Abstract This paper describes the life of Lu Hsun and explains how his experiences influenced the writing of his novel, "The True Story of Ah Q". The paper also summarizes the plot of the book and demonstrates, through the use of examples from the book, that the author's objective in writing the story was to expose the weaknesses in the Chinese soul and national character.
From the Paper "Around 1906-1907, Lu Hsun involved himself with literary pursuits and wrote several essays and made some translations of important Russian works. Literature became his vital tool for change and he felt he could guide his people in the right direction with his pen. His literary career however took off in 1918 after the October Revolution of 1917 and coincided with May Fourth Movement of 1919. His desire for change and revolution led to his immortal work The True Story of, Ah Q that established his position as the pioneer of new literature movement in China."
Tags: anti-imperialist, anti-feudal, sentiment, ching, dynasty, nanking, peking, ruling, class
Abstract This paper explains the prevailing theme of mother-daughter relationships in Amy Tan's novel, "The Joy Luck Club," and looks at the novel's focus on the need for Asian-born mothers and their daughters to reconcile the past with the present.
From the Paper "One way Tan came to terms with this was embracing multiple perspectives and dual identities, Chinese and American. "I think that the other reason that I've become a storyteller is that I was raised with so many different conflicting ideas that it posed many questions for me in life, and those questions became a filter for looking at all my experiences and seeing them from different angles. That's what I think that a storyteller does, and underneath the surface of the story is a question or a perspective or a nagging little emotion, and then it grows." (Giles, 1995) The multi-layered narrative structure of The Joy Luck Club generated by this upbringing is striking, as it alternates past and present, between the different perspectives of the members of the club and their daughters."
Abstract This paper defines key terms necessary for the paper ('human rights', 'civil rights' and 'civil liberties') and gives a brief history of the development of human rights (from Socrates through to the U.S. Bill of Rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights). The main paper is split into two parts. Part one looks at alleged human rights violations from both an external, generally 'Western', perspective and an internal, Chinese (Asian-Islamic) perspective. It argues that human rights as an issue is being manipulated by both Western and Eastern governments for political purposes. Examples used in the paper include alleged oppression in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Tianenmen Square; as well as suspected torture based on religious, political and socio-cultural intolerance by the Chinese government. Part two looks at possible solutions to the human rights issue. It again uses both internal (Chinese) and external (U.S. and U.N.) perspectives and leads to the thought-provoking conclusion. The full text of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights is included in the appendix.
From the Paper "'Human rights' are rights that all humans are entitled to such as the right to live, the right to liberty, the right to freedom of expression and the right to equality within society. 'Civil rights' and 'civil liberties' refer to the guarantees that a state may make to its citizens and are offered in addition to one's basic human rights. Perhaps the best quantification of human rights (and the mostly widely accepted in the West) is the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Although the UN's Declaration is over half a century old and has been savagely criticized at times it still serves as a useful guide to general ideals of human rights."
Abstract This paper discusses the trade patterns between the United States and China throughout the years. The paper examines the history of China as a government, particularly as a political and economic power in the Asian region. The paper explains that the history of trade between the two countries can be traced best through three periods in history, which may also be identified as the three phases of China's establishment and development of trade relations with the United States. These phases are explored in the paper and include early trade relations between the two countries in the first century AD, the period after the collapse of the Socialist experiment in Asia, and the integration of China into the world market.
From the Paper "The first phase involves early trade relations between the two countries in the first century AD, a period wherein the barter system was in operation. During this period, US has yet to be known as an independent nation, and was simply referred to as the Americas. Trade between China and the Americas simply involved the exchange of essential goods that each country had-China with its supply of silk, gun powder, and porcelain, and the Americas with its staple foodstuffs. In this phase, trade was in its crudest form, and would be hampered with the increasing level of isolation that China had imposed upon itself through the coming years. Thus, after the first phase, trade relations between the two countries lagged, and eventually became non-existent, especially with the development of China in the early- and mid-20th century as a Communist country."
