recollections, Wordsworth came across something that was truly immortal: Nature and its soul. Though change, death and destruction might be normal occurrences that come to nature, there is rebirth and continuity to life. As in death and destruction, human endeavors are also mortal and temporary when compared to nature and its spirit. Nonetheless, though these things are only mortal, or temporary, they are still as much a part of it as much as water droplets individually make up a river. Of unremembered pleasure: such, perhaps,/As have no slight or trivial influence/On that best portion of a good man’s life ,/His little nameless, unremembered, acts (Lines Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, stanza 2) portray life and all its endeavors as mundane to something immortal like nature and its spirit. Still these aspects of everyday life are swept away by the strong force that binds the spirit of nature to its occupants. These sentiments are expressed in Ode as well; Though nothing can bring back the hour/Of splendor in the grass, or glory in flower;/We will grieve not, rather find/Strength in what remains behind;/In the primal sympathy/Which having been must ever be;/In that soothing thought that spring/Out of human suffering (Ode: Intimations of Immortality, stanza 10). Wordsworth also speaks of his memory of childhood or innocence retraced in communing with nature in his adult years saying nature has the power to unearth those memories for a grown man to reflect upon. (Sparknotes, n. d. ) In Ode, he celebrates the gift of childhood memory or of innocence sharing the same insights in Tintern Abbey by expressing his delight to find himself once more with nature. As a young boy he delighted in his every interaction with nature. Nature made his day. Though, times have changed, he does not mourn nor shed a tear from this bittersweet memory of childhood rather Wordsworth, reminisces with new insights or what he claims as mature gifts that comes with growing up, the childhood memories becoming more valuable by the discovery of a philosophic mind. Innocence is not all lost but can be retraced through nature, nature reminding what has been lost and found. In the midst of his contemplation with nature, he discovers a far greater power beyond humanity, the presence of God in nature, â€Å"Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting†¦ Not in entire forgetfulness, / And not in utter nakedness, /But trailing clouds of glory do we come / From God, who is our home/ Heaven lies about in our infancy! †(Ode: Intimations of Immortality,stanza 5) from Ode . He discusses further the relationship of God in Nature in Tintern Abbey. He goes, â€Å"a motion and a spirit that impels / All thinking thoughts†¦ / And rolls through all thi ngs,† (Lines Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, stanza 4) beyond nature, an energy spurs him to weigh upon â€Å"moral being†.

Political Women essays

Political Women essays In 1978, only twenty-six years ago, there were merely sixteen women serving in the House of Representatives and only three female Senators in the United States Congress (Women in Congress). Currently, there are sixty-two women in the House and fourteen in the Senate, which is a record number for the United States (Women in the House and Senate). Of the female Congresswomen, forty-one are Democrats and twenty-one are Republicans while nine of the female Senators are Democrats and the remaining five are Republicans (Facts on Women Candidates and Elected Officials). Despite the fact that these numbers are at an all time high, women only account for fourteen percent of the Senate and also fourteen percent of the House of Representatives. Each one of these women are extraordinary, as they have overcome great obstacles and made immense sacrifices to achieve their goals. On October 26, 1947, Hugh and Dorothy Rodham welcomed daughter Hillary Diane into their Chicago home. The Rodhams eventually had two sons and raised their close family in nearby Park Ridge. As a young student, Hillary was very involved arranging food drives, participating in student government, and served as a constituent of the National Honor Society (Biography: Hillary Clinton). Hillary enrolled in Yale Law School after graduating from Wellesley College. It was then that Hillary developed her intense involvement in protecting families and children. While attending Yale, she met fellow law student, Bill Clinton, whom she married in 1975. In 1980, Bill and Hillary had their only child, Chelsea. Bill served as the Governor of Arkansas for twelve years. During that time Hillary founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, introduced Arkansas Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youth, and worked tirelessly on behalf of children and families, while practicing law in Little Rock. All of these a...

