Abstract This paper analyzes and examines Thomas Paine's call for revolution in his treatise, "Common Sense". The author discusses Paine's philosophy regarding the origin and design of government in general; monarchy and hereditary succession; as well as the present state of American politics.
From the Paper "The commitment to liberty that dominated America's key revolutionary thinkers like Thomas Paine was extended and re-affirmed by the writers of the Jacksonian era. Whereas America's key revolutionary thinkers defined liberty in terms of individual freedom, the writers of the Jacksonian era extended this definition of liberty to include economic equality and equal protection under the laws. A belief in individual freedom and limited government link the revolutionary thinkers with the writers of the Jacksonian era, i.e., these individuals argued that government should derive its power from the consent of the people and that government should be protecting individuals from harm. While it may not be possible to completely eliminate the threats to liberty from government and the nature of individuals, history has proven that a strong commitment to liberty by the people and the wise institutional design of government may facilitate the development and protection of liberty."
Abstract This paper examines the issue of holding prayers in public schools, whether they are mandatory or not. It examines the legal and moral aspects of this issue from the point of view of the three major religions. It details the First Amendment and several cases dealing with this matter and their outcomes. It details different ways of dealing with this problem and ways that are legal to implement it.
From the Paper "In 1947, when the Supreme Court was debating the issue of the separation of church and state, Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black remarked, "The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable." With the case of Lee v. Weisman, the Court drew a distinct line between what is constitutional and what is unconstitutional. The case involved the practice in Providence, Rhode Island, of having a short prayer at the beginning and end of public school graduation ceremonies (an invocation and a benediction). The audience at these ceremonies was made up primarily of students and parents. The Court had to decide whether this short prayer was like the prayers recited to open legislative sessions, or like the daily prayers in public school in front of impressionable schoolchildren. This was not an easy decision to make. Four justices thought that the prayers at public school graduation ceremonies were more in the nature of a formality at a public event. These justices believed that the prayers were part of a long tradition, like prayers at legislative sessions, and could not be seen as an attempt to indoctrinate children in a particular religious belief. The other five justices did not agree and ruled that such prayers violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Justice Kennedy, who wrote the majority opinion, held that while attendance at public school graduation ceremonies is not required, few students would want to miss the ceremony. While the children could absent themselves from the part of the ceremony that contained the prayer, that would be difficult for them because of the very nature of the graduation process. There would also be peer pressure to participate and to not "make a fuss" about the prayer. The Court ruled that because the graduation ceremony is part of an official public school event, prayers cannot be allowed. (CARELLI 2000)."
Abstract This paper outlines the history of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and its achievements throughout its seventy years. Safety regulations, issues of aviation concern, and milestones in union negotiations are discussed.
From the Paper " With the recent terrorist attacks in the United States, airline safety has been of top concern. Six months ago airport security was seldom discussed except perhaps in an article tucked in a newspaper or magazine. Now it's a top story on the evening news every night. It makes us wonder if anyone has been thinking of our safety until now.
The Airline Pilots Association has always been thinking of our safety. From metal detectors in airports to the "fasten seat belt" signs on airliners, the APLA was responsible. The ALPA is regarded as the leader in safety issues concerning all areas of aviation."
Abstract This paper examines public opinion on President Bush's move to free trade. The writer shows that while people both enjoy the freedom of purchase that comes with the move, they are also concerned about the economic and social ramifications.
From the Paper "Advocates of free trade claim benefits to both individuals and society, while protectionists claim that people need protection from free trade. There is no doubt that business is becoming increasingly global and it seems free trade will mark the future of international business. By considering both sides of the argument, a balanced view of the issue can be obtained. It may even be possible to combine both sides of the argument to give a true account of the impact of free trade."
Abstract This paper compares and discusses Plato's belief that the love of wisdom must be joined with political power if there is to be well being as espoused in his work "The Republic" that was narrated by Socrates and depicts an ideal society called Utopia. The writer analyzes the ideals of this society and attitudes towards various factors - education, happiness and well-being.
From the Paper "Plato wrote "The Republic" sometime around 360 B.C. The narrator of the book is Socrates, who was Plato's teacher and mentor. The core theme of the book is "justice" and creating a "just" society or what came to be known as a Utopia. Central to this core theme are several other key ingredients, including the love of wisdom, political power, and personal well being. Plato begins the book with a search for what justice is, and by the end of the first book, Socrates admits that he still is not sure what is "just.""