Abstract This paper explains that clothing is rarely recognized as a political force; yet fashion and design may be one of the most internationally regarded forms of trade, communication, and influence among countries worldwide. The author points out that the Orient has been a wellspring of fashion influence for both the Eastern and Western world since ancient times; the Edo period in Japan was the beginning of several Japanese styles that remain popularized by Western culture fashions for centuries, including the "Kamishimo," worn by both males and females of the Samurai warrior class during special occasions featured stiff shoulder garments that crossed the shoulders and chest, elements vital to the Samurai image held by Hollywood and other popular culture creations in the West today. The paper relates that today very young Japanese girls, as seen in exported Japanese movies, manga comic books, and anime television, are setting global fashion trends, including miniskirts, short pants flared out at the bottom, and loose, baggy socks deliberately allowed to lap over the tops of their shoes.
From the Paper "Fashion evolves as quickly as any other fast-paced element of society, never becoming stagnant. Some people are critical of the movement and growth of the industry, claiming it encourages people to become materialistic, rushing at every opportunity to spend more and more money on unnecessary items. However, this change and growth is precisely what makes fashion a true form of human expression. Diversity, experimentation, expression, and metamorphosis are what define human culture and fashion culture. As cultures touch, fashions exchange and spread. The in-look for the young rebels is eventually passed on to the older generations. The styles of one region are sent to another. "Young people, enjoy the diversity that changing fashion can apparently provide, seeing the constant change as a way to satisfy their desire to experience 'new' and 'interesting' things. Note too though that fashion can change to enforce uniformity, as in the case where so-called Mao suits became the national uniform of Mainland China." "
Abstract Though many tend to think of Hinduism as a unified religion, there are many variations on even basic principles. Through analysis of the Upanishads, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga texts, several of these important fundamental differences are explained in the paper.
From the Paper "The Upanishads, a compilation of stories whose authorship and origin are largely unknown, form a vital component of the foundations of Hinduism. Despite their anonymous origins, they are generally considered shruti, the product of divine revelation, and are thus considered to be spiritual teachings of the highest order. Indeed, many of Hinduism's most well-known elements are explained almost continuously throughout the text, providing an exceptionally clear description of key religious concepts and methods of practice."
Abstract "China's trade surplus with the U.S. last year swelled to $124 billion up from $103 billion a year earlier. And the strength of its manufacturing sector in everything from clothing to TVs means that it is being blamed for the woes of U.S. workers." (Taken from Business Week, 12th April, 2004) This paper comments on this statement and assesses the trading and business issues between the U.S.A. and China, including the pressure for China to open its domestic markets to foreign competition, especially since joining the World Trade Organisation.
From the Paper "Globalization has driven trade and business engagements between the United States and China to unprecedented levels, creating an economic interdependence not seen before. China is now the United States' second largest source of imports and the largest trade deficit partner. China's growing economic prowess is regarded by many as the cause of higher unemployment in the United States and US entrepreneurs express frustrations over access into the Chinese market. Despite improving political relations between these two nations, US - China relations have entered into a new phase in which issues of trade, economics and finance traditionally considered among the most positive and beneficial aspects of the relationship have increasingly become matters of dispute and friction."
Abstract This paper explains that the ideas of Confucianism and Daoism seem contradictory at times, yet the two deal almost exclusively with man's place in the world: Daoists fear society because they believe individuals would not realize their place in the grander scheme of things, but Confucianism believes that man's place in this world is with others to interact with men and their surroundings. The author points out that these two thoughts have merged and dictated Chinese culture providing its followers with a secular guide to life. The paper relates that, like Confucians, Daoists believe in the harmony and balance of nature; the forces Ying and the Yang play a role in the changes in the world.
From the Paper "Another idea contra to Confucian thought was the idea of knowledge. Confucius stressed the idea of studying the great libraries of thought to acquire a knowledge that would aid in the betterment of themselves and their fellow men. Confucius suggests that any man is capable of leadership, goodness, and most importantly knowledge. It is in an individual's merit and determination that he finds enlightenment. In contrast Daoism speaks of "the way" in a much loftier sense, "the Tao is one and indivisible, knowledge of it cannot be gained piecemeal, bit by bit. It is not a science; it cannot be the object of a cumulative learning process[...] ultimately the Tao will be known, if at all, as an experience of oneness in which the knower becomes the Tao, not through a transformation". There in lies a sharp contrast in the ideas and schools of learning with tao representing an ultimate understanding of the universe and its workings."
