Abstract In 1991, Marilyn Young authored "The Vietnam Wars: 1945-1990". Although the book is considered a general history book on the theme of Vietnam War, it has a major slant and is not an unbiased, objective approach to the war by any means. This paper shows that, in short, the book debunks the belief by those in power at the time, such as George Bush, Sr., that America has ?finally kicked the 'Vietnam syndrome" or that the United States does all that it can not to get militarily involved with other political entities abroad. The paper explains that, by showing both the American and the Indochina sides of this military event, Young expresses that the war in Vietnam and other such activities contested the black-and-white conjectures that, in foreign policy, America always "meant well" and that Communism was always "bad."
From the Paper "She concludes that perhaps it is time to redefine the Vietnam syndrome. The term should no longer refer to the reluctance of the public to engage in war, but rather to the insistence of the present administration that the only cure for that long ago defeat is more war. As President Bush said in a December 2002 U.S. News & World Report interview: " ... it's very important for the American people to know my sentiments about military engagement, that I will use our military as a last resort and our first resort.... ""
Abstract This paper explains that Tim O'Brien's novel, "The Things They Carried",
illustrates that the greatest weight soldiers bear comes from nothing they can physically carry, but rather their emotions, grief, terror, and love. The author points out that O'Brien utilizes the composite novel form, which allows him to play with multiple settings, characters, the theme of storytelling, and even allusiveness, in a way that most fully incorporates the whole of humanity into his story. The paper relates that, through his unique narration, stylistic technique, and attention to detail, O'Brien captures the psychological aspects of war.
From the Paper "The psychological burden of war goes far beyond that of simply fighting. The struggle of staying alive was always emphasized after encountering a battle for which they found themselves alive. "For the most part they carried themselves with poise, a kind of dignity. Now and then there were times of panic, when they squealed or wanted to squeal but couldn't" (19). The fear of losing life was compounded by the idea of being a brave and courageous soldier. The fact of surviving always brought a sense of life to the soldiers. The psychological pressure of fighting and surviving was always followed with a sense of reassembling themselves as soldiers. O'Brien states that for the most part, the soldiers were "afraid of dying but they were even more afraid to show it" (20). Coping with the pressure of war was discovered by way of telling jokes and creating a "hard vocabulary to contain the terrible softness" (20). Their encounters with death were instances where "irony was mixed with tragedy" (20). These statements illustrate how the soldiers did their best to cope with the psychological pressure of the war."
Abstract The Mexican-U.S. dispute over water shortages in the Rio Grande has its roots in Mexico's failure to abide by a 1944 water treaty. As a result, U.S. farmers on the American side of the Rio Grande have been strongly impacted, with many losing their businesses, and the area's agricultural industry has been severely damaged by the water shortage. This paper discusses how the U.S. government has been accused of dragging its feet on the issue and how Mexico has remained largely defiant of its action. It suggests that the solution to this issue may lie in stricter enforcement and the creation of new international laws involving the use of shared water resources, as well as beefing up water conservation on both sides of the border.
From the Paper "In recent years, Mexico and the United States have clashed over water shortages on either side of the Rio Grande River in South Texas. Mexico's failure to abide by a 1944 water treaty since 1992 has severely damaged U.S. agriculture. While Mexico seems largely unrepentant and unwilling to release water to the U.S., U.S. officials have been accused of ignoring the issue in the wake of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). While steps are being made to address the issue, including water conservation and the release of some water owed to the U.S., much remains to be done to solve the shortage. Changes to international law involving the use of shared water resources may provide some long-term relief while the creation of more water conservation measures will likely help alleviate the shortage in the short-term."
Abstract The paper offers arguments on the importance of the U.S.-Indonesia relations during the Cold War era. The main point that this paper reflects is how the potential spread of Communism in Indonesia paved the way for the infiltration of U.S. foreign policy into Indonesia's domestic and foreign affairs. U.S. interest in Indonesia focused mainly on the country's abundance of natural resources and location, and the U.S. attempted to dissuade Indonesia from falling into Communist hands.
From the Paper ?With Sukarno spearheading the quest for Indonesia Merdeka, Indonesian demands for independence grew dramatically, prompting the colonial government to withdraw from its Ethical Policy commitments by the late 1920s. Fearing potential surges of nationalist movements, the leaders of PNI were arrested and later tried. Among others, Sukarno was arrested in December 1929 and put on trial for sedition in 1930, after which he was found guilty and sentenced to four years in prison. The imprisonment of the party leaders led to the dissolution of the PNI in April 1931. The split was thought to have been triggered by disparities in approaches to the nationalist movement, each with ethnic overtones. Furthermore, fueled by their intolerance of radical nationalist movements, the Dutch government formally banned a new stream of nationalist movement in the form of Partindo (Indonesian Party), which replaced the PNI as the new dominant force in nationalist movement."
