Abstract Acting on the statement of John Locke that "In the beginning, all the world was America?, several explorers set off to discover the paradise known as the New World. This paper follows the travels of John Smith, one of the the early eighteenth century's most notable European travellers and William Bradford who served as governor of the successful Plymouth Plantation for over 30 years and wrote about the New World through the eyes of his colonists. Using quotes from texts written by these two men, the paper shows what they actually found on their journeys.
From the Paper ?With no one wanting to work, there would have to be someone to take the blame for the trials they endured in the New World. This person would have to be the leader, John Smith. He refuted the thoughts of the colonies demise, due to thoughts of erroneous leadership by writing, ? I will not say, but by ill providing and undue managing, such courses may be taken [that] may make us miserable enough.? (p.43) Did the demise of the New World rest upon the strength of the leaders in the colonies? Colonists had to tolerate John Smith in order to survive. John Smith strove through so much, to accomplish so little. Those in the colony of James Towne knew so little about how to succeed in such a vicious world, but those who would trust in their leader would go on to experience John Locke's paradise in the New World."
Tags: indian, pocahontas, puritan, Garden, of, Eden
Abstract The writer looks closely at the events that began in May 1958, when the leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Liu Shao-ch?i, announced a "Great Leap Forward" (dayuejin) in which China would "overtake Britain in iron and steel and other major industrial production in fifteen or more years". The paper traces the disastrous effects of this decision.
From the Paper "The movement launched as the Great Leap Forward did not have the backing and support of the whole Party, but was initiated and promoted by its chairman, Mao Tse-tung, with the blessings of a largely radical faction within the Party. Because of the opposition he had encountered from his own colleagues within the Party leadership, Mao had spent January of 1958 travelling around China gathering the support instead of provincial party secretaries and cadres. The leading provincial cadres of East China met in Hangchow and, at the end of the month, those of South China met in Nanning. At both conferences Mao gained support for his "Sixty Points on Working Methods" and was followed in March by a similar demonstration of support for his line at a conference in Chengtu."
Abstract Since 1956 the Georgia State flag has had the Confederate emblem incorporated into it. This remains a contentious issue in the state that considers itself both to be the heart of Dixie and also the heart of the new, enlightened, progressive South. This paper examines the history leading up to the current protests over the state flag and the particular tenure of the most recent debates, ending with arguments over why the flag should remain.
From the Paper "The flag was raised in part as a measure of defiance against Civil Rights laws, but also to commemorate the Civil War centennial. In 1962 it was an act of defiance toward a federal government forcing an end to the segregated South. But now, for many in the state it is no longer a symbol of slavery, which is something for the history books, or segregation, which too is being pushed into the history books as well. The flag for these Georgians is not a symbol of slavery but of loyalty to a shared heritage only they can truly understand (Buckley B7). It is also an emblem of the fact that the South still possesses a local and distinct sense of identity that has been lost to the homogenizing forces of mass media and modern culture in so much of the rest of the country (Los Angeles Times A18)."
Abstract This paper describes the history and function of the Federal Reserve, one of the two most important central banks in the world, along with the Bank of Japan. The paper explains the real policy-making body for the Federal Reserve is the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which fixes the federal-funds rate, or the rate at which banks lend to one another, and decides monetary growth targets. The author states that the Federal Reserve is an independent entity, though there are those who doubt that it is as politically insulated as it is supposed to be.
From the Paper "The Federal Reserve System was formed by an act of Congress in 1913 and was to function as a central bank for the government and the people of the United States. In these functions, the Federal Reserve remains one of the most powerful institutions in American society, influencing the growth of the money supply, affecting interest rates, and playing a large roll in the pace and direction of spending by every citizen and every business. In addition to the 12 district banks, there are some 5,500 private member banks in the Federal Reserve System. Member banks elect six of the nine directors of their district bank, and they in turn recommend some of the people who sit on the two committees in Washington to make or advise on policy for the entire system."
Abstract This paper, using Pennsylvania as a model, demonstrates the differences between state budgeting policies and federal budgeting policies. It shows how the budgeting techniques in the federal government have some major differences, when compared to those in the Pennsylvania State government; these differences include a lack of a separate capital budget, different budget cycles and timelines, and budgetary policy differences.