Movie Review Essay Example

Movie Review Essay Example Movie Review Essay Movie Review Essay Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Although The Advocate became a magazine in 1992, in Harvey Milk’s time during the 1970’s, it was a tabloid newspaper. Even though the film had setting and informational errors, the movie portrayed the characters stupendously. Dan White was the infamous San Francisco Supervisor who assassinated the first openly homosexual official Harvey Milk and the mayor of San Francisco, George Moscone. Josh Brolin, the actor who played White, embodied the character in a way that the audience could understand. During the film, the audience can see that Harvey Milk and George Moscone developed a political relationship. Shortly after Dan White resigned his seat from the Board of Supervisors, Milk convinced Mayor Moscone that he would have a greater chance at being reelected mayor without White on the Board. Mayor George Moscone trusted Milk in this political judgment call. When the climactic scene of the two assassinations comes, the film depicts it accurately. After entering San Francisco’s City Hall from another entrance to elude the metal detectors, White went to Moscone’s office to plead for his reemployment. When Moscone denied him the occupation, White shot and killed him. Later in the same hour, White went to Milk’s office and killed him as well. The film certainly displayed this scene accurately. Actor Sean Penn also delivered an outstanding performance playing the main character Harvey Milk. From the beginning to the end, Penn gave a believable presentation. In the film, Milk starts a camera business which then becomes a salon for homosexuals. While noticing that his surroundings are less than approving of the gay community, Milk decides to be a voice for those who are, metaphorically speaking, trapped behind closet doors. In 1977, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Being in a place of power, Milk used this opportunity to let it be known throughout America that there is hope for those who are homosexual. He began by supporting a civil rights bill that banned discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill passed with Dan White being the only one to oppose the bill; Mayer Moscone signed happily. Although there were many other events, campaigns, and trials that Harvey Milk had overcome, the film only highlighted a few of them. Simply compressing Milk’s life and achievements into a two hour long film would only show a few accomplishments respectively. In doing so, the movie did a fantastic job in illustrating Harvey Milk’s last nine years, how he made history, and who he influenced. The film’s viewpoint was spot-on, respectful to history, and controversially honest. Showing true history at a stage of vulnerability helps the audience understand the reality of it. I believe Milk is an excellent film of how history should be taught.

Article Critiques on Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Article Critiques on Finance - Essay Example Developing countries led by Brazil, Russia, China and India hold most of the world’s foreign exchange reserves, and their share of exports has risen from 20% in 1970 to 435 in 2006. However, as the economic balance of power changes, the balance of political power continues to remain in the West, a situation that cannot continue indefinitely. That changes are imminent can be gauged by the fact that the IMF is already considering some changes in its power structure. Similarly, a UN Security Council that excludes 1/5th of humanity (China, India) or a G7 that excludes China, which holds the worlds largest foreign exchange reserves, cannot stand the test of time. There is bound to be some friction on account of these changes, but overall it will benefit mankind as a whole. In earlier centuries, economic rivalries brought in its wake widespread hostilities, as nations tried to wrest power and widen their spheres of influence as part of the ‘Great Game’. However, that might not be the case in the 21st century, as the US remains the world’s sole military superpower. Dialogue and reliance on international organizations to settle disputes is the preferred approach, though the slow progress of the Doha talks is a cause for concern. Nonetheless, the chances of armed conflict remain negligible, now that geo-economics has overtaken geo-politics as the driver of a country’s foreign policy. As the battle between Boeing’s 787 and Airbus’ A380 heats up, there are indications that the later is in danger of losing the race. Production delays due to inefficient practices, which are politically motivated, are likely to result in at least a two-year delay. This delay could mean the difference between making profits and bankruptcy. It is estimated that the delay, â€Å"will knock a further E 4.8 billion off profits and E 6.3 billion off revenues between 2006 and 2010. The losses could even be higher if airlines that have placed orders for the A380

How are overbearing sports parents harmful to children Coursework

How are overbearing sports parents harmful to children - Coursework Example This research will begin with the statement that sports play an instrumental role in the development of a child. They are not only critical for physical growth, but sports are also important for the psycho-social development of a child. Therefore, all the children who are of school going age i.e. 5 to 16 years of age are encouraged to participate in physical activities like sports, aerobics and even dancing. The involvement of children in different forms of physical training helps them in gaining confidence, it optimizes their muscular and skeletal growth, and it also helps them in winning friends. The types of sports or physical activities may vary across cultures, however, it is universally accepted that children must be encouraged to participate in sports actively alongside their education. The reason behind encouraging young minds to involve in sports is to teach them the skill of balancing life and work. Children who abstain themselves from sports are often find complaining in t he later life about isolation and other associated psychological issues like depression, anxiety and frustration. It has been proved medically, sports during adolescence and early years of adulthood helps individuals in fighting frustration and depression, which is very common among young people these days. Sports activate serotonin release and uptake, which circumcises the accumulation of testosterone, a hormone released in state of stress and anxiety, and it is a cause biochemical cause of aggression among youth.