Abstract This paper provides an American-centered look at the issue of democracy and how the United States has influenced other democracies in the world. It compares the United States to other "pure" and "impure" democracies" and draws on the recent September 11th attacks to show how America epitomises this political state.
From the paper:
"Democracy is defined as the "free and equal representation of people: the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government, often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the people" . Ever since King George tried to tax the colonies without allowing them a voice in the English political scene, Americans have fought mightily for their freedom, and for the ability to govern themselves. In doing so, they have also become a "beacon for democracy" around the world. Why? Because America's democratic system, although flawed, still works."
Tags: history, freedom, political, liberty, example, vote, terrorism, patriotism
Abstract This essay examines the importance of learning in the Arab world with specific reference to Portugal during the early modern period. It examines how this nation was empowered by its adaptation of Arabic mathematics and Arab navigational and naval technology. Arab knowledge of cartography and navigation, from which all European nations borrowed heavily, enabled Portugal to forge ahead in the drive to seek colonies and expand Portugal's sphere of trade.
From the paper:
?In the current political climate, it has become easy to forget the past. It has become easy to forget how, many hundreds of years ago the Arab world was not seen as a place of darkness, of anti-modernist and anti-technological sentiments. Rather Islam was seen as a beacon of light for the West, providing important mathematical and navigational knowledge that enabled Europeans to make exploratory forays into what became the New World. The very numbers that paginate this particular document are ?Arabic Numerals,? an improvement on the cumbersome and often confusing system of Roman numerals.?
Tags: anti-modernist, and, anti-technological, sentiments, current, political, climate, John, III, islam
Examines role of volunteers as teachers in the Third World. Discusses recruitment, personal and professional standards, training, teaching English, health, books, curriculum, cooperative learning, culture shock and more.
4,500 words (approx. 18 pages), 21 sources, 1999, $ 135.95
Abstract "The Peace Corps education program is a beacon of light in the international community. Daily, Peace Corps volunteers overcome the challenges of culture shock, scarce instructional resources, and interpersonal relations to teach a wide range of subjects from English to new housing construction.
From the Paper "The Peace Corps education program is a beacon of light in the international community. Daily, Peace Corps volunteers overcome the challenges of culture shock, scarce instructional resources, and interpersonal relations to teach a wide range of subjects from English to new housing construction. Volunteers insist that they have learned more from their host countries than they themselves have contributed.
The Peace Corps is an agency of the U.S. government. Established in 1961, the Corps has three goals. The first is to provide trained manpower for Third World nations. The second goal is to teach foreign people about American culture, through contact with Americans. And the third goal is to afford volunteers the opportunity to learn about other cultures, again through firsthand contact. The education function of the Peace ..."
Abstract D. Croteau and H. Hoynes's 1997 "Media/Society: Industries, Images, and Audiences" reminds us of a number of truths by examining the institutional structures of mass media organizations, including the role that we as an audience serve. The paper shows that the book's goal is not to blame the mass media for every ill in society, nor to hold them up as bright shining beacons. Instead the goal of the book is to demystify the media, to remind us that television, no less or more than Congress or churches or rap music, is part of a cultural whole that is constantly changing. The paper shows that the authors continually argue for the importance of studying the mass media on the grounds that these are indeed fundamentally important institutions to our society and that no holistic or thorough understanding of contemporary American society is possible without an understanding of the structures and roles of the mass media.
From the Paper "And yet most Americans are also probably oblivious at some level to the ways in which their sources of entertainment are funded, possibly because we find all those ads annoying, possibly because we would all just rather not think about how much influence is being bought along with airtime or advertising space (Robinson and Kohut, 1988, p. 174). The relationship between people who produce the content of a mass medium ? writers, reporters, graphic artists, website designers ? and those who pay for it in terms of their advertising dollars is an uneasy one and reputable mass media fight constantly for editorial independence (Croteau and Hoynes, 1997, p. 61)."
Abstract This paper discusses how, not only did Napoleon Bonaparte not have revolutionary ideas, but, instead, he had quite the opposite reactions. The writer argues that he used the "chaos and turmoil of the French Revolution" to stand as a beacon of strength and consistency to which the citizens could cling, thus giving Napoleon power. In the end, the writer shows that Napoleon worked against the French Revolution by creating exactly what the Revolution sought to eliminate in France: an absolutist monarchy.
From the Paper "Although Napoleon had many revolutionary ideas and did several revolutionary things, he was truly at most a moderate revolutionary. He put on a revolutionary front to mask his Imperialist sentiments. In order to gain control, he used the chaos and turmoil of the French Revolution to allow himself to shine as a beacon of power and stability to the people of France. Although he was generally successful in achieving the umbrella goal of the revolution which was to unify France, he did this to help achieve his own personal ambitions of power and not for the good of the populace."
Tags: bonaparte, citizen, declaration, french, man, revolution, rights
Abstract "The bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience", says J.F. Clarke. This paper proves the validity and accuracy of this statement with respect to two important fictional works, namely "Beowulf", by an anonymous author, and William Golding's "Lord of the Flies". The paper shows that conscience is the only beacon of hope for man when surrounded by evil forces.