From the Paper "The federal government uses only one budget to lay out its financial obligations, whereas Pennsylvania uses two separate budgets. The single operating budget used by the federal government is required to outline federal expenditures from purchases to service contracts. Pennsylvania, however, has one budget that outlines services, entitlements and education expenses, and a different budget to make new purchases on capital improvements. The former is called the General Fund, and the latter is the Capital budget. Pennsylvania uses two budgets because the General Fund is used for purchases and contracts that will take place within that fiscal year, and the Capital budget is used to forecast capital purchases in the next five years. In this manner, Pennsylvania can keep better track of its assets and have a tighter grip on where its money is spent. The biggest advantage to having a separate budget for capital improvements is it allows the possibility of change. When funding is appropriated on the federal level, the department gets its money all at once and builds whatever it needs. For a state, though, a program may be feasible at the time of its announcement, but may have to be restricted due to extenuating circumstances (i.e. September 11th and the economic downfall.) "
This paper describes the role of student activists in the quest for civil rights during the 1960s, emphasizing their role in the "sit-in" movement, Freedom Rides, the Mississippi Freedom Summer of 1964 and the rise of Black Power.
Abstract This paper states that, regardless of whether student activists were rioting or peacefully sitting-in, they played a fundamental role in encouraging social reform in civil rights in the 1960s. The author believes that their volunteerism inspired other youths to more actively participate in their communities and supported a great liberal tradition in colleges and universities. The author feels that, most of all, the activism and gains produced the foundations for many other movements that occurred in the 1960s: The free speech and anti-establishment movements, the anti-war protests and women's rights.
From the Paper "The social and political conditions of 1960s America spawned a revolutionary attitude. This emerged from the new humanism, a mood that materialized from a deep felt revulsion to man's inhumanity against man. The era's movements were grounded in a democratic vision; the belief that all people should be full members of society, that individuals become empowered through meaningful social participation and that politics should be founded on respect and compassion. The activists attempted to express the voices of those society treated as "other": racial and ethnic minorities, the poor, women, homosexuals, and Vietnamese peasants. Students particularly caught on to this movement and spread it to the general public through protests, demonstrations, and activism within the community."
Tags: reform, example, volunteerism, participation, liberal
Examines the parliamentary systems of France and Great Britain, comparing and contrasting them. Presents an argument that they are both not effective forms of government.
Abstract This paper argues that the political systems utilized in the UK and in France are ultimately recipes for failure. They are each inherently fractious systems which produce divided, multi-party governing bodies. It argues that, as a result, they are unstable, creating governments of short duration, and they are inefficient, poorly fulfilling the representative objectives to which they aspire.
From the Paper "Great Britain is a parliamentary democracy in which citizens have the right to vote for the parliament and government of their choice. The British Parliament has three components: the House of Commons (1), an elected body consisting of 659 paid members, the House of Lords(2), an unelected body consisting of hereditary members, senior bishops of the Church, and others nominated mainly by the major political parties, and the Monarchy(3), an unelected post- largely ceremonial and necessarily impartial. Jointly, the three governing bodies pass laws, provide the government with funds, and(in the House of Lords) debate policy and relevant issues of the day(Britain in the USA, 1999)."
Abstract Explores the question of the legitimacy of the United States government using Locke's political philosophy of Contractarianism and his Principle of Legitimacy. This explanation includes a definition and a discussion of the purpose of government, Locke's Principle of Legitimacy, the idea of consent and why consent leads to a legitimate government.