Abstract This paper details the different attitudes of these scholars' views on God and religion. St. Thomas Aquinas and Machiavelli represent the two extremes of the understanding of reason and faith. Machiavelli exhibits the influence of the Renaissance on his conception of God and faith in God. The existence of God is unquestionable and need not be proven. Aquinas also believes that the existence is self-evident, but as a Christian scholar Aquinas is obligated to develop a proof for the existence of God.
From the Paper "Machiavelli mentions God in various passages of his writing, but God never represents the central theme of any of his writings. Typical of Machiavelli he manages to incorporate the gods of pagan religions into his writing and his theories. God's focus was justice and mercy. As a Christian, Machiavelli naturally mentions the importance of Jesus Christ. As with other people of the time, Machiavelli prayed to God when difficulties arose with the possibility that his prayers would be answered."
Tags: religion, philosophy, god, politics, realism, The, Prince, faith, Christian
Abstract This paper studies John Stuart Mill's concept of liberty which is stated in his book "On Liberty". This paper endeavours to define exactly what Mills? notion of liberty is and how it should be regulated.The main discrepancies of his theory are highlighted so as to demonstrate the apparent contradiction between his ideology and the examples he chooses to showcase his theory in its application. This paper concludes that his approach seems to be liberal but ends up with a distinctly "non-liberal" feel.
From the Paper "Mill defines liberty (civil or social) as ?the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual.? (Chapter I - Introductory; 1) The obvious wielder of this power Mill identified to be the government. However the government can be controlled or checked in turn since they are still held accountable to the people. Mill recognized another wielder of this control over the individual, the "society" in question that exercises this power over the individual is the majority or those considered to be the majority. However, unlike the government, which is held accountable to the people, the majority does not have those checks. Mill states that in many instances the ruling majority is not always the same people who have this power exercised on them. The majority may even wish to dominate a part of the population. Therefore, there would still need to be a limitation placed on this ruling majority. (Chapter I - Introductory; 4)"
Abstract The writer of this paper investigates the change in America's policy of international peace-keeper to that of a self-serving regime which influences the policies of countries, specifically after the September 11 attack. He further explores how the rest of the world sees America's change of policy and the affect it has on world politics.
From the Paper "There is also a growing dislike for the "American policies" among a number of counties; the French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine called the United States a "hyperpower," the Dutch Prime Minister declared that the European Union should make itself "a counterweight to the United States." Russian and China have always opposed the U.S.' "hegemony" and are hoping to establish "a multipolar world." America should endeavor to create a more respectful and mutually acceptable relationship with the other great powers. Philosopher and political analyst Walter Lippmann wrote in 1965, "A mature great power will make measured and limited use of its power." Professor David Calleo, says that American leadership is "sometimes like a kind of world government but run by us, and without much reference to what people think" (Woollacott, 2001.)"
Abstract The writer of this paper speculates as to the causes of these two regimes, and effects some sort of a comparison as to their respective causes. The paper thoroughly examines the causes of these regimes and compares the respective regimes of these two dictators. By doing so it illuminates some of the historical circumstances that produced these regimes and shows what can be used to prevent the horrors perpetrated by these men from happening again.
From the Paper "Thus the reasons for the development of dictatorial regimes in Germany and Russian, though parallel in the level of fear of foreign invasion and of economic turmoil are similar, they are not synonymous. Germany's Nazi regime was rooted more in a psychological rather than an economic reality, the lack of a democratic tradition, rather than of an industrial tradition. The causes may have been different, though the toll of human life was still great."
Abstract This paper shows how both Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche espouse similarly uncompromising, yet completely different, criticism of their respective societies. Both Marx and Nietzsche champion radical thinking and call for extensive changes or a complete reformation of society. The writer examines both of these philosopher's views and compares them to each other.
From the Paper "Marx follows up on Rousseau's emphasis on a society in which individuals have basic responsibilities towards each other, and thus society's role is not only to protect individual freedoms. But Marx dramatically elevates the status these societal responsibilities, thereby completely dismantling individualism. Nietzsche particularly opposes such ideas as Marx's insistence on equality and mutual responsibilities, and, it seems, is less hostile to Locke's state of nature with its emphasis on individual freedom. Marx analyzes the social structure in a lucid and helpful manner, as he raises issues that that must be addressed; however both Marx and Nietzsche, for all their criticism of the existing social order, do not provide a credible ideology on which a better society can be established."
Abstract It clearly can be confusing to evaluate Josef Stalin's actions and his role in the events of World War II. There are, nonetheless, some well-documented facts about Stalin's behavior in the wartime period. This essay presents those facts and analyzes why Stalin chose these behaviors and what motivated him. Stalin role and conduct included: heavy personal involvement in the operations of the war, continual thoughts of self-preservation and power, humiliation and intimidation of his own people, and his ability to think several moves ahead in postwar policy goals. Why he did these things is traced to his life before World War II.