Abstract This paper explains that the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" means hiding one's strength from others, a skill mastered by most of the major characters. The author points out that both warriors and bandits were tied to their lifestyles as the very essence of their existence. The paper relates that the movie showed what it was like to live in China in the Qing Dynasty conveying the rich culture and personal conflicts of people in that era.
From the Paper "Jiao Long aspired to learn more than what her master could teach her and hid her skills from her master. Not the way a disciple should act. She reacted to the attack by the bandits by chasing the head bandit Dark Cloud. This is not the way a young noblewoman should act. She later became his lover. Another action unbecoming of a noblewoman. She disdained marriage to another aristocrat and left her groom hanging by taking off. She resisted authority till the end, ending her life by jumping from Wudan Mountain, because it seemed like she was forever searching for more. A conformist, Jiao Long is definitely not."
Abstract This paper explains that the United States and Japan are the only highly advanced industrialized countries that have retained capital punishment. The author points out that Japan has a death penalty but uses it sparingly, executing two or three prisoners a year; many Japanese psychologists agree that the death penalty provides a psychic release from the pressure and degradation of conformity, repression and overwork and is an effective tool for instilling fear in police interrogations. The paper relates that the death penalty in these countries is approached differently: The United States, through its constitutional rights, has facilitated a plethora of information to support or abolish the death penalty; whereas, Japan offers minimal information about this issue to the general public.
Table of Contents
Japan: The Death Penalty
Abolitionists of the Death Penalty
United States: Capital Punishment
From the Paper "As previously mentioned, Japan does support capital punishment. "The Japanese Penal Code lists 13 crimes that identify the death penalty as an appropriate sanction, and an additional five are sited in other statues." The Prime Minister's Office reported that a survey has revealed that almost 80 percent of people polled nationwide, up from 74 percent in 1994, expressed approval for Japan's continuation of the use of capital punishment. The figure is an all-time high among six such polls conducted since 1956. Results of the poll, which were conducted after a five-year lapse and covered 5,000 men and women aged 20 years or older, also showed that support for scrapping the death penalty has dipped to a mere 8 percent. This is the first time the figure has fallen below the 10 percent mark."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of Rae Yang's "Spider Eaters," a political and social memoir of the life of a young Chinese woman during the Chinese cultural revolution. The paper shows that Yang's memoir is of her youth torn between two worlds, that of her loyalty to the Communist Party, and that of her parents and friends.
From the Paper "The narrative technique utilized in the book is that of first person. Continuously moving from past to present and from dream to reality this technique helps to convey the vast complexity of life in China, as well as the richness, confusion, and struggle of Yang's inner-self. For example, her dreams act as a soliloquy as they illustrate to the reader Yang's conflicted feelings as it shows her naive and tormented side."
Abstract This paper argues that one of the major reasons for China's incredible growth since its opening in 1978, is due to the substantial influx of foreign direct investment (FDI). The gradual opening up of China to FDI, coupled with a large array of benefiting economic factors such as preferential policies, low labor costs, access to neighboring markets with similar culture/language etc., has resulted in unimagined investment and resulting growth. The paper shows that in this process FDI, has positively improved and/or contributed to total investment, technology transfer, employment, foreign exchange reserves, management know-how, competition, new industries and tax revenue.
The paper includes a chart.
Table of Contents:
I. Introduction
II. Overview of FDI Trends
Sources of FDI
Geographical Distribution
Reasons for Investment and Preference for Investment on the Coast Business Forms of FDI
Government Policies
WTO Agreement and FDI
Empirical Studies
III. FDI Challenges and China
1 Impact on Domestic Capabilities
2 Foreign Exchange
3 Employment
4 The Limits of Preferential Policies and Tax Evasion?
5 Financial Market Inefficiencies
IV. A Case Study of FDI in Dongguan, Guangdong
V. Conclusion
References
From the Paper "In all these cases, the liberalization process was carefully developed by only allowing access to certain sectors and geographical areas. Today there are still limitations of foreign investment in which the Government deems such sectors as "strategically" important. Such sectors or projects include airport development, nuclear power plants, oil and gas, subways, communications, printing etc. In many cases foreign investment is restricted to an equity share that is less than 50% (Tseng and Zebregs, 2002)."
