An look at how the leaders of the Civil Rights movement believed that racism was based on economics, and that the entire economic system of the United States and of the world was inherently flawed.
1,105 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 5 sources, 2000, $ 38.95
Abstract The Civil Rights movement of the 1960s was not a movement for equality in the social or political sense; rather, it was a movement to bring an end to economic inequality and exploitation by the elites. Common perception holds that the Civil Rights movement sought to gain certain political and social rights and equalities. Measures such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act reinforced such flawed perceptions. However, when the works of the leaders of the Civil Rights movement are consulted, it is discovered that they were seeking economicequality. They believed that the fundamental cause of racism was a flawed economic system. It is important to note that they did not believe that poverty in the traditional sense caused racism and inequality. They believed, especially King and Carmichael, that the entire economic system of the United States and of the world was inherently flawed. This essay explore? their arguments why racism was based on economics, why the system was flawed, and how they hoped to change the system.
Abstract This paper reviews the reasons why economists think there is a conflict between our desire for economic growth and our desire for economicequality.
Abstract The paper discusses how Marx and others maintain that the most significant cause of female oppression is economic oppression. The paper shows how Marx believed that environment shapes the individual and he blamed economic depression on the capitalist/private property system that is in place in most of the world today. The paper also quotes Jaggar, a well known feminist, who believed that there is a direct and traceable link between class structure and the oppression of women. The paper concludes that the only way women will reach the status of true equality will be for them to be treated as equals in the economic sphere with equal pay for equal jobs, with credit being allowed for women with the same criteria as it is for men, and with women being offered an equal say in the economic decisions their families and government make.
Outline:
Introduction
Marx
Jaggar
Conclusion
From the Paper "The feminist movement was big in the 1960's and 1970's in many industrialized nations, however the less developed nation and some of the developed nations did not jump on the bandwagon when it came to the equalization of women. The oppression of women has been occurring in many nations for many years and one significant factor that it can be reduced to is economic repression. Whether it is because women do not get paid as much as men do for the same job, or men in the homes keep a rein on the purse strings it cannot be denied that the underlying factor in the oppression of women is by wielding economic depression as a tool."
Abstract This paper examines Aristotle's position on equality by first discussing Aristotle's overriding criteria for evaluating human life and human action, which is his notion of virtue and the good life. Second, the paper discusses the implications of this virtue for men living together in society, and society's prime construct, the state. Third, the paper discusses the argument that equality is requisite for the achievement of virtue. Fourth, the paper discusses the argument that political equality is requisite to achieve the best attainable state. Finally, the desirability of increased economic inequality is demonstrated.
From the Paper "In a world of limited resources, scarcity, and conflict, human persons experience fundamental differences in their social, political, and economic conditions. Significant inequality exists within and among societies. In the United States, with its founding significantly influenced by the Lockean concept of natural rights, economic inequality inevitably pervades a system that defines economic fairness by procedure rather than outcome. Although formerly present in the United States, acute political inequality is best identified abroad, despite present questions regarding the state of our electoral and vote counting systems; slavery in the Sudan and the mandates of Shariah, extreme Islamic Law, in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan each eviscerate the ability of minority groups and women, respectively, to effectively exercise their political rights and participate in society. Aristotle objects to inequalities among citizens because they undermine individual flourishing and because they undermine the stability and proper functioning of the political order. However, Aristotle's arguments fail to persuade, as he fails to address situations in which his analysis apparently fails."
Abstract This paper examines the Jacksonian Democrats, who saw themselves as the guardians of the United States Constitution, political democracy, individual liberties and equality of economic opportunity. The paper describes how they destroyed aristocracy in American during the antebellum period.
From the Paper "During antebellum America, the Jacksonian Democrats were created. This was a group that viewed themselves as protectors of the common people. A powerful executive whose goal was to destroy aristocracy in America, Andrew Jackson, ruled the Jacksonian Democrats. (Schlesinger)
Strangely, this group was not made up of the common people. The Jacksonian Democrats were a wealthy group that supported equality between white men, enacted radical economic policies, and disregarded any capabilities of the federal government. Many say that the group was not the introducers of democracy in America but rather users of the system for their own benefit."
Tags: indian, native, american, antebellum, equality, democracy, tariff, south, north
Abstract An historical review of "equality". It traces the development of the concept through the works of philosophers and novelists in the 16th-21st centuries. It examines documents such as the Declaration of Independence, works of the philosophers in the Enlightenment and into modern day.
From the paper:
"We have all heard the phrase ?all men are created equal? hundreds and probably even thousands of times in our lives, and precisely because we have heard them all so many times we do not in general attend carefully to what they mean. This paper examines briefly the merits of the statement that all men ? and we shall move beyond the exclusive language of the 18th century to include women also ? are created equally. In doing so, we will consider the phrase both literally and in the spirit that it was originally intended to be taken."