Abstract The purpose of Kenneth Waltz's book, "Man, the State and War", is to debunk theories that do not locate the causes of war in the system. Unlike Morgenthau who does not believe international relations can change because human nature cannot change, Waltz believes that by changing the nature of the system, changes can be made in international relations. This paper discusses the three hypotheses, or "images", put forth by Waltz in his book. First, human nature is the cause of war; second, the causes of war are found within states, since domestic society conditions human behavior; and, finally, the causes of war lie within the international system because the nature of the system conditions state behavior.
From the Paper "The same holds true for international relations. Anarchy is the key characteristic of the international system and results from the absence of a central authority, a world government, for example, able to maintain order. Anarchy is not the same as chaos, which is an absence of order. In anarchy, order is a result of the interactions of states. However, order is not automatic. Waltz rejects the idea that a balance of power is inevitable, inherent or natural. Instead, states will use force to get what they want if they value that interest more than peace. This means that states engage in cost-benefit analyses and will choose war if they believe the benefits of a use of force outweigh its costs."
Abstract This paper explains that the concepts of self-determination and human rights have had a great impact on international law. The author points out that the entire issue of using force to settle international disputes is now disputed, except for situations involving self-defense and humanitarian grounds. The paper states that the behavior of the state, according to the different laws, ultimately decides the behavior of the other states towards it and, thus, establishes a pattern of behavior of all states at a very practical level.
From the Paper "The charter of the United Nations itself clarifies the position by stating that the charter does not impair the traditional rights of the individual or any group for self-defense when attacked. This is to be combined with the position as defined in the practice of international law as shown by the Caroline case. This case also shows certain principles, and the chief among them is that the response must be proportionate to the perceived harm or received damages. Even in this case, there are differences of opinion. The relative importance of the UN charter or the Caroline case has to be decided."
Abstract This paper discusses the requirements for a country's entry into the European Union from the perspectives of the original EU members, the new members, and a variety of outside nations, particularly the United States.
From the Paper "When ten countries recently joined the 15 existing European Union (EU) member-states, the event represented the largest enlargement of the European Union in its history (Golino, 2003). One of the major perceived benefits of this union is that the countries formed an economic, political and military coalition with a combined population of 450 million people and an economy that produces approximately one-quarter of the world's annual output."
Abstract This paper discusses the wars that occurred during the years that John F. Kennedy was president of the United States. The paper reviews the book, "Kennedy's Wars: Berlin, Cuba, Laos, & Vietnam", by Lawrence Freedman, describing John F. Kennedy's role in foreign politics.
From the Paper "Freedman's thesis is compelling and clear. Kennedy and his advisors were faced with numerous foreign crises during his presidency, and they had to be flexible, because each crisis demanded a new solution. Each was demanding, and at the height of the Cold War, each had to be dealt with delicately, because nuclear war was a serious and constant threat. As each new threat shows itself, Freedman clearly defines it, gives background on it, and then speculates on what Kennedy might have done differently, and what others might have done in the same circumstances."
Abstract This paper is a careful examination of the similarities and differences in the business and legal climates in the UK and U.S. It discusses how the common law heritage of most of the countries in the United States (Louisiana's law are based largely on the Napoleonic Code) and the United Kingdom ensure a number of similarities in the manifestation of contemporary laws. It points out, however, like the electrical outlets and doorknobs in use in both countries, a sufficient number of differences exist to make direct comparisons between the two nations difficult but interesting. It explains how it has been shown that traditional contract laws in the U.K. and U.S. have both developed rules and principles that control the voluntary assumption of obligations, regulating the performance of obligations so assumed, and providing sanctions for failure to perform. The writer concludes that both countries' cultural traditions are reflective of the respective country's heterogeneity and its central importance in world affairs over the past several centuries.
Outline
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "The United Kingdom and the United States share a common heritage, language and culture. Even the U.S. Constitution itself was significantly influenced by the political concepts emerging from the U.K. at the time. Today, the two countries are staunch allies in the war on terrorism, and both countries continue to enjoy high levels of trade with each other. Notwithstanding the many commonalities between the two English-speaking nations, a sufficient amount of dissimilarities exist and a better understanding of these differences can provide some insight into how these countries engage in business today."
