Abstract Capitalism is an economic system in which the private sector controls and regulates the economy. This paper defines capitalism and explores its origins in economist Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" back in 1776. It also discusses critics of the system, the most influential being Karl Marx whose Marxism theory claimed that economic crises and capitalism are linked.
From the Paper "Under ideal conditions, the growth of capitalism spurs friendly competition for consumers, ensuring that private enterprises will provide the best goods or the best services at the most reasonable prices. The reality, however, is that bigger corporations tend to monopolize their markets through practices other than ?friendly competition.? Rather than concentrating on product development, many big manufacturers rely on marketing practices such as glitzy ad campaigns and celebrity endorsers to hook consumers. Corollary to this, many smaller businesses that provide comparable or even better products are not able to compete. This limited arena of competition also gives rise to an underclass of workers, many located overseas. Conglomerates such as Nike take advantage of cheap labor from countries like China to keep the prices of their shoes down. Such labor practices would be harder to enact in the United States, where the government is responsible for enforcing labor laws."
Abstract This paper attempts to find a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. It covers these areas:
The Issue
Background to the Tensions and the Present State of the Conflict:
Justification for Continued Israeli Occupation
Past US Role in the Israeli Palestine Conflict
Possible Reasons for the American Administration's Current Inaction
Saudi Peace Plan
Recent UN Resolution
A Proposal to Resolve the Problem
From the Paper "As violence escalates in Palestine, the intractable problem becomes even more intractable. Intense fighting between Israelis and Palestinians, the most intense inside the borders of the former Palestine since Israel's creation in 1948, are claiming a daily toll in double digits. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's increasingly tough tactics are exacerbating the conflict. A war of attrition is going on that has the potential to escalate into an all out regional war."
Tags: sharon, arafat, america, arab, intifada, oslo, accord, terrorism, middle, east, peacemaking, un
Abstract This paper studies the phenomenon of terrorism in the light of the September 11th attack on the USA. It seeks a definition of terrorism and looks at some of the possible reasons for terror in the USA. It brings up religious and other motivations for terrorism, such as disparity of wealth among nations and the cultural concept of the "other".
From the Paper "A great deal has been written about terrorism since 11 September 2001, but this should not blind us to the fact that terrorism is hardly a new phenomenon. Although it is hard to believe that there is anyone in the world who is not now more aware of the possible reach and effects of terrorism than they were six months ago, if we are to come to a better understanding of the ways in which terrorists operate and the basic human psychology of terrorism than we must take a longer view of the phenomenon (McDermott 2002). Only if we do so ? if we look at terrorism over a period of centuries and include an analysis of both religiously motivated and other forms of terrorism ? can we come to any clear understanding of what happened in the United States in September as well as what has happened since then (Miller 2002)."
Tags: terror, USA, September, 11motivation, cause, religion, culture
Abstract This paper investigates and critiques social security benefits of current problems and possible solutions to the social security crisis. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving and preserving the social security system.
From the Paper "In view of the advantages and disadvantages of the current social security system, there are various proposed reforms of the social security system that would bring the system into long-run balance. There are two primary categories of proposed social security reforms: changes that preserve the basic structure of the current system with minor modifications and more dramatic transformations that either would invoke means-testing of benefits or would shift part of the system from today's pay-as-you-go insurance plan to an arrangement more like 401(k) retirement plans and individual retirement accounts."
Abstract This paper explores the motivations behind acts of terror. It is written in the light of the September 11th attack on the USA in 2001 and it studies recent acts of terrorists both in the United States and elsewhere in the world. It focuses on the personality of Osama Bin Laden and what he symbolizes for the American people.
From the Paper "A great deal has been written about terrorism since 11 September 2001, but this should not blind us to the fact that terrorism is hardly a new phenomenon. Although it is hard to believe that there is anyone in the world who is not now more aware of the possible reach and effects of terrorism than they were six months ago, if we are to come to a better understanding of the ways in which terrorists operate and the basic human psychology of terrorism than we must take a longer view of the phenomenon (McDermott 2002). Only if we do so ? if we look at terrorism over a period of centuries and include an analysis of both religiously motivated and other forms of terrorism ? can we come to any clear understanding of what happened in the United States in September as well as what has happened since then (Miller 2002)."