Abstract This study attempts to explore and delineate the problem of eating disorders among Asian-Americans. The study presents an overview of the issue and explains its finding that there does indeed exist a serious problem with regards to eating disorders among Asian-Americans, particularly among women. The paper further explains that the syndrome is exacerbated by the complexity of acculturation in American society and then discusses these and other aspects affecting eating disorders in this segment of the population. One of the central findings of the study is that there has been relatively little research of quality conducted on this subject.
Introduction
Outline of the Problem
Overview of the Major Eating Disorders
Causes
Conclusion
From the Paper "There is a common myth that eating disorders are usually found among white females and males and not among the Asian population. In general "Many assume that certain "blanket factors" protect minority communities from the disease, such as a general appreciation for larger body sizes, less emphasis on physical attractiveness, and a stable family and social structure." (Park E, 200) However, research and studies show that the Asian-American population is deeply affected by factors that prompt eating disorders. This, as many researchers attest, can be seen in the increasing number of Asian-Americans seeking treatment for eating disorders at mental health clinics. (ibid) "
Abstract This paper discusses some background of the Japanese internment of World War II and the impact that the internment had on the American-Japanese population as well as the Japanese nation as a whole. The paper puts particular emphasis on the internees of the Minidoka Camp of South Central Idaho.
From the Paper "To fully understand the relocation of Japanese Americans one must understand how these people first came to this foreign land, and how later as they prospered, they came to be the recipients of racial prejudice from their white neighbors. The Japanese first came to America seeking their fortunes. Many worked as itinerate laborers with Californian fruit and Hawaiian sugar cane. As they continued to live in their new land, however, they eventually became businessmen, fishermen, and farmers themselves. In fact, by 1940 the Japanese Americans, despite discriminatory laws, owned 4% of the farmland in California. In 1920, twenty years earlier, they had already brought in 10% of California's agricultural production. "
Abstract This well-researched paper examines the oil industry, which currently produces and supplies the world's number one energy source. This paper delves into the high swings in terms of price when there are shortages or excesses in supply, which are determined by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This paper details the 7 companies that control the oil market throughout the world which include 5 U.S. companies. This paper analyzes the importance of OPEC and its negotiation tactics with the various oil companies regarding petroleum production, prices and future rights of concession of the oil companies in the different countries. The writer of this paper details the history of the oil industry by discussing various events such as the 1973 oil embargo and the events that took place in the 1960s in which the U.S. and Europe restricted the import of oil from Russia. This paper details how world events, primarily those in the middle east, affect the price of oil. The writer explores China and India's demand for oil and how it affects global inflation in general. The government of India is now trying to reduce the prices of oil based items over the immediate future so that inflation can be reduced from the current 8% a year. This in-depth paper also analyzes the effects of America's economy on the world's oil prices.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
International Oil Regime
Major Producers
OPEC
Wars and Inflation
Oil Embargo
1973 October War
Inflation
Economic Growth
Asian Giants: India and China
Increased Demand for Oil by Both Nations
Increased Prices Equal Less Economic Growth
Stagflation
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "It is seen that China is one of the fastest growing nations in economic terms and that has taken up the consumption of oil by the country from 2 million tons a year to over 10 million tons now. Even in last year, the growth is over 35 percent and according to analysis of ban credits, it is estimated that Chin will account for over 40 percent of the growth in oil demand. There is also a large increase in demand for oil in United States and this is boosting oil demand internationally. The demand for imports has now reached the limit of supply at about 80 million barrels a day, as already mentioned earlier. At the same time, there are doubts as to whether the massive imports by China are real annual demand or are for building up strategic stocks. According to JP Morgan, the stocks with china are now about 285 million barrels, and even as per statements from China, there is a stockpile being built which will be completed by the end of this year."