Abstract This paper explains that the historiography of the origins of the Cold War passes through three chronologically defined and ideologically distinct phases, which can be called "traditionalist", "revisionist", and "post-revisionist". Each reflects the cultural and political attitudes prevailing in the wider Cold War context of the particular era in which it flourished. The author points out that some historians believe that power politics and strategic considerations were more important than ideology in determining Soviet policy and behavior; therefore, the Cold War resulted from a contest of great powers, not a conflict of ideologies, and both the United States and the Soviet Union bear responsibility for the origins of the Cold War. The paper relates that a new element, which reflects important trends in modern Cold War scholarship, concerns the personality of Stalin, the nature of authoritarian government, and the character and content of Communist ideology.
From the Paper "From the end of the Second World War until the mid-1960s, the "traditionalists" held the field with a standpoint that can be summarized as essentially pro-American/pro-Western and anti-Soviet. Essentially, such scholars held the Soviet Union responsible for the onset of the Cold War by undermining the Second World War alliance between East and West, increasing the level of military confrontation between Russia and America, and acting aggressively to promote the imposition and spread of Communism in Europe and elsewhere. It was thus argued that the United States was correct in its policy of containment towards the USSR and the Eastern Bloc, and that the American position was essentially a defensive one forced upon it by the hostility and aggression of the Communist East."
Tags: traditionalist, revisionist, post-revisionist, contest, stalin
Abstract This paper examines the development of the tank. The paper discusses the apparent short-sightedness of the United States military in terms of producing enough tanks to meet the challenges made by the Germans. The paper contends the development of the tank as field artillery had a profound impact on the conduct of war between 1776 and 1918.
From the Paper "Six years after that crude Hotchkiss-build steam engine ?tank,? the British, not the Americans, recognized the need for, design, and built the first motorized armoured fighting vehicle, according to TheFreedictionary.com (TFD). In February 1915 the British set up the Landship Committee to look into designing a ?massive troop transporter,? and they established as requirements an armoured vehicle that would travel 4 MPH, climb a 5-foot high parapet, cross an 8-foot wide trench, and be armed with machine guns and cannons."
Abstract This paper investigates the details of the EU draft constitution. In particular, the paper seeks to critically evaluate the extent to which the draft constitution creates an institutional architecture that is both sustainable for the future of Europe and achieves an appropriate inter-institutional balance. The paper begins with a brief overview of the European Union and the nations that are a part of the entity.
Introduction
Overview of the European Union
Main Aspects of the Constitution
Opponents of the Constitution
Critical Evaluation
Discussion and Conclusion
From the Paper "The architecture of the constitution is such that it does have the ability to grow and it also makes concessions for the addition of new nations into the union. In addition, the Union will be responsible for making decisions concerning the international community. This decision making ability will allow the European Union to make definitive decisions regarding support for military and humanitarian efforts throughout the world."
Tags: italy, france, germany, luxembourg, belgium, netherlands, economic, community
Abstract This paper discusses the impact that cultural events have on tourism. Specific areas described are Southeast Asia and Middle Eastern nations. It looks at how the local culture impacts tourism and is also impacted by tourism.
From the Paper "Our own cultural heritage is deeply engrained into our psychic beliefs in such a way that we may never fully understand the deep effects that it plays on our everyday lives. This cultural identity is often tested when one ventures outside of this comfort area. This often occurs when an individual travels outside their local area or country. Cultural shock is often the result of this rapid, unknown change."
Abstract This paper discusses the impact of globalization on the international tourism industry in the U.S. and abroad.
From the Paper "The globalization of the developing world by the industrialized, developed world is a large concern for these new progressing nations. This effect has been brought to light as a result of the resurrected focus on opening up these markets to free trade and tourism opportunities. Several of these nations have been caught up in a practice of isolationism, or separatism from the developed world. This has depressed their economies significantly and limited their opportunities for growth in the new age globalization. This limited horizon has recently taken a huge turn for the better in several of these countries and spurred much development and growth for these areas."
Abstract According to sociologists, since the 1970s, market-based economic policies have been institutionalized as a nearly global policy paradigm embodying first, liberalism, and later, neo-liberalism. The purpose of this report is to discuss the theories of liberalism and neo-liberalism in studying international politics and to identify the limitations of these approaches.
From the Paper "In neoliberalism, which developed in the final decades of the twentieth century, a set of economic principles became part of the accepted framework for thinking about and acting upon both the economy and the relations of states to one another. Neoliberalism assumed that a positive outcome both economically and politically would be generated through a wave of reforms ? privatizations, dismantling of social welfare programs, the retreat of the state from economic regulation, tax cuts, and the opening of national boundaries."