Tags: motivations, reasons, USA, Osama, Bin, Laden, Sptember, 11
Abstract This paper describes the effects of the decrease of labor unions on the labor market. It examines why unions are declining and the trends that are occurring.
From the Paper "Since 1979 the percentage of union workers in the United States has declined from twenty-four percent to fourteen percent. However, forty-eight percent of workers in this country would join if presented with a free, non-coerced choice, thus union membership would more than triple overnight. Unionists though know all to well that the National Labor Relations Act gives employers plenty of way to prevent workers from exercising freedom of association. One example is the Act's guarantee of the right to organize is so poorly enforced that roughly four percent of all worker who vote union are fired by their employers. Moreover, union organizers cannot keep pace with the loss of union jobs to outsourcing, automation, and job export."
Abstract The paper discusses the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 which is widely regarded as the most dangerous moment of the Cold War. The paper shows that the successful resolution of the crisis led to an immediate improvement in relationship between the superpowers, and focused the world's attention on the issues surrounding nuclear capability and deterrence, as well as led to the development of a new method of "crisis management" known as brinkmanship - a diplomatic theory, which involves using the threat of war in order to coerce an opponent into backing down.
From the Paper "In a wider sense, however, the overriding legacy of the crisis was to alert the world to the ever-present, and immediate, threat of nuclear war. This realization led the superpowers, and other nations, to reevaluate their policies of nuclear deterrence in the hope of learning how to avoid such a potentially disastrous situation happening again. The significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis is perhaps best highlighted in the words of President Kennedy's national security advisor, McGeorge Bundy, who declared that, "having come so close to the edge we must make it our business not to pass this way again" (462)".
Abstract This paper examines the reason why President Ronald Reagen may have considered getting involved in toppling the Sandinista government of Nicaragua. It looks at the domestic and foreign policies of the administration and questions the possible motives for such a potential scandal. It looks at what the government thought it could benefit from involvement in this matter.
From the Paper "High-ranking members of the administration of President Ronald Reagan and President Ronald Reagan himself were amongst the people who violated United States laws during the Iran Contra Affair. The reasons for doing this may be speculative, it is certain that these people arranged the secret sales weapons to the terrorists of Iran. Why did Reagan do this? How did the government allow such actions by members of Reagan's Administration? Who was the Nicaraguan "contra" rebels? Was Reagan's hatred of communism so great that he placed America in danger?"
From the Paper "This research will examine whether space exploration has provided significant benefits to human beings. The plan of the research will be to set forth the scientific and historical context in which the American space-exploration program emerged, and then to discuss the scientific and technical issues relevant to it, as well as social, political, and economic issues. Controversy surrounds evaluation of the wisdom of the space program, and for that reason arguments both in favor of and against the concept and/or execution of the program will be identified. The evidence will be analyzed with a view toward assessing which judgment of the space program appears to be most valid."
Abstract This research paper outlines the theory of Karl Marx (1818-1884) of historical materialism, discusses the views of Max Weber (1864-1920) on the forces which shape history and compares and contrasts the views of Marx and Weber on the rise of capitalism
From the Paper "This research paper outlines the theory of Karl Marx (1818-1884) of historical materialism, discusses the views of Max Weber (1864-1920) on the forces which shape history and compares and contrasts the views of Marx and Weber on the rise of capitalism. A fundamental premise of Marx is that economic or material factors determine the course and outcome of history (historical materialism or economic determinism). Weber viewed economics as one among many important factors which contributed to the evolution of human society. He laid considerable emphasis on the importance of charismatic leadership and new ideas as determinants of historical change. He saw the rise of capitalism as the psychological product of a particular set of beliefs which he labeled the Protestant ethic."