Abstract Paul Krugman's book, The Return of Depression Economics, examines the economies of seven different countries that produce the majority of the economic output of the world, and how each has been affected by major economic slumps throughout the world. This interesting yet very complicated book offers a tour of the major economic crises which have spread across the world in the 1990s, including those of East Asia, Brazil, Mexico, and Russia. Paul Krugman provides brief accounts of the devaluation of Thailand's baht currency, the "financial doomsday machine" created by hedge funds, and the "liquidity trap" of the Japanese economy. Krugman's light journalistic style is easy to read for the most part and is well-targeted at his intended audience. Many of the nine chapters stand very well on their own as slightly extended versions of what is known in the US as op-ed pieces. For example, the chapter on hedge funds contains as clear an explanation of the operation of such funds as a layman could get anywhere. It also contains a number of brief, enlightening and well-written stories under sub-headings like 'The Legend of George Soros' and 'The Madness of Prime Minister Mahathir', and concludes with 'The Panic of 1998' which outlines the demise of Long Term Capital Management. In other chapters there are equally succinct and fascinating stories concerning Mexico, Argentina, Thailand and so on. Some of these extracts ought to make very useful reading to stimulate discussion on undergraduate macro, international or development economics courses. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the major themes of Krugman's book.
Abstract This paper compares the political ideology, similarities and differences and application to real world economics of three Canadian think tanks: Center for the Study of Living Standards, Canadian Center for Policy Initiatives and Montreal Economic Institute. The paper explains that, although all the three think tanks claim to be independent research agencies without political goals, an examination of their publications and policies, reveals that they can be classified as advocates of a certain political and economic ideology. The paper concludes that knowing the political ideology of each think tank is important to understanding their recommended policies especially in the areas of wages for immigrants, the food crisis, and living standards.
From the Paper "On the other end of the spectrum, the Montreal Economic Institute can be described as a Neo-liberal think tank. The organization, which was founded in 1999, seeks to "promote an economic approach to the study of public policy issues." By studying the organization's publications, however, one can quickly realize that most contributors call under the classification of Neo-liberal economists. Shah calls Neo-liberalism the "mechanism for global trade and investment." The movement is the one practiced by capitalists and free market economists."
Abstract This paper studies the causes of the American Civil War. While most historians maintain that slavery was the main cause of the war, this paper argues that slavery was only responsible to a certain extent and that there were complex political and economic factors which played an important role in the Civil War. The writer discusses the South's waning ability to maintain its army of slaves and asserts that the North's growing industrial power also fueled the conflict. Political factors, including the issue of equal representation in the Congress and states? autonomy, are considered as possible causes of the war in this paper.
From the Paper "Civil war is the most momentous and crucial period in the history of America. Not only did this war bring an end to centuries of slavery in the country but also gave way to numerous social and political changes. The country had already been torn by the negative trend in race relations and numerous cases of slave uprisings were taking their toll on the country's political and social structure. While slavery is cited as the most common cause of the Civil War, it is believed that there were several other factors involved. In other words, though slavery was the major cause it was certainly not the only cause. Civil war and abolition of slavery have become synonymous terms as the former led to the latter. But still some historians maintain that slavery has been turned into a too convenient excuse in connection with the Civil War."
Abstract The paper reveals the statistics that show how girls have consistently academically outperformed boys in school. The paper then explores why, despite this apparent advantage of girls over boys in primary and secondary schools, women still lag in terms of economic growth. The paper explains the factors that still impede women's career success over men and highlights how having children is one of the major factors that limit women from excelling in their careers. The paper asserts that the academic goals of women should be attained, in spite of their families.
Outline:
Introduction
Women and the Economy
Conclusion
From the Paper "It has been found through numerous studies and reports that girls have consistently academically performed better than boys in school. At primary school, girls have been shown to supersede boys in overall academic performance. During the 1960s, boys aged 16 years outperformed girls by 5%. By 1987, however, only about 80 boys for every 100 girls had achieved five GCSE high-grade passes (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO], 2003). In 2005-2006, 62% of girls in their senior year of compulsory education obtained at least 5 GCSE grades A to C, in contrast to only 52% of the boys receiving the same grades (National Statistics, 2006). This academic gender gap manifests early among students. More alarmingly, the widening gender gap in terms of academic performance increases with age. From Key Stage (KS) 1 to KS 4, girls have been shown to outperform boys in at least 3 subjects. AT KS 3, boys did better in math and science, while girls did better in English."
This paper examines the lack of equality between the sexes that exists not only in the workforce, but in various areas of sports and athletics as well.