From the Paper "Though Grendel and his mother are strong opponents, Beowulf manages to overpower them with his strong faith in the strength of the good against the evil. Near the end, Beowulf is again pitted against a massive evil force in the form of a Dragon. Beowulf manages to overcome him but loses his own life in the process. Beowulf lives his life following his conscience and the golden principle that he firmly believed in:
It is always better/to avenge dear ones than to indulge in/mourning./For every one of us, living in this world/means waiting for our end. Let whoever can/win glory before death. When a warrior is gone,/that will be his best and only bulwark. (II. 1384-89)"
This paper discusses the Peruvian leftist Maoist Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path or SL), one of the world's most ruthless insurgencies, who have reportedly mercilessly hacked to death by machetes many of their victims.
Abstract This paper explains that the leftist Maoist Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path or SL) seeks to topple the existing Peruvian government at any expense and to then impose their own communist regime. The author points out that, at their worst, in the 1980s and 1990s, this group, along with the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, is said to be responsible for over 30,000 deaths as well as bombings, kidnapping, bank robberies and various brutal attacks The paper relates that the underlying frustration, which many of the impoverished Peruvians have felt for years, has resulted in a successful rate for gaining members because many of the unemployed and the alienated youth see them as a beacon for meaningful change.
From the Paper "Because of the fact that many of the leaders of this group are now imprisoned and also there is a firm, no-nonsense Peruvian government in place which is actively seeking to bring these terrorists to justice, the one-year outlook for this group does not appear to be in their favor. While their membership is unknown, it is believed to be around 400 to 500 armed militants, which is a relatively low number compared to other world-wide terrorist groups. Although not the threat that it was, the group does remain in being, and could exploit further unrest or governmental weakness in Peru to continue its renewal."
Abstract The relationship between Ukraine and Russia is arguably the most important factor in the future politics of Eastern Europe. Thus, Ukraine serves as a beacon for alternative nation-building strategies in former countries of the Soviet Union. As these countries move towards democratic governments, other influential countries begin to get involved with their election process, such as the United States. This paper shows that the prospects of political stability and the formation of a democratic government are vital issues for Eastern Europe that are being resolved in Ukraine. The election of Viktor Yushchenko, as the President of Ukraine, has become a symbol for the possibility of the establishment of a democracy in Ukraine. The paper, therefore, addresses the question whether the election of Viktor Yushchenko was a product of Ukrainian democracy or whether the United States was directly involved.
From the Paper "Chossudovsky also provides another possible reason justifying United States involvement in the Ukraine election. The notion that the United States supported the election just to undermine Russia has credence. Vladimir Putin publicly endorsed Viktor Yanukovych, who favored stronger ties with Russia (Calvary Chapel Mission, 2005, p. 10). This alone would give the United States a reason to push for the successful election of the pro-western candidate. The United States hoped that with the election of Yushchenko, the democratic and free-market societies of Russia and Ukraine would overcome their history and become successful neighbors."
Abstract This paper explains that Britain became "civilized" in the first century B.C. when the Romans invaded and remained for some five hundred years. They were followed by the Viking and other Scandinavian invaders, such as the Angles, Saxons and Jutes. The author points out the huge parade of British geniuses beginning with Geoffrey Chaucer to the immortal William Shakespeare; philosopher-writers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Adam Smith; the most famous women writers of their time--Jane Austen, George Eliot, the Bronte Sisters; Noel Coward; Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, and perhaps the greatest British export, the Beatles. The paper concludes that the United Kingdom is not the empire it once was; however, it still stands as a beacon of freedom in a Europe beset by fractious, ethnic struggle.
From the Paper "Historically, the next remarkable figure in British history was the Tudor King, Henry VIII. While we all know about his many wives, and as the father of Elizabeth I, the most important historical fact was his severing religion from the Catholic Church in Rome, and establishing The Church of England as the "official" British religion (which it still remains today). Henry's time was also one of establishing the British navy, in part to investigate the New World, and in part to raid the Spanish and Portuguese ships, returning from the New World, laden with gold and jewels. While many history books proclaim Sir Francis Drake, for example, as the "savior" of Britain in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, actually he was a vicious pirate captain who (with the tacit approval of the English Crown) raided and sank dozens of ships along the French coast, brining spoils and booty back to England."
Abstract "The Rise of Silas Lapham" by W.D. Howells is a story of a man's moral development from a time in life dictated by the pursuit of material and selfish desires, to one that is guided by the dictates of a morally sound conscience. This paper argues that, although Silas Lapham is a flawed human being, he is a true hero because, ultimately, he is able to face up to his mistakes and realize that morality lies in decisions that are guided by the interests of humanity rather than the individual.
From the Paper "Faced with the awkward realization that Tom and Penelope love each other, and not Tom and Irene as they had hoped, the Laphams are initially at a loss as to how they should deal with the problem. This is when Silas realizes the larger principle of happiness and welfare - a realization that is confirmed by Sewell, the minister. As a result, Lapham endorses Tom and Penelope's union so that two people could be happy instead of a marriage that would ultimately cause unhappiness for all the parties involved."