From the Paper "In discussing Stalin's role, motivations, and behavior during World War II, the historian is presented with a problem that must be overcome before beginning. He must decide which accounts of Stalin's role and behavior are most accurate and then, and only then, proceed with the analysis of the motivations and character traits that caused them. There are two schools of thought about Stalin in World War II. The first is exemplified by many traditional historians, who believe that in the 1930s Stalin was focused solely on the internal health of the Soviet Union and had no plans for aggressive Bolshevik expansion. His mistrust of the West in dealing with Hitler's aggression led him to make a defensive alliance with Germany to stop them before they advanced in his direction. In this treaty, Stalin agreed to let Hitler move some steps to the east in return for his allowing Stalin to move Soviet borders to the west; a division of Eastern Europe. As a result, Stalin correctly foresaw that Hitler would fall into conflict with the Western powers and not the USSR. Stalin thereby gained both the time and space he desperately needed for the build-up of his own defenses. This was proceeding when Hitler, buoyed by his quick successes in Western Europe, launched a surprise assault on the Soviet Union in June, 1941. This invasion caught Stalin totally by surprise; he had ignored warnings from many credible sources and refused to question his own assumptions about Hitler. Stalin felt great remorse over his strategic blunder, spent some time in seclusion and stunned inaction, and then finally rose to the challenge. In the coming four years he personally rallied the Soviet Union, its people and soldiers, into a great victory over fascism, one that could not have been possible without the sacrifices and patriotism Stalin inspired in the Soviet citizens. After the war, Stalin felt that the amount of death and suffering his people had endured in the war legitimized his creation of Communist buffer states in Eastern Europe."
Abstract The role of the federal government in determining policies and practices in the nation's school is traced. The author contends that the federal agency's role is limited, and may involve little more than seeing that applications for funding are properly submitted, compliance or audit issues resolved and money disbursed in timely fashion.
From the Paper "Critics of federal involvement in public schools say that state and local authorities understand better what kind of standards and practices their school districts need. Some also believe that national standards or testing will inevitably lead to a national curriculum, the contents of which may be fiercely opposed by some local school boards. Finally, critics say that increased federal involvement adds another expensive bureaucratic layer to the educational system. In the United States education is supposed to be a responsibility of the sub-national governments. However, the federal government intervenes often to define curricula and standards, to grant research money, to regulate, to allocate scholarships, and so forth. This problem is, of course, not limited to the United States."
Abstract In this paper Ithe writer puts forward the reasons that account for the growth in Perestroika, such as the economic decline and social despair suffered by the populations of Russia and the countries of Communist Eastern Europe. It also looks at the man who was responsible for the introduction of Perestroika, Mikail Gorbachev and why he wanted to introduce Perestroika.
From the Paper "The Soviet Union and its satellite countries were on a continual downward spiral from the late 50's and 60?s. Ruled from Moscow, the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe was suffering a very poor economy and social conditions such as housing, welfare and food supply. Leonid Brezhnev, who became Secretary General of the Soviet Communist Party in 1964, reinforced the strict regime of communism. All private ownership in Russia was ended, a mass programme of industrialisation was started and the Soviet military strength was significantly enhanced."
Tags: cold, eastern, europe, glasnost, gorbachev, mikail, perestroika, russia, war
Abstract This paper examines how America moved closer to a true democracy during Andrew Jackson's term of office as President - 1824-1840. The writer shows how during Jackson's presidency the two main factors increasing the democratic nature of American politics were-- active participation of the common man in politics and growth in the two-party political system.
From the Paper "The period of time in from 1824 until 1840 is known as the Jacksonian Era. This was a time of many political reforms that affected American democracy. During the Jacksonian Era, nominating conventions, the spoils system, and public campaigning for office promoted a more democratic process by strengthening the two-party system of government and promoting the active participation of the common man in politics."
Abstract The following paper discusses why anti-abortion campaigns must be halted by providing the reader with media references and statistics with regards to the anti-abortion population. This paper discusses what must be done in order to put the pro-choice laws, that have already been enforced, into practice by a well-briefed, well-trained state system.
From the Paper ?Only a small, militant section of the population is actively anti-abortion.
They believe that abortion kills a living human baby in a painful way. For example, a pro-life website, ironically called The Pro-choice Homepage, describes abortion this way: ?forceps must be used to grasp the baby's body because of the child's advanced development. The baby is dismembered as the abortionist twists and tears the parts of the body and slices the placenta away... the procedure is devastating...?