Abstract This paper explores the normally male dominated field of sports and athletics and the lack of equality between the sexes in this area. The writer of this paper contends that in most instances, equality of opportunity between the genders is mandated by U.S. law. This paper examines the Equal Employment Opportunity Act which is the major legislation mandating equality in employment as well as Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments that mandates a move toward equality in college sports. This paper focuses on the career of jockey Julie Krone who was inducted into the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in 2000. The writer discusses Krone's battle with prejudice in a male-dominated field, that had at one time gotten her so depressed she had contemplated suicide. This paper details the various laws and achievements of exceptional women have struggled to bring about true equality in the field of sports. This paper also contains the text of two published articles regarding women and sports, that were used in researching this paper.
Outline:
Sports Equality at the College Level
Equality in Sports Professions
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "Krone made it in a man's sport and profession; it would be logical that other women would have followed in her footsteps. If one were to gauge the possibilities on the basis of a 1985 National Geographic production, The Ballad of the Irish Horse, one might think of equine sports and professions as the perfect place for women to break into a man's world. The father of a junior rider who competes in pony races, with betting and purses and all, said he didn't particularly like his teenaged daughter exposed to the dangers, but she loved it so much and was so good at it, he didn't have the heart to stop her. In the same production, there is also a women veterinarian at the Irish National Stud, breeder of many of the world's great race horses, and a segment on Lady Anne Hemphill, founder of Pony Club in Ireland, an organization to which many equine professionals once belonged."
Tags: women, gender, rights, equality, julie, krone, law
Abstract This paper traces the history, origins and evolution of the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Acts as well as the opposition to such laws. The paper also looks at which agencies enforce and control the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Acts and how they are enforced. Furthermore, the paper examines both affirmative action and equal opportunity litigation, the outcomes of the litigation and the repercussions of those outcomes. Finally, the paper discusses the effects of the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Acts on America and how minorities feel when they receive unequal treatment.
From the Paper "The policies of affirmative action aiming at assisting the black Americans are of recent origin. The policies have sought its origin to varied sources like legal structure, executive instructions, and court rulings. It was during the last three decades that these policies were being developed and they have become debatable as well. (Legal History) During the last three decades of the nineteenth century, a large number of African-Americans officiated in important public posts inclusive of two senators and 20 members in the House. However withdrawal of sustenance for reconstruction by the federal government in the late nineteenth century, the benefits extended to African Americans were wiped out and substituted by a system of legal segregation such as that of Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans. (Affirmative Action: Background)"
Abstract This paper discusses Jane Eyre's need for freedom and equality in the book 'Jane Eyre'. At the start of the story, Jane is thought of as being simply a dependent, and therefore is neither free nor equal to those around her. Throughout the novel Jane experiences various degrees of freedom and various forms of equality, but it is not until she finds both simultaneously, and under her own terms, that can she be truly content with her life. By the end of the book she has found all she needs in life.
From the Paper "In the book 'Jane Eyre', by Charlotte Bront?, the title character undergoes a lifelong struggle to find freedom and equality in Victorian society. Throughout the novel Jane experiences various degrees of freedom and various forms of equality, but it is not until she finds both simultaneously, and under her own terms, can she be truly content with her life. Jane's dilemma stems from her expanding definitions of freedom and equality, for due to her restless nature, each new taste of independence soon leaves her hungry for more."
Abstract This paper humorously examines the steps required in order to form a totally equal society. It looks at how equal opportunity is supposed to ensure that everybody is treated the same, yet this can never be a reality in the current situation. No matter how equally everyone is treated, people cannot help but see the differences. It proposes that the only effective way of ensuring people do not judge others on their differences, is for the differences to be hidden from humans. With individual differences hidden, the black man is treated the same as the Indian and the white man and the woman is treated the same as the man. It also suggests using technology to alter brain patterns to change perception so that the features of people are not noticed by individuals. People will either need to be seen as identical, or not seen at all.
From the Paper "Another option is for people to be viewed not as themselves, but as identical human constructs. One form of a person can be selected and virtual reality technology used so that each person appears as this construct. It is noted however, that the decision of what form the construct will take, will be a controversial one. If a white man is chosen, this will communicate that the white man is the perfect form. To prevent this, the construct will have to be gender and culture neutral. This may mean having the construct as a combination of characteristics, or having it completely free of characteristics. The construct may be in a form that does not represent any cultural group, such as being purple in color, or it may have no such form, such as appearing like a stickperson."
Tags:equal, opportunity, black, white, technology, brain, women
Abstract This essay discusses how the framers of the Constitution were concerned with equality, tyranny and the balancing of interests. The problem, however, was that the notion of equality did not include Black people. This is why, almost 200 years later, Malcolm X's criticisms of the system resonated with many Black Americans. He showed that the so-called democracy of America was actually a sham, because it did not include Black people in the context of true equality and freedom.