From the Paper "In order to discuss why a government is a legitimate one, the definition of government must first be established. A dictionary definition of the word government reads as: "The organization or apparatus through which a governing individual or body functions and exercises authority". The United States government fits this definition simply by having authority and exercising it over a group of people through being an official organization. The government of the United States was set up and laid out by the Constitution for the intention of ruling and benefiting it's citizens. In the specific example of the United States a governing individual does not rule, but a governing body with an official head rules. The three branches of the government, executive, legislative, and judicial, serve as an organization through which authority is exercised. Government, according to Locke, also has a specific purpose. The purpose of Locke's legitimate government is ?to protect property, which means it must supply the three things that are absent in the state of nature: settled law, judges, and enforcement power. "
Abstract Juvenile crime has become one of America's most prominent issues, even as the overall crime rate has declined to the lowest point in decades. Several celebrated cases have helped create an image of teenagers run amok and younger and younger kids committing major felonies. Once apprehended, these children enter a juvenile justice system that many claim utilizes an outdated approach. In some cases, murderers have gone free at age 25 simply because that is the incarceration limit for the juvenile justice system. The paper shows that, in response, an advocacy group placed a get-tough measure (called Proposition 21) on the California ballot. This initiative, which passed overwhelmingly (62 percent to 38 percent), calls for dramatic changes in the juvenile justice system. This paper examines Proposition 21, highlighting the arguments for and against the initiative and submits that the initiative ultimately is a fatally flawed attempt to correct a problem that has been greatly overstated.
From the Paper "The solution to these problems, according to the authors, lies in junking the current juvenile justice system and making it more like the adult courts. The juvenile court philosophy of rehabilitation and treatment of juvenile offenders was adopted at a time when most juvenile crime consisted of petty offenses. That philosophy is woefully out of date at a time when juveniles are increasingly committing violent crimes, and it leaves the public at risk (California Secretary of State)."
An examination of the economic effect of government intervention in the health care industry and ways in which policy decisions may affect Americans in the future.
Abstract This paper discusses how the government regulates much of the health care industry through agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and how government subsidies (including Medicare) are an integral part of the health care delivery system in the United States. It examines how the government has chosen to outsource the processing of claims generated through Medicare to outside agencies in order to increase service levels and decrease costs to the government. It looks at how direct costs increase as the amount of regulation and reporting requirements increase and how competition decreases as providers move out of the market as their profit margins are eroded by the increased costs associated with supporting government regulation.
From the Paper "When President Clinton proposed prescription drug coverage under Medicare in mid-1999, the health care industry moved to combat the proposal, which it considered amounted to price controls on the industry (Stone, 1999, p. 2082). From an economic perspective, the increased lobbying effort will likely lead to an increase in the cost of doing business for drug companies, and consumers are likely to see an increase in prices as a result. Prescription drugs have a relatively inelastic demand schedule (even generic drugs can vary significantly from their ethical counterparts), and some conditions can only be treated effectively with a single product. Lacking widespread substitute goods, suppliers in this industry are able to pass along any increased costs (such as might be associated with lobbying to protect the industry's interests) to consumers."
Abstract This paper argues against the general historic consensus that Franklin D. Roosevelt was an advocate for the American people and that his New Deal organizations had the charitable agenda to redistribute wealth and power in the U.S. The paper shows that those historians who believe this idea fail to recognize the social and economic realities of the 1930s. During this decade the majority of the American people were starved, poor and unemployed. The author of the paper argues that Franklin D. Roosevelt's seemingly liberal reforms imposed by the New Deal did not effectively draw upon the wealthy to provide assistance to the needy, but were proposed in a manner that helped FDR maintain his position as president. As chief executive, Roosevelt enacted measures to preserve capitalism in order to increase government power.
From the Paper "Roosevelt was a shrewd politician who used empty promises to appeal to the average citizen and gain initial public support for his presidency during the depression. Thus, people were easily misled to believe that Roosevelt's actions as president equally benefited labor and industry. During the early 1930's millions had lost their jobs and ?men, women, and children were perishing because of plain lack of food and undernourishment.? This caused Americans to lose faith in the capitalistic system and turn towards the government for help. Entering office in 1932, Roosevelt was expected to solve the "serious [economic] problems" in America, which had caused men to lose their ?sense of security for the present and future necessary to the peace and contentment of the individual and his family.?"