Tags: Bartley, Beacon, Street, Tom, Corey, conscience
Abstract This paper examines the role of religion and explains its role of in the settlement of the American Colonies. The writer discusses religious persecutions in Europe. The writer also looks at the Puritans concept of religious freedom in the New World.
Tags: Religion, american, colonies, founders, pilgrims, puritans, quakers, religious freedom, persecution, beacon on a hill, william penn
Abstract This paper uses the functionalist and conflict perspectives in sociology to explain the factors that make California a beacon for many immigrants from around the world.
From the Paper "Functionalists tend to analyze social phenomenon in terms of how these events contribute to or detract from social order. For functionalists, one of the biggest factors that would draw immigrants is the need for inexpensive labor. There are large segments of the California economy that are dependent on this important resource. This need can be seen in the number of unauthorized immigrants who are employed in low-wage occupations. For example, in California, undocumented workers comprise 19 percent of farming workers and 17 percent of workers employed in cleaning occupations (Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy 2005)."
Abstract This paper examines the foreign policy established by the European Union during 1993. The paper explains that the aims of the policy include issues such as safeguarding common values and fundamental interests shared by all Member States as well as strengthening the security and co-operation between Member States. The paper points out that the European Union functions as part of a larger conglomerate of countries that foster relationships to the advantage of all partners involved. The paper also looks at how the EU is exemplary of the amiable collaboration between countries to find common ground rather than points of conflict. In conclusion, the paper shows that the relationship between Russia and the EU promotes the mutual trust and respect necessary for countries to function well together. By collaborating, these countries then become more than the sum of their parts, and become beacons of excellence and an example for the rest of the world to follow.
Outline:
Introduction: Foreign Policy
History of EU/Russia Relations
The Way Forward: Common Spaces
- The Common Economic Space
- The Common Space of Freedom, Security and Justice
- The Common Space of External Security
- The Common Space on Research, Education, and Culture
From the Paper "A common European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) was established in 1999 in order to streamline security operations such as peacekeeping and conflict prevention. This has been applied successfully in locations such as Bosnia and the Republic of Congo. On the domestic front security and peace are two issues that enjoy top priority in the European Union. Indeed securing peace in Europe as a whole is one of the reasons behind the integration of the continent into a single entity. As such the EU has followed a paradigm of expansion inviting all to share in its collective paradigms of democracy and peace across the European continent. Countries are invited to join the Union under its European Neighborhood Policy. Under this policy, the EU is also collaborating with countries such as Russia in order to create mutually beneficial paradigms that will eventually extend beyond the borders of these alliances in order to benefit the earth as a whole."
Abstract This paper discusses how the author of "Fahrenheit 451", Ray Bradbury, creates a very funereal future for the protagonist Guy Montag to live in and how at first, Montag is like everybody else living in this world, ignorant of the joy that books contain. It looks at how throughout the story, there are many things that begin to spark his interest with books until he finally realizes that a man was behind every single one of these books and how more importantly, these books help tear down the chains against free thinking that the government has placed on the people they govern. It also examines how books in "Fahrenheit 451" remain an unwavering beacon of hope, a hope that freedom of thought will one day return to the world through the books.
From the Paper "The society that Montag resides in stresses the citizen's happiness over all else. If the citizens aren't happy, then something will be done to make them happy, no matter the repercussions. "If colored people don't like Little Black Sambo. Burn it. White people don't feel good about Uncle Tom's Cabin. Burn it. Someone's written a book on tobacco and cancer of the lungs? The cigarette people are weeping? Burn the book. Serenity...Peace"(63). Burn the books. Burn all of the evil and dangerous books. In this society, the happiness of the citizen is stressed, no matter what kind of repercussions that will result. No matter what is suppressed. As long as the end result will ultimately be the happiness of the citizens. Now, after all of the evil blasphemous books have been taken away, and the government has censored all other forms of information to their liking, there are no ways that people can think for themselves. "
Abstract The paper aims to determine how social networking as a demographic and technological trend is changing the dynamics of how individuals and companies communicate in Australia, China, Sweden, United States and the United Kingdom. The paper looks at Facebook to show how the freedoms of social networking promise significant gain in terms of creativity, communication, collaboration and the development of entirely new social communities, but there are also many issues regarding the ethics and transparency of social networking.
Outline:
Introduction
Social Networking and Web 2.0 Technologies Are Changing Collaboration
Ethical Issues of Social Networking in Countries of Interest
From the Paper "The influence of social networking on globalization in general and specifically across the nations of the Australia, China, Sweden, United States, and the United Kingdom has fostered more fluid and rapid communication, collaboration, and greater levels of transparency (Hedgebeth, 2007), (Huang, Behara, 2007), (Kirsner, 2007), (Finin, Ding, Zhou, Joshi, 2005) and (Bernoff, Li, 2008).
"These three factors are serving as the catalysts of creating entirely new social networks that cross geographies and national boundaries. The collection of technologies referred to as Web 2.0 (O'Reilly, 2005) has their basis a more communicative, interactive Internet series of applications and processes."