Abstract Political leadership involves many attributes. It often includes a power relationship, a capacity to persuade, as well as intuitive tactical and strategic skills. However political leadership is also framed by an individual's particular emotional and psychological development.
From the Paper "Political leadership involves many attributes. It often includes a power relationship, a capacity to persuade, as well as intuitive tactical and strategic skills. However political leadership is also framed by an individual's particular emotional and psychological development.
Margaret Thatcher grew up in a small apartment on the top floor of her father's grocery. She entered the political arena at an early age, coaxed along by her father. She often took notes at her father's political meetings, helped out in local election campaigns and worked at Conservative Party headquarters whenever she could (Harris, 1988, p.44). Thatcher was 14 when..."
Abstract This paper describes George Washington and outlines his ironic dislike of politics and his attempt to prevent the formation of political parties, following his belief that politics were a divisive and potentially dangerous development for the future of the new United States of America. The paper discusses how despite his firm views, he served as president of the United States for two terms.
From the Paper "George Washington, although unanimously elected to two terms of the Presidency by the Electoral College, disliked politics and believed them to be a divisive and potentially dangerous development for the future of the new United States of America. In this view he may have blamed the politics and not the underlying, varied needs and desires of the various groups, but it was a view he held to steadfastly throughout his political career. He worked hard to minimize the effects of politics while he was in office, but ultimately failed, with political parties forming before his second term as President ended."
Abstract The paper discusses the continuing pro-life versus pro-choice arguments surrounding abortion in the United States. It examines both sides of the debate including the ethics involved. It shows that the notion of legal abortion as a necessary evil is based on a series of myths widely disseminated since the 1960s. These myths captured the public mind and have yet to be rebutted. It shows as an example of one of these myths, where it is believed that one to two million illegal abortions occurred annually before abortion legalization, when in actual fact there were far fewer.
From the Paper "It seems that Americans want to oppose abortion and yet keep it legal. The public debate on this subject has reached an impasse, yet the issue continues to be debated (Kavanaugh 1997). While there is little change in public opinion, it does not mean that the abortion issue is going to lessen in intensity any time soon. There are many reasons for this, but the abortion issue is not going to recede in intensity any time in the near future. While there are many reasons for this, the most important might be simply that "the majority of Americans morally disapprove of the majority of abortions currently performed," as University of Virginia sociologist James Hunter concludes in his path-breaking 1994 book, Before the Shooting Begins: Searching Jar Democracy in America's Culture Wars."
This paper is a critical analysis of Glenn Tinder's "Political Thinking" about the philosophy of politics, human nature, good and evil and nature of thought.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 1 source, 1990, $ 55.95
From the Paper "Glenn Tinder, in his work Political Thinking: The Perennial Questions, is as much about the philosophy of life as it is about the philosophy of politics. It is a book concerned not only with the major questions of politics but the major questions of life--the nature of human existence, good and evil, death. Tinder means to help himself and his readers reconsider the very nature of thought itself, to learn or relearn how to think.
What gives Tinder's book its special strength, aside from the fact that he does inspire fresh thoughts about life and politics, is the humility with which he approaches his monumental subjects.
He writes, for example, that "the lack of finality" in his book with respect to the perennial questions "is connected with the primary intent of the book. My purpose is to provide an ... "
From the Paper "Voting has been a major issue for black Americans in this century, although the 15th Amendment, which was ratified in 1870, provides that neither the federal government nor any state shall deny the right to vote on account of race or color. It specifically authorized Congress to enforce its provisions by legislation.. Nevertheless, especially in the South, white people denied blacks the right to vote, using everything from literacy tests to physical harm. In 1965, however, the Voting Rights Act was passed, and it suspended in certain areas the use of literacy tests and similar devices as prerequisites to registration and voting and provided for the appointment of federal examiners to register persons who met valid state voting requirements.. This act was a departure from the acts of 1957- ... "