Abstract Philosophers have held different ideas about the nature of freedom and human beings' responsibility for their own liberty. A review of three conceptions of freedom in this paper, held by John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Dewey, demonstrates how such ideas were often developed in direct relationship to the writers' own times and circumstances. The paper shows that Locke was an Englishman living in a nation where certain rights were guaranteed but a balance had to be maintained between the rights of individuals and the power of the crown. Rousseau wrote in the shadow of the despotism inherent in the absolute monarchy of France. It shows that Dewey lived in the world's first representative democracy, where freedom had long been guaranteed and its exercise was the responsibility of the individual.
From the Paper "Each of these three conceptions opposes its idea of freedom to the oppressiveness of tyranny and each places responsibility for securing freedom on human beings themselves. But where Locke saw this as an occasional matter that arose when tyrants gained control of government, Rousseau believed that individuals, having imposed their corrupt institutions on themselves by giving up too much of their freedom, needed to rid themselves of these limiting conditions and replace them with new institutions that worked in accordance with the natural liberty that had been forfeited by civilized humanity. Dewey, who lived, after all, in a representative democracy, disregarded such concerns and saw it as each individual's responsibility to expand her/his sphere of action by making intelligent choices--regardless of whether such choices involved action within one's family, one's profession, or one's society."
Abstract Joseph Stalin was not a theorist, but he was a consummate politician. In the 1920s, Marxist-Leninist theoretical grounding was a primary mode of legitimation for those who aspired to leadership of the Russian Communist Party. The paper shows that Stalin was, therefore, always able to elucidate an appropriate theoretical pedigree for whatever he believed was the best course for the new nation or, not incidentally, for his own political ends. The paper shows that Stalin's first Five Year Plan -- adopted, modified and approved between September 1928 and April 1929 -- was just such a course of action. It explains how he changed his previously stated intentions and ideologies in order to develop the Five Year Plan and remain in power as the leader of Communist Russia.
From the Paper "From his earliest study of Marxist theory Stalin was attracted to dialectical materialism as a world view that provided "a coherent overall philosophical image of the world" and conceived of society past and present "as a great battleground whereon two hostile forces -- bourgeoisie and proletariat -- are locked in mortal combat" (Tucker 118, 119). Socialism flowed inevitably, logically from Marx's systematic thought and justified the revolutionary extremism that had a special appeal for Stalin. In his early political incarnation Stalin sided with the so-called "hards" who were opposed to the moderation of the left. He became a leading proponent of Lenin's militant interpretation of Marx and, as a leading advocate of Bolshevism, Stalin "found himself in his spiritual element" (121)."
Abstract The writer discusses the thesis that the United Nations is nothing but a reflection of the whole world and is a collective repository of our own ambitions, failures and deceit. The paper uses sources from recent conflicts to prove that nations should stop blaming the UN and start putting their own governments in order.
From the Paper "The role of peace keeping and peace building that the UN was entrusted with is enshrined in its Charter. The United Nations Charter states that the main objective of the United Nations is to spare future generations from the scourge of war, ?to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace. The rising number of armed conflicts is sending a strong message to the United Nations that if it were to continue to respond to international crises in an effective manner, it must maintain the process of review and reform its peacekeeping missions."
Abstract This paper begins by describing the strong influence white supremacist groups used to have in the United States, while questioning whether this influence still exists. In the years following the defeat of the Confederacy by the Union, resistance to Reconstruction and changes in the status of former African slaves was to emerge throughout the American South. Supremacist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and Knights of the White Camellia were formed in part by southern leaders in the 1860s to destroy the voting power of newly freed slaves and to do damage to carpetbag misrule. According to the paper, such organizations are restructuring themselves into survivalist groups that are calling for increased cultural separatism. The author further contends that such groups do exist and do exert an influence over American political and social systems, but their actual presence and influence in American life is most probably less than one might suspect.
From the Paper "It was, however, the formal resistance to the policies of Reconstruction in the form of the Klan that most troubled race relations in the South during an long after Reconstruction. Martin and Roberts (1989, pp. 501 -502) quote a historian of the Klan who asserted that it "whipped, shot, hanged, robbed, raped and otherwise outraged Negroes and Republicans across the South in the name of preserving white civilization." A major goal of the Klan was to intimidate Republican voters and electoral candidates (including those Blacks who were affiliated with the Party) and to restore Democrats to office."
